Memorial Day is a day to remember America’s fallen soldiers who gave their lives in service to their country — eternally young, unsung heroes whose sacrifices, though largely forgotten, were crucial to realizing the idea of freedom for a nation yet to be born.
In countless instances, the fate of the nascent American nation depended on the right man being in the right place at the right time. Such was the case with James Mugford Jr., the courageous 26-year-old captain of the Marblehead, which captured the Hope, the Revolutionary War’s greatest spoil. Mugford captained one of Washington’s cruisers, the Franklin, which proudly flew one of America’s first flags, “Call to Heaven.”
On May 10, 1776, five weeks into its transatlantic voyage, the 282-ton British transport Hope, laden with 1,500 barrels of precious gunpowder, mysteriously broke away from its 11 escort ships in heavy fog. The Hope’s disappearance was made even more suspicious because, before it departed Cork, the fleet commander had received an anonymous letter questioning the loyalty of its captain, Alexander Ramsdale.
Seven days later, American privateer Captain Mugford spotted a ship through his telescope, slowly heading towards Boston. His privateer, the Franklin, had set out from Beverly, Massachusetts, two days earlier, but had difficulty recruiting sailors and had only a skeleton crew of 21 men. Mugford was only able to retain his current crew because he had personally secured the wages of his 12 main crew members.
Now that hope is in sight, Marble Headers The Franklin’s sails turned to windward and caught up with the heavy British ship. The words “Appeal to Heaven” fluttered in the wind. The flag had a very special meaning indeed. In October 1775, shortly after Washington’s first fleet of cruisers left port to attack the Royal Navy, Joseph Reed suggested to John Glover, “What do you think of a flag with a white field, a tree, and the motto: Appeal to Heaven?” Congress and Washington had already taken an unprecedented step toward independence and sovereignty in authorizing warships. Raising an independent flag was a monumental step toward independence.
This amazing story and dozens of others are told in a bestselling book Indispensable People: The diverse soldiers and sailors from Marblehead who shaped the nation, formed the Navy, and led Washington across the Delaware River. Recently released in paperback, the book is a Band of Brothers-style portrayal of a little-known, unique group of Americans from Marblehead, Massachusetts, who changed the course of history.
They bravely boarded the larger ship, ignoring Hope’s 4-pounder and 6-pounder swivel guns, and were shocked to find themselves a match for Hope’s crew of 18. They were further astonished when Captain Mugford asked Captain Ramsdale for an inventory of the ship. The loot included 1,000 carbines, piles of bayonets, five gun carriages, piles of cartridges, and a staggering 1,500 barrels of gunpowder – enough to meet the needs of both sides for a month.
In what seemed to be divine providence, the Hope, escorted by the Franklin, ran aground just outside Boston Harbor. Two months earlier, Congress had proclaimed a day of prayer and fasting. Members of the colony’s churches came out of their houses of worship on the appointed afternoon of May 17th and, as if their prayers had been directly answered, saw the captured ship in the harbor. They were filled with joy and immediately began to unload the ship and scatter its precious cargo.
Mugford intended to return to sea and search for British transports. Mrs. Washington. However, when two American ships left Boston Harbor, Franklin Stranded near the same spot Hope.
Although the British had withdrawn from Boston a month earlier, two British warships still lurking outside Boston Harbor spotted Mugford’s stranded ship. The British captain ordered a boarding party to attack the disabled vessel. Between 9 and 10 that night, the British sailors, led by Lieutenant Jonathan Harris carrying a silver-hilted sword, silently rowed out to Boston. Franklin And that Mrs. WashingtonAt least five ships.
Mugford called out to a boat gliding toward the ship through the black water. The boat replied that it was from Boston. Mugford warned the boarding party, “Stay away or we will fire on you.” [you]” He ordered his men to prepare their guns and to cut anchor so that Franklin’s broadside and guns would face the approaching boats. Ignoring their pleas to “please don’t fire,” Mugford fired his musket, Mrs. Washington and Franklin They followed suit. Musket and cannon balls flew across the water, destroying not only the skiffs but also the flesh and bones of the occupants. They managed to sink two skiffs, but FranklinBefore the cannon could fire another fatal shot, some of Lieutenant Harris’ men had already boarded Mugford’s ship, and Mugford and his men attacked the passengers with small arms and harpoons, cutting off the soldiers’ hands when they placed them on the gunwales.
Mugford is described as “with open arms…bringing death and destruction with justice” before receiving a fatal wound in the chest. He cried out, “I am dead, hold the ship, you can drive them off.” And so they drove them off, and the remaining fighters limped back to the British warship, only to lose their beloved captain in the battle. His crew carried his body to Marblehead, where thousands gathered to pay their respects. He was buried with the highest honors as the first captain in the Washington Navy to die in battle. James Mugford, who turned 27 on the day of his death and remained forever young, did not live to see America declare its independence a month and a half later, but the precious cargo he captured helped secure our freedom, which was never free. Today we remember him and so many other Americans who gave their final dedication to freedom under the proud flag of “Call to Heaven.”
The main gravestone on Old Burial Hill in Marblehead, Massachusetts, is that of Captain Mugford, Patrick K. O’Donnell.
Patrick K. O’Donnell is a bestselling and critically acclaimed military historian and expert on elite units. He is the author of thirteen books, including a new bestselling book on the Civil War. The untold story of Lincoln’s Special Forces, Mosby’s Ranger Hunt, and the shadow war that gave birth to American special operations, It is currently on display in Barnes & Noble stores nationwide. His other bestsellers include: Must-Haves, Unknown Peopleand Washington ImmortalsO’Donnell served as a combat historian for a Marine rifle platoon during the Battle of Fallujah and is a frequent speaker on espionage, special operations and counterinsurgency. He has served as a historical consultant on DreamWorks’ award-winning miniseries Band of Brothers, as well as documentaries produced by the BBC, the History Channel and Discovery. PatrickKODonnell.com translation:
