Peter Francisco- The Strongest Soldier That Ever Lived

 This tale is dedicated to all veterans.

This story was originally published in the June 14, 1987 edition of the Brockton Enterprise long before the internet.

Peter Francisco- The Strongest Soldier That Ever Lived
By Peter Vuono

     In 1765 a small boat docked on the shores of Virginia. One of it's passengers was a 5 year old orphan who was handsomely dressed but had no identification except the initials "P.F." on his shoe buckles.Word had it that he was originally captured by sailors from his homeland in the Azore Islands.He was adopted by the kindly judge Anthony Wilson who raised the boy on his Buckingham County, Virginia plantation.Using  the "P.F."  initials on the child's shoe buckles as a guide, Judge Wilson named him Peter Francisco.
     The child worked hard on the plantation and like a weightlifter, cultivated his muscles working as a blacksmith. The young man  grew to a height of 6'8" and weighed a solid 260lbs. With his size came a gift of inhuman strength.
     To entertain his friends, Francisco could put a full grown man on the palm of each hand and press them until his arms were completely extended overhead. He was also able to lift a saddled horse over a 4' fence on the plantation. His great strength was obvious but his courage would later be tested.
     Peter became a member of George Washington's Continental Army. During the Battle of Camden in South Carolina on August 16,1780, he performed a feat of heroism and strength that has since been rarely equaled, The Colonists were greatly outnumbered by the British and a horse drawn field cannon which was crucial to the battle was made immobilized by the Red Coats. The horses were shot , the caisson splintered and the 1100lb. cannon barrel was mired in mud.Francisco, realizing the value of the field piece, tipped the cannon up on end. He then allowed it to fall across his tremendous shoulders and squatted under it. He then proceeded to carry the gun 200 yards to a more strategic position.
     In spite of Peter's valiant efforts, the Colonists were forced to retreat. In doing so, Francisco saved his commanding officer from certain death. The Colonel never forgot the act and willed a 1,000 acre tract of land to Peter. Francisco, however, felt that he should humbly decline since he was not a blood relative. He also, on two other occasions, turned down an officer's commission saying that he lacked the education for the job. Although Francisco did not advance in rank, he would do so in fame.
     He was later overheard by General Washington that his sword was too light to handle. The General then ordered a magnificent 5 foot long excalibre  made for Peter which no man except he could wield with one hand. The sword would later become as  legendary as Peter after his next daring campaign.
     On March 15, 1781 at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, in North Carolina, the giant Francisco rode upon horseback armed with the 5 foot sword. Almost immediately, a British soldier caught him by surprise and drove a bayonet right through his right thigh into the horse. Undaunted, Francisco extricated himself from his attacker whereupon he immediately lashed out with the excalibre.Enraged, he proceed to cut down 11 of the Queen's Guards like a one man regiment. Bloodied and exhausted, Francisco was left for dead. However a soldier by the name of Robinson found Peter and took him to safety. He recovered from his wounds and was off to battle as soon as he was able.
     Another of Peter's exploits of brawn and bravery occurred during Washington's crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas Eve. at Trenton to surprise the Hessian Soldiers.Unfortunately for the General there were not enough boats for all his men to cross on and Washington's plan came to a halt. A farm boy informed the General that there was a flat boat hidden one mile away in tall grasses. Francisco traveled a full mile with the boy and found the boat just as he had said. Peter carried the boat  by overturning it and letting it rest upon his head and outstretched hands. He then singlehandedly carried the 900lb. vessel a mile back to the sight of the crossing. This enabled all of Washington's men to make the famous trek.
     By now, every campfire in the Continental Army made mention of this prodigious warrior in the war for freedom.
     Francisco was given a roving commission by Washington to fight the Red Coats wherever and whenever he saw fit. Peter felt that his efforts were most needed in Amelia County Virginia where the troops of Generals Tarleton and Cornwallis were literally ravaging the land, burning farms and villages.
     One evening, Peter was sitting alone inside a tavern known as Ben Ward's. A gigantic troop led by Tarleton, 400 strong, rode along the highway toward the tavern. Nine of the troops went ahead as scouts and entered the tavern. Seeing that he was a colonist soldier, they took him prisoner. As they did so, Peter drew his long sword and severely injured two of the soldiers. The other seven fled back to the regiment. As Peter gave chase, he realized that any further acts of aggression would mean certain death for him against this throng of soldiers. Peter then decided to use his wit along with his reputation to thwart Tarleton. He ran behind the tavern and yelled into the woods, "Come on my brave boys- now's your time! We will dispatch these and attack the main body."Tarleton recognized the famous Francisco and thought that he would have to do battle with a complete regiment led by Peter. Rather than risk this,the cavalry retreated. This deed of bravery was etched on canvas and the original now hangs in Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
     The Battle of Guilford Courthouse is commemorated by a giant granite marker enshrined to Peter's bravery standing on the very spot of the battle. There is also a Peter Francisco Square in New  Bedford Ma. a city who is proud of this great soldier. Peter's greatest honor, however, came in 1976 when his picture was inscribed on a postage stamp celebrating the bicentennial. It shows Peter carrying the 1100lb. cannon barrel in the Battle of Camden.
     Peter Francisco was a folk hero come to life who was perhaps the strongest soldier that ever lived. His size, strength and daring courage were overshadowed only by his love of country and burning desire for freedom.

REFERENCES- Strength and Health Magazine- July 1938
and Strength and Health Magazine- March 1980.