I first learned of the white cockade while I was reading the novel Bunker Hill by Nathaniel Philbrick.  On April 19, 1775, a militia regiment was positioned on top of Punkatasset Hill in Concord, Massachusetts.  As the regiment began marching downhill to confront the British forces, a young Minuteman from Acton named Luther Blanchard began playing a tune on his fife.  It was reportedthat  the militiamen began singing this tune while they marched off to fight the Redcoats.  That tune was "The White Cockade."  This song was known to be used during the 1745 Jacobite Uprising.  Prince Charles of the House of Stuarts sought to reclaim the family throne, which at the time was being ruled by William and Mary.  "Bonnie Prince Charlie" led a rebellion known as the "Jacobites," who hailed from the Scottish Highlands, lowland northeast of Scotland, Ireland, and Northern...(Read Full Post)