At the  Battle of Yorktown,  Thomas Nelson, Jr.  noted that the

British General Cornwallis,  had taken over the Nelson home for

his headquarters. The owner quietly urged General George

Washington to open fire, which was done. The home was destroyed,

and Nelson died bankrupt.



Francis Lewis  had his  home and his properties  destroyed.  The

enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying.

Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his grist

mill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests

and caves, returning home after the war to find his wife dead,

his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion

and a broken heart.



Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.



Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution.

These were not wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft

spoken men of means and education. The had security, but valued

liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, the

pledged: "For the support of this Declaration, with firm reliance

on the protection of the Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to

each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."



They gave us an Independent America...            Can We Keep It?



_________________________________________________________________



Dave Tracewell

SCOUTER ECHO MODERATOR