The heroic, bittersweet story of Rev. James Caldwell
by Adam Colwell
America’s revolutionary history is filled with ministers of the Gospel who also served as great patriots willing to sacrifice all for the cause of independence.
Known as the “Fighting Parson” of the Revolutionary War, Rev. James Caldwell was one such man. Born in Cub Creek in Charlotte County, VA, the seventh son of Scots-Irish settlers, Caldwell became pastor of the Presbyterian church in then-Elizabethtown, New Jersey in 1762. Among his congregation’s members was Abraham Clark, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and more than 40 commissioned officers of the Continental Army. In 1776 Caldwell was named chaplain of a regiment that mainly consisted of members of his church, and later served as a commissary for New Jersey militia troops.
In June 1780, British and Hessian forces invaded from Staten Island, taking Elizabethtown and Connecticut Farms after facing stiff but undermanned resistance from militia and regular troops. During the fray at Connecticut Farms, Rev. Caldwell’s wife, Hannah, was shot and killed. Home with their baby and a three-year-old toddler, Hannah was shot through a window or wall as she sat with her children on a bed. Whether the shooting was as a result of the battle – or an intentional act – remains a mystery. Whatever the true circumstances, her death became a rallying cry, and Rev. Caldwell took part a few days later in the Battle of Springfield, NJ.
It was there Rev. Caldwell went down in Revolutionary lore. The Americans had run out of wadding for their guns…akin to having no ammunition for their weapons. Rev. Caldwell ran inside a nearby church and grabbed stacks of Isaac Watt’s Psalms and Hymns – a classic doctrinal hymnal of the Christian faith. He then gave the pages of the hymnals to the soldiers to use as wadding for their muskets, exhorting them with, “Now, boys, give ‘em Watts! Give ‘em Watts!” The combination of regulars and militia men turned back the British attack, but not before the English soldiers had burned all but five structures in the town, including Caldwell’s church and home.
Hailed as a hero, Rev. Caldwell did not get to enjoy his notoriety very long. In November 1781 he was shot by a sentry, and accounts of the incident, like that of his wife, differ whether it was accidental or deliberate. The sentry, James Morgan, was hanged for his murder in January 1782 amid rumors that he had been bribed to kill the chaplain. There were nine orphaned children of Hannah and Rev. James Caldwell, all of whom were raised by friends of the family. Rev. Caldwell now lies next to his wife in the yard of the church he served for nearly thirty years. The town of Caldwell, New Jersey is named in his honor, and a monument to him stands in present-day Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Adam Colwell is a freelance writer and Chief Editor of The Presidential Prayer Team website. Active in Christian para-church ministry for over 25 years, he and his wife Ginger have two daughters and live in Tucson, AZ
http://www.presidentialprayerteam.com/index.php
Lyrics by Francis Scott Key :
First Verse
Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro’ the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watch’d, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air
Gave proof thro’ the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say, does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Second Verse
On the shore, dimly seen thro’ the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream;
‘Tis the Star-Spangled Banner, O long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Third Verse
Oh, thus be it ever when free men shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation!
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Pow’r that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto, “In God is our trust”
And the Star-Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
The “Stars and Stripes”, the official National symbol of the United States of America was authorized by congress on that Saturday of June 14, 1777 in the fifth item of the days agenda. The entry in the journal of the Continental Congress 1774-1789 Vol. Vlll 1777 reads “Resolved that the flag of the thirteen United States be Thirteen stripes alternate red and white: that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”
It is the right of every American to proudly display the Flag of the United States at their home, their business, and elsewhere. When you “SHOW YOUR COLORS” you tell the world that you are proud to live in the “Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.”
“The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.
US Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, § 176. ( j )
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
(Verse 4 of the Star Spangled Banner written by Francis Scott Key in 1814)
To all our Servicemen and women, and to their families, we Thank You
Below is the pledge of nonviolence that Martin Luther King Jr. asked his marchers to abide by. The Tea party movement has been accused of instigating violence since town hall meetings last summer yet there is very little truth to that even from the more radical members. We will continue to act responsibly as we continue to hold government accountable for it’s lack of regard for the constitution and our freedom.
Pledge of Nonviolence
1. As you prepare to march meditate on the life and teachings of Jesus
2. Remember the nonviolent movement seeks justice and reconciliation – not victory.
3. Walk and talk in the manner of love; for God is love.
4. Pray daily to be used by God that all men and women might be free.
5. Sacrifice personal wishes that all might be free.
6. Observe with friend and foes the ordinary rules of courtesy.
7. Perform regular service for others and the world.
8. Refrain from violence of fist, tongue and heart.
9. Strive to be in good spiritual and bodily health.
10. Follow the directions of the movement leaders and of the captains on demonstrations.
Go to http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/39452/ if you would like to sign this pledge to non violent patriotism and also to read more on the five principles of non violence.
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Almost one year ago, one person threw the first local tea party in Spencer on April 15 (tax day) and over 300 people came. Without any planning or organizing, people began filling area town hall meetings last summer. Serious issues were brought to the attention of communities and media, and politicians who didn’t keep their word or trampled on freedom faced angry citizens.
David and Paul used their fantastic 1939 truck all decked out in flags and banners for town parades last summer while Dennis rigged up his sound system for a full-fledged heart swell of patriotism! People spent countless hours listening and talking to area residents about legislation affecting their families and regulations beyond belief impeding the success of their businesses and schools.
It wasn’t long before two people arranged a meeting in Sheldon for like-minded citizens hoping to stop the government freight train of business, bank and health care takeovers. Since then, these two groups have hosted forums with state legislators, gubernatorial candidates, connected with other tea party groups, traveled to Des Moines to talk with state legislators, traveled to Washington, D.C., written countless emails, letters to politicians and to editors, and made countless phone calls.
Is there anything worthwhile of the time and the work involved? Maybe to answer this we need to ask how many times within the past year have Pelosi, Reid or Obama set a deadline that health care would be voted on? Democrats control the House, the Senate and the Presidency so why hasn’t it happened? It appears that the people are doing what “We the people” of America need to be doing to hold government power in check and the answer would be a resounding “Yes! It is worthwhile.”
Did you get how it has been working? It’s Kris who acts on an idea, David who leads a meeting, Paul who constructs a flag stand, Mike who knows what it takes to keep his gun and his flag, Larry who writes a check, Ken who leads in prayer, Tammy who leads a class on the Constitution, Cindy who patiently visits with Senator Harkin’s assistant, Mark who tells us what he learned, Bruce sharing information, Alyda setting up the information table, Sarah who emails, Lonnie who manages a website and people who pick up the phone again and again. That is to name just a few local people. There are many, many more! This is how grassroots works. You contribute in apparently small way and collectively make a huge impact.
America needs you. Your children and your grandchildren need you to take the time, to be brave stepping out of your comfort zone and to do the little things that pool together with millions of other’s that makes a difference in their future.
Let’s celebrate! It’s the tea party’s birthday next month so go find a tea party near you! Don’t expect grandiose things to be happening at the meeting and don’t expect gifted leaders or perfect people. Expect to be vigilant, meeting after meeting, phone call after phone call. And don’t be surprised if your idea is something that mushrooms into a plan of action, or if your help Saturday morning fills a need that would have gone undone. Thank you! We look forward to seeing you!
This season’s snow falls and Snowpocalypse presents a great opportunity to remember our president who also suffered through the cold to save the Republic.
The third Monday in February has come to be known—wrongly—as President’s Day. But, this is not a day to celebrate every president in our Nation’s history: like one who served only a month in office. This is the day that we celebrate the man who led America to victory in the War for Independence, who was instrumental in the creation of our Constitution, and whose character forever shaped the executive branch. We celebrate George Washington. That’s why it’s Washington’s Birthday; not President’s day.
What makes George Washington a great president, worthy of such celebration, and example to all other presidents? In short, he was committed to the principles of the American Founding. Liberty, Natural Rights, Equality, Religious Liberty, Economic Opportunity, the Rule of Law, Constitutionalism, Self-government, National Independence: these are the truths that George Washington held.
Matthew Spalding, in his latest book We Still Hold These Truths, explains each of these first principles in depth and often points to Washington as an exemplar practitioner. For instance, Spalding points to an important series of letters to different religious congregations as an example Washington’s commitment to the principle of religious liberty. In a letter to a congregation of Jewish people, one of the most persecuted religious minorities in all history, Washington explains:
The citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy—a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it were the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights, for, happily, the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.
Washington understood that citizenship did not require professing particular religious doctrines. Nor does the possession of rights depend upon one’s membership in a certain race or social class.
Not all presidents are George Washington. But all presidents—and all Americans—can and should dedicate themselves to preserving American’s First Principles.
(from Heritage Foundation Morning Bell 2/15/2010)
The observance of Presidents’ Day in the United States is seems to mean something different to everybody. In looking through the local newspaper, one could easily conclude that the modern holiday was created by merchants, just so they could hold their annual Presidents’ Day sales. Depending on your perspective or what part of the country you’re from, Presidents’ Day is intended to honor George Washington, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, or all the American presidents. And for many of us who don’t get the day off from work, the holiday seems to pass almost unnoticed. So what is Presidents’ Day and how did it come about? You can read about it at http://presidentialprayerteam.com/presidentsday/
We received an email asking if our tea party members are open to criticism. It’s time for you to comment.
“ Two questions for members of the so-called “Tea Party” movement:
First, where do you even get off using that name? To identify yourselves with the Boston Tea Party is delusional. That demonstration protested taxation without representation. You have representation. In the 2008 election each of you had the same vote I did. And after having it your way for eight disastrous years, you lost.
Secondly, in the midst of raving hysterically against “big government,” have you ever stopped to think who else is going to defend you against corporate plutocracy? Case in point: If you actually informed yourselves, you’d support health care reform instead of spreading paranoid fantasies about “government takeover of health care.” If one day you suffer a catastrophic illness and lose your home and life savings after being ripped off by your health insurance company, you’ll be getting what’s coming to you.”
3/6/10 – We do not have representation when senators like Harkin do not respond to our calls, letters or emails and will not hold a town hall meeting in our area. When politicians take from us our money, our choices in services we buy and run our businesses by stringent regulations, while these laws do not apply to themselves – then they are not one of us and they do not represent us.
We did not have our way for eight years although there is some truth to the disastrous aspect.
Corporate plutocracy does not concern me nearly as much as socialism and the lack of recognizing Natural Law in our country.
Do you believe the government will protect your home and life savings more than these corporations will? At least the corporations realize their survival depends on citizens being able to buy and spend. The government realizes it grows when citizen’s are oppressed. When you turn over your right of pursuit of happiness to the government for the sake of a little security, then you will get what’s coming to you. You and your children’s children. dvm