The Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution, Vol. 2 (of 2): or, Illustrations, by Pen And Pencil, of the History, Biography, Scenery, Relics, and Traditions of the War for IndependenceLossing, Benson John
History
The Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution, Vol. 2 (of 2): or, Illustrations, by Pen And Pencil, of the History, Biography, Scenery, Relics, and Traditions of the War for Independence
Lossing, Benson John
United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783
{367}physician, who was absent, was much grieved on his return. His
skill detected symptoms of life, and he desired a postponement of
burial. The body was cold and stiff; there were no signs of life to the
common apprehension, and his brother insisted that he should be
buried. But the entreaties of the physician prevailed; the funeral was
postponed. On the third day after his apparent death, the people were
assembled to bury him. The doctor, who had been at his side from the
beginning, still insisted upon applying restoratives. The hour appointed
for the burial arrived, and the brother of Tennent impatiently demanded
that the funeral ceremonies should be performed. At that moment, to
the alarm of all present, Mr. Tennent opened his eyes, gave a dreadful
groan, and relapsed again into apparent lifelessness. This movement
was twice repeated after an interval of an hour, when life permanently
remained, and the patient slowly recovered. * Absolute forgetfulness
of all knowledge marked his return to consciousness. He was totally
ignorant of every transaction of his life previous to his sickness.
He had to be taught reading, writing, and all things, as if he was a
new-born child. At length he felt a sudden shock in his head, and
from that moment his recollection was by degrees restored. These
circumstances made a profound impression on the public mind, and became
the theme of philosophical speculation and inquiry.
When the storm abated we left the church and proceeded to the
battle-ground. The old parsonage is in the present possession of Mr.
William T. Sutphen, who has allowed the parlor and study of Tennent
and Woodhull to be used as a depository of grain and of agricultural
implements! The careless neglect which permits a mansion so hallowed
by religion and patriotic events to fall into utter ruin, is actual
desecration, and much to be reprehended and deplored. The windows are
destroyed; the roof is falling into the chambers; and in a few years
not a vestige will be left of that venerable memento of the _field of
Monmouth._
We visited the spot where Monckton fell; the place of the causeway
across the morass (now a small bridge upon the main road); and, after
taking a general view of the whole ground of conflict, and sketching the
picture on page 362, returned to Freehold in time to dine, and take the
stage for the station at Jamesburg, on my way home. It had been to me
a day of rarest interest and pleasure, notwithstanding the inclement
weather; for no battle-field in our country has stronger claims to the
reverence of the American heart than that of the plains of Monmouth.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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