t General Washington’s army, and Burwell was trying to stop it. Burwell promoted Martin as colonel and Martin soon began recruiting. He picked Gabriel, of course, to be transferred into his command. Major Jean Villeneuve was also given to Martin to help train his soldiers. The three men immediately split up and began recruiting from everywhere possible. Gabriel, at first, was unsuccessful until he went to Pembroke where Anne Howard helped to encourage the men of her town to fight. Gabriel and Anne had known each other since they were children. Gabriel was now realizing her beauty. Gabriel continued on recruiting and tripled his force. Martin and Villeneuve went directly to the Boar’s Head Tavern where Martin knew he could find veterans of the French and Indian war who were ready to fight. Martin and Gabriel met back up at Black Swamp where they set up camp. British supply shipments were constantly coming through the area, so Black Swamp was the perfect hidden location for camp. The militia fought using Indian-style tactics. The first supply shipment they attacked had all the supplies the militia needed to keep them fighting. They also found and confiscated the British General Lord Cornwallis’s personal journals, supplies, and his prized pair of Great Danes. The men under Martin did not kill those who surrendered and the other men also agreed to this. Martin learned that Cornwallis was a great leader, but he had a weakness; his weakness was pride. The militia intercepted many more supply trains over the next few months and freed many prisoners of war, as well as burn bridges. The British put notices up for a reward of the one known as the Ghost. To be sure no one would turn Martin and his men in, the militia went to the towns and bought people drinks and left big tips for the bartender. Civilian loyalty was a must to keep the militia and its location safe. Since they usually attacked at night, Villen...
