On old Walnut-tree hill.
In the fall of 1862, as I was taking a stroll about the town, I happened to be on that part of College hill now the site of the reservoir at the time of the arrival of a party of gentlemen who climbed the hill and gathered themselves around a wheelbarrow that stood there with [p. 31] a shovel laid across it. I saw at once that something unusual was in progress.
I was informed of its nature when one of the party, after making a few remarks concerning the object in view, thrust the shovel into the earth and broke ground for the construction of the reservoir to be used as a part of the water-supply system to be constructed by the city of Charlestown.
After depositing his shovel of earth upon the barrow he passed the shovel to his next neighbor and it passed from hand to hand until all but one had made their little speeches and deposited their shovels of earth upon the barrow.
The last gentleman then came forward and as he took hold of the barrow to wheel away the load said, ‘The city of Charlestown has a big job on its hands in providing for a water supply, but our Uncle Samuel has a bigger one on his hands in putting down this rebellion and I am going to help him.’
He wheeled the barrow a short distance and dumped the load.
He went to the front and never returned—was killed in his first engagement.
