The Minute Man

By Michael Maddox

The Minute Man is a fictionalized account of the events leading up to, and including, the Battles of Lexington and Concord which took place in April 1775. This story focuses on three sets of players. First, there were the scheming Boston Sons of Liberty, including Sam Adams, Paul Revere and Joseph Warren, which drove the authorities to distraction and missteps. The second group is the British Army, officers and men, led by General Gage who became the pointed end of London’s stick. The last actors, for whom the book is named, are the townsfolk and farmers who made up the bulk of armed resistance the first day of the fighting. Both the agitators and the army brass had their vested interests, but the common man—both enlisted soldiers and villagers—bore the inevitable brunt of the conflict. The tale is one of not only of revolution, but of a nascent civil war, as a brother turns on his brother, and a wife betrays her husband. It is an emotional portrayal of what did, and what might have, happened in the character’s lives over those days. While the book starts with the Boston Tea Party, it was unclear to the participants at the time that it would be the opening scene of the Revolutionary War, which did not cease till many years later in the South.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael Maddox
• Release date: Jan 7, 2013
• ISBN: 9780615736020

Michael Maddox

Michael Maddox is a marketing manager for a global information company. He was raised in the South, but has lived in New England for forty years. The Minute Man is his first novel. He is married and lives in Lincoln, Massachusetts.

Book preview

The Minute Man

a novel by

Michael Maddox

Copyright © 2012 by Michael Maddox

This is a work of fiction. The characters and events are products of the author’s imagination. References to actual events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and is not intended by the author.

All Rights Reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying , recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the author.

Smashwords Edition January 2013

Contents

Title Page

Dedication

Author’s Note

Epigraph

Prologue

CHAPTERS

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19

20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29

30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37

About the Author

Synopsis

The Minute Man is a fictionalized account of the events leading up to, and including, the Battles of Lexington and Concord which took place in April 1775. This story focuses on three sets of players. First, there were the scheming Boston Sons of Liberty, including Sam Adams, Paul Revere and Joseph Warren, which drove the authorities to distraction and missteps. The second group is the British Army, officers and men, led by General Gage who became the pointed end of London’s stick. The last actors, for whom the book is named, are the townsfolk and farmers who made up the bulk of armed resistance the first day of the fighting. Both the agitators and the army brass had their vested interests, but the common man—both enlisted soldiers and villagers—bore the inevitable brunt of the conflict. The tale is one of not only of revolution, but of a nascent civil war, as a brother turns on his brother, and a wife betrays her husband. It is an emotional portrayal of what did, and what might have, happened in the character’s lives over those days. While the book starts with the Boston Tea Party, it was unclear to the participants at the time that it would be the opening scene of the Revolutionary War, which did not cease till many years later in the South.

To Kimra

Author’s Note

I am grateful to three people who have helped in the writing of this book. First to my daughter, Katherine Maddox, who helped not only edit an earlier screenplay version, but also added a scene. After conversion into novel form, Liz Meitl had the patience to edit the entire work of a novice writer. Midge Meade was very helpful in reading the copy and offering editing advice. Thanks to these caring people.

The work is a fictional portrait of a time in colonial Boston and environs. I have taken some liberties with the facts for the sake of a good story. Needless to say, I find it a fascinating time. All characters portrayed, actual or fictional, are a product of my interpretation and imagination. Any errors are entirely my own.

Lincoln, Massachusetts

November 2012

Let us now sing the praises of famous men, our ancestors in their generations. The Lord apportioned to them great glory, his majesty from the beginning. There are those who ruled in their kingdoms, and made a name for themselves by their valor; those who gave counsel because they were intelligent; those who spoke in prophetic oracles; those who led the people by their counsels and by their knowledge of the people’s lore; they were wise in their generations, and were the pride of their times. Some of them have left behind a name, so that others declare their praise. But of others there is no memory; they have perished as though they had never existed; they have become as though they had never been born, they and their children after them. But these also were godly men, whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten…Their offspring will continue forever, and their glory will never be blotted out. Their bodies are buried in peace, but their name lives on generation after generation.

Ecclesiasticus 44:1-10, 13-14

Prologue

Boston, December 16, 1773

Sam Adams closes his front door and steps into Belchers Lane. As he looks over Boston’s harbor, he buttons his coat and pulls in his chin against the cold. The wind, whipping off the water, makes the rainy afternoon all the more disagreeable. But Adams notices nothing about the weather. His thoughts spin furiously, and his lips move with possibilities and scenarios as he sets off down the street. A passerby’s nodding acquaintance is hardly noticed, so distracted is Adams by his cogitations.

He is excited by what, he hopes, is soon to unfold. The Governor is in a bind that the aristocratic bastard is unlikely to escape. Adams still can’t believe his good luck. Hutchinson had actually named his two sons and a nephew as consignees for the tea. He might as well have posted notices that he was lining his own pockets at the expense of the people. Adams knows that the Governor is, usually, a stickler for ostensibly keeping to the rule of the law. He will not be bullied into letting Rotch, the Dartmouth’s owner, take the tea back out of Boston Harbor. In one more day Hutchinson would land the tea and Rotch would pay the duty. Hutchinson would then be free to sell it.

This is the opportunity for which Adams has been waiting. Every new English outrage caused indignation and unrest in the colony, but then there was the maddening, inevitable lull. The Stamp Act, Quartering Act, Boston Massacre, Townshend Act all had come like storm waves beating on the shore, but each eventually died down. True, each incident had deepened people’s mistrust and animosity towards the royal authorities, reducing the residue of their goodwill towards London. But the Tea Act gave Adams the gale that he was hoping would dash the government’s ship on the rocks. He wants to provoke the Governor, the Parliament, the King…anybody, to take the final step. The step they couldn’t retract.

He rounds a corner and walks to a door where an overhanging sign announces the Boston Gazette. He crosses the threshold and, doglike, shakes off the accumulated water on his coat. The room contains a printing press and some chairs but is otherwise empty and dark. He looks toward the stairs which lead upwards to an opening in the ceiling. Through the opening he can see light and hear the rattle of men laughing. The voice of Benjamin Edes sounds out above the din.

Benjamin Edes and John Gill are editors of the Boston paper, the Gazette. The Gazette, firmly planted in the patriot camp, is the vehicle for many a letter excoriating royal prerogatives. It is one of the many instruments Adams uses to get propaganda to the people of Boston. Sam’s pen cuts like a sword for the cause.

Adams throws his coat over the press and thumps up the steps, and into the smoky room his head, disembodied, rises above the floor boards. He sees his troops around the table. Most have pipes and wave them in the air to emphasize their points. Stacks of dusty newspapers line the walls and fill the bookshelves.

Edes notices Adams rising in the haze. The very man has returned. How was Elizabeth? Reveling in our success is she? All eyes turn to Adams, and the noise dies down.

Adams, smiling broadly, says, She’s well, but more cautious than I. Waiting to see what happens.

As are we all, Sam. Edes answers.

Do you think Hutchinson will have second thoughts? says John Greenleaf. Greenleaf, along with the others present--William Dennie, James Bryant and Joseph Gooding--are original Sons of Liberty. They had been there in the early days, toasting each other at the Liberty Tree Tavern. They all feel and think the same, often finishing each other’s sentences.

All have been recruited off the streets, from the rival North End and South End gangs. These gangs, made of the middling to lower classes, are well known for their Pope’s Day riots every November. Rival gangs meet, each carrying effigies of the Pope, and engage in wholesale melees. The side with the least cracked heads declares victory and proceeds to burn both theirs, and the captured, Pope. Everyone then leaves, pretty much content with themselves.

Adams had co-opted Ebenezer Mackintosh, the leader of the South End gang, into opposing the Stamp Act. Adams had the indubitable gift of relating to the mechanics of the town. He induced sublimation of the gang’s recreational, but violent, sport into a more socially acceptable and useful purpose.

Adams’ Sons of Liberty achieve their goals through any means necessary, although where possible they prefer to only intimidate. Threats usually do, but if it comes to it, they are not above raising the ante, and their fists. They had, amongst other acts, looted Hutchinson’s fine house, destroyed his library and run his wife and children into the street fearing for their lives. They have raised rioting, as well as tar and feathering, to fine art forms, doing little by halves.

Adams walks into the room and stands beside the table. The Governor is a principled man, and that will be his downfall. He will not change his mind, since he knows that he is right. Parliament has spoken, and he will uphold the law. I am counting on him to not bend. Adams looks over at Gooding and nods. Joseph, I think it’s about time you rounded up the men. I trust the inclement weather won’t dampen their headgear. I think it’s letting up anyway.

Gooding taps out his pipe then takes a swig from a delicate china cup, incongruous in his hands. With a nod and smile, he leaves the room.

Eades says, "It is going to be clear to even the dullest customs officer that they are not really Indians.

Adams replies, Even the dullest, Benjamin? Even the dullest will understand what we mean tonight.

The King’s reaction is going to be strong.

Adams answers, I’m depending on it. You know how long we have nursed this fire along. It flares up, and then dies to a smolder. I have lain on my stomach to blow life into it. But the kindling is dry, and I pray this time the flames, by God, will have to ignite.

Sam, you may be right. This will be such a slap to their face that they will have no choice except to react with force.

If the Almighty answers my prayers, we will have goaded them into striking back so hard there will be no return. Adams reaches over and grabs a cup, which he plunges into a punch bowl filled with flip and raises it in the air with relish. Flip, a colonial concoction of beer, molasses and rum, fueled many a tactical session. Gentlemen, let us toast our success today--lighting the fuse that will run these aristocrats and their hirelings out of Massachusetts. He suddenly loses his smile, and in an instant, his mouth turns into a sneer. He hesitates, as if recollecting something unpleasant. Arbitrary power will soon be at an end.

They all raise their cups and drink. Adams is their emotional leader. He keeps the flame burning in them all, because the everlasting fire burns within him. He is the ultimate politician, maneuvering and plotting to reach his ends. But it isn’t personal power he wants. He wishes, simply, to crush the Royal government. By some enormous stroke of good fortune for his fellow Americans, he channeled his energies in a direction that lead towards a new fangled notion—democracy.

Adams is the son of a self-made man--the kind of man that did not exist in England. Self-made was not even a concept. The inheritance went to the first born son. A person was esteemed by how much money his estate or stocks passively