The American Army of Two
The Story of Abigail & Rebecca Bates
In the year 1810 the United States Congress voted $4000 to build a lighthouse at
Scituate Harbor.
The Light, of split granite blocks with a one and onehalf story house attached, was
activated in 1811.
Here lived Captain Simeon Bates with his wife and nine children. During the War of 1812
Abigail and Rebecca, young daughters of the Lighthouse keeper, prevented the British from
sacking the town. Noting the approach of two redcoat-filled barges from the frigate H.M.S.
Bulwark, the girls snatched fife and drum and, hiding behind a thick cluster of
cedar trees, made such a din that the British mistook them for an entire regiment and made
a hasty retreat. Abigail and Rebecca Bates have gone down in history as 'The
American Army of Two" and their courageous act has been recorded in many
textbooks and story books.
[Story compliments of the Scituate Historical Society, Scituate, Massachusetts]