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King’s <strong>Orange</strong> <strong>Rangers</strong> worked together preparing the site and cutting fascines. On the 17th<br />
most of the front work was raised to the height of the platform. By May 21st the embrasures<br />
were all raised to the height of the fascines and almost all backfilled. The end by the gate was<br />
not yet begun. On June 1st the 4 cannons were mounted in the battery. On the 2nd the parade<br />
was cleared and “towards night, the Battery being Compleated sic, Mrs. Perkins fired the first<br />
Gun, being a 12 pounder, well Loaded, & shotted. The Party of Troops were under Arms, &<br />
went thro the Exercice sic. Many Spectators attending. Mrs. Perkins did not Appear in the Least<br />
Daunted, but held the match in her hand, & did not Drop it.” 133<br />
June 4th heralded the birthday of King George III. With the King’s <strong>Orange</strong> <strong>Rangers</strong> now<br />
stationed in Liverpool, the Government having shown faith in the community by sending the<br />
cannons and the militia and the soldiers having found grounds for cooperation in constructing the<br />
battery at the Point, it was decided for the first time in several years to celebrate the king’s natal<br />
day. The militia gathered in response to an order from Colonel Perkins, made a very respectable<br />
appearance and fired a volley of small arms at the Point. Rev. Israel Cheever preached a sermon<br />
in the open field employing as his text Hebrews 11:34: “Quenched the violence of fire, escaped<br />
the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight<br />
the armies of the aliens.” They then marched to back to the Point to join in the Royal Salute with<br />
the King’s <strong>Orange</strong> <strong>Rangers</strong>. They then marched back to town where the officers of the King’s<br />
<strong>Orange</strong> <strong>Rangers</strong>, the justices and Capt. Cobb dined at Capt. West’s tavern. 134 The day was<br />
marred by a scuffle during the evening a the Point near or in Mrs. Dexter’s. Two of the <strong>Rangers</strong>,<br />
George Briggs and Henry Poole quarrelled. Robert Doliver somehow became involved and was<br />
stabbed through his arm and into his side by Lt. Stewart with a bayonet. 135<br />
Captain John Howard was intent on putting his detachment to good use. He undoubtedly<br />
realized that it was far better for the men under his command to be taking offensives wherever<br />
possible. Consequently, Howard proposed going out in a vessel with his soldiers to try to<br />
133 Ibid. pp. 239-42.<br />
134 Ibid. pp. 242-3.<br />
135 Ibid. p. 243<br />
King’s <strong>Orange</strong> <strong>Rangers</strong><br />
42
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