Page:Acadiensis Q2.djvu/130
children sent to one town, parents to another, according as they chanced to be separated on board the vessels to which they were driven at the point of the bayonet.
After the villagers had been driven out, their houses were set on fire, and as they sailed away they saw the flames of their beloved homes redden the skies.
In the destruction of the Acadian villages, the force under Major Frye, of Andover, took an active part. From all that can be gathered in regard to him, it would seem that this officer was a humane and remarkably tender-hearted man, and his military duty which he was called upon to perform must have been exceedingly repugnant to his feelings.
From the soldiers under his command in the expedition to Acadia, he received a silver tankard as a testimonial of their regard. It is still in the possession of his descendants. It bears the following inscription:
To Joseph Frye, Esq.,
COLONEL AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE FORCES
IN THE SERVICE OF THE PROVINCE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY,
AND LATE
MAJOR OF THE SECOND BATTALION
OF GENERAL SHIRLEY'S PROVINCIAL REGIMENT.
THIS TANKARD
FROM A JUST SENSE OF HIS CARE AND CONDUCT OF THE TROOPS WHILE UNDER HIS COMMAND AT NOVA SCOTIA AND A PROPER RESENTMENT OF HIS PATERNAL REGARD FOR THEM SINCE THEIR RETURN TO NEW ENGLAND IS
PRESENTED BY
HIS MOST HUMBLE SERVANTS
THE OFFICERS OF THE SD. BATTALION.
Boston, April 2d, 1757.