Today's quote is about, rather than by, this oldest known (but not very well-known) combatant in the American Revolutionary War, Samuel Whittemore. He was apparently more of a doer than a speaker, as nothing ever said by the man could be found. His deeds, though, and the deeds of others like him, speak louder than the words of all the politicians that have followed them. Without their selfless efforts, today's politicians wouldn't have a country to "serve."
Today's quote is from Wikipedia, and chronicles the retreat of British forces after the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Here's the quote:
Whittemore was in his fields when he spotted an approaching British relief brigade under Earl Percy, sent to assist the retreat. Whittemore loaded his musket and ambushed the British from behind a nearby stone wall, killing one soldier. He then drew his dueling pistols and killed a grenadier and mortally wounded a second. By the time Whittemore had fired his third shot, a British detachment reached his position; Whittemore drew his sword and attacked. He was shot in the face, bayoneted thirteen times, and left for dead in a pool of blood. He was found alive, trying to load his musket to fight again. He was taken to Dr. Cotton Tufts of Medford, who perceived no hope for his survival. However, Whittemore lived another 18 years until dying of natural causes at the age of 98.H/T: robpmck
