Abel Johnston-Liberty Man Communiqué VIII Dr. Joseph Warren Martyr and Founding Father Warren County founded in 1836 is named for American Patriot Major General Dr. Joseph Warren.

Dr. Joseph Warren was born June Unknown History General Gage reportedly said, 11, 1741 and martyred June 17, “Warren’s death is equal to 500 men.” Dr. Joseph Warren would have 1775 at the Battle of Breeds Hill. been one of the Nation’s foremost Before the battle Dr. Warren’s mother His death came upon the third siege founding fathers had he lived. Lost begged him not to risk his life. He of the British Army seeking to in history are the following facts. answered, “Where danger is, dear stamp out the American rebellion. Penned the Suffolk Resolves, one of mother, there must your son be. Now Joseph Warren upon learning of the the first documents, citing the is no time for any of America’s chil- impending battle to take place at necessity for American Independence. dren to shrink from any hazard. I will Breeds Hill rode there but declined set her free or die.” Dr. Warren, a Ordered the American Army led by to take charge of the colonial forces, Gen. Benedict Arnold to attack Fort widower, and Harvard educated Doc- under Colonial Commanders Israel Ticonderoga resulting in a great vic- tor of Medicine, at 34 years of age left Putnam and William Prescott, even tory for the fledging American Army. four children. The United States Con- though holding the rank of Major tinental Congress voted to support his Dispatched Paul Revere on his General. Joseph Warren desired to famous midnight ride to warn that the children until they were of age indi- serve as a private in the trenches “British are coming.” cating our nation’s appreciation for with his fellow soldiers. The Ameri- this heroic patriot. Abigail Adams cans fought fiercely but being out of Wore a toga while delivering an wrote her husband, John Adams, of oration lamenting the Boston powder and musket balls the Patri- massacre inciting patriots to resist her grief at this loss and lamented he ots were forced back by the third English tyranny in the presence of would have been our President. In the British wave. General Warren rally- British officers and soldiers. early days of the American Rebellion ing the Americans, himself his name inspired America, and only Was one of Boston’s and the colonies’ wounded and bayoneted in the leg, foremost physicians and scientists. later, as General George Washington fought on encouraging his fellow took charge, did Dr. Joseph Warren’s patriot soldiers to resist. A musket Designated the first Masonic Grand star began to set. But he remains Master for Massachusetts and the ball to his head instantly ended his other twelve colonies. America’s first great hero and a life; the British prevailed but lost Founding Father of our Independent 50% of their Army. British General Identification of Warren’s body, after and Free United States of America. Thomas Gage ordered that Joseph’s being brutally killed and mutilated at Breeds Hill, may have involved the body be further mutilated beyond first example of forensic dentistry in recognition and quickly buried. America. Paul Revere, his friend, con- Two days later the British dug up ducted the examination. Joseph’s body and further dese- Slain widower left four children to be crated it by spitting on it, jumping raised by a lady friend and his mother. on it and cutting off his head and Several founding fathers helped with again thrown into a shallow grave. funds—Franklin, Adams and more.

Art work in public domain for Joseph. Battle scene by permission of Don Troiani. For information call 540.635.5521 For more information visit www.libertyman.net