Rev. Thruston added, “Since he was caught here in Virginia, we likely enjoyed some of that tea ourselves and may well be judged to be their co-conspirators.”

Both men laughed for a moment but Captain Morgan suddenly became serious and turned toward the rector, “Ahhh, you’re right, Charles. The Crown will certainly accuse us of crimes. But if we fail in what we’re about to do, the British won’t sentence us to seven years of servitude. They will hang us all.”

He turned to me, stared for a long moment, then said, “Nathanael, if you are willing, you shall be my Adjutant, with the rank of ensign. The Adjutant keeps the muster roll and pay roster, maintains our equipment list, keeps an accurate journal of all we do, records all the orders our company receives and issues, and has the account book of what we purchase and spend. Can you do all that—and fight when we must?”

“Yes, sir. But I must have my father’s permission.”

“Your father is in Williamsburg. He and your brother will likely be with Colonel Patrick Henry’s Hanover Militia unit until they recover the powder, shot, and arms Governor Dunmore has stolen. You will need to write your father a letter.”

At that he nodded to Rev. Thruston. The rector reached into the leather pouch slung over his shoulder, pulled out a sheet of paper, an envelope, a small “traveler’s inkwell,” and a quill. Smiling, he handed it all to me and said, “This is why I need those turkey feathers.”

While he and Captain Morgan spoke quietly, I wrote my father a brief message:

At Allason’s Store, Winchester

24th, April, 1775

Dear Father,

Captain Morgan has offered me the opportunity to serve as Adjutant for his Rifle Company.

Though it is uncertain when we shall be called to service, I ask for your permission to accept this appointment.

Please keep me in your prayers, as you and Paul shall be in mine.

Most respectfully, your son,

Nathanael

I blotted the note with the sleeve of my hunting shirt and handed it to the captain. He read it, nodded, and gave it back to me with instructions: “Address the envelope to ‘Captain James H. Newman, care of Col. Patrick Henry,’ and give it to Rev. Thruston.”

As the rector packed my letter and the writing tools in his pouch, Captain Morgan explained, “Rev. Thruston is the Chairman and Secretary for the Frederick County Committee of ­Correspondence and responsible for our Trusted Courier service. He has a messenger riding to Williamsburg this afternoon. Your father should have your letter tomorrow. Hopefully, you will have his answer before Friday when we hold our Rifle Company selection at the Tavern in Battletown.