CHAPTER XXXIII.
BLACK MEN IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
The Boston Massacre, March 5, 1770, may be
regarded as the first act in the great drama of the
American Revolution. "From that moment," said
Daniel Webster, "we may date the severance of the
British Empire." The presence of the British soldiers
in King Street excited the patriotic indignation of the
people. The whole community was stirred, and sage
counsellors were deliberating and writing and talking
about the public grievances. But it was not for "the
wise and prudent" to be the first to act against the
encroachments of arbitrary power.
A motley rabble of men and boys, led by Crispus Attucks, a negro, and shouting, "The way to get rid of these soldiers is to attack the main guard; strike at the root; this is the nest!" with more valor than discretion, they rushed to King Street, and were fired upon by Captain Preston's company. Crispus Attucks was the first to fall; he and Samuel Gray and Jonas Caldwell were killed on the spot. Samuel Maverick and Patrick Carr were mortally wounded.
The excitement which followed was intense. The
