Revere’s ride captured the imagination because he carried the news that the British were advancing (eventually to Lexington and Concord) and his journey was the beginning of an epic 12 hours that changed the world forever.
Bissell’s journey was taken well after the first shots had been fired. Pharmboy, you might be interested to know that it was possibly Bissell who passed through Hopewell, New Jersey on his way to Philadelphia and who played a part in the following event.....
Col. Joab Houghton, while attending worship in the Baptist meeting-house at Hopewell, N. J., met a messenger out of breath with the news of the defeat at Lexington. He kept silence till the services were closed, then in the open lot before the sanctuary detailed to the congregation:
‘The story of the cowardly murder at Lexington by the royal troops, the heroic vengeance following hard upon it, the retreat of Percy, and the gathering of the children of the Pilgrims around the beleaguered city of Boston. Then pausing, and looking over the silent crowd, he said slowly: “Men of New Jersey, the red coats are murdering our brethren in New England. Who follows me to Boston?” Every man in that audience stepped out into line and answered, “I!” There was not a coward nor a traitor in old Hopewell meeting-house that day.’
Great story...thanks for posting. I am always interested in the esoteric facts of the RevWar in NY and NJ.