uring
the first year the question of military service was not sufficiently
prominent to cause real uneasiness, but Spangenberg foresaw trouble,
and wrote to Herrnhut, urging that the matter be given serious
consideration.
When the Moravians passed through London they had fully explained their
position to Gen. Oglethorpe, who promised them exemption, but they had
no written order from the Trustees to show to the local officials, and
not even a copy of the letter in which reference to the subject was
made. As Count Zinzendorf's "servants" nine of them were ineligible, but
Spangenberg, as a free-holder, was expected to take part in the weekly
drill, which he quietly refused to do.
All free-holders were likewise expected to take their turn in the
Watch, composed of ten men, who patrolled the town by night and day.
Spangenberg admitted that the Watch was necessary and proper, but
decided that he had better not take a personal share in it, other than
by hiring some one to take his place, which was permitted. As the turn
came every seventeen days, and a man expected fifty cents for day and
one dollar for night duty each time, this was expensive, doubly so
because the officers demanded a substitute for the absent Nitschmann
also. Twice had Spangenberg been before the Court, attempting to have
the matter adjusted, but he found that this, like many other things,
could not be settled until Gen. Oglethorpe came. "All men wait for Gen.
Oglethorpe, it is impossible to describe how they long for him." The
Salzburgers especially wished for him, for they did not like the
place where they had settled, and wanted permission to move to a more
favorable location which they had chosen.
On the 14th of February, 1736, Capt. Thomson arrived, bringing letters
from England, and one to Spangenberg announced that the second company
of Moravians was on the way and might soon be expected. At three o'clock
in the morning of February 17th, the town was roused by the sound of
bells and drums. Thinking it meant fire, the Moravians rushed out, but
learned that Gen. Oglethorpe's ship had reached Tybee, and the people
were awakened to welcome him. Full of interest to learn whether the
second company was with him the Moravians paused for a hasty meal
before going to meet the ship, when to their great joy Bishop Nitschmann
appeared before them, "and his face was to us as the face of an Angel!"
Chapter IV. Reinforcements.
The "Second Com
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