August 15, 1776

This story from Elizabethtown, New Jersey, described the encouragement an elderly woman in the community shared with some of the men who were preparing to defend the town against the British. When the alarm was raised in Elizabethtown, “there were three or four young men, brothers, going out from one house,” and this woman, “mother, or grand-mother to the young men,” helped them get ready. She had “a resolute calmness,” and offered a few words as they set out. She said that they were fighting for “a just cause,” for their “rights and liberties.” She prayed for protection, but she also pushed them to be brave and not run away from the enemy forces: “Let me beg of you, my children, that if you fall, it may be like men; and that your wounds may not be in your back parts.” 

The Pennsylvania Journal; and the Weekly Advertiser
Printed by William and Thomas Bradford

NEW-YORK, August 8.
[...]
We hear from Elizabeth-Town, that on a late alarm there, when an immediate attack of the regulars was expected, and every man capable of bearing arms, was summoned to defend it, there were three or four young men, brothers, going out from one house, when an elderly lady, mother, or grand-mother to the young men, who, without betraying the least signs of timidity had, with a resolute calmness, encouraged and assisted them to arm, when they were ready to go, and just setting out, addressed them thus, “My children, I have a few words to say to you, you are going out in a just cause, to fight for the rights and liberties of your country—you have my blessing and prayers, that God will protect and assist you—but if you fall—his will be done. Let me beg of you, my children, that if you fall, it may be like men; and that your wounds may not be in your back parts.”