Worcester State University - Oak Leaf Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

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met Henry Knox when the former had made his initial inspection of Cambridge. Knox’s interest in military engineering has so impressed others close to Washington that he eventually recommended Knox to Congress as the successor to Colonel Gridley, the aging commanding officer of Washington’s artillery regiment. In Revolutionary days, military engineers were required to have skill in both gunnery and fortification, and although Knox’s knowledge was gained essentially from books he obtained for British officers who patronized his bookstore, he had an interest to learn, a retentive memory, was quick thinking and, most importantly, dedicated to the cause. Ticonderoga, New York to Cambridge, Mass. The actual event took place during December and January 1775-76, and was prompted by a raid on Lechmere’s Point by British General Henry Clinton in early November 1775. General Washington, fearing that the attack was merely a test for future contemplated action by General Howe, decided to fortify several of the Cambridge hills close to Boston. However, such fortification would be ineffective unless the sites were buttressed with cannon, which were in short supply around Cambridge. Gunpowder was also desperately needed. Several months previously, Washington had 5

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Even more shocking was the story of Ruggle’s daughter, Bathesheba Ruggles Spooner. Bathesheba, while in her teens, married a much older but well-to-do Brookfield farmer by the name of Joshua Spooner. The political views held by Spooner were contrary to those of his wife and the difference was exacerbated by Spooner’s own sour demeanor, Bathesheba’s assertiveness, strong loyalty to her father and the turmoil of the time. A young soldier, recently discharged from Washington’s army, came to live at the homestead. He and Bathesheba fell in love and she became pregnant. In those times, divorce was practically impossible. Little sympathy was held for Bathesheba by the townspeople due to her outspoken manner and avowed loyalty to Britain and her father. In desperation, she enlisted the aid of her houseguest and two British prisoners of war. They succeeded in killing Spooner, were immediately caught, tried and hung. Although the events recounted here have special local significance, their repercussions were felt from Lexington to Yorktown. Even today, we are affected by those events which occurred 200 years ago. The Bicentennial Celebration rekindles their memory. One of the more colorful events of the Bicentennial Celebration was the reinactment of the trek of General Henry Knox from Fort 4 I

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