THE ROMANCE OF THE REVOLUTION. THE ROMANCE OF THE REVOLUTION A HISTORY OF THE PERSONAL ADVENTURES, - ROMANTIC INCIDENTS, AND EXPLOITS INCIDENTAL TO THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE, ILLUSTRATED. NEW-YORK: PUDNEY & RUSSELL, PUBLISHERS No. 79 JOHN-STREET. 1858. IHERS, * * Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1852, by BUNCE & BROTHER, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District of New-York. PUDNEY & RUSSELL, PBINTSES, 79 John-Street, N. Y. LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF TAT TFQHWA , SANTA CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION, , - - - H STORIES AND ANECDOTES OF WASHINGTON, -31 ADVENTURES OF MARION, .... 46 A ROMANTIC STORY, _ - -68 CAPTURE, IMPRISONMENT AND ESCAPE OF GEN. WADSWORTH, 62 GALLANT ENTERPRISE OF MAJOR BARTON, 69 AN INTERESTING STORY, - - - 75 A THRILLING NARRATIVE, - 82 THK STORY OF AN OLD SOLDIER, - - 86 ADVENTURES OF THE BROTHERS SAMMONB, 92 NARRATIVE OF FREDERICK SAMMONS, ... 102 DEBORAH SAMPSON, - - - - 110 JOSEPH BETTYS, - - -117 MR. AND MRS. FISHEK, - - 122 THRILLING ADVENTURE OF LIEUT. SLOCITMB, - -131 EXECUTION OF COL. ISAAC HAYNE, - - - 139 ADVENTURES OF MAJOR GENERAL CLINTON, - - 142 ADVENTURES OF LIEUT. RICHARD DALE, 144 MlSS MONCRIEFFE, -_ - - - - }47 Vlil CONTENTS. Page. AN EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURE, ... 150 Miss MOORE, - - 162 ADVENTURES OF MR. FERRIS, - - - 165 EXPLOITS OF SERGEANT JASPER, - - - 172 AN ACT OF MERCY REWARDED, - - - 1*76 CAPTAIN NATHAN HALE, - - - -111 CAPTURE OF CAPTAIN HARPER, - - - 184 A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER, - 190 ANECDOTES OF COL. HORRY, -- - - 193 A HIGH SPIRITED FAMILY, - - - - 197 ESCAPE OF CAPTAIN PLUNKETT, ... 201 ATTEMPTED ABDUCTION OF GEN. SCHUYLEB, - - 203 ADVENTURES OF DR. CALDWELL, - ' '* 206 COLONEL WILLETT, - . . - 209 INTREPID CONDUCT OF MAJOR JAMES, - ' 212 A NOVEL SITUATION, - - - - 214 THE DEATH OF MAJOR HENLEY, - - * 218 ADVENTURES OF COL. HARPER, -. - - - 221 NARROW ESCAPE OF COL. SNIPES, - - ' '>'" 225 A SCENE IN THE FOREST, - - - - 228 A GALLANT COMBAT, - - * ' 231 A GALLANT ENTERPRISE, - - - - 233 NARRATIVE OF BARONESS REIDESEL, - - 236 LYDIA DARRAH, - - -249 CAPTURE OF PRESIDENT DAGGETT, ... 252 MURDER OF MR. AND MRS. CALDWELL, ... 255 CAPTAIN CUNNINGHAM, - - - 259 ADVENTURE OF A SOLDIER, - - - - 261 ADVENTURES OF GEN. PUTNAM, - - 263 CONTENTS. IX r* INCIDENTS AT THE BATTLE OF ORISKANT, - - 265 ADVENTURE OF COL. COCHRAN, ... 268 ANECDOTES OF SERGEANT McDoNALD, ... 270 A ROMANTIC INCIDENT, .... 272 HEROISM OF A YOUNG GIRL, .... 273 A SPY IN BURGOYNE'S CAMP, ... 275 CAPTURE OF A TORY, ..... 277 CAPTAIN HUDDY, - - - - - 279 COLONEL FISHER, - - - 4 - - 281 AN ESCAPE FROM THE PRISON SHIP, - - 284 A DARING YOUTH, - ' ' - - 286 CRUELTY OF THE TORIES, _ - - 288 AFFECTING SCENES, 290 A STORY OF A DOG, .... 292 DICEY LANGSTON, .... 294 WONDERFUL ESCAPE FROM INDIAHS, - - 296 A PATRIOTIC GIRL, ..... 302 TRIALS OF A PATRIOT, .... 804 MRS. SHUBRICK, - - - - 318 THE PRIVATEER, - - - - - 321 THE MAIDEN WARRIOR, - - - - 823 MAJOR ISRAEL FEARING, - - - 326 CAPTIVITY OF ETHAN ALLKH, - - - - 328 A FAIR EXCHANGE, ..... 334 A PATRIOT'S SUFFERINGS, .... 335 COL. JOHN SMALL, - - 336 ADVENTURE BY TWO LADIES, - - - - 338 CAPTURE OF GEN. WOODHULL, ... 339 BRITISH BARBARITY, - - . - -340 ADVENTURE OF CHARLES MORGAN, - 841 X CONTENTS. Page EXPLOITS ON THE FRONTIERS, .... 344 DAVID ELERSON, .... 344 ATTACK ON MR. SHANKLAND'S HOUSE, - - 346 DARING ADVENTURE OF A CAPTIVE, - - 348 A GALLANT DEFENCE, _, ..., ; -, .*. ,,y * - 349 - HEROISM op A WOMAN, ff ^~ - .,,. ; , 350 A STIRRING INCIDENT, - - 7 f ,-. 351 A DARING FELLOW, - - A , s - 352 A FEARFUL ENCOUNTER, - - - - 355 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES, - ** - - 359 INCIDENTS ON THE BORDER, - - - 414 STORY OP NANCY HART, " . *i' > " li "^ <-: 423 APPENDIX, - - T .,,, . 433 HISTORY op THE SONS OF LIBERTY, - , . ; 433 A REVOLUTIONARY RELIC, . u .<* . - 438 APPOINTMENT OF GEORGE WASHINGTON, 440 INTRODUCTION. THE leading events of the "War of Independence, are familiar to every American ; but there has been much recorded of stir- ring incident which is not familiar to the American people, and much remains yet to be disclosed, connected with even the promi- nent actors in the drama. From time to time, during the last fifty years, various sketches have appeared, recounting strange passages in the war ; and these sketches have been sometimes re- plete with extraordinary adventure and romantic situation of the most novel and thrilling kind ; but they have never, till now, been collected in any permanent form, and have been in danger, from merely appearing in the transitory periodicals of the day, o f passing into utter oblivion. And, to preserve these legendary pictures from such oblivion, and to perpetuate them in the affec- tions of the American people, was the object of this work ; to col- lect these, and other fragments of history, as combined, would present a history of the romance of the Revolution, and a chroni- cle of the individual heroism, exploits, and adventures of those en- gaged in that struggle. And it is only by such a history, that we can have a forcible illus- tration of the age, and be enabled to understand and appreciate al! that our forefathers did and suffered for the cause they espoused. Ponderous histories, that merely chronicle the movements of XII INTRODUCTION. armies, or the actions of governments, give but an inadequate conception of an era. We must look into the hearts of the peo- ple, see their motives and passions, if we would understand the merits of a contest. If we would understand how England, with all her wealth and greatness, could not conquer her wretched, starving colonies, we must go to the firesides of her opponents, and see in the virtues there nourished, and the love of freedom there fostered, a solution to the mystery. And to see and feel this legend were a thousand-fold more potent than cold and dignified history. By it, the living and breathing age is por trayed and brought home to our sympathies, in all its vivid reality. The fireside reminiscence, treasured with sacred reverence, that gives a fearful page of suffering, and cruelty and blood, wreaked on those our memory recalls in life, will sooner than the most studied eloquence of the historian, send us to our pillow with tear- ful sympathy, and thrilling gratitude for dangers past. Such fragments of history, although they are often excluded as un- suited to the dignity of history, are the surest preservers of a people's patriotism, and the most certain link between the pre- sent and former ages. This volume, therefore, in being the legendary part of the history, will promote a better knowledge of the spirit of the time, than can be derived from most any other source.- Not that it is claimed to possess anything new, but the minute details of indi- vidual suffering and bravery, have been gathered together ; the broken and diffuse rays have been centered into one focus, and the result is a romantic history, scarcely to be equalled. By this the reader sees, not the action of armies, but of the people. He enters directly into their spirit. He suffers, dares, and forbears with them. He feels all their manifold grievances, and bears with INTRODUCTION. XIII them the burthen laid upon their shoulders. All the minute springs of the contest are developed, and in the battle we see the impulse of each heart, and the despair or joy of the individual combatant; rejoice with him in the accomplishment of his cherished revenge, or weep over his untimely fate. In short, we are transported to the scenes, and become actors in the drama, whereas, in the loftier air of history, we are only spectators. It is undoubtedly a truth, that injustice promotes injustice ; a wrong begun is only maintained by wrong continued. The first sontest of England with America, sprang from tyranny; she was the aggressor, the offending party ; and it seems to have been a moral consequence, that a war, thus unrighteous, should have been characterised by an entire violation of every humane and honorable purpose. The chivalry of the British soldier was compro- mised by an invasion so monstrous, and this principle once ban- ished, there was nothing to restrain the sway of brutal passion, and cruelty and blood-thirstiness, were suffered to grow and foster in every breast. Never has England been engaged in a contest which has left so. uneffaceable a stain as the struggle with America. The long established reputation of her army for courage and humanity, was sacrificed for the stigma of cruelty and ferocity ; and this stigma became affixed upon all concerned in the war. What say the present English historians, of Rawdon, Tarle- ton and Cunningham? What can future ages say of those arch-instruments of wrong and oppression ? Their history re- mains a monument of England's wrong; and by their deeds alone could future ages determine the merits of the contest Those who are impelled to a course by a sense of right, those who are engaged in the defence of a principle, never are guilty of cruelty JCiV INTRODUCTION. and oppression; the sacredness of their cause, preserve their names unstained, and their souls unblemished, But perhaps the fact that we were rebels, aside from the injus- tice of their invasion, may have goaded them on to ferocity. English history shows that that's a name on which the English bestow no sympathy, and for those thus ranked they allow no mercy. Such beings are without the pale of humanity, and are not to be treated with any faith, with whom no obligations are binding, and to whom no pity is due. With such severity, at least, were the rebel Scots treated on the sanguinary field of Cul- loden. We are all familiar with the atrocities committed on that day ; how, by the commands of the inhuman butcher, the Duke of Cumberland, the hapless Scots were shot down, bayoneted, and murdered, long after they had surrendered, and even while they were begging for quarter. But, indeed, the extent which British cruelty was inflicted upon us in the memorable contest of the Revolution, is scarcely appre- ciated by our countrymen. Nothing equals the determined, blood-thirsty fury which characterised it in some quarters of the union. It was almost a war of extermination in the South. There young lads were often shot down, that they might not live to be full-grown rebels, and mothers brutally murdered, that they might bring forth no more enemies to the king. Among the people in villages, and in the open country, existed the greatest suffering, and often were manifested the noblest heroism, the loftiest patriotism, and the grandest fortitude. With such ferocity were they pursued by the British soldiery, that their only retreat became the army. At no moment were they safe. Neither in their beds, by their firesides, nor on the high ways. Daily and nightly murder frightened the time with their INTRODUCTION. XV atrocities. Reckless marauders traversed the country in all di- rections ; sparing neither age, sex, nor infancy. Nightly, the red flame glared upon the horizon, and houseless children hung over the desecrated and butchered forms of their parents. Bitter the hatred, malignant the revenge, that, on such occasions, would spring into existence, destined to find retribution in torrents of blood. It is claimed, that these atrocities were mostly chargeable upon the tones. This is partly true ; but it would have been impossible for any class of beings to have exceeded the ferocity of the Hessian hirelings. And the fiercest renegade in the whole South, could not have equalled the dark deeds of Tarleton. And as an evi- dence that not the tones, nor the marauders alone, but the Bri- tish army, and not the mere ignorant and brutalized privates, but many of the officers, the high-minded, honorable and chival- ric officers, were cognizant of the cruelties and atrocities prac- tised, we subjoin an extract from a letter, written by an officer in General Eraser's battalion, engaged in the unfortunate Battle of Long Island, which shows the spirit that actuated our enemies in that oppressive war. This is the extract : " The Hessians and our brave Highlanders gave no quarters ; and it was a fine sight to see with what alacrity they despatched the rebels with their bayonets, after we had surrounded them so they could not resist ! We took care to tell the Hessians that the rebels had resolved to give no quarter to them in particular which made them fight desperately, and put to death all that came in their hands." What are we to think of such savage and diabolic conduct ? But of all atrocities, those committed in the prisons and prison- ships of New York, are the most execrable ; and, indeed, there is nothing in history to excel the barbarities there inflicted. It is XVI INTRODUCTION. stated that tlie enormous number of nearly twelve thousand American prisoners "suffered death by their inhuman, cruel, savage and barbarous usage on board the filthy and malignant British prison-ship, called the Jersey, lying in New York." This number, possibly, may be exaggerated, but adding those who died and were poisoned in the infected prisons within the city, a much larger number would be necessary to include all of those who suffered by command of British generals in New York. The scenes enacted within these prisons, almost exceed belief. We need not go to the dark ages for deeds of crime and terror, when this more modern history is before us. There were several prisons in the city, but the most terrible of them all was the Provost, (now the Hall of Records.) This was under the charge of one Cunningham, the like of whom, for unpitying, relentless cruelty, the world has never produced. He had a love for inflicting tor- ture ; it was his passion, his besotted appetite ; he seemed to live upon the agony of human beings ; their groans were his music, and their sufferings his pastime. He thirsted for blood, and took an eager delight in murder. He stopped the rations of the pri- soners, and sold them to add to the luxuries of his own table, whilst his victims were starving to death. They were crowded into rooms where there was not space to lay down, with no blankets to protect them from the cold, to which the unglazed windows exposed them, while they were suffering from fevers, thirst and hunger. In the summer months epidemics raged among them, and they were denied medicine or attendance, and compelled to breathe damp and putrid air. The dead bodies were carried in cartfulls, cast into holes prepared for the purpose, and a bare covering of soil thrown over them. But hear what Cunningham himself says of his own acts. Our readers will re- INTRODUCTION. XV11 member that this man, in 1791, committed forgery in London, was apprehended, tried and executed, before which event he made his dying speech and confession. We give an extract from it : "I shudder to think of the murders I have been accessory to, both with and without orders from the government, espe- cially in New York, during which time there were more than two thousand prisoners starved in the different prisons, by stop- ping their rations, which I sold. There were also two hundred and seventy-five American prisoners and obnoxious persons exe- cuted, out of all which number there was only about one dozen public executions, which chiefly consisted of British and Hessian deserters. The mode for private executions was thus conducted : A guard was despatched from the Provost, about half-past twelve at night, to the Barrack street, and the neighborhood of the up- per barracks, to order the people to shut their window shutters and put out.their lights, forbidding them, at the same time, to presume to look out of their windows and doors on pain of death, after which the unfortunate prisoners were conducted, gagged, just behind the upper barracks, and hung without ceremony, and there buried by the Black Pioneer of the Provost" And these murders were the common, nightly pastime of this monster. If utter and irremediable depravity ever existed in the heart of a human being, it was in that of Cunningham. The scenes that were enacted on board the Jersey and other prison-ships, are almost too horrible to relate. They were one unrelieved succession of horrors. Oppression, tyranny that gloated in its power and revelled in its crimes, suffering, sickness, agony unutterable, and death! Over eleven thousand victims consigned to untimely graves by the ferocity of their oppressors ! Where, in the history of wrong, can we find a page so black and INTRODUCTION. damned as this ? Within these ships were crowded all classes and all ages, from infancy to decrepid age, and here they lived in darkness, with scarcely sufficient air to breathe, and that so foul, a light could not burn in it ; some dead, dying, or delirious with fever ; prayers and blasphemies filling the air ; their bodies over- run with vermin ; crowded up to dead and corrupted bodies ; no food but what was polluted and repugnant to the stomach, often crazed with thirst ; no relief, no pity, no hope ; nothing but death death in its most horrible forms suffering and anguish ! The imagination cannot picture the scene in all its horrors. Some- times a dying wretch would creep to the guard and beg a drop of water to quench his raging thirst; his answer would be a curse, a kick, or perhaps the thrust of a bayonet, which would end his agony at once.* On one occasion, while quite a large body of prisoners were gathered at the grate at the hatchway to obtain fresh air, a sentinel for mere pastime thrust his bayonet down among them, and twenty-five next morning were found to be dead. And this demoniac spirit was practised more than once.f We turn from the contemplation of this picture with sickening horror. Great God ! can it be possible, that deeds like these could have been enacted by thy creatures ? * At one time two young brothers were sent on board the Jersey. The elder took the fever and in a few days beeome delirious. One night, as he was dying, he became calm and sensible, and begged for a little water. His brother with tears entreated the guard to give him some, but in vain. The sick youth was soon in his last struggles, when his brother offered the guard a guinea for an inch of candle only, that he might see his brother die. Even this was refused. " Now," said he, drying up his tears, " if it please God that I ever regain my liberty, I'll be a most bitter enemy." He re- gained his liberty, re-joined the army, and when the war ended, he had eight long and one hundred and twenty-seven small notches on his rifle stock ILife .jf Silas Talbot. {History of Martyrs. INTRODUCTION. XIX In examining the history of the revolution, we are struck by the vast difference in the physical condition of the two armies. On one side was luxury and ease, on the other every kind of privation. Our invaders had gold to command every want, while our own soldiers had only principle by which to fight and starve. When the British soldier went into the field he had comfort able clothing on his back and plenty of food in his stomach ; he was animated by martial array, and inspirited by the confidence of victory. He had also his comfortable quarters, and he was rarely oppressed by onerous duties. But the American fought naksd and starving. Death was only a relief from misery, his prospects were dark, and when in the battle, he had nothing but his consciousness of right to animate him. It is wonderful to think how the army was kept together. It is difficult to re- alize how oven the loftiest patriotism could keep men in the field, where the chances of success were so small, and their suffer- ing so great Nothing but their noble self-devotion, unparalelled in the world, kept them together. How can posterity be- lieve that in the battle of Eutaw Springs, as stated/ by Greene himself, that hundreds of his men were as naked as they were born! Their loins were galled by the cartouch-boxes, and a folded rag, or tuft of grass, saved their shoulders from the same injury by the musket.* What raagic was it that held men to- gether in such a guise ! What was it, but a principle of right, that mighty lever which no power c*n j>.s^ain y and whirh will eventually accomplish its triumphs ! Not only the men, but officers and all Differed alike. * Johnson's Life of General Greene. XX INTRODUCTION. Garden* states that often there was but one uniform among a dozen officers, and that these took turn in wearing it when in- vited to head-quarters. Garden gives another anecdote to show the privations of the officers. Dr. Fayssoux called at the hut of General Ruger, of the southern army, but was refused admission by the sentinel. The Doctor insisted upon his right to enter, which the sentinel denied, when the General hearing the alter- cation, desired the sentinel to let his friend pass. " Pardon me, Doctor," said the General, who lay upon the ground wrapped up in his military cloak, " for giving you so ungracious a recep- tion ; but the fact is, the chances of war have robbed me of every comfort, and I confine myself to solitude, and an old cloak, while my washerwoman prepares for a future occasion, the only shirt I own." The many acts of chivalrous heroism which were performed by those who thus suffered and forebore in our revolutionary contest, if the truth could be told, and they possessed that distance which lends enchantment to view, would be found to possess more real chivalry, than the chronicles of that age affords in which our fondness for the dim, uncertain events that are traced upon the horizon of the past, has made us stamp as peculiarly the age of romantic bravery. If motive constitutes an evidence whereby the actions of men should.be judged, then assuredly the deeds of our forefathers, must in the impartial judgment of every age, and in the verdict of the future, which shall from a higher point of view, look and pronounce judgment on the actions of all the past that shall be spread out before it, and all alike be surrounded by the softening and harmonious lines of distance, be admitted to as * Garden's Anecdotes of the Revolution. INTRODUCTION. XXI lofty eminence, as all the half-fabulous wonders performed by the poet-sung heroes of the olden time. If by motive, our heroes should be judged, they would rank above many of those it is the pride of the world to honor. In old Greece and Rome two passions combined to urge men on to heroism a love of glory and love of country. In the middle ages it was purely a passion for glory, a thirst for" renown in prowess, that actuated and con- trolled those mailed warriors. But with the hero of the Revolu- tion, an unmixed and pure patriotism ; a true, undivided, and earnest devotion to his country, for which he would often sacri fice glory itself, for which he would be content to bear the " scorns and whips of time," was the sole passion of his breast. Those who figured in the chivalrous ages, possessed more of the " pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war," than did our plain, simple, uncouth, and " unnamed demi-gods." They were sur- rounded by a glorious halo, through which men look entranced. A barbaric splendor accompanied all their movements, and the soft touches of love, and the gilded decoration of art, invest them with a softened and marvellous coloring. With flaunting ban- ners, caparisoned steeds, silken canopies, brilliant costumes, jewel- ed weapons, and nodding plumes ; with attending pages, glitter- ing retinues, and imposing pomp ; with a dramatic show and glitter of war that fired and delighted the imagination, and steeped men's senses in bewildering wonder, by all such means they presented a gorgeous spectacle. And then again in their huge castles, with battlements and towers, and ramparts, with tapestried halls, and brilliant feasts, where beauty and song swayed, and controlled their impulses; in this and these, and in their reverence for beauty, to which alone they bent a knee or yielded service, do we find the romance that surrounds them, XXil INTRODUCTION. and our proneness to deify them. Wrest them, however, of all this glitter and show, and come close where all the mggedness of their characters may be examined, and we find that their chivalry often was degraded into brutality, and their heroism no more than ""modern annals attribute to the meanest of those who took up arms, not for their own selfish advancement, but for the glory of their country. The reader will find in the following pages, deeds of greater prowess, incidents of an equal romantic chivalry, and instances of as pure, unselfish devotion, as can be afforded by any history whatsoever. The deeds stand out in their naked simplicity, " a plain, unvarnished tale," unexaggerated by poet or romancer. Perhaps for marvellous adventure, cunning address, great for- titude, and cool daring, no history is so fruitful as that of our border warfare. The imagination of the romancer is dull, and his invention weak, if in such scenes he endeavor to substitute fie tion for truth. With these frontier warriors there was no ease, their energies were never allowed to repose, and their watchful- ness never at rest. At no hour, on no occasions, could they in- dulge in a feeling of safety. Their nerves were always strung to the farthest tension, their invention ever alive to avert danger, or to secure a victory. Coolness and courage must ever be at hand, a moment's weakness would often prove fatal. Every man was the cunning general, the wily tactician, the undaunted hero ! Stratagems over which we hang in delight, and reckless daring that make us pause in breathless admiration, were daily enacted. Acts of heroism were so common, and heroes so many, that they ceased to create surprise. Not only were the men thus heroic, but women were inspired with a spirit equal to that which has immortalized the Spartan mothers, and children often manifested INTRODUCTION. XXU1 a fortitude in suffering, and courage in danger, superior to any- thing in history. The peculiar warfare of the frontier was of a kind to mirse such spirits. -It developed certain faculties to a marvellous degree. Men were continually indebted, and often dependant for their lives upon their acuteness of hearing and keenness of sight They were also taught to be close and narrow observers, and to detect the presence of an enemy by signs that would have escaped those less skilled and practiced. Wonderful personal prowess, a capacity for the endurance of fatigue, an in- sensibility to climate, and an indifference to hunger or exertion, were required and manifested by them. Their warfare required tactics of its own, that were to be acquired in no school but that of bitter experience. Every man was as necessarily compelled to learn tlie art of war, and to obtain an initiation in all the myste- ries of forest warfare, by stern practice, as ever the ancient knight warriors were forced to be instructed in all the arts of the tour- nament, or the " tented field." They were as much accomplished warriors as Surry or Sidney. They did not possess the graces and the elegancies of war as did those soldiers of song and legend, but they were as thoroughly accomplished in the art itself. In the handling of the spear and sabre, in the mastery of the rifle, they acquired a skill equal to that displayed of old with the bat- tle-axe and sword. In feats of " noble horsemanship," those who knew the art at all, were unexcelled. Putnam, who was frontier bred, and inured in all the mysteries of forest life, when he rode down the precipice at Horse-Neck, performed a feat, that had it been enacted by Surry, the favorite of romance, song and ballad would have made the world ring with it. But, perhaps, for romance, no part of the Revolution equals the partizan warfare of the South. Its history is invested with a INTRODUCTION. delightful and charming air. The many details of the contest possess nearly every requisite to arrest and gratify the imagination. It only lacked the glitter and pomp of a pageant to fascinate the world. The deeds performed were unfortunately enacted in home- spun, rather than in steel, and therefore lose some of their charm. They were without martial parade, but the mode of warfare, the strange characters gathered in the bands, the wild forest retreats, all combine to give them a romance of their own. It is with peculiar delight that the imagination follows Marion and his fol- lowers into their fastnesses. Their retreats were better strong- holds than was ever the castle of a Norman knight. They defied the ingenuity and the power of their enemies to expel them. To follow them was to plunge into a region beset with unknown dangers, and once involved into its secret depths, the key of Ariadne was needed to trace the puzzling labyrinth. The herald, or messenger from the enemy , was blindfolded, and led by in- tricate courses, through vast morasses, and by paths bowered by masses of foliage the sun never penetrated, until at last he would be admitted into the sequestered area where the chief and his men would receive him. And this area, this camping ground, where was organized the daring expedition, the sudden attack, and the cunning stratagem, from which emanated all the schemes that held at bay, and in terror the English leaders ; whence sprang the undying patriotism and the undaunted heroiem ; where Lib- erty's altar was erected, and where her fires ever burned with a hopeful flame, and never sank nor died, when all around, gloom and horror and wretchedness had wept and extinguished her flame ; this noble, imposing area of freedom, what a grand piece of nature's handiwork it was ! It was a fit asylum for those true to native's behests. It was her grandest cathedral, where trees, INTRODUCTION. XIV aged, and with the grey moss streaming in hoary locks from their venerable trunks, loomed up in their mighty strength, and locked their giant limbs in a huge dome, through which the stars gleamed, and the sun shone in a gentle light that fell like the rays through the stained glass of the cathedral, sofdy upon the virgin moss of the far extending, and lofty aisles. And here, in the midst of these scenes, guarded from access by impenetrable thickets, dan- gerous marshes, and rugged defiles, where no enemy could pene- trate, and which no force, however great, could destroy here was the home of patriotism in the South here, in the free air of heaven, sojourned the partizan, Marion. The soft bank of moss was his couch, and truly, the couch of Mars, and nothing but the domed oaks and sycamores canopied his head.. No luxu- rious ease intruded in to the sacred precinct sacred to the cause of liberty and humanity for with a Spartan hardihood, those war- riors, in fair or foul, amid the severities of summer or of winter, clung to their forest home, and nightly embraced the hardened couch, save when hurling themselves upon the ranks of tho ene- my, or rushing forth upon the beck of victory. And glorious indeed were the victories achieved by that noble band. If the accomplishment of great ends by little means be a stamp of greatness, we cannot withhold from Marion the highest rank. It is true that he performed no single great victory, and his army, if it could be called an army, was but a band of a few hundred patriots. But with these few hundred, he kept in check the whole British army. He was the Nemesis of the South ; the eure and terrible avenger of wrong. The iniquities of the English eaders, and Tory marauders, were visited with a sudden, rapid and fearful punishment. Their career of bloodshed was known to him; and their midnight expeditions, marked by burning , XXVI INTRODUCTION. dwellings, reckless murders, with flying families before them, and desolate hearths behind these were treasured up, and shortly found a retribution. His scouts traversed every section, in many disguises, often assuming as many shapes as Proteus, and hung upon the routes of armies, and watched the actions of men. So keen was their cunning, so exhaustless their resources, that they would visit the same encampment many times, each in a different form ; creep into the councils of the enemy ; sometimes adroitly capture and carry off persons from the very midst of their armies. By these, Marion was always kept informed of the movements of his enemy, while his own were so rapid and so sudden that hia own men were often puzzled to trace and find him. He usually set out upon his expeditions at about sundown. He would then ride rapidly thirty or forty miles, fall suddenly upon some division of the enemy, who were reposing in false security ; scatter them before they could form for defence ; con- tinue his journey, attack and defeat another detachment twenty miles farther, and ere the news could spread, he would have disappeared into his fastnesses, where no step could follow, and his enemies without, would gaze in wonder about, as if a meteor had shot down destruction upon them, and suddenly vanished into air Their expeditions were beset with great difficulties, that only patience and hardihood could overcome. They had to swim rivers, penetrate tangled thickets, cross dangerous morasses, and undergo severe fatigues of all kinds, such as prolonged hunger, exhaustion from want of sleep, and often suffering from want of clothing sufficient to protect them from the weather. When pursued, and many a huge army was sent to destroy him, he was more cunning than the fox, and still dangerous as the lion. He would as certainly lure his enemy into his toils, as they would INTRODUCTION. attempt to follow him. He would fall upon their camps, cut off their provision, dash upon them like a thunderbolt, in advanta- geous places, and suddenly disappear, lead them into ambuscades from which they ,would only be extricated by fearful loss, puzzle bewilder and send them back defeated, disgraced and utterly confounded. His brigade formed a picturesque and motely group. Their costumes were formed of every imaginable kind and color, such as their own resources could provide, or their swords capture from their enemies. Sometimes the contrast presented by them, would be highly amusing. There would be the huge backwoods- man, with his rough boots and flannel shirt, mounting some silken or golden remnant of an English officer's regimentals, often times ridiculously in keeping with his own habiliments; here would be seen a fortunate adventurer bedecked with conquered plumes and scarfs, glittering by the side of ragged, threadbare fustian, there a swarthy negro, with naked feet and a gold em- broidered coat, or perhaps with lace and ruffles, and gilded orna- ments, but hiding himself in shame for his nakedness. Not only the men themselves, but many of the partisan officers, were suffer- ing from want of clothing, and compelled to adapt such articles as chance threw in their way. But sometimes they were bedecked in vesture, furnished by the hands of fair ladies, and pledged to defend and protect them to the last The 'whig ladies of South Carolina, were as high-souled and chivalrous a body of the sei as ever knight broke lance for. During the whole war, they ex erted themselves for the welfare of their defenders, and often bj their sacrifices, or their cunning, or their patriotism, was some signal service done to the state. They particularly exerted them- selves to the procuring of necessaries for the partizan warriors. 2 XXV111 INTRODUCTION. Many of those who resided in Charleston, by their ingenuity, supplied their friends from the abundance of the British garrison. Notwithstanding all those who passed out into the country, were examined, to prevent smuggling, their resources provided ways to elude the vigilance of the guards, and to carry off articles with impunity. Says Garden,* who served in the South, " The cloth of many a military coat, concealed with art, and not unfrequently made an appendage to female attire, has escaped the vigilance of the guards, expressly stationed to prevent smuggling, and speedily converted into regimental shape, worn triumphantly in battle. Boots have, in many instances, been relinquishad by the delicate wearer to the active partisan. I have seen a horseman's helmet concealed by a well arranged head-dress, and epaulettes delivered from the folds of the simple cap of a matron. Feathers and cock- ades were much in demand, and so cunningly hid, and hand- somely presented, that he could have been no true knight, who did not feel the obligation, to defend them to the last extremity ." The privations of these devoted bands were manifold. They were often dependant for food entirely upon the uncertain re- sources of the forest. They were always without salt, except when captured from the enemy, and even then this necessary condiment was distributed among destitute whig families, rather than preserved for themselves, although the want of it was a seri- ous grievance, and made their ill-cooked meals, barely palatable. We are all familiar with the anecdote of the British officer, who upon visiting Marion's encampment, was invited to dine, and who, after a surprised survey of the forest for any signs of dinner, was shown a few roasted potatoes, on a shingle, which had just been * Major Garden's Revolutionary Anecdotes. INTRODUCTION. drawn hot from the ashes, and were to be eaten without salt, or any accompaniment But, even on this occasion, they were uncommonly fortunate ; they were often without any food what- ever. But with men resolved in their course, confident in the justice of their cause, and united by the holy instincts of patriot- ism, no physical suffering could divert them from their purposes or dampen their spirit In these various phases of our great National contest exist the romance which the editor of this volume has endeavored to glean and present to the American public. There can scarcely be found a period in any history, so replete with variety of interest as is presented by this era. In the border struggles on the fron- tier, and the wild partisan warfare of the south, in the regular army, in the prisons, wherever the contest was an active one, we find romance on every page of its history, romance that's wild and entrancing. It is strange that this fact is so rarely accredited, and that our history is accounted dull and prosy, with all the rich materials which it affords for exciting and gratifying the imagina- tion. But our poets have passed over it, with the dogged belief that romance only existed in armor nd a breast-plate. Not so thought the English poet Campbell, who gathered golden fruit where our native romancer would not deign to stoop. Assuredly there are other passages in our history as capable of being immor- talized in song as the touching story of Wyoming. Let the pages of this volume bear witness of it There are many inci- dents here related, that should go down to fame on the buoyant tide of poetry, but which in prose can scarcely be preserved. It is the minstrel and the poet, more than the historian, who have immortalized the heroes of- the past Achilles and Hector be- came immortal, only through the pen of Homer. The poet then XXX INTRODUCTION. owes this much to his country, that he should seek to embalm tho fame of her heroes for posterity to admire and emulate. Brave and heroic deeds have thrice their force as examples, more readily fire the heart with generous and noble emulation, when written in the glowing imagery of the poet, than when simply coming to us in the cold chronicles of the historian. Let our poets, who would be great, remember this, and say not, when that which follows in this volume is before them, that there is no material or incident wherewithal to write. The editor believes that he has gathered a collection of sketches which will be acceptable to the American public. Assuredly, a history of the exploits, heroism and sufferings of our forefathers can scarcely be aught else but acceptable, to those who are now reaping the golden fruits of their achievements. lie believes that none can peruse them without a more vivid conception of the era of which they treat, and a sincere pleasure in the romantic interest, which is proven to have been wove around the deeds and lives of our ancestors. ROMANCE OF THE REVOLUTION. STORIES AND ANECDOTES OF WASHINGTON. ON a day in the early part of the revolution, just after the /sun had passed its meridian, an American officer could have been seen slowly wending his way along one of the unfrequented roads that wound their way up among the mountains, in the vicinity of West Point ; where was then stationed the American army. The officer was unaccompanied, and as the horse, with slow and measured tread moved along the road, with the slackened rein hanging loose upon his neck, his rider seemed buried in a deep reverie. The scene around was one of peculiar beauty, the far mountains heaped up, one above another, against the horizon, and at his feet the Hudson sweeping on with a sweet and placid look. But the thoughts of the traveller were turned inward, and his eyes heeded not the pageant before them, but seemed rather to be reading the dark and obscure future, or trying to penetrate into the mysteries which surrounded the present. His thoughts, however, were apparently not disturbed, but only solemn and deep. It would have been impossible for any one to have looked upon 32 STORIES AND ANECDOTES his calm, thoughtful brow, the majestic, but benevolent expression of his countenance, the firm contour though sweet expression of his lips, the mild, penetrating glance of his eye, and the noble proportions of his frame, without detecting the presence of the great WASHINGTON. Presently he drew up before a mansion on the road, dismounted, and approached the house. Almost imme- diately a door was thrown open, and an aged gentleman, in a civilian's dress, rushed forth and greeted the comer with many, seemingly, earnest protestatious of welcome. The family in which Washington, on this occasion, was received, was one he had frequently been in the habit of visiting. During the stay of the army at West Point, he frequently dined with its members, and with its head he had at first reposed confidence and friendship. But many suspicions of his honesty were whis- pered about, and in some quarters he was openly accused of treachery to the American cause. To these suspicions Washing- ton would not heed, but having been invited to dine with him on a certain day and at a certain hour, and this invitation being pressed with so much over-earnestness, and accompanied with an insinuation, that his appearance with a guard was an indication of his want of confidence in his friend's fidelity, and urged to give a proof of his unchanged belief in his honesty, by coming unat- tended to partake with him a private dinner, Washington's suspicions at last became aroused, and he resolved, by accepting the invitation, to prove at once the truth or falsehood of the sus- picions entertained against him. It was to fulfil this engagement that Washington, on the occasion we have described, proceeded to the residence of his suspected friend. The time appointed for the dinner was two o'clock, but it was not later than one when Washington dismounted at the door of OP WASHINGTON. 33 his host He had an especial object in this early arrrival. The host proposed to occupy the interim before dinner, by a walk on the piazza. Here conversation occupied the time, and it soon became apparent to the chief that his host's manner was exceed- ingly nervous and excitable. Without revealing this knowledge, Washington continued the discourse, and, while he carefully avoided betraying his suspicions, he skillfully led the conversa- tions to such subjects, that would be most likely to cause his companion to betray his agitation. So poor an actor was he, and so often was his conscience probed by the apparently innocent remarks of the commander-in-chief, that his nervousness of man- ner became so marked as to give the greatest pain to Washington, at this proof of the infidelity of one on whom he had once reposed unlimited confidence. The American commander in commenting upon the different beauties of the landscape that surrounded them, pointed out the spot where lay the encampment of the enemy, at the same time remarking upon the extraordinary lack of prin- ciple that could induce men of American birth to forego the interests of their country, and every consideration of holy patriot- ism, to enrol themselves among their country's invaders for no other temptation than a little glittering gold. Before the pene- trating look which Washington fixed upon him while making these remarks, the guilty traitor quailed, but at this juncture, he was relieved by the sound of approaching horses, and as both guest and host turned to the direction whence the sound pro- ceeded, a company of dragoons in British uniforms appeared upon the brow of the hill, and galloping rapidly along the road towards the house. " Bless me, sir !" exclaimed Washington ; " what cavalry are these approaching the house ?" 34 STORIES AND ANECDOTES " A party of British light horse," rejoined his trembling host, u who mean no harm, but are merely sent for my protection !" " British horse sent here while I am your guest !" said Wash- ington with startling sternness, as he turned upon his guest with an air of command that awed, and caused to quail, the little soui of the betrayer before the mighty spirit that he had aroused. " What does this mean, sir ?" continued Washington, as a terrible look gathered upon his brow. By this time the troops had arrived, and they were seen dis- mounting from their horses. This gave courage to the trembling traitor. " General," said he approaching his guest, " General, you are my prisoner." " I believe not," replied Washington, his manner having re- gained its former calmness, " but, sir, I know that you are mine ! Officer arrest this traitor !" In bewildering consternation the treacherous hypocrite looked from Washington to the men ; the one an American officer, and the others seemingly British soldiers. But the puzzle was soon solved. Washington had ordered a company of Americans to disguise themselves as British cavalry, and to arrive at the man- sion designated, at a quarter before two, by which means he would be enabled to discover the innocence or guilt of the sus- pected person. The issue proved his suspicions were well founded, and the mode he adopted for detecting the plot admirably dis- played his great sagacity. The false friend was handed over to the keeping of the soldiers, and conducted to the American camp as a prisoner. He afterwards, confessed, that he had been offered a large sum to betray Washington into the hands of the English , and at the hour of two, a party of British horse would have sur- OP WASHINGTON. 35 A rounded the house, and captured the American chief. At first, Washington meditated making a severe example of the man, but he yielded to the earnest solicitations of his family, and pardoned him The incident which we next give, relative to "Washington, was communicated to an old periodical, from which we copy it One pleasant evening in the month of June, during the early part of the war, a man was observed entering the borders of a wood, near the Hudson river, his appearance that of a person above the common rank. The inhabitants of a country village would have dignified him with the title of 'squire, and, from his manner, would have pronounced him proud ; but those more accustomed to society, would inform you there was something like a military air about him. His horse panted as if it had been hard pushed for some miles, yet from the owners frequent stops to caress the patient animal, he could not be charged with want of humanity ; but seemed to be actuated by some urgent neces- sity. The rider forsaking a good road for a by-path leading through the woods, indicated a desire to avoid the gaze of other travelers. He had not left the house where he enquired the direction of the above mentioned road, more than two hours ? before the quietude of the place was broken by the noise of dis- tant thunder. He was soon after obliged to dismount, traveling becoming dangerous, as darkness concealed surrounding objects, except when the lightning's flash afforded him a momentary view of his situation. A peal louder and of longer duration than any of the preceding which now burst over his head, seeming as if it would rend the woods asunder, was quickly followed by a heavy full of rain, which penetrated the clothing of the stranger ere he could obtain the shelter of a large oak, which stood at a little distance. 36 STORIES AND ANECDOTES Almost exhausted with the labors of the day, he was about making such disposition of the saddle and his over coat, as would enable him to pass the night with what comfort circumstances would admit, when he espied a light glimmering through the trees. Animated with the hope of better lodgings, he determined to proceed. The way, which was sometimes steep, became at- tended with some obstacles the farther he advanced ; the soil being composed of clay, which the rain had rendered so soft that his feet slipped at every step. By the utmost perseverance, this difficulty was finally overcome without any accident, and he had the pleasure of finding himself in front of a decent looking farm- house. The watch-dog began barking, which brought the owner of the mansion to the door. " Who is there ?" said he. " A friend who has lost his way, and in search of a place of shelter," was the answer. " Come in sir," added the speaker, " and whatever my house will afford, you shall have with welcome." " I must provide for the weary companion of my journey," remarked the other. But the farmer undertook the task, and after conducting the new-comer into a room where his wife was seated, he led the horse to a well stored barn, and there provided for him most bounti- fully. On rejoining the traveller, he observed, " That is a noble animal of yours, sir." " Yes," was the reply, " and I am sorry that I am obliged to misuse him so as to make it necessary to give you so much trouble with the care of him ; but I have yet to thank you for your kind- ness to us both." " I do no more than my duty, sir," said the entertainer, " and OF WASHINGTON. 37 therefore, am entitled to no thanks." " But Susan," added he turning to the hostess with a reproachful look. " why have you not given the gentleman something to eat ?" Fear had prevented the good woman from exercising her well- known benevolence ; for a robbery had been committed by a law- less band of depredators recently in that neighborhood, and as report stated that the ruffians were all well dressed, her imagina- tion suggested that this might be one of them. At her husband's remonstrance, she now readily engaged in repairing her error, by preparing a bountiful repast During the meal, there was much interesting conversation among the three As soon as the worthy countryman perceived that his guest had satisfied his appetite, he informed him that it was now the hour at which the family usually performed their devotions, inviting him at the same time to be present. The invitation was accepted in these words : " It would afford me the greatest pleasure to commune with my heavenly Preserver, after the events of the day ; such exer- cises prepare us for the repose which we seek in sleep." After the devotions the host lighted a pine-knot and conducted the person he had entertained, to his chamber, wished him a good night, and retired to the adjoining apartment. "John," whispered the woman, "that is a good gentleman, and not one of the highwaymen as I supposed." " Yes, Susan," said he, " I like him better for thinking of his God, than all his kind inquiries after our welfare. I wish our Peter had been home from the army, if it was only to hear this good man talk ; I am sure Washington himself could not say more for his country, nor give a better history of the hardships endured by our brave soldiers." 38 STORIES AND ANECDOTES "Who knows, now," inquired the wife, " but it may be himself after all, my dear ; for they do say he travels just so, all alone, sometimes. Hark ! What's that ?" The sound of a voice came from the chamber of their guest, who was now engaged in private religious worship. After thank- ing the Creator for his many mercies, and asking a blessing on the inhabitants of the house, he continued, " And now, Almighty Father, if it be thy holy will, that we shall attain a name and a place among the nations of the earth, grant that we may be en- abled to show our gratitude for thy goodness, by our endeavors to fear and obey thee. Bless us with wisdom in our councils, success in battle, and let our victories be tempered with humanity. Endow, also our enemies with enlightened minds, that they may become sensible of their injustice, and willing to restore liberty and peace. Grant the petition of thy servant, for the sake of him thou hast called thy beloved Son ; nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done. Amen." The next morning the traveler, declining the pressing solicita- tions to breakfast with his host, declared it was necessary for him to cross the river immediately ; at the same time offering part of his purse as a compensation for what he had received, which was refused. " Well, sir," continued he, " since you will not permit me to recompence you for your trouble, it is but just that I should inform you, on whom you have conferred so many obligations, and also add to them by requesting your assistance to cross the river. I had been out yesterday, endeavoring to obtain some information respecting our enemy, and. being alone, ventured too far from the camp. On my return, I was surprised by a foraging party, and only escaped by my knowledge of the woods, and the fleetness of my horse. My name is George Washington." OF WASHINGTON. 39 Surprise kept the listner silent for a moment ; then, after un- successfully repeating the invitation, to partake of some refresh- ment, He hastened to call two negroes, with whose assistance he placed the horse on a small raft of timber that was lying on the river, near the door, and soon conveyed the general to the oppo- site side of the river, where he left him to pursue his way to the camp, wishing him a safe and prosperous journey. On his return to the house, he found that while he was engaged in making preparations for conveying the horse across the river, his illus trious visitor had persuaded his wife to accept a token of remem trance, which the descendants of the worthy couple are proud of exhibiting to this day. " In the summer of 1776, when the American army was in New v *rV, a young girl of the city went to her lover, one Francis, -kiiin which came the voice he heard, and finding there an elderly jentleman, just rising from his bed, he accosted him as General > rescott. To this the gentleman assented, and declared he bore 74 . GALLANT ENTERPRISE the name and title. " Then you are my prisoner," replied Bar- ton. " I acknowledge that I am," was the rejoinder. He was only allowed time to partially dress himself, when he was hurried off by his captors. Meanwhile a singular circumstance had occurred. At the very moment when Barton first gained admission into the house, one of the British soldiers managed to escape, and flew to the quarters of the main guard to giva the alarm. This man, in the alarm of the moment, rushed forth with no other clothing than his shirt ; and having hastily explained the matter to the sentinel on duty, he passed on to the quarters of the cavalry, which was much more remote from the head-quarters of the General. But when the sentinel came to explain the matter to the officer of the guard, it seemed so incredible, that he was laughed at, and was told that he had seen a ghost. He admitted that the messenger was clothed in white, and after being heartily laughed at for his cre- dulity, was ordered back to his station, and the guard went back to their quarters. This was a most fortunate circumstance, for had the alarm of the soldier been believed, nothing could have preserved the gallant Major and his band from destruction. The whole party with the English general in their midst, marched rapidly toward "the shore. When they arrived at the boat, their prisoner, who had been hurried away half dressed, was permitted to complete his toilet. They re-embarked with all pos- sible haste, and had not got far from the island, when the dis- charge of cannon and three sky rockets gave the signal for alarm. But, for some cause, the signal was not understood by those on the ships, and, by this fortunate circumstance, the gallant band was preserved, for it would have been easy for their enemy to have cut oft' their retreat Although full of anxiety and apprehension, OF MAJOR BARTON. 75 they bent every nerve to reach their port of destination, and hap- pily succeeded without meeting with any obstacle. When they had landed, General Prescott said to the Major, " Sir, you have made an amazing bold push to night." " We have been fortunate," was the modest reply. The British commander was conveyed as a prisoner to Providence, while this gallant en- terprise soon becoming noised abroad, it was received every- where with unqualified admiration, and the gallant Major and his party, became the heroes of the campaign. It was not long after the performance of this brilliant exploit, that the prisoner was exchanged for General Lee, to the great joy and satisfaction of the American army. AN INTERESTING STORY. ISRAEL Israel, a native of Pennsylvania, after having passed ten years in the island of Barbadoes, and amassed a considerable property, returned to his native land to enjoy his wealth, and to be restored to the society of his family. He married and pre- pared to pass the remainder of his years in quiet and ease, when the war broke out, and his whole fortune became sacrificed. From the commencement of the struggle, he had resolved to take up arms for the cause of freedom, but his unprotected family en- treated so urgently not to be left alone, and exposed to a merci- less enemy, that he determined to draw lota with his younger brother, Joseph, to decide which should becorte a soldier. The chance fell upon the younger, and it became Israel's duty to de- vote himself to the safety and welfare of his family. He took up 4 6 AN INTERESTING STORY. his residence on a small farm near Wilmington, in Deleware, while his mother and her family resided at Philadelphia. When this city fell into the hands of the British, the privations and hard- ships endured by the whig families resident in the town, were all that a rapacious soldiery could inflict. Each household had several soldiers quartered upon it, who took delight in terrifying and plundering its helpless inmates. Such was the condition of Mrs Israel, who was deprived of supplies and in want of the ac- tual necessities. Israel, who watched over them with a continued anxiety, learned of this, and this knowledge determined him to undertake a hazardous journey into the town and to smuggle sup- plies for his suffering family. A tory neighbor, who professed great sympathy for him, gave him the countersign. It was towards evening, on a day in the latter part of the year 1777 that darkest era of the American cause that Israel ap- proached the city of Philadelphia, on the road leading from Wil- mington. His large and powerful frame was enveloped in a capacious cloak, which not only was a protection against the weather, but which served to conceal sundry parcels of provisions, and a bag of money. It' was sometime after dark when he reached the ferry, when he was hailed by the sentinel, with " Who goes there ?" 4 A friend," was the reply given with an anxious heart. "The countersign!" He promptly gave the countersign. " Pass friend !" replied the sentinel ; and with a beating heart, the adventurous whig passed quickly on. The main difficulty was now over, and his enterprise promised a successful issue. A few moments more sufficed to bring him to his mother's resi- dence, which he found in possession of several soldiers, quartered AN INTERESTING STORY. 77 upon the family. Among them was a fierce and ferocious look- ing Hessian, whose aspect was well calculated to terrify the timid, and produce disgust among the brave. But he was welcomed with open arms by his family, and their happiness was complete from the fact that the younger brother, Joseph, was there on a scret visit also. But their joy was of short duration. At eleven o'clock, while seated at supper, the tramp of horses was heard without ; and almost immediately, there was a clamor at the door, and an imperious voice demanded admittance. The scene of peace within, was instantly changed to one of consternation and dismay. The brothers were frantically entreated to fly. The younger sprang up the stairs, threw off his uniform, and escaped upon the roof of the house. The noise below had now become furious, and further delay in admitting them was impossible. Accompanied by the pale and terrified females, Mr. Israel pro- ceeded to unbar the door, when the intruders, headed by the Hessian sergeant, rushed in, and roughly seized Mr. Israel's arm, exclaiming, " We have caught him at last the rebel rascal." With an undisturbed mien, a calmness unshaken by the immi- nence of the danger, and a consciousness that his brother's safety could only be secured by delay, he shook off his assailants, while he quietly demanded what was meant, and who it was that dared to charge him of being a rebel. The Hessian pointed to Caesar, a slave Mr. Israel had brought from the West Indies. The young man turned to the negro with a terrible look, and exclaimed, " Dare you, Caesar, call me a rebel ?" The guilty black hung his head and trembled. " Gentlemen," said Mr. Is- rael, " there is some mistake here. My brother Joseph is the per- son meant, I presume. Let me fetch the uniform ; and then you can judge for yourselves. Caesar come with me." J8 AN INTERESTING STORY. / Grasping the arm of the black, the young man led him up stairs, exclaiming in his ear, " not one word you rascal, or I'll kill you upon the spot." He procured the uniform and returned to his captors, and when its entire disproportion became apparent, Joseph being light and short of build, while Israel was of a tow- ering and robust frame, the soldiers acknowledged their mistake, and the Hessian officer made some rough attempts at apologising. He then impertinently seated himself at the supper table, from which the family had been driven by their terror, and saying, " as your supper is ready, we will sit down." Mr. Israel controlled his resentment, and the family returned to their places at the table, and patiently endeavored to listen to the coarse and brutal remarks of their untimely guest. The young ladies restrained their terror, but still trembling secretly, for fear that the noble in- dignation of their brother, would lead him to some act of impru- dence. And indeed it was only by a powerful exercise of hia self-control that he was enabled to submit to his brutal and dis- gusting conversation. He gave boastful details of his exploits in slaughtering the rebels, so atrocious in their recital, that Mr. Is- rael several times grasped his knife, with an impulse to strike down the savage, but the entreating looks of his agonized mother and sisters, restrained the blow. " That Paoli affair," said he continuing his recital, " was capital ! I was with General Grey in the attack. It was just after mid- right when we forced the outposts, and not a noise was heard so loud as the dropping of a musket. How the fellows turned out of their encampment when they heard us ! What a running about barefoot and half clothed and in the light of their own fires ! These showed us where to chase them, while they could not see us. We killed three hundred of the rebels with the bayo- AN INTERESTING STORY. 79 net ; I stuck them myself like so many pigs one after another till the blood ran out of the touch-hole of my musket" The horrible story of the bloody-minded Hessian, was inter- rupted by Mr. Israel, who starting to his feet, with face pale with rage, and his eyes glancing fire, was about to inflict summary vengeance on the wretch, but his sisters sprang forward, and shriek from the younger one, who fell fainting in his arms, pre- vented the catastrophe that might have ensued. All now thrown into confusion, the Hessian bade them good night, and left the house. Relieved from the presence so much dreaded, they now pre- pared for the sad scene of parting. Before departing, Mr. Israel summoned Caesar before him, and sternly questioned the black who declared that he had been compelled to do what he had done, and now solemnly promised fidelity for the future. He al- ways remained faithful to his promise. The parting was a scene of subdued anguish and pain, for the danger was not over. Tearing himself from their arms, Mr. Israel left the house, and hastened on his journey homeward. But scarcely had he arrived upon his farm at Wilmington, than he with his brother-in-law, were ar- rested upon the information of the loyalist from whom he had received the countersign, and carried on board a frigate lying in the Delaware, directly opposite to his farm, where they were con- fined, in order to be tried as spies. He was treated with the utmost severity in his captivity. Several of his tory neighbors came forward to testify against him, and declared that while the tory population had all come forward to furnish their share of provisions for the royal army, he waa heard to declare, that he, " would sooner drive his cattle as a pre* 8C AN INTERESTING STORY. ent to General Washington, than receive thousands of dollars in British gold for them.' 11 When this speech was told the commander, he gave orders for a detachment to proceed to the farm, and drive the cattle down to the water's edge, and slay them in the full view of the pris- oners. This order gave an opportunity for the display of one of the most intrepid acts of female heroism that occurred during the whole war. The young wife of Mr. Israel, had been overcome by anguish, at the fearful fate which seemed to await her husband and brother. She was but nineteen, of a slight and symmetrical figure, consid- erable beauty, and of a modest, retiring deportment, which gave no promise of that heroism, that a trying moment was about to develop. From the farm she saw the soldiers land from the ships, and march towards the meadow which contained her husband's cattle. She divined their purpose, and instantly resolved, to thwart it. Calling to a little boy, eight years old, to follow her, she started for the field with her utmost speed. In an instant the bars were down, and she was hurrying forward to drive the herd through the opening. The soldiers called out to her to desist, or they would fire. " Fire away !" exclaimed she, neither fearing nor hesitating. They fired, and the balls flew thick about her, while the fright- ened cattle began to run in every direction. Heedless of the con- tinued threats of the soldiers, she headed -them off, and drove them toward the barn-yard. " Do not let one escape, Joe !" exclaimed she, while the bullets continued to whistle around her. And not one did escape ! The Jittle boy became so paralyzed with terror, that he fell to the AN INTERESTING STORY. 81 ground, but seizing him in her arms, the heroic woman herself drove them into the barn-yard, and put up the bars. The soldiera either baffled by her courage, or out of respect to it, did not pur- sue their intentions, and returned to their vessel. This scene had passed in view of the officers of the frigate, and the two prisoners. The fear and agony endured by the husband and brother, while they saw the peril in which the wife was placed, must have been great, while they openly showed their ex- ultation at her triumph. At last they were brought to trial. Mr. Israel openly confesse his visit to Philadelphia, stating the cause, which was to carry re lief to his suffering parent and family. Matters looked dark for them, but Mr. Israel having learned that the officers of the court belonged to the order of Masons, and being himself a member, at the close of his story, made the secret sign of the brotherhood to the presiding officer. There was an evident change in his favor at once. The officer's stern countenance softened, and the pris- oners were eventually acquitted. The court severely rebuked the informers, for preferring charges against an honorable man, en- gaged on a mission of love and duty. The prisoners were dis- missed with honor ; but the magnanimity of a verdict, not based upon principles of justice, but upon a connection foreign to the point at issue, may well be questioned.* * Mn. Ellet's "Women of the Revolution." 82 A THRILLING NARRATIVE. A THRILLING NARRATIVE. THE following Revolutionary reminisence we find in an old periodical, where it is given as a well authenticated fact. In the autumn of 1777, when Lord Howe had possession of Philadelphia, the situation of the Americans who could not follow their beloved commander, was truly distressing, subject to the every day insults of cruel and oppressive foes. Bound to. pay obedience to laws predicated, on the momentary power of a proud and vindictive commander, it can be better pictured than des- cribed. To obtain the common necessaries of life, particularly flour, they had to go as far as Bristol, a distance of eighteen or twenty miles, and even this indulgence was not granted them, un- til a pass was procured from Lord Howe, as guards were placed along Vine street, extending from the Delaware to the Schuylkill, forming a complete barrier ; beyond these, through the woods extending as far as Frankford, were stationed the piquet guards thus rendering it in a manner impossible to reach the Bristol mills, unless first obtaining a pass. The American forces were then encamped at the Valley Forge, suffering from cold, hunger, and the inclemency of the season. The British rolled in plenty, and spent their days in feastings, then- nights in balls, riots, and dissipation ; thus resting in sup- posed security, while the American chief was planning a mode for then- final extirpation. A poor woman, with six small children, whose husband was at the Valley Forge, had made frequent ap- plications for n pass. Engagements rendered it impossible for her cruel tormenters to give her one. Rendered desperate from disappointment and the cries of her children, she started alone A THRILLING NARRATIVE. 83 without a pass, and by good luck eluded the guards and reached Bristol. About this time, there were six brothers of the name of Doale, renowned for many acts of heroic bravery, but which were in the character of marauders rather than soldiers. They were men full six feet high, stout and active, a fearless intrepidity characterizing their deeds, and they always succeeded in making their escape. A marked partiality to the Americans, rendered them obnoxious to the British, and always welcome to the former, to whom thev conveyed what information they could glean in their adventures Our adventurous female, having procured her flour in a pillow- case, holding about twenty pounds, was returning with a light heart to her anxious and lonely babes. She had passed the piquet guards at Frankford, and was just entering the woods a little this side, when a tall, stout man, stepped from behind a tree^ and putting a letter in her hand, requested her to read it. She grasped with eager joy, the letter bearing the character of he? husband's hand-writing. After a pause, he said, " Your husband is well, madam, and requested me to say, that in a short time he will be with you ; money is a scarce article among us I mean among them ; but on account of your husband's partiality to the cause of liberty, I am willing to become his banker." So saying, he handed her a piece of money, " my means, madam, are ade- quate or I would not be thus lavish," seeing she was about to re- fuse it. ' You said, sir," my husband would see me shortly ; how do you know that which seems so impossible ? and how did you know me, who never " " Hush, madam, we are now approaching the British guard- suffice it to say, the American commander has that in his head, 84 A THRILLING NARRATIVE. which, like an earthquake, will shake the whole American conti- nent, and expunge all these miscreants ; but, hark ! take the road to the left farewel." So saying, he departed. She gave one look, but vacancy filled the spot where he stood. With slow and cautious steps, she approached Vine street. Already her fire burned beneath her bread, when the awful word " halt !" struck her to the soul. She started, and found herself in the custody of a British sentinel. " Your pass, woman." " I have none, sir ; my children are " " D n the rebel crew, why do you breed enemies to your king this flour is mine off, woman, and die with your babes." A groan was her only answer. The ruf- fian was about departing, when the former messenger appeared his whole demeanor was changed ; humble simplicity marked his gait he approached the guard with a seeming fearfulness, and begged him in a suppliant voice, to give the poor woman her flour. " Fool ! idiot !" exclaimed the guard, " who are you ? see yonder guard house, if you interfere here, that shall be your quarters." " May be so, sir ; but wont you give the poor woman the means of supporting her little family one week longer ? recol- lect the distance she has walked, the weight of the bag, and recollect " "Hell and fury, sirrah! Why bid me recollect, you plead in fain begone, or I'll seize you as a spy." " You won't give the poor woman her flour ?" "No." " Then by my country's faith, and hopes of freedom, you shall !" and with a powerful arm, he seized the guard by the throat and hurled him to the ground. " Run, madam, run see the guard house is alive secure your flour, pass Vine street, and you are safe." 'Twas done. The guard made an attempt to rise, when A THRILLING NARRATIVE. 85 the stranger drew a pistol, and shot him dead. The unfortunate man gazed around him with fearless intrepidity. There was but one way of escape, and that through the woods. Seizing the dead man's musket, he started like a deer, pursued by the hounds. " Shoot him down ! shoot him down !" was echoed from one line to another. The desperado was lost in the woods, and a general search commenced ; the object of their pursuit, in the meantime, flew like lightning ; the main guard was left behind, but the whole piquet line would soon be alarmed one course alone pre- sented itself, and that was to mount his horse, which was con- cealed among the bushes, and gallop down , to the Delaware ; a boat was already there for him. The thought was no sooner suggested, than it was put into execution. He mounted his horse, and, eluding the alarmed guards, had nearly reached the Delaware. Here he found himself headed and hemmed in, by at least fifty exasperated soldiers. One sprang from behind a tree, and demanded immediate surrender. " 'Tis useless to prevaricate you are now in our possession." " Son of a slave ! slave of a king ! how dare you to address a freeman ! Surrender yourself a Doale never surrendered himself to any man, far less to a blinded pol- troon away, or die ;" and attempted to pass. The guard levelled his gun ; but himself was levelled in the dust ; the ball of Doale'a pistol, had been swifter than his own. His case was now truly desperate ; behind him was the whole line of guards on the north of him, the Frankford piquets, and on the left of him, the city of Philadelphia, filled with British troops. One way, and only one presented itself, and that was to cross the river. He knew his horse ; he plunged in a shout succeeded and ere he reached half the distance, twenty armed boats were in 86 THE STORY OF swift pursuit. His noble horse dashed through the Delaware, his master spurred him on with double interest, while the balls whis- tled around him. The tide was running down, and when he reached the Jersey shore, he found himself immediately opposite the old slip, at Market street. On reaching the shore, he turned round, took out a pistol, and, with steady aim, fired at the first boat ; a man fell over the side and sank to rise no more. He then disap- peared in the wood. The angry, harassed, and disappointed pursuers gave one look, one curse, and returned to the Pennsyl- vania shore,fully believing, that, if he was not the devil, he was at least one of his principal agents. THE STORY OF AN OLD SOLDIER. THE following story is as it was related by an old soldier. It was in the summer of 1780, at the close of a Sabbath day, that the inhabitants of a retired farm house in Georgia assembled at their evening repast. The venerable farmer, the widow of his son, and her only daughter, a blooming girl of sixteen, composed the little circle. " I should like," said the old man, " to know where our young soldier is now." Tears and blushes appeared at once on the countenance of Kate, and when the mother fer- vently exclaimed " God preserve him," she could not restrain her sobs ; for it was of her cousin Leonard, hen betrothed husband, that they spoke. " Out with your tears, baby face," cried her grandsire, cheerfully ; " he will come home to you soon, nothing less than a captain. What! would vou have him stay at home at such a time ; ah ! if I felt not the aches of seventy in my limbs AN OLD SOLDIER. 87 or could I shake from my gray head a score of years, I would not be now sitting in the chimney corner." Kate smiled at her sire's earnestness. She handed him the Bible and his spectacles, and having listened to the evening portion, and joined in the fervent prayer, the peaceful family retired to rest The dwelling of John Caramel was situated on the side of a hill, at the foot of which ran a deep narrow stream that watered the valley. On the bank of this stream terminated the bounda- ry of the farm, and the vale beyond was mostly a thick wood, where some new settlers had begun to clear small portions of the ground. The huts of these people were the only dwellings with- in some miles of Caramel's house, which was rendered the more retired by the thick shade of the numerous trees which grew around it. It was built in the plain style, most suitable to a fann- er ; consisting of one story, divided into a parlor and three sleep- ing apartments, where the inmates lodged. The servants belong- ing immediately to the house, occupied the loft above ; while the negroes who tilled the farm had their own cottages on the other side of the hill, nearly two miles from the dwelling. Kate and her mother slept in the back room, whose windows looked on the path which wound along the brow of the hill, as it led to the house. It was midnight, and Kate had sunk into an uneasy slum- ber, when she was startled from it by the indistinct sound of smothered voices. Unsuspicious of evil, and unwilling to awake her mother, she arose, and gently opened the window ; she leaned out and listened ; all was silent, and she saw nothing but the tall trees that stood smiling in the moonlight She was withdrawing, when she suddenly perceived something gleam among the thick foliage of the old willow, whose branches trailed to the ground. She fixed her eye upon it the wind gently waved the leaves 88 THE STORY OF it was a bayonet which glanced in the moonbeam. At the same instant she saw one of the negroes running toward the house. " Shut the window," he cried, perceiving her : "the British are here." A mortal wound from a musket prevented his concluding. Kate had heard enough ; she attempted to bar the shutters, but ere she could effect it, she heard the report of a gun, and felt its burning contents in her bosom. Darkness came over her, and for some moments she lay insensible. The fresh air which blew from the window on her face, revived her ; she crept to the bed to speak to her mother, but it was empty ; and the sound of men's footsteps, deep execrations, and horrid oaths, struck her with terror. Amidst the noise and tumult, she distinguished the voice of her faithful nurse, calling from the upper window, and entreat- ing her to come to the loft : " Quick, quick," repeated the woman. Kate rose, and with difficulty walked to the door. It was but to cross the hall and she would reach the stairs of the garret. She entered the hall, and was hastening through it, when she saw the inanimate body of a man lying across a chair. Another glance told her that it was her aged parent. She lingered an instant but that instant decided her fate. The door of the parlor was opened, and an officer, with several soldiers, rushed into the hall. Approaching the affrighted girl, he addressed her in coarse and jeering terms. She sunk on her knees, and attempted to suppli- cate his mercy ; he rudely grasped her arm, when extreme fear, combined with the agonies of her wound, burst the strings of life, and she expired at his touch. The officer threw her stiffening form from him, with an exclamation of horror, and giving some jrder to his men, they quitted the house. But there was one who nad been a trembling witness to his brutality ; who had marked his aountenance, as for a moment he stood with his head uncov- AN OLD SOLDIER 89 ered, and had heard the name by which the soldiers addressed him. The old negro, the husband of Kate's nurse, had ventured to descend the stairs to seek the ill-fated girl, and had partly un- closed the door which shut him from the hall, when he beheld her situation, without the power of affording her assistance. He now hastened to raise her, and observing the blood which flowed from her bosom, he called to his wife to aid him in carrying her to the loft. But the volume of smoke that burst forth from every part of the house, announced that the marauders had finished their dreadful errand. While the nurse supported the cold form of her foster child, the old man stole out to observe the motions of the enemy. They were marching silently up the hill, and the faithful servants, with their lifeless burthen, fearfully descended to the stream, and crossing over a rough bridge, they followed a narrow path, which brought them in safety to the -cottage of a young farmer, who readily opened his door to them. Leonard Cammel had entered the army a private soldier, but his merit soon gained him promotion. He had just received a lieutenant's commission, and was appointed, in conjunction with myself, then of the same rank, to conduct an expedition, the plan of which was unfolded to us by Colonel Clarke, our immediate commander. As a mark of favor, Leonard was permitted to stop at Cammel's farm for two hours, to see and converse with his friends. I could not but envy his feelings, as I looked on his glowing cheek and sparkling eye, and joined in his bright antici- pations. At length we arrived at the farm, and entered the road which led to the place of Leonard's nativity. As we ascended a high hill, Leonard looked around, and turning pale, said * I do not see the house." We put the spur to our horses, and another moment brought us before the black and smothered 90 THE STORY OP ruin. The house was burnt to the ground, and some of the finest trees had shared its fate. The garden, which even in its desola- tion seemed to own a woman's taste, was trampled, and its flow- ers were crushed. A bower, which had been shaded by the white roses of the luxuriant multiflora, was levelled with the earth ; yet the flowers still reared their pale heads, and perfumed the morn- ing air. " This is not the effect of accident," exclaimed Leonard, lean ing against a tree, as if stunned by the shock, while the soldiers vented their anger in oaths and threats of vengeance. " Where shall we seek your family ?" I inquired. " Not on earth, I fear," answered Leonard ; yet the eagerness with which he led the way to the cottage, showed that he stiL cherished hope. The old nurse was sitting at the entrance of the hut as we approached ; at the sight of Leonard, she wrung her hands, and weeping bitterly, cried, " you have come too late." " Where is Kate and my grandfather ?" was Leonard's eager inquiry ; and, without waiting her answer, he rushed into the house. I followed him, and beheld stretched on the bed the life- less form of a young female ; her white arms were crossed on her bosom her beautiful features were not only convulsed by the agony of death, but of mental terror and her long brown hair, which flowed over her form, was, in some places, clotted with blood. It was only by speaking of revenge, and urging the im- perious calls of duty, that I was enabled to tear the wretched youth from the corpse of his murdered love. Before he departed, he ascertained the name of the officer, who had commanded these fiends. I was not surprised, when the negro, after detailing the whole scene, mentioned the name of G . " You will easily know him," he continued, " by a scar which covers his cheek." AN OLD SOLDIER. 91 " I shall know him," said Leonard bitterly ; and his deportment then changed from deep dejection to a fierce and feverish eager- ness of manner. We were successful in our errand, and, after a few days absence, rejoined Colonel Clarke. One morning, as I was sitting alone, Leonard came to my tent, his face lighted up with a joyfiil, but ferocious expression. Before I could speak, he exclaimed, " Have you heard the order ? we are to attack Fort " Who defends it ?" I asked. " Who ? G ." Alarmed at his fierceness, I said, " What do you think of my friend ?" Grasping his sword, while his brow crimsoned with rage, he replied, " of the smoking ruin, and stiff corpse I left behind me." Colonel G was obliged to surrender to our superior force. As at the head of his men, he walked from the fort between the ranks of his conqueror, a musket ball whistled through the air ; it was aimed by an unerring hand, and G fell to the ground, a dead man. Although every exertion was used, it was never discovered who was the murderer. I dared not question Leonard, but the calm sternness of his countenance spoke of satisfied re- venge. Once I ventured to deplore the event, as a stain upon our honor. " Would he had died in battle ; he had trusted to our faith ; he was unarmed ; to harm him then, was faithless and un- merciful." " He showed her no mercy," said Leonard, in a voice which made me shudder. ADVENTURES OF THE ADVENTURES OF THE BROTHERS SAMMONS. JACOB SAMMONS, and his four sons, were celebrated in the border warfare of the Mohawk Valley, as staunch and intrepid supporters of the American cause. The whole family, with the exception of one son, who was absent from home at the time, were taken prisoners by Sir John Johnson, in his night descent on Johnstown, near which town the Sammons family resided. The particulars of the arrest, and of the subsequent marvelous and perilous adventures of Jacob and Frederick Sammons, we draw from Stone's " Life of Joseph Brant." A more deeply absorbing and wonderful history of escapes by flood and field the history of adventure can scarcely produce. " On the night of the attack, Thomas, the youngest, had risen at an unwonted hour, in order to feed his horses, and go over to a neighboring farm to work with his brother. On coming down stairs, however, and stepping out of doors half dressed, to take an observation of the weather it being yet dark, though day was just breaking the thought occurred to him, that should any straggling Indians be prowling about, he would stand but a poor chance if fallen upon alone. While standing thus in doubt, whether to proceed or to wait for more light, he was startled by a noise of heavy steps behind, and, as he turned, by the glitter of steel passing before his eyes. At the same instant, a hand was laid upon his shoulder, with the words ' you are my prisoner !' In such perfect stillness had the enemy approached, that not the sound of a footstep was heard, until the moment when the younger Sammons was thus arrested, and the house immediately surrounded. One of the officers, with several soldiers, instantly BROTHERS SAMMONS. 93 entered the house, and ordered the family to get up, and sur- render themselves as prisoners. Jacob and Frederick, who were in bed, in the second story, sprang upon their feet immediately, and seized their arms. The officer called to them and offered quarter if they would surrender. Jacob inquired whether there were Indians with them ; adding, that if there were, he and his brother would not be taken alive. On being assured to the con- trary, the brothers descended the stairs and surrendered. The old gentleman was also taken. They were directed to make ready to march immediately. Thomas here remarked to the sol- dier who yet stood sentinel over him, that he could not travel to Canada without his clothes, and especially without his shoes, which he had not yet put on requesting liberty to return to his chamber for his raiment. The sentinel refused permission ; but Thomas persisted that he must obtain his shoes at least, and was stepping toward the door, when the barbarian made a plunge at at his back with his bayonet, which had proved fatal, but for the quick eyes and the heroism of a sister, standing by, who, as she saw the thrust at her brother, sprang forward, and seizing the weapon, threw herself across its barrel, and by falling, brought it to the ground. The soldier struggled to disengage his arms and accomplish his purpose. At the same time, an officer stepped forward, and demanded what was the matter. The girl informed him of the attempt upon her brother, whereupon he rebuked the soldier, by the exclamation ' you d d rascal, would you murder the boy ?' Immediate permission was then given him, to procure whatever articles he wanted." With "their arms pinioned behind them, the prisoners com- menced their march. The course of the tories was one uninter- rupted outrage. Houses burned, prisoners made, helpless age, 94 ADVENTURES OF THE and smiling infancy brutally murdered, and property of all kinds recklessly destroyed. They continued along the Mohawk Valley, for several miles, burning and destroying, and then retraced their steps to Johnstown. Here an English lady interested herself successfully for some of the prisoners, with Sir John, and in going, into the field to select them, she managed adroitly to include young Sammons into the group, for whom an interest had been excited in her bosom. The elder Sammons was also released, having privately made an appeal to the Baronet, based upon early associations and services rendered to him, to which Sir John yielded. Jacob and Frederick Sammons, however, were continued in captivity. The march was resumed, and the captives marched to St. John's, and from thence transferred to the fortress of Chamblee. " The prisoners at this fortress numbered about forty. On the day after their arrival, Jacob Sammons having taken an accurate survey of the garrison, and the facilities of escape, conceived the project of inducing his fellow prisoners to rise upon the guards and obtain their freedom. The garrison was weak in number, and the sentinels less vigilant than is usual among good soldiers. The prison doors were opened once a day, when the prisoners were visited by the proper officer, with four or five soldiers. Sammons had observed, where the arms of the guards were stacked in the yard, and his plan was, that some of the prisoners should arrest and disarm the visiting guard, on the opening of their door, while the residue were to rush forth, seize the arms, and fight their way out. The proposition was acceeded to by his brother Frederick, and one other man named Van Sluyck, but was considered too daring by the great body of the pisoners to be undertaken. It was therefore abandoned, and the brothers sought afterwards only BROTHERS SAMMONS. 95 for a chance for escaping by themselves. Within three days, the desired opportunity occurred, viz, on the 13th of June, 1780. The prisoners were supplied with an allowance of spruce beer, for which two of their number were detached daily, to bring the cask from the beer house, under a guard of five men, with fixed bayonets. Having reason to suppose, that the arms of the guards though charged, were not primed, the brothers so contrived mat- ters, as to be taken together to the brewery on the day mentioned, with an understanding, that, at a given point, they were to dart from the guard, and run for their lives believing that the con- fusion of the moment, and the consequent delay of priming their muskets by the guards, would enable them to escape beyond the ordinary range of musket shot The project was boldly executed. At the concerted moment, the brothers sprang from their con- ducters, and stretched across the plain with great fleetness. The alarm was given, and the whole garrison was soon after them in hot pursuit. Unfortunately for Jacob, he fell into a ditch, and sprained his ankle. Perceiving the accident, Frederick returned to his assistance ; but the other generously admonished him to secure his own flight if possible, and leave him to the chances of war. Recovering from his fall, and regardless of the accident, Jacob sprang forward again, with as much expedition as possible, but finding the lameness impeded his progress, he plunged into a thick clump of shrubs and trees, and was fortunate enough to hide himself between two logs, before the pursuers came up. Twenty or thirty shots had previously been fired upon them, but mthout effect. In consequence of the smoke of their fire, prob- bly, the guards had not observed Jacob when he threw him self .nto the thicket, and supposing that, like his brother, he had passed around it, they followed on, until they were fairly dia- 96 ADVENTURES OF THE tanced by Frederick, of whom they lost sight and trace. They returned in about half an hour, halting by the bushes, in which the other fugitive was sheltered, and so near, that he could dis- tinctly hear their conversation. The officer in command, was Capt. Steele. On calling his men together, some were swearing, and others laughing at the race, and the speed of the ' long- legged Dutchmen,' as they called the flying prisoners. The pur- suit being abandoned, the guards returned to the fort. " The brothers had agreed, in case of separation, to meet at a cer- tain spot, at 10 o'clock that night. Of course Jacob lay en- sconsced in the bushes until night had dropped her sable curtains, and until he supposed the hour had arrived, when he sallied forth, according to the antecedent understanding. But time did not move as rapidly on that evening as he supposed. He waited upon the spot designated, and called aloud for Frederick, until he despaired of meeting him, and prudence forbade him remaining any longer. It subsequently appeared, that he was too early on the ground, and that Frederick made good his appointment. " Following the bank of the Sorel, Jacob passed Fort St. John's soon after day break, on the morning of the 14th. His purpose was to swim the river at that place, and pursue his course home- ward, through the wilderness on the eastern shore of Lake Cham- plain ; but, just as he was perparing to enter the water, he des- cried a boat approaching from below, filled with officers and sol- diers of the enemy. Concealing himself again in the woods, he resumed his journey after their departure, but had not proceeded more than two or three miles, before he came upon a party of several hundred men, engaged in getting out timber for the pub- lic works at the fort. To avoid these, he was obliged to describe a wide circuit, in the course of which, at about 12 o'clock, ha BROTHERS SAMMONS. 97 came to a small clearing. Within the enclosure was a house and in the field were a man and a boy engaged in hoeing potatoes. They were at that moment called to dinner, and supposing them to be French, who, he had heard, were rather friendly to the American cause than otherwise incited also by hunger and fatigue he made bold to present himself, trusting that he might be invited to partake of their hospitality. But instead of a friend, he found an enemy. On making known his character, he was roughly received. ' It is by such villians that you are,' replied the forester, ' that I was obliged to fly from Lake Champlain.' ' The rebels,' he added, ' had robbed him of all he possessed, and he would now deliver his self-invited guest to the guard, which, he said, was not more than a quarter of a mile distant.' 8am- mons promptly answered him that * that was more than he could do !' The refugee then said ' he would go for the guard himself;' to which Summons replied, ' that he might act as he pleased, but that all the men in Canada should not make him again a prisoner.' " The man thereupon returned with his son to the potatoe field, and resumed his work , while his more compassionate wife gave him a bowl of bread and milk, which he ate sitting on the thresh- hold of the door, to guard against surprise. While in the house, he saw a musket, powder horn, and bullet pouch hanging against the wall, of which he determined, if possible, to possess himself, that he might be able to procure food during the long and soli- tary march before him. On retiring, therefore, he traveled only far enough into the woods, for concealment returning to the woodman's house in the evening, for the purpose of obtaining the musket and ammunition. But he was again beset by immi- nent peril. Very soon after he entered the house, the sound of 98 ADVENTURES OP THE approaching voices were heard, and he took to the rude chamber for security, where he lay flat upon the irregular floor, and look- ing through the interstices, saw eleven soldiers enter, who, it soon appeared, came for milk. His situation was now exceedingly critical. The churlish proprietor might inform against him, or a single moment betray him. But neither circumstance occurred. The unwelcome visitors departed in due time, and the family all retired to bed, excepting the wife, who, as Jacob descended from the chamber, refreshed him with another bowl of milk. She en deavored to persuade him, to secrete himself in the woods for two days, when she would be enabled to furnish him with some provi- sions, for a supply of which her husband was going to the fort the next day, and she would likewise endeavor to provide. him with a pair of shoes. " Disinclined to linger so long in the country of the enemy, and in the neighborhood of a British fort, he took his departure forthwith. But such had been the kindness of the good woman, that he had it not in his heart to seize upon her husband's arms, and he left this wild scene of rustic hospitality without supplies, and without the means of procuring them. Arriving once more at the water's edge, at the lower end of Lake Champlain, he came upon a hut, within which, on cautiously approaching it for reconnoisance, he discovered a party of soldiers all soundly asleep. Their canoe was moored by the shore, into which he sprang, and paddled himself up the lake, under the most encouraging pros- pect of a speedy and comparatively easy voyage to its head, whence his return home would be unattended with either diffi- culty or danger. But his pleasing anticipations were extinguished on the night following, as he approached the Isle au Noix, where he descried a fortification, and the glitter of bayonets bristling in BROTHERS SAMMONS. 99 the air, as the moonbeams played upon the burnished arms of the sentinels, who were pacing their tedious rounds; The lake being very narrow at this point, and perceiving that both sides were fortified, he thought the attempt to shoot his canoe between them, rather too hazardous an experiment His only course, therefore, ( was to run ashore and resume his travels on foot Nor on land- ing, was his case in any respect enviable. Without shoes, with- out food, and without the means of obtaining either a long journey before him, through a deep and trackless wilderness it may well be imagined, that his mind was not cheered by the most agreeable anticipations. But without pausing to indulge unnecessarily his ' thick coming fancies,' he commenced his soli tary journey, directing his course along the eastern lake shore, toward Albany. During the first four days of his progress, he subsisted entirely upon the bark of the birch chewing the twigs as he went On the fourth day, while resting by a brook, he heard a rippling of the water caused by the fish as they were stemming its current He succeeded in catching a few of these, but having no means of striking a fire, after devouring one of them raw, the others were thrown away. u His feet, by this time, were cruelly cut, brusied, and torn by thorns, briars, and stones ; and while he could scarcely proceed by reason of their soreness, hunger and fatigue united to retard his cheerless march. On the fifth day, his miseries were aug- mented by the hungry swarms of musquetoes, which settled upon him in clouds, while traversing 5 a swamp. On the same day, he fell upon the nest of a black duck the duck sitting quietly upon her eggs until he came up and caught her. The bird was no sooner deprived of her life, and her feathers, than he devoured the whole, including its head and feet The eggs were nin* in 100 ADVENTURES OP THE number, which Sarainons took with him ; but on opening one, he found a little half-made duckling, already alive. Against such food his stomach revolted, and he was obliged to throw the eggs away. . .^.... " On the tenth day, he came to a small lake. His feet were now in such a horrible state, that he could scarcely crawl along Finding a mitigation of pain, by bathing them in water, he plunged his feet into the lake, and lay down upon its margin. For a time it seemed as though he could never rise upon his feet again. Worn down by hunger and fatigue bruised in body and wounded in spirit in a lone wilderness, with no eye to pity and no human act to protect he felt as though he must remain in that spot until it should please God, in his goodness, to quench the dim spark of life that remained. Still he was comforted in some measure, by the thought that he was in the hands of a Being without whose knowledge, not a sparrow falls to the ground. " Refreshed at length, though to a trifling degree, he resumed his weary way, when on raising his right leg on the trunk of a fallen tree he was bitten in the calf by a rattlesnake. Quick as a flash, with his pocket knife, he made an inscision in his leg, removing the wounded flesh to a greater depth than the fangs of the serpent had penetrated. His next business was to kill the venemous reptile, and dress it for eating ; thus appropriating the enemy that had sought to take his life, to its prolongation. His first meal was made from the heart and fat of the serpent. Fee? ing somewhat strengthened by the repast, and finding, moreovei that he could not travel farther in his present condition, he dete_' mined to remain where he was for a few days, and by repose, and feeding on the body of the snake, recruit his strength. Dis- covering also, a dry fungus upon the trunk of a maple tree, he BROTHERS SAMMONS. 101 succeeded in striking a fire, by which his comforts were essen- tially increased. Still he was obliged to creep upon his hands and knees to gather food, and gather fuel, and on the third day, he was in such a state of exhaustion, as to be utterly unable to proceed. Supposing that death was inevitable and very near, he crawled to the foot of a tree, upon the bark of which he com- menced inscribing his name in the expectation that he should leave his bones there, and in the hopes that, in some way, by the aid of the inscription, his family might ultimately be apprised of his fate. While engaged in this sad work, a cloud of painful thoughts crowded upon his mind; the tears involuntary stole down his cheeks, and before he had completed the melancholy task, he fell asleep. " On the fourth day of his residence at this place, he began to gain strength, and as a part of the serpent yet remained, he deter- mined upon another effort to resume his journey. But he could not do so without devising some substitute for shoes. For this purpose he cut up his hat and waistcoat, binding them upon his feet and thus he hobbled along. On the following night, while lying in the woods, he became strongly impressed with a belief that he was not far distant from a human habitation. He had seen no indications of proximity to the abode of man ; but never- theless, he was so confident of the fact, that he wept with joy. Buoyed up and strengthened by this impression, he resumed hia journey on the following morning ; and in the afternoon, it being the 28th of June, he reached a house in the town of Pittsford, in the New Hampshire Grants now forming the state of Vermont He remained there for several days, both to recruit his health, and if possible, to gain intelligence of his brother. But no tidings came ; and as he knew Frederick to be a capital woodsman, he, LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA RARUAPA 102 NARRATIVE OP of course, concluded that sickness, death, or recapture, must havo interrupted his journey. Procuring a conveyance, Jacob traveled to Albany, and thence to Schenectady, where he had the happi- ness of finding his wife and family." NARRATIVE OP FREDERICK SAMMONS. " NOT less interesting, nor marked by fewer vicissitudes were the adventures of Frederick Sammons. The flight from tne fort at Chamblee, was made just before sunset, which accounts for the chase having been abandoned so soon. On entering the edge of the woods, Frederick encountered a party of Indians, returning to the fort, from fatigue duty. Perceiving that he was a fugitive, they fired, and called out ' we have got him !' In this opinion, however, they were mistaken ; for, although he had run close upon before perceiving them, yet being like Ashael of old, swift of foot, by turning a short corner, and increasing his speed, in ten minutes he was entirely cleared of the party. He then sat down to rest, the blood gushing from his nose, in consequence of the extent to which his physical powers had been taxed. At the time appointed, he also had repaired to the point, which, at his separation from Jacob, had been agreed upon as the place of meeting. The moon shone brightly, and he called loud and often for his brother so loud indeed, that the guard was turned out in consequence. His anxiety was very great for his brother's safety ; but in ignorance of his situation, he was obliged to attend to his own. He determined, however, to approach the fort so near it, at least, as he could venture and in the event of meeting any one, disguise his own character by inquiring whether the rebels had been taken. But a flash from the sentinel's musket, the re- nort, and tfie noise of a second pursuit, compelled him to change FREDERICK SAMMONS. 1 3 the direction of his march, and proceed again with all possible speed. It had been determined by the brothers to cross the Sorel, and return on the east side of the river and lake ; but there was a misunderstanding between them, as to the point of crossing the river whether above or below the fort. Frederick repaired to what he supposed to be the designated place of cross ing, below the fort, where he lingered for his brother until near morning. At length, having found a boat, he crossed over to the eastern shore, and landed just at the cock crowing. He pro- ceeded directly to the barn where the supposed chanticleer had raised his voice, but found not a fowl on the premises. The sheep looked too poor by the dim twilight, to serve his purpose of food, but a bullock presenting a more favorable appearance, Frederick succeeded in cutting the unsuspecting animal's throat, and sever ing one of the hind quarters from the carcass, he shouldered and marched off with it directly into the forest. Having proceeded to a safe and convenient distance, he stopped to dress his beef, cutting off" what he supposed would be sufficient for the journey, and forming a knapsack from the skin, by the aid of bark pulled from a tree. ' Resuming his journey, he arrived at the house of a French family, within the distance of five or six miles. Here he made bold to enter, for the purpose of procuring bread and salt, and in the hope also of obtaining a gun and ammunition. But he could neither obtain provisions, nor make the people understand a word he uttered. He found means, however, to prepare some tinder, with which he re-entered the woods, and hastened forward in a southern direction, until he ascertained, by the firing of the even- ing guns, that he had passed St. John's. Halting for the night, he struck a light ; and having kindled a fire, occupied himself till 104 NARRATIVE OP morning in drying and smoking his beef, cutting it into slices for that purpose. His knapsack of raw hide was cured by the same process. Thus prepared, he proceeded onward without interrup- tion or adventure, until the third day; when he killed a fawn and secured the venison. He crossed the Mirooski, or Onion river, on the next day ; and having discovered a man's name carved upon a tree, together with the distance from the lake, (Champlain) eight miles, he bent his course for its shores, when he found a canoe with pad- dles. There was now a prospect of lessening the fatigue of his journey ; but his canoe had scarce begun to dance upon the Waters, ere it parted asunder, and he was compelled to hasten ashore and continue his march by land. " At the close of the seventh day, and when, as he supposed, he was within two day's travel of settlement, he kindled his fire, and lay down to rest in health and spirits. But ere the dawn of day ? he awoke with racking pains, which proved to be an attack of pleurisy. A drenching rain came on, continuing three days ; during which time he lay helpless, in dreadful agony, without fire or shelter, or sustenance of any kind. On the fourth day, his pain having abated, he attempted to eat a morsel, but his provi- sions had become too offensive to be swallowed. His thirst being intense, he fortunately discovered a pond of water near by, to which he crawled. It was a stagnant pool, swarming with frogs another providential circumstance, inasmuch as the latter served him for food. Too weak, however, to strike a light, he was com- pelled to devour them raw, and without dressing of any kind. Unable to proceed, he lay in this wretched condition fourteen days. Supposing that he should die there, he succeeded in hang- ing his hat upon a pole, with a few papers, in order that, if dis- covered, his fate might be known. He was lying upon a high FREDERICK SAMMONS. 105 bluff, in full view of the lake, and at no great distance therefrom. The hat, thus elevated, served as a signal, which saved his life. A vessel sailing past, descried the hat, and sent a boat ashore to ascertain the cause. The boatmen discovered the body of a man yet living, but senseless and speechless, and transferred him to the vessel. By the aid of medical attendance, he was slowly restored to his reason, and having informed the captain who he was, had the rather uncomfortable satisfaction of learning that he was on board of an enemy's ship, and at that moment lying at Crown Point. Here he remained sixteen days, in the course of which time he had the gratification to hear, from a party of Tories coming from the settlements, that his brother Jacob had arrived safe at Schenectady, and joined his family. He was also apprised of Jacob's sufferings, and the bite of the serpent, which took place near Otter Creek, close by the place where he had himself been so long sick. The brothers were, therefore, near together at the time of the greatest peril and endurance of both. " Frederick's recovery was very slow. Before he was able to walk, he was taken to St. John's, and thence, partly on a wheel- barrow and partly in a calash, carried back to his old quarters, at Chamblee experiencing much rough usage by the way. On ar- riving at the fortress, the guards saluted him by the title of Cap- tain Lightfoot ; and there was great joy at his re-capture. It was now about the 1st of August. As soon as his health was sufficiently recovered to bear it, he was heavily ironed, and kept in close con- finement at that place, until October, 1782 fourteen month% without once beholding the light of the sun. Between St. John's nd Chamblee he had met a British officer with whom he was acquainted, and by whom he was informed that severe treatment would be his portion. Compassioning his situation, however, 106 NARRATIVE OF the officer slipped a guinea and a couple of dollars into his hand, and they moved on. " No other prisoners were in irons at Chamblee, and all but Sammons were taken upon the parade ground, twice a week for the benefit of fresh air. The irons were so heavy and so tight, as to wear into the flesh of his legs ; and so incensed was Captain Steele, the officer of the 32 regiment, yet commanding the garri son at Chamblee, at the escape of his prisoner, that he would not allow the surgeon to remove the irons to dress the wounds, of which they were the cause, until a peremptory order was pro- cured for that purpose, from General St. Leger, who was then at St. John's. The humanity of the surgeon prompted this applica- tion of his own accord. Even then, however, Steele would only allow the leg bolts to be knocked off still keeping on the hand- cuffs. The dressing of his legs was a severe operation. The iron had eaten to the bone, and the grangrened flesh was of course to be removed. One of the legs ultimately healed up, but the other never became entirely well. " In the month of November, 1781, the prisoners were trans- ferred from Chamblee, to an island in the St. Lawrence, called, at that time, Prison Island situated in the rapids, some distance above Montreal. Sammons was compelled to travel in his hand- cuffs, but the other prisoners were not thus encumbered. There were about two hundred prisoners on the island, all of whom were very closely guarded. In the spring of 1782, Summons or- ganized a conspiracy with nine of his fellow prisoners, to make their escape, by seizing a provision boat, and had well nigh effected their object. Being discovered, however, their purpose was defeated, and Sammons, as the ringleader, once more placed FREDERICK SAMMONS. 107 in irons. But at the end of five weeks, the irons were removed, and he was allowed to return to his hut. "Impatient of such protracted captivity, Frederick was still bent on escaping, for which purpose he induced a fellow prisoner, by the name of M'Mullen, to join him in the daring exploit of seeking an opportunity to plunge into the river, and taking their chance of swimming to the shore. A favorable moment for at- tempting the bold adventure, was afforded on the 1 7th of August. The prisoners having, to the number of fifty, been allowed to walk to the foot of the island, but around the whole of which a chain of sentinels was extended, Sammons and M'Mullen, without having conferred with any one else, watching an opportunity when the nearest sentinel turned his back upon them, quietly glided down beneath a shelving rock, and plunged into the stream each holding up and waving a hand, in token of fare- well to their fellow prisoners, as the surge swept them rapidly down the stream. The sentinel was distant about six rods when they threw themselves into the river, and did not discover their escape until they were beyond the reach of any molestation he could offer them. Three quarters of a mile below the island, the rapids were such as to heave the river into swell, too large for boats to encounter. This was a frightful part of their voyage. Both, however, were expert swimmers, and by diving as they ap- proached each successive surge, both succeeded in making the perilous passage the distance of this rapid being about one hundred and fifty rods. As they plunged successively into these rap'nls, they had little expectation of meeting each other again in this world. But a protecting Providence ordered it otherwise, and they emerged from the frightful billows quite near each other. I am glad to see you,' said Sammons to his friend ; ' I feared we 108 NARRATIVE OF should not meet again.' ' We have had a merry ride of it,' re plied the other; 'but we could not have stood it much longer.' " The adventurous fellows attempted to land about two miles below the island, but the current was so violent as to baffle their purpose, and they were driven two miles farther, when they hap- pily succeeded in reaching the land, at a place on the north side of the St. Lawrence, called by the Canadians ' The Devil's Point.' A cluster of houses stood near the river, into some of which it was necessary the fugitives should go to procure provisions. They had preserved each a knife and tinder-box in their waist- coat pockets, and one of the first objects, after arming themselves with substantial clubs, was to procure a supply of tinder. This was effected by boldly entering a house and rummaging an old lady's work-basket. The good woman, frightened at the appear- ance of the visitors, ran out and alarmed the village the inhab- itants of which were French. In the meantime, they searched the house for provisions, fire-arms, and ammunition, but found none of the latter, and only a single loaf of bread. They also plun- dered the house of a blanket, blanket-coat, and a few other arti- cles of clothing. By this time, the people began to collect in such numbers, that a precipitate retreat was deemed advisable. M'Mullen, being seized by two Canadians, was only released from their grasp by the well-directed blows of Frederick's club. They both then commenced running for the woods, when Sammons, encumbered with his luggage, unluckily fell, and the loaf rolled away from him. The peasants now rushed upon them, and their only course was to give battle, which they prepared to do in earn- est; whereupon, seeing their resolution, the pursuers retreated almost as rapidly as they advanced. This demonstration gave the fugitives time to collect and arrange their plunder, and commence FREDERICK SAMMONS. 109 their travels anew. Taking to the woods, they found a resting place, where they halted until nightfall. They then sallied forth once more in search of provisions, with which it was necessary to provide themselves, before coming to the south side of the river, where, at that day, there were no settlements. The cattle fled at their approach ; but they at length came upon a calf in a farm- yard, which they captured, and appropriating to their own use and behoof a canoe moored in the river, they embarked with their prize, to cross over to the southern shore, but alas ! when in the middle of the stream, their paddle broke, and they were in a mea- sure left to the mercy of the flood, which was hurrying them on- ward, as they well knew, toward the rapids or falls of the Cedars. There was an island above the rapids, from the bank of which a tree had fallen into the river. Fortunately, the canoe was swept by the current into the branches of this tree top, among which it became entangled. While struggling in this predicament, the canoe was upset. Being near shore, however, the navigators got to land without losing the calf. Striking a fire, they no^r dressed their veal, and on the following morning, by towing their canoe along shore, to the south edge of the island, succeeded in crossing to their own side of the river. They then plunged directly into the unbroken forest, extending from the St. Lawrence to the Sa- condaga, and after a journey of twelve days of excessive hardship, emerged from the woods within six miles of the point for which without chart or compass, Sammons had laid his course. Their provisions lasted but a few days, and their only subsequent food xrasisted of roots and herbs. The whole journey was made almost n a state of nudity both being destitute of pantaloons, Having worn out their hats upon their feet, the last three days they were compelled to travel bare-footed. Long before their journey was 110 DEBORAH SAMSON ended, therefore, their feet were dreadfully lacerated and swollen. On arriving at Schenectady the inhabitants were alarmed at their wild and savage appearance half naked, with lengthened beards and matted hair. The people "at length gathered round them with strange curiosity ; but when they made themselves known, a lady named Ellis, rushed through the crowd to grasp the hand of Frederick, and was so much, affected at his altered appearance that she fainted and fell. The welcome fugitives were forthwith supplied with whatever food and raiment was necessary ; and young Sammons soon joined his family, who had long given him up as lost, and who now received him with unspeakable joy, as one who had arisen from the dead." Jacob Sammons died in 1810. Frederick and Thomas Sam- mons have since figured in the affairs of their country. Thomas for several years, represented his native county, Montgomery, in Congress; and in 1836, Frederick was chosen as elector for Presi- dent and Vice President. A few years since, they were both alive, and were highly respected, and " prosperous gentlemen." ' DEBORAH SAMSON. IT is not generally known that in the war of Independence there figured a character of scarcely less romantic interest than the maid of old whose name so abounds in song and history. Deborah Samson was the daughter of obscure parents in Ply mouth, Massachusetts. Poverty and evil example accompanied her childhood, but charity interfered, and the young girl was res- cued from a position that threatened her with misery and placed DEBORAH SAMSON. Ill with those from whom she received kindly treatment and every physical comfort. But her education was neglected. She, how- ever, began to feel her inferiority in this point, and made every exertion in acquiring knowledge. By her own unaided exertions she succeeded in learning to read tolerably well. When her term of apprenticeship expired, she went into service, but as her main object was to acquire an education, she made an arrangement whereby she was to devote but half of her time in return for her board and clothing, and the remainder to an attendance upon the common district school. Here she progressed in her studies with great rapidity, and evinced a superior mind in her appetite for knowledge, and her determination to procure it in the face of all obstacles. " Meantime the Revolutionary struggle had commenced. The gloom that had accompanied the outburst of the storm, hung over the whole land ; the news of the carnage on the plains of Lexing- ton ; the sound of the cannon at Bunker's Hill, had reached every dwelling and vibrated on the heart of every patriot in New Eng- land. The zeal which had urged the men to quit their homes for the battle field, found its way to a female bosom ; Deborah felt as if she would shrink from no effort or sacrifice in the cause which awakened all her enthusiasm. She entered with the most lively interest into every plan for the relief of the army, and bitterly regretted that, as a woman, she could do no more, and that she had not the privilege of a man, of shedding her blood for her country. " There is no reason to believe that any consideration foreign to the purest patriotism, impelled her to the resolution of assuming male attire and enlisting in the army. She could have been ac- tuated by no desire of gaining applause ; for the private manner 112 DEBORAH SAMSON. in which she quitted her home and associates, entrusting no one with her design, subjected her to surmises of a painful nature ; and the careful preservation of her secret during the period of her military service, exonerates her from the least suspicion of having been urged to the step by an imprudent attachment. It is very likely that her youthful imagination was kindled by the rumor of brave deeds, and that her visions of ' the camp's stir and crowd and ceaseless 'larum' were colored richly by the hue of fancy. Curiosity to see and partake of this varied war-life, the restlessness of ' a heart unsouled and solitary ' the consuming of energies which had no object to work upon, may have contributed to the forming of her determinatian. It must be borne in mind, too, that she was restrained by no consideration that could interfere with the project. Alone in the world, there were few to inquire what had become of her, and still fewer to care for her fate. She felt herself accountable to no human being. "By keeping the district school for a summer term, she had amassed the sum of twelve dollars. She purchased a quantity of coarse fustian, and working at intervals when she could be secure from observation, made up a suit of men's clothing ; each article, as it was finished, being hid in a stack of hay. Having completed her preparations, she announced her intention of going where she could obtain better wages for her labor. Her new clothes, and such articles as she wished to take with her, were tied in a bundle. The lonely girl departed ; but went not far, probably only to the helter of the nearest wood, before putting on the disguise she was so eager to assume. Although not beautiful, her features were animated and pleasing, and her figure, tall for a woman, was finely proportioned. As a man, she might have been called hand- DEBORAH SAMSON. 113 some ; but her general appearance was extremely prepossessing, and her manner calculated to inspire confidence. " She now pursued her way to the American army, where she presented herself in October, 1778, as a young man anxious to join his efforts to those of his countrymen in their endeavors to oppose the common enemy. She was received and enrolled in the army under the name of Robert Shirtliffe. " For three years our heroine appeared in the character of a soldier. During this time, her exemplary conduct, and the fidel- ity with which her duties were performed, gained the approbation and confidence of- the officers. She was a volunteer in several hazardous enterprises, and was twice wounded, the first time by a sword cut on the left side of the head. Many were the adven- tures she passed through ; as she herself would often say, volumes might be filled with them. Sometimes placed unavoidably in circumstances in which she feared detection, she nevertheless es- caped without the least suspicion being awakened among her comrades. The soldiers were in the habit of calling her ' Molly,' in playful allusion to her want of a beard ; but not one of them ever dreamed that the gallant youth fighting by their side was in reality a female. "About four months after her first wound she received another severe one, being shot through the shoulder. Her emotion when the ball entered she described to be a sickening terror at the pro- bability that her sex would be discovered. She felt that death on the battle-field were preferable to the shame that would over- whelm her, and ardently prayed that the wound might close her earthly campaign. But, strange as it may seem, she escaped this time also unsuspected ; and soon recovering her strength, was able again to take her place at the post of duty and in the deadly 114 DEBORAH SAMSON. conflict Her immunity was not, however, destined long to con- tinue she was seized with a brain fever, then prevalent among the soldiers. For the few days that reason struggled against the disease, her sufferings were indescribable ; and most terrible of all was the dread least consciousness should desert her, and the secret she had guarded so carefully, be revealed to those around her She was carried to the hospital, and there could only ascribe her escape to the number of patients, and the negligent manner in which they were attended. Her case was considered a hopeless one, and she perhaps received less attention on that account One day the physician of the hospital, inquiring*-' How is Robert ?" received from the nurse in attendance the answer ' Poor Bob is gone.' The doctor went to the bed, and taking the hand of the youth supposed dead, found that the pulse was still feebly beating ; attempting to place his hand on the heart, he perceived that a bandage was fastened tightly round the heart This was removed, and to his utter astonishment he discovered a female patient, where he had least expected one ! ' This gentleman was Dr. Birney, of Philadelphia. With a pru- dence, delicacy and generosity ever afterwards warmly appreciated by the unfortunate sufferer, he said not a word of his discovery, but paid her every attention, and provided every comfort her perilous condition required. As soon as she could be removed with safety, he had her taken to his own house, where she could - receive better care. His family wondered not a little at the un- usual interest manifested for the poor invalid soldier. " Here occurred one of those romances in real life, which in strangeness surpass fiction. The doctor had a young and lovely niece, an heiress to considerable property, whose compassionate feelings led her to join her uncle in bestowing kindness on the DEBORAH SAMSON. 115 friendless youth. Many censured the uncle's imprudence, in per- mitting them to be so much in each other's society, and to take drives so frequent together. The doctor laughed to himself, at the warnings and hints he received, and thought how foolish the censorious would feel, when the truth should come out His knowledge, meanwhile, was buried in his own bosom, nor shared even with the members of his family. The niece was allowed to be as much with the invalid as suited her pleasure. Her gentle heart was touched, by the misfortunes she had contributed to alleviate ; the pale and melancholy soldier, for whose fate no one seemed to care, who had no possession in the world save his sword, who had suffered so much in the cause of liberty, became dear to her. She saw his gratitude for the benefits and kindness received, yet knew by intuition, that he would never dare to aspire to the hand of one so gifted in fortune. In the confiding abandonment of woman's love, the fair girl made known her attachment, and offered to provide for the education of its object, before marriage. Deborah often declared, that the moment in which she learned that she had unwillingly gained the love of a being so guileless, was fraught with the keenest anguish she ever experienced. In return for the hospitality and tender care, that had been lavished upon her, she had inflicted pain upon one she would have died to shield. No way of amends seemed open, except confession of her real character, and to that, though impelled by remorse and self- reproach, she could not bring herself. She merely said to the generous girl that they would meet again ; and though ardently desiring the possession of an education, that she could not avail herself of the noble offer. Before her departure, the young lady pressed on her acquaintance, several articles of clothing, such as in those times, many of the soldiers received from fair hands. All 116 DEBORAH SAMSON. these were afterwards lost, by the upsetting of a boat, except the shirt and vest Robert had on at the time, which are still preserved as relics in the family. " Her health being now restored, the physician had a long con- ference with the commanding officer of the company in which Robert had served, and this was followed by an order to the youth to carry a letter to General Washington. " Her worst fears were now confirmed. From the time of her removal into the doctor's family, she had cherished a misgiving ; which sometimes amounted almost to a certainty, that he had discovered her deception. In conversation with him, she anxiously watched his countenance, bnt not a word or look indicated sus- picion, and she had again flattered herself that she was safe from detection. When the order came for her to deliver a letter into the hands of the commander-in-chief, she could no longer deceive herself. " There remained no course but simple obedience. When she presented herself foj admission at the head-quarters of Washing- ton, she trembled as she had never done before the enemy's fire. Her heart sank within her ; she strove in vain to collect and com- pose herself, and overpowered with dread and uncertainty, was usherd into the presence of the Chief. He noticed her extreme agitation, and supposing it to proceed from diffidence, kindly en- deavored to re-assure her. He then bade her retire with an at- tendant, who was directed to offer her some refreshment, while he read the communication of which she had been the bearer. " Within a short time, she was again summoned into the pres- ence of Washington. He said not a word, but handed her in silence a discharge from the service, putting into her hand at the same time, a note containing a few brief words of advice, and a JOSEPH BETTYS. 117 gum of money sufficient to bear her expenses to some place where she might find a home. The delicacy and forbearance thus ob- served, affected her sensibly. 'How thankful' she has often said, ' was I to that great and good man, who so kindly spared my feelings ! He saw me ready to sink with shame ; one word from him at that moment, would have crushed me to the earth. But he spoke no word and I blessed him.' " After the war, she married Benjamin Gannett of Sharon. It is but a few years since, she passed from the stage of human life. Her career to which her patriotism urged her, cannot be commended as an example : but her exemplary conduct after the first step, will go far to plead her excuse."* JOSEPH BETTYS. JOSEPH, or " Joe Bettys," was a remarkable character, who fig- ured in the border wars of the revolution. He was a renegade from the American army, and for a long while was the scourge of the New York frontier ; his deeds were marked by an equal boldness and cruelty, that made him the terror of all who had the misfortune to be ranked as his enemies. His principal employ- ment, was the abduction of citizens to be conveyed into Canada, for each of whom he received a bounty ; and in his expeditions for this purpose, he was always accompanied by small bodies of Indians. His hour for executing his projects, was at night, and it frequently happened that his conduct was- not confined to the Mre. Ellett 118 JOSEPH BETTYS. securing of prisoners, but he often revelled in the destruction of property and the infliction of cruelty, and his victims were often tormented by every means his savage ingenuity could devise. Cold blooded murder, and reckless barbarities of every kind, con- tinually stained his soul. The section of country which suffered from his marauding expiditions, to this day is rife with stories of his daring and ferocity. In the year 1776, he entered as sergeant in the New York forces, in which capacity he served his country faithfully, until being exasperated at the treatment, which he received from one of his superior officers, and retorting with threats and menances, he was reduced to the position of a common sentinel. This was more than he could bear, and he would have deserted, had not Lieutenant Ball, who had before befriended kim, anticipating such a step, applied and procured for him, appointment as sergeant on board on one of the vessels on Lake Champlain, commanded by Arnold, which he accepted. In an action that ensued, Bettys displayed a wonderful daring and gallantry, which receiving no other notice than the thanks of his General, he conceived himself slighted, and determined to retaliate. In the spring of 1777, he deserted, and went over to the British forces, where he was soon elevated to the position of a spy, in which character he carried on the depredations we have spoken of. Among the prisoners that he secretly seized and carried off in the early part of his career, was Samuel Patchim, afterwards a captain in the army. The account of his captivity and subsequent hardships, as here given, is as it was related by himself : " I was captured by Bettys, taken into Canada, and confined in Chamblee prison, in irons. I was the only prisoner whom he had on this occasion brought into Canada. There were six or JOSEPH BETTYS. 119 seven more of my neighbors, when we started, to whom he gave the oath of allegiance, and sent them back. As for myself, ho said I had served Congress long enough, and that I should now serve the king. He wished me to enlist in his company, but soon found that this was not agreeable to my feelings. He then swore, that if I would not serve the king, I should remain in irons. I was confined in Chamblee prison four months ; then I was re- moved to Montreal, and thence to an island, forty-five miles up the St. Lawrence, opposite Cadalake Fort There I remained about one year. There were five prisoners in all, and we were guarded by mfiy soldiers ! seven sentinels at night. " They had left no boats on the island by which we might make our escape, yet we all crawled out of the barracks at night, and went to the river side, there we made a raft by means of two or three logs and our suspenders, on which we sailed down the river five miles, when we landed on the Canada shore. There we appropriated to our own use, a boat belonging to the British, and crossed over to the American shore. While going down the rapids, we had lost our little stock of provisions, and for eight days out of twelve which we spent in the woods, we had nothing to eat save frogs, and rattlesnakes, and not half enough of them. We were chased eight days by the Indians, and slept every night on the boughs of some hemlock trees. At length w^rrived at Northwest Bay, on Lake Champlain, when my companions, un- able longer to travel, utierly gave out I then constructed a raft on which to cross the lake, and having stripped my companions of their clothing, in order to make myself comfortable, left them to die of hunger and fatigue, and committed myself to the wintry waves. When in about the centre of the lake, I was taken by the crew of a British ship, and conveyed to St John's, from thence 120 JOSEPH BETTYS. to Quebec, and finally to Boston, where I was exchanged and sent home." Bettys seemed to have a particular delight in taking prisoners among his own townsmen, and especially those against whom he held any grudge. On one occasion, having taken one whom he supposed to be the object he sought, and his prisoner mana- ging to escape, he deliberately shot him dead, and then discovered that he had made a fatal mistake, and killed one of his best friends. But his bloody career was destined to find a retributive end. One day, in the winter of 1781-2, a suspicious looting person was seen to pass oyer the farm of one John Fulmer, situated near Ballston Lake, in Albany county. A son of the farmer, Jacob, immediately obtained the aid of three of his^ neighbors, James and John Cory, and Francis Perkins, and , started in pursuit of the suspicious stranger. There was a light fall of snow on the ground, by which means his course was easily tracked. But we will give an account of the enterprise in the words, of Jacob Ful- mer, one of the party : " The morning had been foggy, and it appeared by the track, that the man had made a circuitous route, as if lost or bewildered. After making several turns, we came at length in sight of a log house, wh.^ one Hawkins, a noted tory, lived, toward which it appeared, he had laid a regular line. We followed the track, and found that it went into the house. We approached undis- covered, for the snow was soft, and our footsteps were not heard. We went up to the door, and found it was unfastened, but heard people talking within. " John Cory, who was the strongest of the party, now went far- ward, we following closely behind, and burst open th'e door. The JOSEPH BETTYS. 121 man, who was the object of our suspicions and search, sat at the table eating his breakfast, with the muzzle of his gun leaning upon his shoulder, and the breech upon the floor between his legs. He grasped his musket and presented it to fire at us, but was hindered for a moment to remove the deer skin covering from the lock, and that moment lost his life. We seized him, took possession of his gun, and also two pistols, which he had in his coat pockets, and a common jack-knife. We then bound his arms behind him, with a pocket handkeichief, and conveyed him to my father's house. As yet, we knew not the name of our pris- oner, but having asked him, he said. ' my name is Smith.' " My mother knew him, and said, ' It is Joe Bettys.' He hung his head, and said, ' No, my name is Smith.' My sister Polly then came to the door and said, ' This is Joe Bettys I know him well.' She had known him before he went to Canada, as he had boarded at Lawrence Van Epps, in Schenectady Patent, while she lived in the same house. u We then conveyed him to John Cory's house, about a quar- ter of a mile distant, where we pinioned him more firmly. He sat down in a chair by the fire, and asted permission to smoke which was granted, and he then took out his tobacco box, and seemed to be engaged in filling his pipe, but as he stooped down, under pretence of lighting it, he threw something toward the fire \viiicli bounded t'rin th- t'.r<-M:<-k ami i'.-!l n\>n\\ th,- lu-artli. Ilo thlEi seized it, and threw it into the fire, before any one could prevent. John Cory then snatched it from the fire, with a hand- ful of live coals. It wa not injured. It was a piece of lead about three inches long, and one and a quarter inches wide, pressed together, and contained within it, a small piece of paper, on which were twenty-six figures, which none of our company 122 MR. AND MRS. FISHER. could understand. It also contained an order, drawn on the mayor of New York, for thirty pounds sterling, payable^jan the delivery of the sheet-lead and paper enclosed. Bettys showed much uneasiness at the loss of the lead, and offered one hundred guineas to allow him to burn the paper. This we refused, for, though we did not understand the figures, we well knew tiie character of Bettys, as I had heard that he had killed two men at Shenesborough, near Whitehall, for fear of being betrayed in regard to the burning and plundering of a house in Chaughna- waga, and that he was generally known as a spy." The narrative goes on to give the particulars of the journey to Albany, and the precautions taken to convey their prisoner safely through a district, abounding with tories who were affected to Bettys, but no rescue was attempted. Much rejoicing was expressed, at the capture of the notorious Bettys, and when he was marched through Albany, the people gathered in maases to look upon him. In a short time, he was brought to trial, on the charge of being a spy, found guilty, con- demned, and accordingly executed in the month of April, 1*782.* MR. AND MRS. FISHER. IN the town of North Castle, TVestchester Co., N. Y., resided during the war of Independence, Mr. and Mrs. Fisher, a young married couple, who were both heart and soul enlisted in the pat- riotic cause, and whose best services were devoted to their coun- * Prepared from a Paper by Joseph L. Chester, Esq. MR. AND MRS. FISHER. 123 try. Mr. Fisher was an efficient and active member of a partisan band^under Major Paulding, whose confidence and esteem ha always enjoyed to an eminent degree, and who by his unflinching patriotism, and the energy and skill with which he thwarted the plans and designs of the tories, made himself particularly obnox- ious to them. His active duties as a scout, sometimes kept him for months from his home, where his young wife had nothing but her heroism of spirit to oppose to the marauding bands that tra- versed the " Neutral Ground," and whose creed it was," to make war upon women and children indiscriminately. While the high minded whig, therefore, was serving his country, in the swamp and on the mountain, the wife had to undergo scenes, requiring an equal courage and fortitude, with those of his. She was one of those women of the revolution, by whose in- domitable spirit and active benevolence our armies were often held together, and our soldiers encouraged to persevere in the glorious course they had begun. She was without fear, and was always ready to serve her country, or defend herself, upon any emergency. The American soldier, too, often found relief from suffering, through her benevolence. Sne was one of those, who attended upon the wounded of White Plains, and administered comfort to the dying, and relief to the wounded. After this bat- tle, when Washington's army was encamped near her residence, the commander-in-chief s table was often indebted for many of its delicacies, to the prudent attention and care of Mrs. Fisher. Washington often expressed his obligations to her in person. Many anecdotes are related of her dariog. On one occasion, a favorite colt was stolen, when she mounted a horse and rode down to Morrissania, where the, -loyalists were encamped, and de- manded of the English officer in command, the restoration of her I MR. AND MRS. FISHER. property. The Englishman courteously assented, and the colt being found, it was restored to her. This was considered at the time, a most daring expedition. Her route, which was a long one, was through a section of country beset with marauders, who were never in the habit of hesitating to make war on a woman. We remarked thatfthe danger from the marauding tory bands, prevented Mr. Fisher from visiting his home, but at long intervals. There was one band of tories notorious for its cruelty, headed by one' Blindberry, a most blood-thirsty wretch, whose memory to this day, is only preserved to be execrated. This fellow was the terror of the whole community. On one occasion, after having been absent for six months, Mr. Fisher's anxiety to see his family, became so great, that one evening he cautiously approached the house, and was admitted unseen. Late that night, after he had retired, steps were heard without, and presently there was a loud knocking at the door, with a peremptory summons for it to be opened. This not being heeded, it was repeated, with a threat to break open the door, if it was not complied with. The house was a simple, old-fashioned cottage, the door opening directly into a room, which was used by Mr. Fisher and his wife as a sleep- ing room. The party now discharged their pistols three or four times through the window, but the balls lodged harmlessly in the walls. This proceeding effecting nothing, they began at once to demolish the door, and in a few moments they burst roughly into the room. Mr. Fisher sprang from the bed," prepared to defend his wife and himself to the last. But the only object of this band was plunder. In those times, the country people were compelled to convert their effects into money, as everything moveable, would be sure to be captured, and having no means of investing their wealth, it was generally concealed in secure places. But these MR. AND MRS. FISHER. 125 concealments rarely availed them anything, if their persons should fall into the hands of the tories, as every means of torture that ingenuity co'uld suggest, was availed of to force the hapless victims to betray the hiding place of their wealth. Hanging, roasting over slow fires, or a pistol at the head, were the usual modes adopted. The tory leader who was no other than this same Blindberry demanded of Mr. Fisher his gold. The stern patriot, who was a man of unconquerable will, calmly refused. The mauraders became enraged, and he was threatened with death if he persisted in his denial. But neither the flashing swords that gleamed around him, the muskeg at his breast, nor the furious aspects of the wretches, could move him a jot from his determined purpose.. The word was given to try hanging. In an instant a rope was thrown over the branch of a tree, that stood by the door, and their victim was drawn beneath it, and the rope adjusted to his neck. Once more he was asked to give up his money. Without the tremor of a muscle he refused. The next moment he was dang- ling high up in the air. He was allowed to suspend for a few seconds, and lowered to the ground. His reply to the same ques- tion was given, in an undaunted refusal. Again did his tormen- tors run him up into the air ; but when they again lowered him, he had fainted. In a few moments, however, he revived, and as the knowledge of the affair gradually broke upon his mind, he thundered out, "No, not a farthing!" Once more did the wretches swing him off, and this time he was kept suspended un- til they thought he was dead, when they lowered him, and seeing now no chance of obtaining the coveted gold, they departed. The agony of the wife during this scene, can only be imagined. A tory was stationed by her side, and with a pistol at her head, 126 MR. AND MRS. FISHER. enjoined silence on the penalty of her life. In those few minutes were crowded a life of torture and suffering. When they had gone, she tremblingly stole out to the side of her husband, and with what little strength she possessed, dragged his lifeless form into the house. With the vague hope that he might not be dead, she applied restoratives, and soon had the unspeakable joy of de- tecting signs of life. Ere morning, he was entirely restored, and that very day joined his scout. Continuing their route, the tories fell upon several other of the neighbors, all of whom suffered some cruelty at their hands. At one house they placed its master in a chair, tied him down, and built a fire under him, by which means he was at last compelled by his unsupportable agony, to reveal the hiding place of his gold. But a terrible retribution was preparing for them. Major Paukl- ing had gathered a party of his men, and were in hot pursuit of them. As the Major was following up their track, he stopped at the residence of Mr. Wright, an old Quaker, who felt a strong sympathy for the American cause, but whose principles prevented him from taking an active pprt hi the contest To the inquiry if such a party of tories as has been described, was seen, the Quaker replied in the affirmative, pointing out the course they had taken. " What do you say, my men," said the Major to his followers, " shall we follow them up ?" A unanimous assent was given. " Jonathan, if thee wishes to see those men," said Mr. Wright approaching Major Paulding, with a knowing look, "if thee wishes to see them particular, would it not be better for thee to go to " Brundage's Corner," as they are most likely from the north, and will return that way. There thee can'st see them without doubt" MR. AND MRS. FISHER. 12" The shrewd insinuation of the Quaker, was caught in an instant The place referred to, afforded a most admirable place for an am- buscade, and by secreting themselves there, the enemy was cer- tain to fall into their hands. The whigs had not been concealed long, ere the party was heard approaching. At the signal, the patriots sprang forward and discharged their weapons. At the very first fire, the blood thirsty tory leader fell, some said from a bullet discharged by the hand of Major Paulding himself. The intense hatred felt by the people toward Blindberry, and the universal joy manifested at his fall, prompted some to make a public rejoicing on the event, and in order to express their un- compromising hostility to their foe, his body was hung before the assembled patriots of th!e district, amid their jeers and expressions of pleasure. Among the assembly was Mr. Fisher, who but a few hours before had so nearly fallen a victim to his cruelty. Some little time after the preceding events, while Mr. Fisher was on another visit to his family, sudden word was brought, that the tories were approaching. This, as before, was during the night. Mr. Fisher had reason to suppose, that the object of this party, was to secure his person, and it became necessary to obtain a place of concealment 9 The most advantageous one that offered, was beneath the flooring, which was loose, where was ample room for him, and where it was hoped, the tories would not think of looking for their enemy. Scarcely had he secreted himself, when the tories appeared. They burst into the presence of Mrs Fisher, in a boisterous manner, and with brutal jests and extrava gant threats, demanded to be informed, where her husband was. To these inquiries, the undaunted woman deigned no reply. " Come, give us a light," said the leader, " that we may ferret 128 MR. AND MRS. FISHER. out your rebel husband's hiding place. I'll swear, that you've got him stowed away somewhere nere." " I have no light," was the calm reply. The difficulties of pro- curing stores, sometimes left whig families for weeks without the common necessities. " Come my woman, none of that !" broke in the tory ; " a light we want, and a light we must have, so bring out your candles !" " I have none," reiterated Mrs. Fisher. The tory, with an oath, drew a pistol, cocked it, and coming up to her, placed the muzzle in her face. " Look here, my lady," said he, " we know that you've got your d d rebel of a hus- band somewhere about here, and if you don't at once give us a candle, so that we may hunt out his hiding place, I'll blow your brains out." " I have told you," replied the lady, " that I have no candle ; I cannot give you one, so you may blow my brains out the moment you please." The heroic spirit that breathed in her words, and the firm look from her undauuted eye, convinced the tory that she was not to be intimidated. They were compelled to make their search in the dark. After rummaging into every nook and corner in vain, they gave up their object. \0n several other occa- sions, Mr. Fisher had similar narrow escapes. "We cannot refrain from referring to one enterprise in which Mr. Fisher was engaged, by which means fifteen whigs put to flight, over three hundred Hessians. The news of their approach was spread abroad, and the utmost consternation prevailed. The Hessians were always held in great terror by the country people. On this occasion, they fled at their approach into the forests and other secure fastnesses. Coney Hill, was the usual place of re- treat on these alarms. This was a hill somewhat off from the - MR. AND MRS. FISHER. 129 main roads, and which was surrounded by narrow defiles, and reached only through dense thickets, while its rocky and irregular surface, afforded a means of defence impregnable. No fortress could have been more secure. All the inhabitants, therefore, re- treated to this fastness, Mrs. Fisher alone of all neighbors, ven- turing to remain within her own house. The usual road traveled by the armies, that led north from White Plains, in one place described a wide circuit, but there was a narrow, irregular road, sometimes used, that shortened the dis- tance considerably. But this road was very dangerous to any large body of men. It led by the Coney Hill, which we have mentioned, and its whole length was through a rocky region, overgrown with tangled thickets of laurel, that would have af- forded effectual protection and concealment to a body of assailants, and have made a small force formidable to a large one. At a point on this road, therefore, Major Paulding and fifteen followers stationed themselves, with a belief, that from the irregu- lar and incautious manner the Hessians were marching, they would be induced to lessen their route, by taking the shorter cut. The belief proved to be well founded. The spot where Major Paulding posted his ambuscade, was one remarkably well adapted to that ki in 1 of warfare. It was, where the road passing through a defile, made a sudden turn around A huge rock, and where it was so narrow, that six men could not pass abreast, while the whole rising ground on either side was irregular, with rough, jagged rocks, and covered with a dense growth of laurel. Stationed at different points, and protected by rocky battle- ments, the little band quietly awaited the coming of their enemy. At last they appeared, approaching carelessly, and with an utter want of military prudence. Not a sound, nor a breath betrayed 130 MR. AND MRS. FISHER. to them, the presence of a foe. The rocks, and laurel bushes, gave forth no sign of the deadly messengers to be launched from their bosoms. Part of the Hessians had already passed the turn of the road, when suddenly, like a clap of thunder from an azure sky, an explosion burst from the flinty rocks that surrounded them, and several of their number, pitched headlong to the earth Those in front, panic struck, fell back upon those in the rear while those in the rear pressed forward, uncertain of the danger, and discharged their muskets into the thickets, but the bullets re- bounded harmlessly from the rocky walls, that enclosed their enemy. Another volley completed their panic. Terrified at the presence of an enemy, that seemed to fight from the bowels of the earth, and unable to estimate the full extent of their danger, which their imagination greatly magnified, they gave a wild cry, and fled precipitately. This event afforded the whigs for a long time, much merriment, particularly as it was accompanied with no loss to the little party, who had given the Hessians their terrible fright. Mrs. Fisher was accustomed to give an amusing relation of the manner they ap- peared, as they flew by her house, each running at his utmost speed, with the tin cannisters and other numerous accoutrements with which the Hessian soldiers were always so plentifully pro- vided flying out in a straight line behind them. The following incident, admirably illustrates the presence of mind, and the many resources of this courageous lady. One day, a whig neighbor burst hastily into her presence, saying, that he was pursued by a body of tories, and if not concealed immediately, he was lost. It did not take a moment for Mrs. Fisher to decide upon her course. There was a large ash heap just out of the back door, some four or five feet in height, and as many long. MR. AND MRS. FISHER. 131 Seizing a shovel, she hastened to the spot, and in a moment a sufficient excavation was made, into which the fugitive crawled, and Mrs. Fisher covered him with the ashes, first taking the pre- caution to procure a quantity of quills, which she placed one into the other, so as to form a continuous tube, through which the man could breathe, while remaining in his novel situation. Scarcely was all this accomplished, when the pursuers appeared, and ques- tioned Mrs. Fisher sharply, at the same time examining the house and grounds. Several times during the search, Mrs. Fisher thought the hiding place was about to be discovered ; and when one of the party walked directly over the ash heap, she gave up all for lost But finding no clue to their enemy, they departed, leaving him in safety, and overcome with gratitude to his preserver. Mr. Fisher survived the war several years, and Mrs. Fisher lived until quite recently. She often entertained her descendants with stories of the olden time, to one of whom the editor is in- debted for the above particulars. THRILLING ADVENTURE OF LIEUTENANT SLOCUMB. From Mrs. Ellet's " Women of the Revolution," we draw the following interesting sketch : " "When Lord Cornwallis set out from Wilmington, with the avowed purpose of conquering Virginia, he encamoed, on the march from Halifax on the Neuse, in what is now called Wayne Co., North Carolina. His head-quarters were at Springbank while Colonel Tarleton, with his renowned legion, encamped on 132 THRILLING A.DVENTURE OP the plantation of Lieutenant Slocumb. This consisted of level and extensive fields, which at that season presented a most invi ting view of fresh verdure from the mansion house. Lord Corn- wallis himself gave it the name of " Pleasant Green," which it ever afterwards retained. The owner of this fine estate, held a subaltern's commission in the state line under Colonel Washing- ton, and was in command of a troop of light horse, raised in his own neighborhood, whose general duty it was to act as rangers, scouring the country for many miles around, watching the move- ments of the enemy, and punishing the loyalists when detected in their vocation of pillage and murder. These excursions had been frequent, for two or three years, and were often of several weeks duration. At the present time, Slocumb had returned to the vicinity, and had been sent with twelve or fifteen recruits to act as scouts in the neighborhood of the British General. The morning of the day, on which Tarleton took possession of his plan- tation, he was near Springbank, and reconnoitered the encamp- ment of Cornwallis, which he supposed to be his whole force. He then with his party, pursued his way slowly back in the direction of his own house, little dreaming that his beautiful and peaceful home, where, sometime before, he had left his wife and child, was then in possession of the terrible Tarleton. " During these frequent excursions of the rangers, and the necessary absence of her husband, the superintendence of the plantation had always devolved upon Mrs. Slocumb. She de- pended for protection upon her slaves, whose fidelity she had proved, and from her own fearless and intrepid spirit. The scene of the occupation of her house, and Tarleton's residence with her, are dra\vn from her own relation. " it was about ten o'clock, on a beautiful spring morning, that LIEUTENANT SLOCUMB. 133 a splendidly dressed officer, accompanied by two aids, and fol- lowed at a short distance, by a guard of some twenty troopers, dashed up to the piazza in front of the ancient-looking mansion. Mrs. Slocumb was sitting there, with her child and a near rela- tive young lady, who afterwards became the wife of Major Wil- liams. A few house servants were also on the piazza. " The officer raised his cap, and bowing to his horse's neck, ad- dressed the lady with the question " ' Have I the pleasure of seeing the mistress of this house and plantation ?' " ' It belongs to my husband.' " ' Is he at home ?' ' He is not' ' Is he a rebel ?' " ' No sir. He is in the army of his country, and fighting against our invaders ; therefore not a rebel.' It is not a little sin- gular, that although the people of that period gloried in their re- bellion, they always took offence at being called rebels i " ' I fear madam,' said the officer, ' that we differ in opinion. A friend to his country, will be a friend of the king, our master.' " ' Slaves only acknowledge a master in this country,' replied the lady. " A deep flush crossed the florid cheeks of Tarleton, for he was the speaker ; and turning to one of his aids, he ordered him to pitch the tents, and form the encampment in the orchard and field on the right. To the other aid, his orders were to detach a quar- ter guard, and station piquets on each road. Then bowing very low, he added, ' Madam, the service of his Majesty requires the temporary occupation of your property ; and if it will not be too great an inconvenience, I will take up my quarters in your house.' " The tone admitted no controversy. Mrs. Slocumb answered. 134 THRILLING ADVENTURE OP " ' My family consists of only myself, my sister and child, and a few negroes. We are your prisoners.' "From the piazza where he seated himself, Tarleton com- manded a view of the ground, on which his troops were arranging their camp, The mansion fronted the east, and an avenue one hundred and fifty feet wide, and about half a mile in length stretched to the eastern side of the plantation, where was a high way, with open grounds beyond it, partly dry meadow and partly sand barren. This avenue was lined on the south side by a high fence, and a thick hedge row of forest trees. These are now re- moved, and replaced by the ' Pride of India.' and other ornamen- tal trees. On the north side, extended the common rail fence, seven or eight feet high, such as is usually seen on plantations in the low country. The encampment of the British troops being on that part of the plantation lying south of the avenue, it was completely screened by the fences and hedge row, from the view of any one approaching from down the counrtry. " While the men were busied, different officers came up at in- tervals, making their reports and receiving orders. Among others, a tory captain, whom Mrs. Slocumb immediately recognised for before joining the royal army, he had lived fifteen or twenty .miles below received orders in her hearing, to take his troop and scour the country for two or three miles round. " In an hour, every thing was quiet, and the plantation pre- sented the romantic spectacle of a regular encampment, of some ten or eleven hundred of the choicest cavalry of the British Monarch. " Mrs. Slocumb now addressed herself to the duty of preparing for her uninvited guests. A dinner was prepared, consisting of turkey, ham, beef, fowls, with vegetables, fruits, and some excel LIEUTENANT SLOCUMB. 135 lent peach brandy, prepared under Lieutenant Slocumb's own supervision. This latter beverage received the unqualified praise of the party ; and its merits were fully discussed. A Scotch officer, praising it by the name of whiskey, protested that he had never drank as good out of Scotland. An officer speaking with a slight brogue, insisted it was not whiskey, and that no Scotch drink ever equalled it ' To my mind,' said he, ' it tastes as yonder orchard smells.' " ' Allow me, madam,' said Tarleton, ' to inquire, where the spirits we are drinking is procured ?' " ' From the orchard where your tents stand,' answered Mrs. Slocumb. " ' Colonel,' said the Irish captain, ' when we conquer this country, is it not to be divided out amongst us ?' " The officers of this army,' replied the Colonel, * will undoubt- edly receive large possessions of the conquered American pro- vinces.' " Mrs. Slocumb here interposed. ' Allow me to observe, and prophecy,' said she, ' the only land in the United States, which will ever remain in possession of a British officer, will measure but six feet by two.' " ' Excuse me, madam,' remarked Tarleton, ' for your sake, I regret to say this beautiful plantation will be the ducal seat of some of us.' " ' Don't trouble yourself about me,' retorted the spirited lady 1 My husband is not a man who will allow a duke, or even a king, to have a quiet seat upon his ground.' " At this point, the conversation was interrupted by rapid vol- leys of fire-arms, appearing to proceed from the wood, a short distance to the eastward. One of the aids pronounced it some 136 THRILLING ADVENTURE OP straggling scout, running from the picket-guard ; but the experi ence of Colonel Tarleton, could not be easily deceived. " ' There are rifles and muskets,' said he, ' as well as pistols ; and too many to pass unnoticed. Order boots and saddles, and you captain, take your troop in the direction of the firing.' " The officer rushed out to execute his orders, while the Colonel walked into the piazza, whither he was immediately followed by the anxious ladies. Mrs. Slocumb's agitation and alarm, may be imagined ; for she guessed but too well the cause of the interrup- tion. On the first arrival of the officers, she had been importuned even with harsh threats not, however, by Tarleton to tell where her husband when absent on Vluty, was likely to be found ; but after her repeated and peremptory refusals, had es- caped further molestation on the subject. She feared now that he had returned unexpectedly, and might fall into the enemy's hands, before he was aware of their presence. " Her sole hope, was in a precaution she had adopted soon after the coming of her unwelcome guests. Having heard Tarleton give the order to the tory captain as before-mentioned, to patrol the county, she immediately sent for an old negro, and gave him directions to take a bag of corn to the mill, about four miles dis- tant, on the road she knew her husband must travel, if he re- turned that day. ' Big George' was instructed to warn his master of the danger of approaching his home. With the indolence and curiosity natural to his race, however, the old fellow remained loitering about the premises, and was at this time lurking under the hedge row, admiring the red coats, dashing plumes, and hining helmets of the British troops. " The colonel and the ladies continued on the look out from tho piazza. ' May I be allowed, madam,' at length said Tarleton, LIEUTENANT SLOCUMB. 137 ' without offence, to inquire if any part of Washington's army is in this neighborhood ?' " ' I presume it is known to you,' said Mrs. Slocumb, ' that the Marquis and Greene are in this State. And you would not of course,' she added, after a slight pause, ' be surprised at a call from Lee, or your old friend Colonel Washington, who although a perfect gentleman, it is said, shook your hand, (pointing to the scar left by Washington' sabre,) very rudely when last you met.'* " This spirited answer inspired Tarleton with apprehensions that the skirmish in the woods was only the prelude to a con- certed attack on his camp. His only reply was a loud order to form the troops on the right ; and springing on his charger, he dashed down the avenue a few hundred feet, to a breach in the hedge-row, leaped the fence, and in a moment was at the head of his regiment, which was already in line. " Meanwhile, Lieutenant Slocumb, with John Howell, a private in his band, Henry Williams, and the brother of Mrs. Slocumb, Charles Hook, a boy of about thirteen years of age, were leading a hot pursuit of the tory captain who had been sent to reconnoitre the country, and some of his routed troop. These were first dis- cerned in the open grounds east and northeast of the plantation, closely pursued by a body of American mounted militia ; while ;i running fight was kept up with different weapons, in which four or five broadswords gleamed conspicuous. The foremost of the pursuing party appeared too busy with the tories to see anything else ; and they entered the avenue at the same moment with the party pursued. With what horror and consternation did Mis. * It is said, that in a close encounter between Tarleton and Col. Wash- ington, at the battle of the Cowpeus, the former was wounded by a sabre cut in the hand. 138 THRILLING ADVENTURE OP Slocumb recognize her husband, her brother, and two of her neighbors, in chase of the tory captain and four of his band, al- ready half way down the avenue, and unconscious that they were rushing into the enemy's midst. "-About the middle of the avenue one of the tories fell ; and the course of the brave and imprudent young officers was sud J^nly arrested by ' Big George,' who sprang directly in front of heir horses, crying, ' Hold on Massa ! de debbil here ! Look f on !' A glance to the left showed the young men their danger ; they were within pistol shot of a thousand men drawn up in order of battle. Wheeling their horses they discovered a troop already leaping the fence into the avenue in their rear. Quick as thought they again whirled their horses, and dashed down the avenue, di- rectly towards the house, where stood the quarter-guard to receive them. On reaching the garden fence a rude structure formed of a kind of lath, and called a wattled fence they leaped that and the next, amid a shower of balls from the guard, cleared the canal at one tremendous leap, and, scouring across the open field to the northwest, were in the shelter of the wood before their pur- suers could clear the fence of the enclosure. The whole ground of this adventure may be seen as a traveller passes over the Wil- mington railroad, a mile and a half south of Dudley depot. "A platoon had commenced the pursuit; but the trumpets sounded the recall before the flying Americans had crossed the canal. The presence of mind and lofty language of the heroic wife, had convinced the British colonel that the daring men who so fearlessly dashed into his camp were supported by a formidable force close at hand. Had the truth been known, and the fugi- tives pursued, nothing could hare prevented the destruction not LIEUTENANT SLOCUMB. 139 only of the four who fled, but of the rest of the company on the east side of the plantation. " Tarleton had rode back to the front of the house, where he remained eagerly looking after the fugitives till they disappeared in the wood. He called for the tory captain, who presently came forward, questioned him about the attack, asked the names of the American officers, and dismissed him to have his wounds dressed, and see after his men. The last part of the order was needless*, for nearly one half of his men had fallen. " The British officers now returned to their peach brandy and coffee, and closed the day with a merry night. " Slocumb and his companions passed rapidly around the plan- tation and returned to the ground where the encounter had taken place, collecting on the way the stragglers of their troop. " Slocumb raised a company of two hundred men, and with them thoroughly harassed the rear of the royal army on its march until it crossed the Roanoke, when he hastened to join Lafay- ette at Warrenton." THE EXECUTION OF COL. ISAAC HAYNE. AFTER Charleston had fallen into the hands of the British, many of the Whigs of South Carolina were induced to take the protections which were offered by Cornwallis. They were led to this step by the belief that the cause was hopeless in the South, and were promised by virtue of these protections to be allowed to remain quietly at their homes and take no part in the content. But what was their surprise when soon after they were called upon to take up arms under the British commanders and against their 140 THE EXECUTION OP countrymen. Conceiving that faith had been broken with them, and their promises of neutrality no longer binding, they destroyed their protections and at once ranked themselves under the Conti- nental leaders. Among these was Col. Isaac Hayne, a man of unblemished reputation, fine talents, and lofty patriotism. Indig- nant at the course pursued by the British, and being summoned to appear at Charleston to take up arms against his country, he hastened to the American army and began to take an active par* in the contest. But unfortunately he fell into the enemy's hands, was conveyed to Charleston, submitted by the order of Rawdon to a mock trial, and to the horror of all, condemned to death. He received his sentence with calmness, but the whole country was horrified. Both English and Americans interceded for his life, and the ladies of Charleston immortalized themselves by the spirited address they framed and delivered to his captors in his behalf. But all was of no avail. The cruel heart of Rawdon could not be moved ; not even the captive's motherless children with bended knees and tearful prayers could move his obdurate nature. His eldest child was a boy of thirteen, and he was permitted to remain with his father in prison up to the time of the execution. This boy was actuated by an affection for his father of the most romantic earnestness and fervor. Beholding him loaded with irons and condemned to die, he was overwhelmed with conster- nation and sorrow ; nothing could assuage his grief nor allay his sorrow. In vain did his father endeavor to console him by re- minding him that his unavailing grief only tended to increase his own misery ; that he was only to leave this world to be ad- mitted into a better ; that it was glorious to die for liberty, and that he himself was calm and prepared for the event. The boy COL. ISAAC HAYNE. 141 would not be comforted. " To-morrow," said the unhappy father, "I set out for immortality ; you will accompany me to the place of my execution, and when I am dead, take my body and bury it by the side of your poor mother." In an agony of grief the wretched youth fell weeping on his father's neck, crying, " Oh, my father, my father, I die with you !" The chains that bound the father prevented him from returning the embrace of his son, but he said, in reply, " Live, my son ; live, to honor God by a good life, live to take care of your brothers and sisters." The next morning the son walked beside the father to the place of execution. The history of the war does not afford a more heart-rending incident There was not a citizen of Charles- ton whose bosom did not beat with anguish and swell with sup- pressed indignation. There was sorrow in every countenance, and when men spoke with each other it was in accents of horror. When the parent and child came in sight of the gallows, the father strengthened himself, and said to the weeping boy by his side, "Tom, my son, show yourself a man! that tree is the boundary of my life and all my life's sorrow. Beyond that the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest. Don't lay too much at heart our separation, it will be short. Twas but lately your mother died to-day, I die. And you, my son, though but young, must shortly follow." " Yes, my father," replied the heart-broken youth, " I shal 1 shortly follow you, for indeed I feel that I cannot live long." And this melancholy anticipation was fulfilled in a manner far more dreadful than is implied in the mere extinction of life. When his father was torn from his side his tears flowed inces- santly, and his bosom was convulsed with heart-rending sobs, but when he saw his beloved parent in the hands of the executioner, 142 ADVENTURES OP tho halter adjusted to Ms neck, and then his form convulsively struggling in the air, the fountain of his tears was suddenly staunched, and he stood transfixed and motionless with horror. He never wept again. When all was over he was led from the scene, but there was a strange wildness in his look, and a palor in His cheek, that alarmed and terrified all who looked upon him. The terrible truth soon became known. His reason had fle.d for- ever. It was not long ere he followed his father to the grave, but his death was even more terrible than that of his parent's. In his last moments he often called upon his father, 'and in ac- cents of such thrilling anguish that the sternest hearted wept to hear him. We know of no incident in history, no passage in romance, more truly touching than this melancholy history. ADVENTURES OF MAJOR GENERAL CLINTON. MAJOR GENERAL JAMES CLINTON 'commanded at Fort Clinton on the occasion of its assault by Sir Henry Clinton. Here he was joined by his brother George Clinton. The attack of Sir Henry was resisted with a devoted heroism, but overcome by superior numbers, and attacked by English ships of war in the stream, they were gradually overcome. But the battle was des- perately contested, and when at last all hope was gone, Clinton, disdaining to surrender, gathered a body of men around him, and with his brother at his side, attempted to force his way through the enemy's ranks. " Fleeing to the river shore he came upon a small boat, in which Jie urged his brother George to embark, and make his MAJOR GENERAL CLINTON. 143 escape. The latter firmly refused to go, unless he accompanied him. But this was impossible ; and to end the dispute, James pushed his brother into the boat, and shoved it from the shore, before he had any time to offer any resistance, then springing on a horse near by, galloped away. It was dark ; and as he came to a bridge, which he must cross, he saw it occupied with English noldiers. They challenged him ; but ordering them to clear the way, he drove the spurs in his horse, and dashed through the bay- onets, one of which pierced his leg. Knowing that his safety lay in reaching the mountains, he flung himself from his horse, and snatching the bridle from his head, plunged into the woods. His remarkable presence of mind did not forsake him in this critical moment. He knew that unless he could catch another horse, he must perish amid the mountains with his wound, before he could reach any settlement ; and remembering that there were many half-wild horses roving about the shores, he suddenly bethought himself that he might possibly take one of these next morning and escape. So, preserving the bridle he had taken, he limped away ; and sliding down a precipice a hundred feet high into a ravine, was out of the reach of his pursuers. Creeping along the steep and rocky sides, with the blood oozing rapidly from his wound, he slipped and fell into the stream. The cold plunge helped him, for it stayed the effusion of blood ; and drenched and faint, he made his way to the mountains, where he remained all night, racked with pain, covered with blood, and burned with fever. When daylight dawned he began to look about him, and finally came upon a horse, which he caught Placing the bridle, which he still retained, upon him, he mounted bare-back and rode six- teen miles every step driving a dagger into the wounded leg ; before he came to a house. He presented a frightful spectacle to 144 ADVENTURES OP the astonished inmates his regimentals were covered with blood, his cheeks flushed with fever, and his voice hollow and husky." After his recovery Clinton joined Sullivan's expedition against the Indians, in which he won new laurels. On his return he was stationed at Albany, where he remained until near the close of the war. "While here an incident occurred which illustrated in a striking manner his character. A m'utiny had broken out in a regiment, and it refused to obey the orders to march. When word was brought to Clinton a fearful expression passed over his counte- nance, and snatching up his pistols, he walked to the head of the refractory regiment. Casting his eye along it for a moment, he thundered out ' March !' but not a soldier stirred. Turning to the ringleader, he presented his pistol to his breast, and told him to advance, or he would shoot him dead on the spot. The das- tardly sergeant knew well what kind of a man he had to deal with, and pale with rage and fear, moved on. Clinton then passed along to the second and third officer, in the same way, till he traversed the whole line and put it in motion. Thus, by his re- solution and energy, he quelled a dangerous mutiny, and reduced the disobedient ranks to subordination." ADVENTURES OF LIEUT. RICHARD DALE. LIEUTENANT RICHARD DALE, afterwards Commodore, served in our youthful navy during the Revolutionary contest. Four several times he was taken a prisoner. On one occasion being captured by a frigate, the prisoners were placed on board the prize, under LIEUT. RICHARD DALE. 145 a small crew, but during the night becoming separated from the English vessel, the captors rose upon their conquerors, retook the brig, and carried her into Baltimore. He put out to sea in the same vessel, but encountering an English man-of-war, he was again captured, and this time carried into Plymouth. The prison- ers were examined and thrown into Mill prison on a charge of treason. Here they were doomed to a rigorous and painful con- finement. " So severe," says Cooper,*" were the privations of the Americans on this occasion, that, in pure hunger, they caught a stray dog one day, skinned, cooked and ate him to satisfy their cravings for food." But their situation eventually attracted the attention of the humane, and their sufferings weje relieved. But time passing on, and despairing of ever being freed by exchange, they resolved to attempt an escape. We quote frpm his life by Cooper. "A suitable place was selected, and a hole under a wall was commenced. The work required secrecy and time. The earth was removed, little by little in the pockets of the captives, care being had to conceal the place, until a hole of sufficient size was made to permit the body of a man to pass through. It was a tedious process, for the only opportunity which occurred to empty their pockets, was while the Americans were exercising in the halls of their prison for a short period each day. By patience and perseverance they accomplished their purpose, however, every hour dreading exposure and defeat. " When all was ready, they passed through the hole and es- caped. This was in February 1778. The party wandered about the country in company, and by night, for more than a week, suf- ftring all sorts of privations, until it was resolved to take the wiser course of separating. Dale, accompanied by one other, found his 146 ADVENTURES OP way to London, hotly pursued. At one time, the two lay under some straw in an out-house, while the premises were searched by those who were in quest of them. On reaching London, Dale and his companion immediately got on board a vessel about to sail for Dunkirk. A press gang unluckily took this craft in its rounds and suspecting the true object of the fugitives, they were arrested, and their characters being ascertained, they were sent back to Mill Prison in disgrace. " This was the commencement of a captivity far more tedious than the former. In the first place, they were condemned to forty days imprisonment in the black hole, as a punishment for the late escape ; and released from this durance, they were deprived of many of their former indulgences. Dale himself took his re- venge in singing " rebel songs," and paid a second visit to the black hole as the penalty. This state of things, with alternations of favor and punishment, continued quite a year, when Dale, singly succeeded in again effecting his great object of getting free. " The mode in which this second escape was made is known, but the manner by which he procured the means, he refused to his dying day to disclose. At all events, he obtained a full suit of British uniform, attired in which, and seizing a favorable op- portunity, he boldly walked past all the sentinels, and got off. That some one was connected with this escape, who might suffer by his revelations is almost certain ; and it is a trait in his char- acter worthy of notice, that he kept this secret, with scrupulous fidelity, for forty-seven years. It is not known that he ever di- vulged it even to any individual in his own family. " Rendered wary by experience, Dale now proceeded with great address and caution. He probably had money as well as clothes. At all events, he went to London, found means to pro- LIEUT. RICHARD DALE. 147 cure a passport, and left the country for France unsuspected and undetected. On reaching a friendly soil, he hastened to L'Orient, and joined the force then equipping under Paid Jones. This commander obtained a commission for Dale, and made him the first lieutenant of his own ship." When Dale effected this last escape, he was but twenty-three years of age, having been made four times a prisoner, and effecting his escape three different times, each under very different circum- stances. So much variety of adventure at so early an age, gives a peculiar charm to his history. . MISS MONCRIEFFE. DURING the early part of the war, a gentleman named Wood was residing about seven miles from Peekskill. He was a zealous whig, but the associations and tastes of his English wife, caused her prejudices to decide in favor of the loyalists. Among the in- mates of the family, was Miss Moncrieffe, a visitor from New York, and the daughter of Major Moncrieffe of the English army. This lady was young, of surpassing beauty, fascinating manners, and possessed of rare accomplishments, with intellectual gifts of a high order. Her beauty, the care and richness lavished upon her dress, combined with her pleasing attainments, dazzled all those who came within the range of her influence, and Mr. Wood's house soon became the resort of all those who could obtain the acquain- tance of this beautiful and spirited girl. Among the visitors who thronged around the brilliant lady, were several officers of the American army. It was not in the power of these to resist the 6 148 MISS MONCRIEFFE. enslaving charms of their beautiful countrywomen, and they were delighted to find, that her sentiments sympathized with the patri- otic cause, and listened with unqualified pleasure to the words of patriotism from lips so fair, and to the approbation of one to whom it was not in their power to resist doing homage. She encour- aged conversation, upon the state of the country and its prospects and so unrestrained became their connection, that confidential dis closures were made to her from time to timq, and by insinuating questions, she would often learn of all the plans and movements in contemplation, to circumvent the enemy. Miss Moncrieffe was an excellent equestrian. She rode out every day, sometimes accompanied, but oftener alone. She could ride any horse, however spirited, and usually went abroad in a magnificent costume, that from its exceeding beauty, and singular style, received much comment. One morning as she was taking her accustomed ride, alone, on passing a farm-house, the barking of a dog, that suddenly sprang into the road, frightened the horse. The animal started aside ; she was thrown to the ground, and so severely stunned, as to be entirely insensible. The people ran out from the house, lifted her up, and carried her in and laid her on the bed. While endeavoring to restore her, they unbuttoned the vest of her riding habit, to allow her to breathe more freely, when a letter fell out, which was picked up and lain on the table. It was not long before she began to recover consciousness, and in a few moments was fully restored to her senses. Suddenly observ- ing the open flaps of her vest, she started up in great agitation exclaiming, " Who unbuttoned my waist-coat ? Where is the letter ? ah, I am lost lost !" A woman at her side took up th* letter, and was about to hand it to her, when a man standing b>, whose suspicions were aroused by the strangeness of her manner, MISS MONCRIEFFE. 149 sprang forward and seized it. With the greatest alarm and anxi- ety, she begged him to restore it, but as he observed it was ad- dressed to New York, and more and more suspicious from the over anxiety of her manner, he positively refused to deliver it up, until its contents should be known. Finding her efforts to obtain the letter in vain, and having received no injury from her fall, she was obliged to mount her horse and depart without it There was now but one course for her to pursue. An exposure of the contents of the letter would prove her ruin. She immedi- ately began to prepare for returning to New York, but before she could get ready to depart, a party of soldiers rode up and entered the house, and the officer informed her that she must be consid- ered as a prisoner, and be conducted to the destination pointed out by his orders. It was ascertained, that the letter thus opportunely discovered, contained information relative to an intended movement of the American army. It was proved in the examination, that the young lady was in the habit, repeatedly of sending her British friends the information reposed in her by the young American officers, who supposing her to V actuated by a strong interest in the cause they espoused, had confided in her the secrets of the army. When she wrote a letter, she concealed it in the vest of her riding habit, and riding by an appointed spot, contrived to drop it upon the ground unseen, when it was immediately picked up by an accomplice hid m. the bushes, and then conveyed from hand to hand until it reached New York. All this came to light by the confession of the accomplice himself. Miss Moncrieffe was retained as a prisoner. Her countrymen not disposed *o d. claims in his favor ; he was a handsome man a soldier and an Irishman. The general conduct of the Quakers, exempted the sect in a great measure from suspicion, in so great a degree, in- deed, that the barriers of the city were generally entrusted to the care of their members, as the best judges of the characters of those persons who might be allowed to pass them. A female Friend, from a farm near the city, was in the family, on a visit to a rela- tive. A pretext was formed to present her with a new suit of ESCAPE OF CAPTAIN PLUNKETT. 203 clothes, in order to possess that which she wore when she entered the city. Captain Plunkett was immediately disguised as a wo- man, and appeared at the barrier, accompanied by his anxious deliverer. " ' Friend Roberts,' said the enterprising enthusiast, ' may this damsel and myself pass to visit a friend at a neighboring farm ?' " ' Certainly,' said Roberts, ' go forward.' The city was spee- dily left behind, and Captain Plunkett found himself safe, under the protection of Colonel Allen M'Lane, his particular friend." ATTEMPTED ABDUCTION OF GEN. SCHUYLER. THE scouting parties of the enemy, emboldened by the feeble state of the country, and encouraged by the high rewards offered them, were exceedingly active in the securing of influential Ameri- cans, and conveying them to Canada as prisoners. By stratagems, and sometimes by force, they fell upon those persons, marked as their victims, and by rapid marches would manage to escape be- yond pursuit almost before their outrages would be known. Many of these attempts were successful, but others signally failed. The latter was the case with one of their most audacious attempts, in the securing of Gen. Schuyler ; they, also, failed in their object with Gen. Gansevoort. Gen. Schuyler's residence was in the suburbs of Albany. He had retired from the army, but still was of vast consequence and influence to the American cause. The importance that he assu- med in the control of affairs, made it an especial object with Hal- dimand, the British commander in Canada, to ^ocure his person. 204 ATTEMPTED ABDUCTION A desperate plot was, therefore, set on foot. John Waltermeyer, a notorious Tory partizan, was entrusted with the execution of the design, and with a company of whites and Indians, he proceeded to Albany, and prepared to entrap his anticipated victim. The General had been cautioned often of the danger to which he was subjected by such attempts ; and the frequency with which influ- ential citizens were entrapped, and captured, was sufficient cause for him to exercise every vigilance and caution. He had, there- fore, added to his usual household, a guard of six men, who were, by turns, on duty day and night. The evening of a sultry day in August, was selected as the oc- casion to make the attempt. The general and his family were all gathered in the front hall of his house, and the doors were all thrown wide open, in order to admit all the cooling air possible, when a servant announced that a stranger at the back gate re- quired the presence of the general, on a matter of business. A message so singular, at once excited suspicion. Unfortunately, the evening was so very warm, that the servants had dispersed. The three sentinels just relieved from duty, had retired, and the others, who should have been at their post, were stretched on the grass in the garden, The doors were hastily closed and fastened, while the family hurried to the upper rooms, the general to arm himself, and the others for security. They presently discovered the house surrounded by a body of armed men, and almost imme- diately was heard the crash of heavy blows against the doors be- low. The general threw up a window to arouse the guard, and with the hope that it might alarm the town, or bring assistance from some quarter. A violent struggle was now heard below. The three guards who were within the house, had been aroused, and were endeavoring to drive the assailants back. But by an OF GEN. SCHUYLER. 205 unfortunate incident, they were without their weapons, and had only the weight of their persons to oppose in resistance. Mrs. Church, a daughter of the general, had perceived, some hours be- fore, her little son playing with the muskets, and not supposing they would be wanted, while she feared the consequences of their being within reach of the child, had caused them to be removed, while she neglected to inform the guard of the circumstance. But the brave fellows, nothing daunted, opposed, themselves, un- armed, to the besieging troop, and by dealing blows as soundly as they could with their fists, they managed for a few moments to keep them at bay, but their overwhelming force soon overcome the resistance, and they rushed into the house. While this strug- gle was going on, the alarmed and terrified ladies above, were in an agony of fear at the remembrance that in their bustle of es- caping, an infant had been left in the nursery, which was situated on the first floor. Mrs. Schuyler was about flying to its rescue, but the general prevented her, when Margaret, the third daughter, rushed forth, and hastily descending a private stairway, reached the room, and snatched the babe from the cradle, where it was lying in undisturbed repose. But as she was hurrying from the room with her valued burthen, a tomahawk, hurled by an unseen hand, glanced by her side, and buried itself in the wall, carrying with it a remnant of her dress. Undismayed by this circumstance, or by the violent commotion in the hall, she hastened to the same private way by which she had descended, when in rapid flight to the rooms above, to her terror, she was confronted by Walter- meyer, the leader of the gang, who exclaimed " Wench, where is your master ?" With admirable presence of mind, she replied " Gone to arouse the town." Alarmed at this, he hurried by, per- mitting her to escape to the room where the family was gathered, 206 ADVENTURES OF DR. CALDWELL. who, in dreadful apprehension, were awaiting the issue of her da- ring and heroic exploit. Waltermeyer hastily summoned his followers from the draw- ing room, where they were engaged in plundering the plate, and who reluctantly desisted from their work, to listen to the orders of their leader. At this moment the general threw up a window and called out " Come on my brave fellows, surround the hous and secure the villains who are plundering." The party terrified at this, and supposing that they were surrounded, made a preci- pitate retreat from the house, carrying with them the three men who had so heroically defended the house, one of whom was wounded. Waltermeyer himself had received a bullet from one of the general's pistols, but was only slightly wounded. By this time the city was alarmed, and the citizens came hurrying to the spot, but not before the entire body of assailants had fled. The three guard were conveyed into Canada, and were restored after the war. To each the general beaueathed a farm in reward Cor his services. , ADVENTURES OF DR. CALDWELL. THE REV. DAVID CALDWELL, a Presbyterian minister in North Carolina, was very much subjected to the persecutions of the loy- alists. At one time, while he was absent, a party of British came to his house and occupied it, turning Mrs. Caldwell out of doors who was obliged to seek refuge in the smoke house, where she remained for two days with no other food than a little dried fruit After remaining for two days on the plantation, during which ADVENTURES OF DR. CALDWELL. 207 time they had destroyed everything, they prepared to leave, but before doing so, in order that nothing should be left 'undone which their hatred could suggest to do, the valuable library of Dr. Caldwell, containing books it was impbssible to replace, and manuscripts that had cost years of study and labor, was wantonly burned. A large fire was built for the purpose, and the books brought in armsfull and cast upon the flames. " The persecution of Dr. Caldwell continued while the British occupied that portion of the state. His property was destroyed, and he was hunted as a felon ; snares were laid for him, and pre- tences used to draw him from his hiding places ; he was com- pelled to pass nights in the woods, and ventured only at the most imminent peril to see his family. Often he escaped captivity or death, as it were, by a miracle. At one time when he had ven- tured home on a stolen visit, the house was suddenly surrounded by armed men, who seized him before he could escape, designing to carry him to the British camp. One or two were set to guard him, while the others went to gather such articles of provisions and clothing as could be found worth taking away. When they were nearly ready to depart, the plunder collected being piled in the middle of the floor, and the prisoner standing beside it with his guard, Mrs. Dunlap, who with Mrs. Caldwell had remained in an adjoining apartment, came forward. With -the promptitude and presence of mind for which women are often remarkable in sudden emergencies, she stepped behind Dr. Caldwell, leaned over his shoulder, and whispered to him as if intending the ques- tion for his ear alone, asking if it was not time for Gillespie and his men to be there. One of the soldiers who stood near caught the words, and with evident alarm demanded what men were meant The lady replied that she was merely speaking to her 208 ADVENTURES OF DR. CALDWELL brother. In a moment all was confusion ; the whole party wag panic-sferuck ; exclamations and hurried questions followed ; and in the consternation produced by this ingenious, though simple mano3uvre, the tones fled precipitately, leaving their prisoner and their plunder. The name of Gillespie was a scourge and terror to the loyalists, and this party knew themselves to be within the limits of one of the strongest whig neighborhoods in the state." The plantations of Dr. Caldwell and his brother Alexander, were near each other. One evening, during Alexander's absence from home, two soldiers entered his house, and began rudely to seize upon everything they saw worth carrying off, having ordered his wife to prepare supper for them. They were supposed to be- long to the army of Cornwallis, at that time foraging in the neigh . borhood. Not knowing what to do, Mrs. Caldw.ell sent to her brother-in-law for advice. He sent word in answer, that she must treat the men civilly, and have supper ready as soon as practicable ; but that she must observe where they placed their guns, and set the table at the other end of the house. He promised to come over in the meantime, and conceal himself in a haystack close by ; and she was to inform him as soon as the men had set down to supper. These directions were implicitly followed. The house was a double cabin, containing two rooms on the same floor. While the men were leisurely discussing their repast, Dr. Cald- well quietly entered the other apartment, took up one of the guns and stepping to the door of the room where they were so com- fortably occupied, presented the weapon, and informed them they were his prisoners, and their lives would be the forfeit, should they make the least attempt to escape. They surrendered immedi- ately, and Dr. Caldwell marched them to his own house, where COLONEL WILLETT. 209 he kept them till morning, and then suffered them to depart on their parole."* COLONEL WILLETT. COLONEL WILLETT, possesses an enviable reputation for the skill and courage he manifested in the border wars of New York, during the revolution. He was engaged in many successful en- terprises, two of which won for him especial honor. During the siege of Fort Stanwix, General Herkimer made an attempt to re- lieve it lie was approaching with a large body of militia, when it was resolved to make a diversion in his favor. Two hundred men were placed on parade for the purpose, and Col. Willett en- trusted with the command. But meanwhile, Gen. Herkimer fell into an ambuscade of the enemy, when ensued the fearful battle of Oriskany. The sally, however, was made by Col. Willett, which was most successful. The camp of the enemy was attacked, they were routed, and large quantities of stores fell into the hands of the conqueror. With so much skill was this attack made, that although two camps, one of the British, the other of the Indians, fell successively into the hands of Willett, and in returning to the fort with the conquered stores, he encountered some opposition by Colonel St. Leger, yet the enterprise was accomplished without the loss of a single man. But the relief of the fort still being an object of the utmost im- portance, and the failure of General Herkimer, to come to their aid, convincing them that he had met with some misfortune, it * " Women of the Revolution.' 210 COLONEL WILLETT. was thought advisable to make another effort to secure the assis- tance so much needed. The militia of Tyron county, having for- merly expressed a strong attachment to Col. Willett, it was sup- posed that if he could appear among them, it might have the ef- fect of inspiriting them with fresh resolution, and induce them a second time to attempt the raising of the seige. Actuated bj these considerations, Col. Willett resolved to make the hazardou attempt of reaching the settlements down the river. From the memoirs of Col. Willett, by his son, we draw the particulars of this perilous enterprise : " About 10 o'clock, on the night of the 10th of August, [ITTT], Col. 'Willett left the fort, accompanied by Major Stockwell, whom he selected for this purpose, as he was a good hunter, and was well acquainted with the Indian method of travelling in the wil- derness. They passed privately through the sally-port of the fort, and proceeding silently along the marsh, they reached the river, which they crossed by crawling over a log, unperceived by the enemy's sentinels, who were not many yards from them. Having thus happily succeeded in crossing the river without being discov- ered, they advanced cautiously into a swampy wood, where they soon found themselves so enveloped in darkness, as to be unable to keep a straight course. While in a state of uncertainty as to the safest step for them to take, they were alarmed by the barking of a dog, at no great distance from them. Knowing that the In- dians, after their camp had been broken up on the other side of the river, had removed to this side, they thought it most advisable to remain where they were, until they should have light suffi- cient to direct their course. Placing themselves therefore against a large tree, they stood perfectly quiet for several hours. At length, perceiving the morning-star, they again set out, but in COLONEL WILLETT. 211 stead of proceeding in a direct line to reach the settlement, they took nearly a northern direction, which after a few miles brought them again to the river. With the intention of concealing their route, in case their tracks should be discovered, they stepped in and out of the river several times, crossing occasionally to the opposite side, until reaching a spot where they could completely conceal their track by stepping on stones, they left the river, took a north course for a few hours, and then travelled east until night, without making a single stop. As it was necessary for them to be encumbered as little as possible, they had left the fort with no other weapon, but a spear for each, eight feet in length, which was intended to serve as a staff as well as a weapon of defence. They had taken no baggage nor blanket ; and all the provision they had with them, consisted of a few crackers and cheese, which they had put in their pockets, together with a quart of canteen spirits. Having halted for the night, they refreshed themselves with such provision as they had ; after which, their situation being too perilous to think of kindling a fire, they lay down to sleep wrapped in each other's arms. Though it was then the height of summer, yet the night was so cold, as, together with hard travel- ling the day before, and sleeping on the ground without any cov- ering, made them feel very stiff when they arose the next morning. Colonel Willett had so severe a rheumatic attack in one of his knees, as to cause a limp in his walk for several hours. Setting out once more, they directed their course farther to the south, and about 9 o'clock came to an opening in the woods, occasioned by a windfall. In this opening, among the fallen trees, they found a forest of raspberries and blackberries, quite ripe, which afforded them a most delicious and refreshing repast Though the day was very warm, yet, deriving new vigor from their banquet of 212 INTREPID CONDUCT berries, they proceeded expiditously towards the settlement, where they arrived at three o'clock, having travelled in this time about fifty miles. On arriving at Fort Dayton, a small stockade fort at the German Flats, they received a hearty welcome from Colonel Weston, who was stationed there with his regiment." Proceeding from Fort Dayton, Colonel Willett soon joined a detachment of troops under Gen. Leamand, marching to the re- lief of the fort. The British General Register for 1777, speaking of this enterprise, says : " They passed by night through the besieger's works, and in contempt of the danger and cruelty of the savages, made their way fifty miles through pathless and un- explored morasses, in order to raise the country and bring relief to the fort. Such an action demands the praise even of an enemy." INTREPID CONDUCT OF MAJOR JAMES. AFTER the fall of Charleston, the British commander in South Carolina issued a proclamation, granting protection to all those of the rebels, who would lay down their arms, and refrain from the further levying of war on his majesty. The* apparently hope- less condition of the cause and the entire want of an organized force for resistance, induced many worthy citizens to avail them- selves of England's offered protection. But scarcely had they done so, when another proclamation appeared, to the effect that they were not only to submit to English authority, but be com- pelled to take up arms in support of the royal cause. This pro- ceeding, looked upon, by the people, as an infamous trap, aroused OF MAJOR JAMES. 213 their indignation. The residents of one district when about to avail themselves of the offers in the first proclamation, 'had the second placed before them. At a loss to understand such con- flicting offers, they despatched a delegate to the nearest British authority in order that the matter should be explained, and their doubts satisfied. Major John James was chosen as this delegate. " Under this appointment, Major James repaired to George- town, the nearest British post, which was then under the command of one Captain Ardesoif. Attired as a plain backwoodsman, James obtained an interview with Ardesoif, and, in prompt and plain terms, entered at once upon the business for which he came. But when he demanded the meaning of the British protection, and asked upon what terms the submission of the citizens was to be made, he was peremptorily informed that ' the submission must be unconditional.' To an inquiry, whether the inhabitants were to be allowed to remain upon their plantations, he was an- swered in the negative. ' His Majesty,' said Ardesoif, ' offers you a free pardon, of which you are undeserving, for you all ought to be hanged ; but it is only on condition that you take up arms in his cause.' James, whom we may suppose to have been very far from relishing the tone and language in which he was addressed, very coolly replied, that ' the people whom he came to represent, would scarcely submit on such conditions.' The republican lan- guage of the worthy Major provoked the representative of royalty. The word ' represent,' in particular, smote harshly on his ears ; something, too, in the cool, contemptuous manner of the Major, may have contributed to his vexation. 'Represent f he exclaimed in a fury ' You d d rebel, if you dare speak in such lan- guage, I will have you hung up at the yard arm !' Ardesoif, it must be known was a sea-captain. The ship which he command- 214 A NOVEL SITUATIOIS. ed lay in the neighboring river. He used only an habitual form of speech when he threatened the ' yard-arm,' instead of the tree. Major James gave him no time to make the correction. He was entirely weaponless, and Ardesoif wore a sword ; but the inequal- ity, in the moment of his anger, was unfelt by the high-spirited citizen. Suddenly rising, he seized upon the chair on which he had been sitting, and floored the insolent subordinate at a blow ; then hurrying forth without giving his enemy time to recover, he mounted his horse, and made his escape to the woods before pur- suit could be attempted. " His people were soon assembled to hear his story. The ex- actions of the British, and the spirit which James had displayed, in resenting the insolence of Ardesoif, at once aroused their own. Required to take the field, it did not need a moment to decide ' under which king.' A NOVEL SITUATION. IN the fall of 1781 a man was captured in the vicinity of Fort Plain, by seven Indians and hurried off into the wilderness. At night the party halted at a deserted log tenement. The Indians built a fire, and after supper gathered around it discussing the misfortunes of their expedition which thus far had resulted in but a few scalps, and only one prisoner. They therefore resolved to kill and scalp their captive in the morning, and return toward the Mohawk with the hope of better success. Upon this conclusion they stretched themselves upon the floor for sleep, with their pris- oner between two of them, who was bound by cords which were also fastened to the bodies of his keepers. The whole of the dis- A NOVEL SITUATION. 215 cussion carried oft by the sav.-iges was understood by the captive, who, in the greatest alarm at his approaching fate, began to tax his ingenuity for some way to escape. The Indians were soon in a sound slumber, but their white companion kept wide awake, vainly striving to devise a plan for his escape, and beginning to despair and to yield himself to his doom, when, as he accidentally moved his hand upon the floor, it rested upon a fragment ol tfoken window glass. " No sooner did the prisoner seize the glass, than a ray of hope entered his bosom, and with this frail assistant he instantly set about regaining his liberty. He commenced severing the rope across his breast, and soon it was stranded. The moment was one of intense excitement ; he knew that it was the usual custom for one or more of an Indian party to keep watch and prevent the escape of their prisoners. Was he then watched ? Should he go on, with the possibility of hastening his own doom, or wait and see if some remarkable interposition of Providence might save him i A monitor within whispered, " Faith without works is dead," and after a little pause in his efforts, he resumed them, and soon had parted another strand ; and as no movement was made, he tremblingly cut another ; it was the last, and as it yield- ed he sat up. He was then enabled to take a midnight view of the group around him, in the feeble light reflected from the moon through a small window of a single sash. The enemy ap- peared to sleep, and he soon separated the cords across his limbs. He then advanced to the fire and raked open the coals, which rc- lected their partial rays upon the painted visages of those mis- mided heathen, whom British gold had bribed to deeds of dam- ning darkness ; and being fully satisfied that all were sound asleep, he approached the door. 216 A NOVEL SITUATION. The Indians had a large watch-dog outside the house. He cautiously opened the door, sprang out and ran, and as he had anticipated, the dog was yelling at his heels. He had about twenty rods to run across a cleared field before he could reach the woods : and as he neared them, he looked back, and in the clear light of the moon, saw the Indians all in pursuit. As he neared QIC forest, they all drew up their rifles and fired upon him, at which instant a strong vine caught his foot and he fell to the ground. The volley of balls passed over him, and bounding to his feet, he gained the beechen shade. Not far from where he entered, he had noticed the preceding evening, a large hollow log, and on coming to it, he sought safety within it. The dog, at first ran several rods past the log, which served to mislead the party, but soon returned near it, and ceased barking, without a visit to the entrance of the captive's retreat. " The Indians sat down over him, and talked about their pris- oner's escape. They finally came to the conclusion, that he had either ascended a tree near, or that the devil had aided him in his escape, which to them appeared the most reasonable conclusion. As morning was approaching, they determined on taking an early breakfast, and returning to the river settlements, leaving one of their number to keep a vigilant watch in that neighborhood, for their captive, until afternoon of the following day, when he was to join his fellows at a designated place. This plan settled, an Indian proceeded to an adjoining field, where a small flock of sheep had hot escaped their notice, and shot one of them. While enough of the mutton was dressing to satisfy their immediate wants, others of the party struck up a fire, which they chanced, most unfortunately for his comfort, to build against the log directly opposite their lost prisoner. The heat became almost intolerable A NOVEL SITUATION 21? to the tenant of the fallen basswood, before the meat was cooked besides, the smoke and steam which found their way through the small worm-holes and cracks, had nearly suffocated him, ero he could sufficiently stop their ingress, which was done by thrust- ing a quantity of leaves and part of his own clothing into the crannies. A cough, which he knew would insure his death, he found it most difficult to avoid : to back out of his hiding place would also seal his fate, while to remain in it much longer, he felt con scions, would render his situation, to say the least, not enviable. " After suffering most acutely in body and mind for a time, the prisoner (who was again such by accident), found his miseries al- leviated when the Indians began to eat, as they then let the fire burn down, and did not again replenish it After they had dis- patched their breakfast of mutton, the prisoner heard the leader caution the one left to watch in that vicinity, to be wary, and soon heard the retiring footsteps of the rest of the party. Often during the morning, the watchman was seated or standing over him. Not having heard the Indian for some time, !nd believing the hour of his espionage past, he cautiously crept out of the log ; and finding himself alone, being prepared by fasting and steamirg for a good race, he drew a bee-line for Fort Plain, which he reached in safety, believing, as he afterwards stated, that all the Indians in the state could not have overtaken him in his flight."* Sanaa' " History of Schoharie Co " 218 THE DEATH OP MAJOR HENLEY. THE DEATH OF MAJOR HENLEY. AFTER the retreat from Long Island, and while the American army was stationed at Harlem Heights, the English had posses- sion of a small island at the mouth of the Harlem river, near Hurl Gate in the East river, which was covered by one of their ships of war. From this ship, on the twenty-second day of September 1776, two seamen deserted and went to the quarters of General Heath. Upon being examined, they stated that the cannon had been removed from the island to the frigate, and that but a few men, with a number of officers, and a large quantity of provisions and stores, remained there at this time. On receiving this infor- mation a surprise of the island was determined upon, and three flat-bottomed boats were at once prepared for the purpose, each boat to carry two hundred and forty men. They were under the command of Colonel Jackson, Major Logan, and a Major whose name is not known. At the favorable opportunity, they floated down the Harlem river, at night, and with the tide, with the hope of arriving to their destination about the break of day. Major Henly who was mortified at being excluded from the enterprise, applied to General Heath for the privilege of accom panying the expedition as a volunteer, which with some reluctance was granted. Says the biographer of Major Henley, " Perhaps of the many young and gallant spirits, who then crowded to fight beneath the banners of liberty, none were more ardent in her cause, or more amiable and better loved by his cotemporaries than was Major Henley. Young, courageous, aspiring and sanguine in the cause of his native country, he considered no duty too ar- duous, no deprivation too great, no suffering too severe, in assist- ing her advancement to independence." THE DEATH OF MAJOR HENLEY. 219 "A couple of hours after midnight, the boats received their complement of men, and were proceed ing slowly down the narrow and winding creek. There was no light to guide them on their way, save that which issued from the bright stars of heaven, shining from its broad spread canopy. There was no voice nor whispering to break the perfect silence of that hour ; and the rip- plings caused by the prows of the boats passing through the water, was all the indication of their making any progress. They had nearly gained the scene of their operations, when lo ! as they considered themselves secure from any annoyance, and all things promising the best success to the undertaking, they were hailed from the shore by one of the American sentinels. " ' Stop !' cried he, ' or I will fire !' " This faithful sentinel had not, unfortunately, been informed of the expedition. They replied from the boats : " ' We are friends !' " He repeated his challenge and said : " ' You must stop and come to the shore.' " ' Hush we are friends,' said they from the boats, ' keep ai lence.' " This interruption occurred opposite the point where General Heath was to stand a spectator of the attack upon the island. Major Henly seeing the general and several officers there, leaped from the boat into the water, which was some feet deep, and waded to the shore, and in an instant was before him. " ' Sir, will it do ?' said he, taking the general by the hand. " ' I see nothing to the contrary.' " ' Then sir, it shall do,' answered the major in an emphatic manner, at the same time shaking the general smartly by the hand ; in a moment he was on board the boat again. He had 10 220 THE DEATH OF MAJOR HENLEY. no sooner seated himself than a command was given to the oara- men to proceed. " ' Pull away for your lives.' " The sentinel heard the order, presented his piece and fired, but without doing any injury. Early dawn was just lighting up the horizon when they reached the island ; the precise momen they had intended. The boat in which the officers were, landed The two seconds in command were to spring from the boat, one on each side, and lead on the troops from the other two boats, which were to land each side of the first. The enemy's guard charged them on their gaining the shore, having been apprised of the attack by the discharge of the sentinel's musket, but were instantly driven back. Owing to some unaccountable misunder- standing, or something that deserves a less honorable designation, the men in the other two boats, instead of joining them, lay at a distance from the shore irresolute and inactive. The British, observing that the Americans were not supported, returned warmly to the charge ; while the latter finding themselves de- serted, and Colonel Jackson having received a shot in his leg, re- turned to their boat. " They lost fourteen of their number ; and painful to relate. Major Henly, who had proved himself most active in this unfor- tunate affair, while getting over the side of the boat, was shot through the heart by a musket ball. He gave one shrill cry, and leaping some two or three feet from where he stood, fell dead among his comrades, covering them with his blood. " Thus fell a brave and gallant soldier. He had just entered into manhood, with a robust health and strong arm, and had it pleased the Great Disposer for him to have continued for a longer period upon the stage of life, he would probably, from his early ADVENTURES OF COL. HARPER. 221 promise, have been a theme of eulogy and admiration. His body was consigned to the dust with military honors, and the soldiers who gathered around the remains of their much loved companion, wept at his untimely fall. " The success of the expedition in which he was engaged would have been very probable had only one of the other boats landed but, in the opinion of all concerned, the two would have insured the full execution of the whole plan. The delinquents were ar rested and tried by a court-martial. One of the captains was cashiered." ADVENTURES OF COL. HARPER. IN the year 1778 a notorious Tory leader, McDonald, at the head of three hundred Indians and Tories, were committing great ravages on the frontiers, and audaciously carrying on their depre- dations in the vicinity of the forts of Schoharie, which were all so weakly garrisoned, that they could offer no resistance to them. Col. Harper, stationed at one of the forts, perceiving the wanton barbarities of the enomy, resolved to undertake a journey to Al- bany, in order to procure sufficient aid to arrest them in their career. It was an expedition full of peril, but he sallied boldly forth, and although the enemy lined his entire route, he undaunt- edly resolved to secure help for the perishing inhabitants, or sac- rifice his own life in the attempt. His first day's journey was uninterrupted^ and at evening he rode up to a tory tavern, coolly demanded a room, and without apparent fear or apprehension retired for the night But he was not unprepared. Presently 222 ADVENTURES OF COL. HARPER there was a loud rapping at the door. He demanded what was wanted ? " We want to see Col. Harper," was the reply. He deliberately arose, unlocked the door, and taking his sword and pistols, seated himself on the bed to receive his visitors. They were four, and entered blusteringly, and with threatening aspects. The colonel raised his pistols and said, " step one inch over tha* mark, and you are dead men." There was something in his d termined and resolute aspect that arrested their progress. Their boldness fled before his unflinching eye, and irresolute they looked from one to the other at a loss how to proceed. In vain did they look for a sign of weakness in his manner ; the least show of such a thing would have proved his destruction. Overawed, and abashed, they retreated from his presence with what grace they could, and left him master of the field. Still, however, feeling himself insecure, he did not sleep again that night, but kept a wary watch. In the morning he boldly mounted his horse, and although the enemy were concealed in the vicinity of the house, for some reason he was allowed to pass unmolested. But an In- dian followed him almost the entire rest of the way ; whenever the colonel would turn and present a pistol he would run with all his might, but again steal cautiously in his rear. Uninjured the colonel reached Albany, procured aid, hastened back to Scho- harie, and wreaked a sudden retribution on the marauders. The following account of another succesful enterprise of Col. Harper, we find in Campbell's " Annals of Tryon County." "In the year 1777, he had command of one of the forts in Schoharie county, and of all the frontier stations in that region. He left the fort in Schoharie, and came out through the woods to Harpersfield, in the time of making sugar, and thence laid his course for Cherry Valley, to investigate the state of things there ADVENTURES OP COL. HARPPR. 223 and as he was pursuing a blind kind of Indian trail, and was as- cending what are now called Decatur Hills, he cast his eye for- ward, and saw a company of men coming directly towards him, who had the appearance of Indians. He knew that if he at- tempted to flee from them, they would shoot him down; he* re- solved to advance right up to them, and make the best shift for himself he could. As soon as he came near enough to discern the white of their eyes, he knew the head man and several others; the head man's name was Peter, an Indian with whom Col. Har- per had often traded, at Oquago before the revolution began. The colonel had his great-coat on, so that his regimentals were con- cealed, and he was not recognised ; the first words of address of Col. Harper's was, ' How do you do, brothers ?' " ' Well how do you do, brother ?' was the reply. " ' On a secret expedition : and which way are you bound brothers ?' " ' Down the Susquehannah, to cut off the Johnstown settle- ment.' " ' Where do you lodge to night ?' inquired the colonel. " ' At the mouth of Schenevas creek,' was the reply. Then shaking hands with them, he bid them good speed and proceeded on his journey. " He had gone but little way from them, before he took a cir- cuit through the woods, a distance of eight or ten miles, on to the head of Charlotte river, where were a number of men making sugar ; ordered them to take their arms, two days provisions, a canteen of rum, and a rope, and meet him down the Charlotte, at a small clearing called Evan's Place, at a certain hour that after- noon ; then rode with all speed through the woods to Harpers field ; collected all the men there making sugar, and being armed 224 ADVENTURES OF COL. HARPER. and victualed, each man with his rope, laid his course for Char- lotte. When he arrived at Evan's Place, he found the Charlotte men in good spirits, and when he mustered his men, there were fifteen, including himself, exactly the same number as there were of the enemy ; then the colonel made his men acquainted with the enterprise. " They marched down the river a little distance, and then bent their course accross the hill to the mouth of Schenevas creek ; when they arrived at the brow of the hill, where they could over- look the valley where the Schenevas flows, they cast their eyes down upon the flats, and discovered the fire around which the enemy lay encamped. "'There they are,' said Col. Harper. They descended with great stillness, forded the creek, which was breast high to a man ; after advancing a few hundred yards, they took some refreshment, and then prepared for the contest. Daylight was just beginning to appear in the east. When they came to the enemy, they lay in a circle with their feet towards the fire, in a deep sleep ; their arms and all their implements of death, were all stocked up ac- cording to the Indian custom, when they lay themselves down for the night ; these the colonel secured by carrying them off a distance, and laying them down. Then each man taking his rope in his hand, placed himself by his fellow ; the colonel rapped his man softly, and said, ' Come, it is time for men of business to be on their way,' and then each one sprang upon his man, and after a most severe struggle they secured the whole of the enemy. " After they were all safely bound, and the morning had so far advanced, that they could discover objects distinctly, says the In- dian Peter, ' Ha ! Col. Harper ! now I know thee why did I not know thee yesterday ?' NARROW ESCAPE OF COL. SNIPES. 225 " ' Some policy in war, Peter.' " ' Ah, me find em so now.' " The colonel marched the men to Albany, delivered them up to the commanding officer, and by this well executed feat of valor, he saved the Johnstown settlement from a wanton destruction." NARROW ESCAPE OF COLONEL SNIPES. DURING the revolutionary contest in South Carolina, the most malignant enmity existed between the whigs and tories, which often occasioned scenes and incidents of the most ferocious and terrible nature. One of these which occurred to Col. Snipes of Marion's brigade, we extract from the "Life of Marion," by Simms. " Col. Snipes was a Carolinian, of remarkable strength and cour- age. He was equally distinguished for his vindictive hatred of- the tories. He had suffered some domestic injuries at their hands, and he was one who never permitted himself to forgive. His temper was sanguinary in the extreme, and led him, in his treat ment of the loyalists, to such ferocities as subjected him, on more than one occasion, to the harshest rebuke of his commander. It is not certain at what period in the war the following occurrence took place, but it was on one of those occasions when the partisan militia claimed a sort of periodical privilege of abandoning their general to look after their families and domestic interests. Avail- ng himself of this privilege, Snipes pursued his way to his plan- tation. His route was a circuitous one, but it is probable that he pursued it with little caution. He was more distinguished for au- 226 NARROW ESCAPE OF COL. SNIPES. dacity than prudence. The Tories fell upon his trail, which they followed with the keen avidity of the sleuth-hound. Snipes reached his plantation in safety, unconscious of pursuit. Having examined the homestead and received an account of all things done in his absence, from a faithful driver, and lulled into se- curity by the seeming quiet and silence of the neighborhood, he retired to rest, and, after the fatigues of the day, soon fell into a profound sleep. From this he was awakened by the ab- rupt entrance and cries of his driver. The faithful negro apprised him, in terror, of the approach of the Tories. They were already on the plantation. His vigilance alone prevented them from taking his master in bed. Snipes, starting up, proposed to take shelter in the barn, but the driver pointed to the flames already bursting from that building. He had barely time to leave the house, covered only by his night shirt, and by the counsel of the negro, to fly to the cover of a thick copse of briars and brambles, within fifty yards of the dwelling, when the Tories surrounded it. The very task of penetrating this copse, so as to screen himself from sight, effectually removed the thin garment which concealed his nakedness. The shirt was torn from his back by the briars, and the skin shared in its injuries. But, once there, he lay effectually concealed from sight. Ordinary conjecture would scarcely have supposed that any animal larger than a rabbit would have sought or found shelter in such a region. The Tories immediately seized upon the negro and demanded his master, at the peril of his life. Knowing and fearing the courage and the arm of Snipes, they did not enter the dwelling, but adopted the less valorous mode of set- ting it on fire, and, with pointed muskets, surrounded it, in waiting for the moment when their victim should emerge. He, within a few steps of them, heard their threats and expectations, and be- NARROW ESCAPE OF COL. SNIPES. 227 held all their proceedings. The house was consumed, and the in- tense heat of the fire subjected our partisan, in his place of retreat, to such torture, as none but the most dogged hardihood could have endured without complaint. The skin was peeled from his body in many places, and the blisters were shown long after, to persons who are still living. But Snipes too well knew his enemies, and what he had to expect at their hands, to make any confession. He bore patiently the torture, which was terribly increased, when finding themselves at fault, the Tories brought forward the faith- ful negro who had thus far saved his master, and determined to extort from him, in the halter, the secret of his hiding-place. But the courage and fidelity of the negro proved superior to the ter- rors of death. Thrice was he run up the tree, and choked nearly to strangulation, but in vain. His capability to endure proved superior to the will of the Tories to inflict, and he was at length let down, half dead, as, in truth, ignorant of the secret which they desired to extort. What were the terrors of Snipes in all this trial ? What his feelings of equal gratitude and appre- hension ? How noble was the fidelity of the slave based upon what gentle and affectionate relationship between himself and master probably from boyhood ! Yet this is but one of a thou- sand such attachments, all equally pure and elevated, and main- tained through not dissimilar perils." A SCENE IN THE FOREST. A SCENE IN THE FOREST. " IN the early part of the war, a sergeant and twelve armed men undertook a journey through the wilderness, in the state of New Hampshire. Their route was remote from any settlements, and they were under the necessity of encamping over night in ' the woods. Nothing material happened the first day of their ex- cursion ; but early in the afternoon of the second, they, from an emminence discovered a body of armed Indians advancing to- wards them, whose number rather exceeded their own. As soon as the whites were perceived by their red brethren, the latter made signals, and the two parties approached each other in an amicable manner. The Indians appeared to be much gratified with meet- ing the sergeant and his men, whom they observed they consid- ered as their protectors ; said they belonged to a tribe which had raised the hatchet with zeal in the cause of liberty, and were de- termined to do all in their power to repel the common enemy They shook hands in friendship, and it was, ' How d'ye do pro, how d'ye do pro? that being their pronunciation of the word brother. When they had conversed with each other, for some time, and exchanged mutual good wishes, they at length separa- ted, and each party travelled in a different direction. After pro- ceeding to the distance of a mile or more, the sergeant, who was acquainted with all the different tribes, and knew on which side of the contest they were respectively ranked, halted his men and addressed them in the following words : " ' My brave companions, we must use the utmost caution, or this night may be our last Should we not make some extraor- dinary exertions to defend ourselves, to-morrow's sun may find ua A SCENE IN THE FOREST. 229 sleeping never to wake. You are surprised comrades, at my words, and your anxiety will not be lessened, when I inform you, that we have just passed our most inveterate foe, who n under th mask of pretended friendship you have witnessed, would lull us to security, and by such means, in the unguarded moments of our midnight slumber, without resistance, seal our fate.' " The men with astonishment listened to this short harrangue ; and their surprise was greater, as not one of them had enter- tained the suspicion but they had just encountered friends. They all immediately resolved to enter into some scheme, for their mu- tual preservation and destruction of their enemies. By the propo- sal of their leader, the following plan was adopted and executed : " The spot selected for their night's encampment, was near a stream of water, which served to cover their rear. They felled a large tree, before which on the approach of night, a brilliant fire was lighted. Each individual cut a log of wood about the size of his body, rolled it nicely in his blanket, placed his hat upoi* the extremity, and laid it before the fire ; that the enemy might be deceived, and mistake it for a man. After logs equal in num- ber to the sergeant's party were thus fitted out, and so artfully arranged, that they might be easily mistaken for so many soldiers, the men with loaded muskets placed themselves behind the fallen tree, by which time the shades of evening began to close around The fire was supplied in fuel, and kept burning brilliantly until late in the evening, when it was suffered to decline. The critical time was now approaching, when an attack might be expected from the Indians ; but the sergeant's men rested in their place of concealment with great anxiety, till near midnight, without per- ceiving any movement of the enemy. 230 A SCENE IN THE FOREST. " At length a tall Indian was discovered through the glimmer- ing of the fire, cautiously moving towards them, making no noise, and apparantly using every means in his power to conceal him- self from any one about the camp. For a time his actions showed him to be suspicious, that a guard might be stationed to watch any unusual appearance, who would give the alarm in case of danger ; but all appearing quiet, he ventured forward more boldly, rested upon his toes, and was distinctly seen to move his finger as he numbered each log of wood, or what he supposed to be a hu- man being quietly enjoying repose. To satisfy himself more fully, as to the number, he counted them over a second time, and cautiously retired. He was succeeded by another Indian, who went through the same movements, and retired in the same man- ner. Soon after the whole party, sixteen in number, were dis- covered, approaching, and greedily eyeing their supposed victims. The feelings of the sergeant's men can better be imagined than described, when they saw the base and cruel purpose of their en- emies, who were now so near, that they could scarcely be re- strained from firing upon them. The plan however, of the sergeant was to have his men remain silent in their places of concealment till the muskets of the savages were discharged, that their own fire might be more effectual, and opposition less formidable. " Their suspense was not of long duration. The Indians, in a body, cautiously approached, till within a short distance, they then halted, took deliberate aim, discharge4 their pieces upon in- animate logs, gave the dreadful warwhoop, and instantly rushed forward, with tomahawk and scalping knife in hand, to despatch tho living, and obtain the scalps of the dead. As soon as they had collected in close order, more effectually to execute their hor rid intentions, the party of the sergeant, with unerring aim, dis- A GALLANT COMBAT. 231 charged their pieces, not on logs of wood, but perfidious savages, not one of whom escaped destruction by the snare into which their cowardly and blood-thirsty dispositions had led them." A GALLANT COMBAT. SOON after the capture of Charleston, Capt. Watson, at the head of a party of mounted Rangers, conceived the idea of sur- prising a party of Tories encamped near Orangeburgh. He was joined by William Butler, who commanded a small body of ca- valry, some fifteen in number. Butler was burning with the de- sire to avenge the most brutal and atrocious murder of his father, which had occurred a short time before. He had been surround- ed in a house by a large body of Tories, and in view of the supe- rior numbers, himself and party had capitulated, when they were marched out of the house one by one, and deliberately cut to pieces. The elder Butler, was singled out by the blood-thirsty leader of the party, who slew him with his own hand. Fired by this remembrance, young Butler, afterward so distinguished in the annals of the south, let no opportunity pass for wreaking his vengeance on the enemy. On this occasion the whole party, under Watson, set out, at near sundown, and rode rapidly towards their destination. On their route they captured a Tory, who un- fortunately afterwards escaped, and thus their hope of meeting their adversaries unprepared, was destroyed. Watson prudently advocated for return, but the fiery Butler, still mourning his mur- dereH parent's memory, earnestly urged an advance, and avowed his determination to proceed with his own command, whether as- 232 A GALLANT COMBAT. sisted by Watson or not. Watson was of too chivalrous a nature to turn his back upon his friend, and they, therefore, hurried for- ward upon their enterprise. It was after daylight when they ar- rived near the place where they expected to find the Tory encamp- ment. They descried two men standing alone, and Butler, Wat- son, and Varney, a sergeant of renowned courage, rode up to arrest them. Suddenly Watson cried out, " Beware ! the whole body of the enemy are at hand !" The whole party were close at his heels, when suddenly the Tories, sprang from their ambuscade, and poured into the devoted body of patriots, a destructive and terrible fire. The heroic Watson, and the intrepid Varney, with several others, tumbled wounded from their horses. Butler, alone of all the officers, was unwounded. " Suffer me not," exclaimed Watson, to him, " to fall into their hands." Butler sprang for- ward, and seizing the bodies of his friends, unmindful of the fire poured in by the enemy, he triumphantly bore them into the midst of his own party. It was seen that the Tories doubled the Whigs, while to give them a greater preponderance, a part of the Whigs took flight and fled. But those that remained, were every one a hero, and prepared to conquer or fall. To add to the desperation of their situation, their ammunition, in the conflict that ensued, soon gave out, and the Royalists began to advance upon them. Butler, however, was equal to the emergency. He formed his men in compact order, and placing himself at their head, charged impe- tuously on the enemy. With nothing but their swords and their high courage to support them, the heroic band hurled themselves upon their adversaries, and with so much violence and impetuous fury was the crash, that the enemy were staggered, and began to fall into confusion. Butler's sword swept everything before him, A GALLANT ENTERPRISE. 233 and fell upon his opponent like a thunderlolt, each blow nerved by the recollection of his murdered father. The little band bore their antagonists along, who, in vain, though far superior in num- ber, endeavored to bear up against their assailants. They began to yield, and to seek safety in flight ; their resistance grew weak, and Butler following up his charge with still greater resolution, they were driven into the swamp in their rear, and the whigs re- mained master of the field. It had been a hard fought conflict against a superior number, and the victory was gallantly and hero- ically achieved. But alas! it was attained by a fearful price. Those gallant heroes, Watson and Varney, lay weltering in their blood. As the party passed the place where they lay, Varney, by an effort, raised himself on one arm waved his hand, while a gleam of triumph passed athwart his countenance fell back, and his book of life was closed. They dug with their swords, soldier's graves, and buried them on the field of victory.* A GALLANT ENTERPRISE. " ON the river Ogechee, in the state of Georgia, was stationed Captain French, with a detachment of about forty British regu- lars. At the same place, lay five British vessels ; of these, four were armed, the largest mounting fourteen guns. " Col. John White, of the Georgia line, meditating the capture >f this station, was able to call to his assistance but four indi- viduals, Captain Etholen, and three privates. Resolute in their * Garden. 234 A GALLANT ENTERPRISE. purpose, notwithstanding the disparity of force they would be obliged to encounter, these five soldiers of fortune boldly ad- vanced to the enemy's post. " Having arrived in the neighborhood of it at night, they kindled numerous fires, the light of which reached their adversa- ries, so arranging them, as to represent, by them, the lines of a considerable camp. To render their stratagem the more impo- sing, they then rode hastily about, in various directions, in imita- tion of the staff of an army, disposing their sentinels, and issuing their orders in a loud voice. " The artifice succeeded, and Captain French supposed that ho was menaced by a large body of Americans. Accordingly, on being summoned by Col. White, he surrendered his detachment, ihe crews of the five vessels, amounting to nearly fifty in number, with the vessels themselves, and one hundred and fifty stand of wms. "But the difficulty of the enterprising captors was not yet terminated. The British soldiers and sailors might discover the imposition that had been practised on them, and attempt a rescue ; and five armed men were not sufficient to restrain, by force, near a hundred without arms. The same genius, however t that had planned the first part of the adventure, was competent iO the completion of it. " With great seriousness, and some emotion in his manner, Col. White told Capt. French, that in consequence of certain Decent enormities, perpetrated by a detachment of British and royalists, his troops were so deeply exasperated, that he was afraid they would advance on the, captured party, and in violation of his commands put them to death : that he had, already, experienced great difficulty in restraining them ; and should they be placed A GALLANT ENTERPRISE. 235 as a guard over the prisoners, he was convinced their rage would become ungovernable. He, therefore, directed the British Captain to follow, with his whole party, Capt. Etholen, and two of the soldiers as guides, who would conduct them, without delay, to a place of safety, and good quarters. For his kindness and hn- manity, Col. "White received the thanks of his prisoners, who immediately marched off, in a body, with their small escort* anxious to hasten their pace, lest the enraged Americans should advance on them, and cut them to pieces. " The Colonel and one soldier remained behind, with a view, as he informed Captain French, to restrain by his presence any improper violence his troops might be inclined to offer, and to conduct their march at some distance in the rear. Meanwhile, ho collected as expeditiously as possible, a body of militia from the neighboring district. Placing himself at the head of these, who were mostly mounted on good horses, he soon overtook his prisoners, whom he found safe under their guides, and rejoicing in the generous treatment they had experienced. " This affair of partisan gallantry, though not very momentous in its consequences, was, notwithstanding, so extraordinary in its nature, conducted with so much address, marked with such a chivalrous spirit of enterprise, and so honorable to the officers who conceived and executed it, that it should be much more generally known and admired than it is." 236 NARRATIVE OP THE NARRATIVE OF THE BARONESS REIDESEL. EVERY American reader is familiar wth this lady's name. She was the lady of one of Burgoyne's Major-Generals, a distinguished German officer, and with two infant children, accompanied her husband in the disastrous campaign of Burgoyne. She was a beautiful and accomplished woman, and the devotion which prompted her to follow her lord to the camp and tented field, and the sufferings and privations she there was compelled to undergo, have always excited the admiration and sympathy of the world. The sufferings which beset the English army on their retreat, after the battle of Saratoga, exceeds the power of words to de- scribe. But no history gives so vivid and powerful a picture of the retreat, as the simple and unaffected narrative of Baroness Reidesel. General Wilkinson, who introduces her account into his memoirs, remarks, that she suffered more than the horrors of the grave, in their most frightful aspect ; and he adds, that he had " more than once seen her charming blue eyes bedewed with tears at the recital of her sufferings." " As we had to march still further, I ordered a large calash to be built, capable of holding my three children, myself and two female servants ; and in this manner we moved with the army in the midst of the soldiery, who were very merry, singing songs, and panting for action. We had to travel through almost im- passable woods, and a most picturesque and beautiful country" which was abandoned by its inhabitants, who had repaired to the standard of General Gates : they added much to his strength, as they were all good marksmen, and fitted by habit for the species of warfare the contending parties were then engaged in ; and BARONESS REIDESEL. 237 the love of their country inspired them with more than ordinary courage. The army had shortly to encamp. I generally re- mained about an hour's march in the rear, where I received daily visits from my husband. The army was frequently engaged in small affairs, but nothing of importance took place ; and as the season was getting cold, Major Williams, of the artillery, pro- posed to have a house built for me, with a chimney, observing that it would not cost more than five or six guineas, and that the frequent change of quarters was very inconvenient to me : it was accordingly built; and was called the Block-house, from its square form, and the resemblance it bore to those buildings. " On the 1 9th of September, an affair happened, which, though it turned out to our advantage, yet obliged us to halt at a place called Freeman's Farm ; I was an eye-witness to the whole affair, and as my husband was engaged in it, I was full of anxiety, and trembled at every shot I heard. I saw .a great number of the wounded, and, what added to the distress of the scene, three of them were brought into the house in which I took shelter. One was a Major Harnage, of the sixty-second British regiment, the husband of a lady of my acquaintance ; another was a lieutenant, married to a lady with whom I had the honor to be on terms of intimacy ; and the third was ati officer of the name of Young. " In a short time afterwards I heard groans proceeding from a room near mine, and knew they must have been occasioned by the sufferings of the last mentioned officer, who lay writhing with his wounds. " His mournful situation interested me much ; and the more so, because the recollection of many polite attentions, received from a family of that name during my visit to Englund, was still forcibly impressed on my mind. I sent to him, and begged him 5W8 NARRATIVE OF THE * to accept my best services, and afterwards furnished him with food and refreshments ; he expressed a great desire to see me, politely calling me his benefactress. I accordingly visited him, and found him lying on a little straw, as he had lost his equip age. He was a young man eighteen or nineteen years of age, and really the beloved nephew of the Mr. Young, the head of the family I have mentioned, and the only son of his parents. This last circumstance was what he lamented most ; as to his pain, he thought lightly of it He had lost much blood, and it was thought necessary to amputate the leg, but this he would not consent to, and of course a mortification took place. I sent him cushions and coverings, and my female friends sent him a- mat- tress. I redoubled my attention to him, and visited him every day, for which I received a thousand "wishes for my happiness. At last his limb was amputated, but it was too late, and he died the following day. As he lay in the next room to me, and the partition was very thin, I distinctly heard his last sigh, when his immortal part quitted its frail tenement. " But severer trials awaited us, and on the 7th of October, our misfortunes began. I was at breakfast with my husband, and heard that something was intended. On the same day I expected Generals Burgoyne, Phillips, and Frazer, to dine with us. I saw a great movement among the troops ; my husband told me it was merely a reconnoisance, which gave me no concern, as it often happened. I walked out of the house, and met several Indians in their war dresses, with guns in their hands. When I asked them where they were going, they cried out, "war! war f " meaning that they were going to battle. This filled me with apprehension, and I had scarcely got home before I heard re- BARONESS REIDESEL. 239 ports of cannon and musketry, which grew louder by degrees, till at last the noise became excessive. About four o'clock in the afternoon, instead of the guests whom I expected, General Frazer was brought on a litter, mor- tally wounded. The table, which was already set, was instantly removed, and a bed placed in its stead for the wounded general. I sat trembling in a corner ; the noise grew louder, and the alarm increased ; the thought that my husband might perhaps be brought in, wounded in the same manner, was terrible to me, and distressed me exceedingly. General Frazer said to the surgeon, ' Tell me if my wound is mortal; do not flatter me.' The ball had passed through his body, and, unhappily for the general, he had eaten a very hearty breakfast, by which the stomach was distended, and the ball, as the surgeon said, had passed through it I heard him often exclaim with a sigh, " fatal ambition! Poor General Burgoyne ! Oh ! my poor wife /" He was asked if he had any request to make, to which he replied, that, ' If General Burgoyne mould permit it, he should like to be buried, at six o'clock in the evening, on the top of a mountain, in a redoubt which had been built there.' " I did not know which way to turn ; all the other rooms were full of sick. Towards evening I saw my husband coming ; then I forgot all my sorrows, and thanked God that he was spared to me. He ate in great haste, with me and his aid-de-camp, behind the house. We had been told that we had the advantage over he enemy, but the sorrowful faces I beheld told a different tale ; nd before my husband went away he took me aside, and said everything was going very badly, and that I must keep myself in readiness to leave the place, but not to mention it to any ono. 240 NARRATIVE OP THE I made the pretence that I would move the next morning into my new house, and had everything packed up ready. f " Lady Ackland -had a tent not far from our house ; in this she slept, and the rest of the day she was in the camp. All of a sudden a man came in to tell her that her husband was mor- tally wounded, and taken prisoner. On hearing this she became very miserable. We comforted her by telling her that the wound was very slight, and advised her to go over to her husband, to do which she would certainly obtain permission, and then she could attend him herself. She was a charming woman, and very fond of him. I spent much of the night in comforting her, and then went again to my children, whom I had put to bed. "I could not go to sleep, as I had General Frazer and all the other wounded gentlemen in my room, and I was sadly afraid my children would wake, and by their crying disturb the dying man in his last moments, who often addressed me and apologized 'for the trouble he gave me} About three o'clock in the morn- ing, I was told that he could not hold out much longer ; I had desired to be informed of the near approach of this sad crisis, and I then wrapped up my children in their clothes, and went with them into the room below. About eight o'clock in the morning Jte died. " After he was laid out, and his corpse wrapped up in a sheet, we came again into the room, and had this sorrowful sight before us the whole day ; and, to add to the melancholy scene, almost every moment some officer of my acquaintance was brought in wounded. The cannonade commenced again ; a retreat was spoken of, but not the smallest motion was made towards it. About four o'clock in the afternoon, I saw the house, which had just been built for me, in flames, and the enemy was now not BARONESS REIDESEL. 24i far off. We knew that General Burgoyne would not refuse the last request of General Frazer, though, by his acceding to it, an unnecessary delay was occasioned, by which the inconvenience of the army was much increased. At six o'clock the corpse was brought out, and we saw all the generals attend it to the moun tain. The chaplain, Mr. Brudenell, performed the funeral service rendered unusually solemn and awful from its being accompanied by constant peals from the enemy's artillery. Many cannon-balls flew close by me, but I had my eyes directed towards the moun- tain,* where my husband was standing, amidst the fire of the enemy ; and, of course, I could not think of my own danger. " General Gates afterwards said, that, if he had known it had been a funeral, he would not have permitted it to be fired on. " As soon as the funeral service was finished, and the grave of General Frazer closed, an order was issued that the army should retreat My calash was prepared, but I would not consent to go before the troops. Major Harnage, though suffering from his wounds, crept from his bed, as he did not wish to remain in the hospital, which was left with a flag of truce. When General Reidesel saw me in the midst of danger, he ordered my women and children to be brought into the calash, and intimated to me to depart without delay. I still prayed to remain, but my hus- band, knowing my weak side, said, ' well then, your children must go, that at least they may be safe from danger.' I then agreed to enter the calash with them, and we set off at eight o'clock. " The retreat was ordered to be conducted with the greatest * The height occupied by Burgoyne on the 18th, wliich ran parallel with the river till it approached General Gate's camp. 242 NARRATIVE OF THE silence, many fires were lighted, and several tents left standing ; we travelled continually during the night. At six o'clock in the morning we halted, which excited the surprise of all ; General Burgoyne had the cannon ranged and counted ; this delay seemed to displease everybody, for if we could only have made another good march, we should have been in safety. My husband, quite exhausted with fatigue, came into my calash, and slept for three hours. During that time, Capt. Willoe brought me a bag full of bank notes, and Captain Grismar his elegant watch, a ring, and a purse full of money, which they requested me to take care of, and which I promised to do, to the utmost of my power. "We again marched, but had scarcely proceeded an hour, before we halted, as the enemy was in sight ; it proved to be only a reconnoitering party of two hundred men, who might easily have been made prisoners, if General Burgoyne had given proper orders on the occasion. " The Indians had now lost their courage, and were departing for their homes ; these people appeared to droop much under adversity, and especially when they had no prospect of plunder. One of my waiting-women was in a state of despair, which ap- proached to madness ; she cursed and tore her hair, and when I attempted to reason with her, and to pacify her, she asked me if I was not grieved at our situation, and on my saying I was, she tore her cap off her head and let her hair fall over her face, say- ing to me ' it is very easy for you to be composed and talk ; you have your husband with you ; I have none, and what remains to ine but the prospect of perishing or losing all I have ?' I again bade her take comfort, and assured her I would make good what- ever she might happen to lose ; and I made the same promise BARONESS REIDESEL. 243 to Ellen, my other waiting-woman, who, though filled with ap- prehensions, made no complaints. " About evening we arrived at Saratoga ; my dress was wet through and through with rain, and in this state I had to remain the whole night, having no place to change it ; I however got close to a large fire, and at last lay down on some straw. At this moment General Phillips came up to me, and I asked him why he had not continued our retreat, as my husband had promised to cover it, and bring the army through ? ' Poor, dear woman,' said he, ' I wonder how, drenched as you are, you have the courage still to persevere, and venture further in this kind of weather ; I wish,' continued he, ' you was our commanding general ; General Burgoyne is tired, and means to halt here to-night and give us our supper.' . ^ *-- " On the morning of the 7th, at 10 o'clock, General Burgoyne ordered the retreat to be continued, and caused the handsome houses and mills of General Schuyler to be burnt; we marched, however, but a short distance, and then halted. The greatest mis- ery at this time prevailed in the army, and more than thirty offi- cers came to me, for whom tea and coffee was prepared, and with whom I shared all my provisions, with which my calash was in general well supplied, for I had a cook who was an excellent ca- terer, and who often in the night crossed small rivers, and foraged on the inhabitants, bringing in with him, sheep, small pigs, and poultry, for which he very often forgot to pay, though he received good pay from me so long as I had any, and was ultimately hand- somely rewarded. Our provisions now failed us, for want of proper conduct in the commissary's department, and I began to About two o'clock in the afternoon, we again heard a firing 244 NARRATIVE OP THE of cannon and small arms ; instantly all was alarm, and every thing in motion. My husband told me to go to a house not far off. I immediately seated myself in my calash, with my children, and drove off; but scarcely had we reached it before I discovered five or six armed men on the other side of the Hudson. Instinct- ively I threw my children down in the calash, and then concealed myself with them. At this moment the fellows fired, and wounded an already wounded English soldier, who was behind me. Poor fellow! I pitied 'him exceedingly, but at this moment had no means or power to relieve him. "A terrible cannonade was commenced by the enemy, against the house in which I sought to obtain shelter for myself and children, under the mistaken idea that all the generals were in it. Alas ! it contained none but wounded and womep. We were at last obliged to resort to the cellar for refuge, and in one corner of this I remained the whole day, my childern sleeping on the earth with their heads in my lap ; and in the same situation I passed a sleepless night. Eleven cannon balls passed through the house, and we could distinctly hear them roll away. One poor soldier who was lying on a table, for the purpose of having his leg amputated, was struck by a shot, which carYied away his other ; his comrades had left him, and when we went to his assistance, we found him in the corner of a room, into which he had crept, more dead than alive, scarcely breathing. My reflections on the danger to which my husband was exposed now agonized me ex- ceedingly, and the thoughts of my children, and the necessity of struggling for their preservation, alone sustained me. " The ladies of the army who were with me, were Mrs. Harn age, a Mrs. Kennels, the widow of a lieutenant who was killed, and the lady of the commissary. Major Harnage, his wife, and RARONESS RE1DE8EL. 245 Mrs. Kennels, made a little room in a corner with curtains to it, and wished to do the same for me, but I preferred being near the. door, in case of fire. Not far off my women slept, and opposite to us three English officers, who, though wounded, were deter- mined not to be left behind ; one of them was Captain Green, an aid-de-camp to Major General Phillips, a very valuable officer and most agreeable man. They each made me a most sacred promise not to leave me behind, and, in case of sudden retreat, that they would each of them take one of my children on his horse ; and for myself, one of my husband's was in constant readiness. " Our cook, whom I have before mentioned, procured us our meals, but we were in want of water, and I was often obliged to drink wine, and to give it to my children. It was the only thing my husband took, which made our faithful hunter, Rockel, express one day his apprehensions, that, ' the general was weary of his life, or fearful of being taken, as he drank so much wine.' The con- stant danger which my husband was in, kept me in a state of wretchedness ; and I asked myself, if it was possible, I should be the only happy one, and have my husband spared to me unhurt, exposed as he was to so many perils. He never entered his tent, but lay down whole nights by the watch fires ; this alone was enough to have killed him, the cold was so intense. " The want of water distressed us much ; at length we found a soldier's wife, who had courage enough to fetch us some from the river, an office nobody else would undertake, as the Americans shot at every person who approached it ; but out of respect for her sex, they never molested her. "I now occupied myself through the day in attending the wounded ; I made them tea and coffee, and often shared my din- ner with them for which they offered me a thousand expressions 246 NARRATIVE OF THE of gratitude. One day a Canadian officer came to our cellar, who .had scarcely the power of holding himself upright, and we con- cluded he was dying for want of nourishment : I was happy in offering him my dinner, which strengthened him, and procured me his friendship. I now undertook the care of Major Bloom- field, another aid-de-camp of General Phillips ; he had received a musket ball through both cheeks, which in its course had knocked out several of his teeth, and cut his tongue ; he could hold nothing in his mouth, the matter which ran from his wound almost choked him, and he was not able to take any nourishment except a little soup, or something liquid. We had some Rhenish wine, and in the hope that the acidity of it would cleanse his wound, I gave him a bottle of it. He took a little now and then, and with such effect, that his cure soon followed ; thus I added another to my stock of friends, and derived a satisfaction which in the midst of suffering, served to tranquilize me and diminish their acuteness. " One day, General Phillips accompanied my husband, at the risk of their lives, on a visit to us. The General, after having wit- nessed our situation, said to him, ' I would not for ten thousand guineas come again to this place, my heart is almost broken.' " In this horrid situation we remained six days ; a cessation of hostilities was now spoken of, and eventually took place. A con- vention was afterwards agreed on ; but one day a message was sent to my husband who had visited me, and was reposing in my bed, to attend, a council of war, where it was proposed to break the convention ; but, to my great joy, the majority were for adhering to it. On the 16th, however, my husband had to re- pair to his post, and I to my cellar. This day fresh beef was served out to the officers, who till now had only had salt provis- ions, which was very bad for their wounds. The good woman I BARONESS REIDESEL. 247 who brought us water, made us an excellent soup of the meat, but I had lost my appetite, and took nothing but crusts of bread dipped in wine. The wounded officers, my unfortunate compan- ions, cut off the best bit, and presented it to me on a plate. I de- clined eating anything, but they contended that it was necessary for me to take nourishment, anj declared they would not touch a morsel till I afforded them the pleasure of seeing me partake. I could no longer withstand their pressing invitations, accompanied as they were by assuranees of happiness they had in offering me the first good thing they had in their power, and I partook of a repast rendered palatable by the kindness and good will of my fellow-sufferers, forgetting for the moment the misery of our apart- ment, and the absence of almost every comfort. " On the 17th of October, the convention was completed. Gen- eral Burgoyne and the other generals waited on the American General Gates ; the troops laid down their arms, and gave them- selves up prisoners of war ! And now the good woman who had supplied us with water at the hazard of her life, received the re- ward of her services ; each of us threw a handful of money into her apron and she got altogether about twenty guineas. At such a moment as this, how susceptible is the heart, of feelings of grati- tude ! " My husband sent a message to me, to come over to him with my children. I seated myself once more in my dear calash, and then rode through the American camp. As I passed on, I ob- served, and this was a great consolation to me, that no one eyed me with looks of resentment, but that they all greeted us, and even showed compassion in their countenances at the sight of a woman with small children. I was, I confess, afraid to go over to the enemy, as it was quite a new situation to me. When I 248 NARRATIVE OF THE drew near the tents, a handsome man approached and met me, took my children from the calash, and hugged and kissed them, which affected me almost to tears. ' You tremble,' said he, ad- dressing himself to me, ' be not afraid.' ' No,' I answered, ' you seem so kind and tender to my children, it inspires me with courage.' He now led me to the tent of General Gates, where I found Generals Burgoyne and Phillips, who were on a friendly footing with the former. Burgoyne said to me, ' Never mind ; your sorrows have now an end.' I answered him, ' that I should be reprehensible to have any cares, as he had none ; and I was pleased to see him on such friendly footing with General Gates.' All the Generals remained to dine with General Gates. ."The same gentleman who received me .so kindly, now came and said to me, " You will be very much embarrassed to eat with all these gentlemen ; come with your children to my tent, where 1 will prepare for you a frugal dinner, and give it with a free will.' 1 I said ' You are, certainly a husband and a father, you have shown me so much kindness? I now found that he was GENERAL SCHUYLER. He treated me with excellent smoked tongue, beefsteaks, potatoes, and good bread and butter ! Never could I have wished to eat a better dinner ; I was content ; I saw all around me were so likewise ; and, what was better than all, my husband was out of danger. " When we had dined, he told me his residence was at Albany, and that General Burgoyne intended to honor him as his guest, and invited myself and children to do so likewise. I asked my- husband how I should act ; he told me to accept the invitation. As it was two days' journey there, he advised me to go to a place which was about three hour's ride distant. General Schuyler had the politeness to send with me a French officer, a very agreeable BARONESS REIDESEL. 249 man, who commanded the reconnoitering party, of which I hare before spoken ; and when he had escorted me to the house where I was to remain, he turned hack again. " Some days after this we arrived at Albany, where we so often wished ourselves ; but we did not enter it as we expected we should victors ! We were received by the good General Schuyler, his wife, and daughters, not as enemies, but kind friends ; and they treated us with the most marked attention and politeness, as they did General Burgoyne, who had caused General Schuyler's beau- tifully finished house to be burnt. In fact, they behaved like per- sons of exalted minds, who determined to bury all reccollections of their own injuries in the contemplation of our misfortunes. General Burgoyne was struck with' General Schuyler's generosity, and said to him, ' You show me great kindness, though I have done you much injury.' ' That was the fate of war ;' replied the brave man, ' let us say no more about it.' ' LYDIA DARRAH. THE following account of the signal service rendered to our cause by a heroine quakeress, Lydia Darrah, first appeared in the American Quarterly Review : When the British army held possession of Philadelphia, Gene- ral Harris' head-quarters were in Second street, the fourth door below Spruce, in a house which was before occupied by General Oadwallader. Directly opposite, resided William and Lydia Darrah, members of the Society of Friends. A superior officer of the British army, believed to be the Adjutant General, fixed upon 250 LYDIA DARRAR, one of their chambers, a back room, for private conference ; and two of them frequently met there, with fire and candles, in close consultation. About the second of December, the Adjutant Ge- neral told Lydia that they would be in the room at seven o'clock, and remain late ; and that they wished the family to retire early to bed ; adding, that when they were going away, they would call her to let them out, and extinguish their fire and candles She accordingly sent all the family to bed ; but, as the officer had been so particular, her curiosity was excited. She took off her shoes, and put her ear to the key-hole of the conclave. She over- heard an order read for all the British troops to march out, late in the evening of the fourth, and attack General Washington's army, then encamped at White Marsh. On hearing this, she re- turned to her chamber and laid herself down. Soon after, the officers knocked at her door, but she rose only at the third sum- mons, having feigned to be asleep. Her mind was so much agi tated that, from this moment, she could neither eat nor sleep ; supposing it to be in her power to save the lives of thousands of her countrymen ; but not knowing how she was to convey the necessary information to General Washington, nor daring to con- fide it even to her husband. The time left, was, however, short ; she quickly determined to make her way, as soon as possible, to the American outposts. She informed her family, that, as they were in want of ftour, she would go to Frankfort for some ; her husband insisted that she should take with her the servant maid ; but, to his surprise, she positively refused. She got access to Ge- neral Howe, and solicited what he readily granted, a pass through the British troops on the lines. Leaving her bag at the mill, she hastened towards the American lines, and encountered on her way an American, Lieutenant Colonel Craig, of the light LYDIA DAKRAH. 251 horse, who, with some of his men, was on the look-out for infor mation. He knew her, and inquired whither she was going She answered, in quest of her son, an officer in the American army ; and prayed the Colonel to alight and walk with her. He did so, ordering his troops to keep in sight. To him she disclosed her momentous secret, after having obtained from him the most solemn promise never to betray her individually, since her life might be at stake, with the British. He conducted her to a house near at hand, directed a female in it to give her something to eat, and he speeded for head-quarters, where he brought General Washington acquainted with what he had heard. Washington made, of course, all preparation for baffling the meditated surprise. Lydi* returned home with her flour ; sat up alone to watch the movement of the British troops ; heard their footsteps ; but when they returned, in a few days after, did not dare to ask a question, though solicitous to learn the event. The next evening, the Ad- jutant General came in, and requested her to walk up to his room, as he wished to put some questions. She followed him in terror ; and when he locked the door, and begged her, with an air of mystery to be seated, she was sure that she was either suspected; or had been betrayed. He inquired earnestly whether any of her family were up the last night he and the other officer met : she told him that they all retired at eight o'clock. He observed " I know you were asleep, for I knocked at your chamber door three times before you heard me ; I am entirely at a loss to imagine who gave Washington information of our intended attack, unless the walls of the house could speak. When we arrived near White Marsh, we found all their cannon mounted, and the froop prepared to receive us ; and we have marched back like a parcel of fools." CAPTURE OF PRESIDENT DAGGETT. CAPTURE OF PRESIDENT DAGGETT. ON the occasion of the invasion of New Haven, the Rev. Dr. Daggett, at that time president of Yale College, armed himself with a musket, and went out with his fellow citizens to oppose the enemy. He was wounded and taken prisoner. Whilst in the hands of the British he was asked, whether if released, he would again take up arms against them ? to which he answered, " I rather believe I shall, if I get an opportunity." We subjoin an account of his captivity, as given by himself. " An account of the cruelties and barbarities which I received from the British soldiers, after I had surrendered myself a prisoner into their hands. It is needless to relate all the leading circum- stances which threw me in their way. It may be sufficient just to observe, that on Monday morning, the 5th inst., (July 1779,) the town of New Haven was justly alarmed, with very threaten- ing appearances of a speedy invasion from the enemy. Numbers went out armed to oppose them ; I among the rest, took the sta- tion assigned me, upon Milford Hill, but was soon directed to quit it, and retire further north, as the motions of the enemy required. Having gone as far as I supposed was sufficient, I turned down the hill to gain a little covert of bushes, which I had in my eye ; but to my great surprise, I saw the enemy much nearer than I expected, their advanced guards being little more than twenty rods distant, plain, open ground between us. They instantly fired upon me, which they continued until I had run a dozen rods, dis- charging not less than fifteen or twenty balls at me alone ; how- ever, through the preserving providence of God, I escaped them all unhurt, and gained the little covert at which I aimed, which CAPTURE OF PRESIDENT DAGGETT. 253 concealed me from their view, while I could plainly see them through the weeds and bushes, advancing towards me within about twelve rods. I singled out one of them, took ' aim, and fired upon him ; I loaded my musket again, but determined not to discharge any more, and as I saw I could not escape from them, I determined to surrender myself a prisoner. I begged for quar- ter, and that they would spare my life. They drew near to me ; I think two only in number, one on my right hand, the other on my left, the fury of infernals glaring in their faces. They called me a damned old rebel, and swore they would Mil me instantly. They demanded, what did you fire upon us for ? I replied, be- cause it is the exercise of war. Then one made a pass at me with his bayonet, as if he designed to thrust it through my body. With my hand I tossed it up from its direction, and sprang in so near to him that he could not hurt me with his bayonet. I still continued pleading and begging for my life, with the utmost im- portunity, using every argument in my power to mollify them, and induce them to desist from their murderous purposes. One of them gave me four gashes on my head with the edge of his bayonet, to the skull bone, which caused a plentiful effusion of blood. The other gave me three slight pricks with the point of his bayonet, on the trunk of my body, but they were no more than skin deep. But what is a thousand times worse than all that has been related, is the blows and bruises they gave me with the heavy barrels of their guns on my bowels, by which I was knocked down once, or more, and almost deprived of life ; by which bruises, I have been almost confined to my bed ever since. These scenes might take up about two minutes of time. They seemed to desist a little from their design of murder, after which they stript me of my shoes and knee buckles, and also my stock buckle. Their 254 CAPTURE OF FRKSIDKNT DAGGETT. avarice further led them to rob me of my pocket-handkerchief, and a little old tobacco box. They then bade me march towards the main body, which was about twelve* rods distant ; when some officers inquired of me who I was, I gave them my name, station, and character, and begged their protection, that I might not be any more abused or hurt by the soldiers. They promised m their protection. But I was robbed of my shoes, and was com mitted to one of the most unfeeling savages that ever breathed They then drove me with the main body, a hasty march of five miles or more. I was insulted in the most shocking manner, by the ruffian soldiers, many of which came at me with fixed bay- onets, and swore that they would kill me on the spot. They damned me, those that took me, because they spared my life. Thus, amidst a thousand insults, my infernal driver hastened me along faster than my strength would admit, in the extreme heat of the day, weakened as I was by my wounds, and the loss of blood, which at a moderate computation could not be less than one quart And when I failed in some degree, through faintness, he would strike me on the back with a heavy walking staff, and kick me behind with his foot. At length, by the supporting power of God, I arrived at the green, in New Haven. But my life was almost spent, the world around me several times appear- ing as dark as midnight. I obtained leave of an officer to be car- ried into the widow Lyman's, and laid upon a bed, where I lay the rest of the day and succeeding night, in such acute and excru ciating pain as I never felt before." THE MURDER OP MR. AND MRS. CALDWELL. 255 THE MURDER OF MR. AND MRS. CALDWELL. THE Rev. James Caldwell, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Elizabeth town, N, J., acted as Chaplain of the Ameri- can army while in New Jersey, and by his zealous patriotism, and patriotic appeals, often contributed to arouse the spirits of the soldiers, and to inspire them with a greater energy in the per- formance of their trying duties. He was very popular in the community, and received the unlimited confidence of Washington. But his lofty patriotism, and unflinching zeal in the American cause, made him hated by the enemy, who sought every means to get him into their power, and a price was set upon his head. When preaching, he frequently was compelled to lay his loaded pistols by his side in the pulpit. At one time he resided in Springfield, but. afterwards removed to " Connecticut Farms," about four miles from Elizabethtown. Here was enacted the first part of the tragedy we are about to relate. A company of British troop from New York, under command of the Hessian General, Knyphausen, landed in Elizabethtown in June of 1780, and marching directly into the interior, proceeded to wreak their cruelty upon every living thing that fell in their way. Houses were fired, cattle destroyed, helpless people mur- dered, or left without shelter, clothing, or food. Mr. Caldwell heard of their approach, and immediately prepared to escape- He put his elder children in a wagon, and sent them on to some of his friends for protection. He then desired his wife, with the younger children, to take means of flight, but she announced her determination of remaining, as none would have cause to offer injury to her. Finding she would not yield to his persuasion, and 256 THE MURDER OP believing it impossible that their resentment could extend to an unprotected mother, with her babe clasped to her heart, Mr. Cald- well resolved to leave them, and seek his own safety alone. He was mounted, and receiving the last assurance of her resolve to stay, when the gleam of arms announced the approach of the enemy, and he rode rapidly off. Mrs. Caldwell having concealed what things were of value, took her infant in her arms, and retired to her chamber, the window of which commanded the road. Here, with her three little ones around, she awaited the approach of the enemy, feeling conscious that her unprotected state would secure respect and safety. One little girl was standing by the window watching the approach of the troops, when one of the soldiers left the road, and came to the window, which he had no sooner reached, than he placed the muzzle of his gun against it, and deliberately fired, when Mrs. Caldwell fell suddenly back, and almost instantly expired. Not content with depriving her of life, the inhuman monsters wreaked their cruelty on her senseless body. Her clothes were nearly torn off, and her body removed to the road side, where it was subjected to every indignity, while the torch was applied to the dwelling, and then the work of destruction was done. The effect of this terrible blow upon the husband can only be imagined. He was that morning standing upon the heights of Springfield, and by the aid of a spy-glass could see the smoke from the burning houses. " Thank God," he exclaimed, " the fire s not in the direction of my house." He was too soon to learn the sad mistake. The royalists attempted to throw off the responsibility of this act, by asserting that Mrs. Caldwell was killed by a chance shot. But all the evidence goes to show that it was deliberately planned, MR. AND MRS. CALDWELL. 257 and that the soldier by whose hand the bloody deed was com- mitted, only acted in accordance with his orders. The fact that her body was allowed to be so rudely treated, while many of the officers felt their abhorrence for the deed, proves that although they felt respect for her remains, they knew the will of their su- periors, and therefore dared not show it The following anecdote, connected with this invasion, shows pretty clearly who were the murderers of Mrs. Caldweil. The flames from the burning dwelling could be seen from " Liberty Hall," the residence of Gov. Livingston, who was at that time absent from home. Parties of soldiers were continually passing the house, but for some reason it was spared. But about mid- night a party of soldiers, partially intoxicated, rushed into the house. The maid-servant all the males in the establishment having taken refuge in the woods early in the day, to avoid being made prisoners fastened herself in the kitchen ; and the ladies, (Mrs. Livingston and her daughters) crowded together like fright- ened deer, locked themselves in another apartment Their place of retreat was soon discovered by the ruffians ; and afraid to exasperate them by refusing to come out, one of Governor Liv- ingston's daughters opened the door. A drunken soldier seized her by the arm ; she grasped the villain's collar, and, at the very moment, a flash of lightning illuminated the hall, and falling upon her white dress he staggered back, exclaiming, with an oath, ' It's Mrs. Caldweli, that we killed to-day.' One of the party was at length recognized, and by his intervention, the house was finally cleared of the assailants."* But the vengeance of Mr. Cald well's enemies was not yet sa- * Life of Livingston. 258 THE MURDER OF MR. AND MRS. CALDWELL. tiated ; the tragedy so far was incomplete. It was on the 24th of November, 1781, that he himself fell beneath the ruthless murderer's hand, and the blow this time came from a source where he thought himself -secure. On the day above mentioned, he went to Elizabeth town Point, for a Miss Murray, who had come from New York, under a flag of truce. After conducting her to his gig, he returned to the boat, to obtain a bundle which had been left behind. As he came on shore, the American sentinel challenged him, and demanded what " contraband goods " he had there. Mr. Caldwell stepped forward to tender the bundle to the proper officer, not wishing to enter into a dispute about it then, when the report of a musket was heard, and he fell dead, pierced by two balls. He had been shot by a man named Mor- gan, who had just been relieved from duty as a sentinel. He was arrested, tried, condemned, and was executed. There can be no doubt but that he was bribed to the deed by British gold, as there was no shadow of a cause to suppose that enmity existed between Mr. Caldwell and him. Viewed from any point, these two murders were among the most atrocious acts perpetrated by the invaders of our country, and in a history full of atrocities, they will always rank as bloody, fiendish and treacherous. CAPTAIN CUNNINGHAM. CAPTAIN CUNNINGHAM. " AT the beginning of the war of the revolution, Captain Cun- ningham enlisted in one of the minute companies, and continued in that service until Virginia armed a few fast sailing pilot boat schooners. Thus was the navy of that state commenced. It, how ever, varied materially ; sometimes amounting to as many as fifty vessels, and occassionally to only one. Among them was the schooner Liberty, which was never captured, although several times sunk in the rivers to conceal her from the enemy. Captain Cunningham embarked and remained in the Liberty, as her first lieutenant, until the war assumed a more regular form. Captain Cunningham purchased a small schooner, and engaged in traffic to the West Indies. Sea officers were encouraged to engage in com- merce as the only means of procuring the munitions of war. " On these occasions he encountered great risk from the enemy's fleets. Once, in the month of June, he suddenly came upon an English frigate, off Cape Henry, in a dense fog. The English com- mander ordered him to strike his colors, and haul down his light sails, or he would sink him. By a judicious and skilful stratagem, he made the enemy believe he intended to surrender. He, there- fore suspended his threatened firing. At the moment they dis- covered that Cunningham intended to escape, the jib-boom of the frigate caught in the topping-lift of the schooner's main-boom. Captain Cunningham sprang up to the stern, with a knife, to free his vessel. While in the act of cutting the rope, a British marine shot him through the arm. Nothing daunted, he deliberately ef- fected his object, and amid a shower of grape, his vessel shot away from the frigate, and in a few moments was out of sight. 260 CAPTAIN* CUNNINGHAM. " Some time after, Captain Cunningham joined the army, on the south side of James river, and had the misfortune, while on a foraging expedition, to be taken by the enemy, and earned into Portsmouth. He had then been recently married. " One day he said to an uncle of his, (also a prisoner) that he would see his wife the next evening, or perish in the attempt. ' My dear Will, are you mad ?' was the reply. " The prison in which he was confined, was a large sugar-house, at the extreme end of the town, enclosed by a strong stockade fence. At sunset every evening, the guard, composed of forty or fifty men, were relieved by fresh troops, and on their arrival, the two guards, with their officers, were paraded in front of the prison, on each side of the pathway to the gate. At this hour, the cere- mony observed on the occasion was in progress ; the relieved guard had stacked their arms, and were looking at their baggage ; the fresh guard were relieving sentinels, and, in a degree, at their ease. This was the time selected by Captain Cunningham. The sentinel had just begun to pace his ground, and awful, indeed, was the moment. Captain Cunningham was justly a great favorite with the prisoners, who all, in silent terror, expected to see their beloved companion pinned to the earth by many bayonets, for ex- postulation had been exhausted. ' My wife, or death /' was his watchword. " The sentinel's motions had been sagaciously calculated upon, and as he turned from the prison, Captain Cunningham darted out, and butted him over at his full length, and ran past him through the gate. It was now nearly dark. All was uproar and confusion. Cunningham soon reached a marsh near the house, and was nowhere to be found. Volley after volley was fired after mm, and some of the balls whistled over his head. Ere long, he ADVENTURE OF A SOLDIER. 261 arrived at the southern branch of Elizabeth River, which he swam over a little below the navy yard at Gosport, and finally reached the place whither his wife had fled. Lieut Church, who had served as Captain Cunningham's first lieutenant, was determined that his master should not alone en- counter the danger of an escape. He, therefore, followed him ; and strange as it may appear, he was never heard of, or accounted for." ADVENTURE OF A SOLDIER. " PETER FRANCISCO, of Virginia, early enlisted in the continen tal service, and was a man of wonderful personal prowess. He was over six feet in height, and his weight was two hundred and sixty pounds. He usually carried a sword, having a blade five feet in length and of great weight, and this he wielded with so much skill and force, that every swordsman who came in contact with him paid the forfeit of his life. Such was his personal strength, that he could easily shoulder a cannon weighing 1100 pounds. This wonderful strength induced in him so much confi- dence, that he was utterly fearless, and never was daunted at any danger, no matter how formidable. The following anecdote is related of him : " While the British army was spreading havoc and desolation all around them, by their plunderings and burnings in Virginia, in 1781, Francisco had been reconnoitering, and while stopping at a house of Mr. "Wand, nine of Tarleton's cavalry came up, with three negroes, and told him he was their prisoner. Seeing he 262 ADVENTURE OF A SOLDIER. was overpowered by numbers, lie made no resistance. Believing him to be very peacable, they all went into the house, leaving him and the paymaster together. " 'Give up instantly all that you possess of value,' said the latter, ' or prepare to die.' " ' I have nothing to give up,' said Francisco, ' so use your plea sure.' ' Deliver instantly,' rejoined the solder, < those massy silver buckles which you wear in your shoes.' " ' They were a present from a valued friend,' replied Francisco, ' and it would grieve me to part with them. Give them into your hands I never will. You have the power ; take them, if you think fit' The soldier put his sabre under his arm, and bent down to take them. Francisco, finding so favorable an opportunity to re- cover his liberty, stepped one pace in his rear, drew the sword from under the arm of his enemy, and instantly gave him a blow across the scull. " ' My enemy,' observed Francisco, ' was brave, and though se- ferely wounded, drew a pistol, and in the same moment that he pulled the trigger, I cut his hand nearly off. The bullet grazed my side. Ben Wand, (the man of the house) very ungenerously brought out a musket, and gave it to one of the British soldiers, and told him to make use of that. He mounted the only horse lie could get, and presented it at my breast. It missed fire. I rushed on the muzzle of the gum. A desperate struggle en- sued. I disarmed and wounded him. Tarleton's troop of four hundred men were in sight. All was hurry and confusion, which I increased by repeatedly hallooing, as loud as I could, ' come on, my brave boys ; nova's your time ; we will soon despatch these few, and then attack the main body f The wounded man flew to the troop ; the others were panic-struck and fled. I seized Wand, ADVENTURES OF OENERAL PUTNAM. 263 and would have despatched him, but the poor wretch begged for his life, he was not only an object of my contempt, but pity. The eight horses that were left behind, I gave him to conceal for me. Discovering Tarleton had despatched ten more in pursuit of me, I made off. I eluded their vigilance. They stopped to re- fresh themselves, I, like an old fox, doubled and fell on their rear." He succeeded in escaping from his pursuers. He was engaged in numerous encounters with the enemy, in all of which he dis- played the same fearlessness and great strength. ADVENTURES OF GENERAL PUTNAM. AT one time, when General Putnam had command of the army n New York, he was visiting his out posts at West Greenwich, when Gov. Tryon, with a corps of fifteen hundred men, was on a march against it. Putnam had with him only one hundred and fifty men, with two pieces of artillery ; with them he took his sta- tion on the brow of a steep declivity, near the meeting house. The road turned to the north, just before it reached the edge of the steep ; after proceeding in this direction for a considerable distance, it inclined to the south, rendering the descent gradually and tolerably safe. As the British advanced, they were received with a sharp fire from the artillery ; but perceiving the dragoons about to charge, Putnam ordered his men to retire to a swamp, naccessible to cavalry while he himself dashed directly down the precipice, in a spot where one hundred stone steps had been cut out in the solid rock, for the accommodation of foot passengers. 264 ADVENTURES OP His pursuers who were close upon him, paused with astonishment as they reached the edge, and saw him accomplish his perilous descent, and not one of them daring to follow, they discharged their pistols after him, one bullet of. which passed through his hat, This wonderful feat has done more for the name of Putnam, than almost any other one act. The declivity, from this circumstance, has since borne the name of " Putnam's Hill." Somewhere, near the time the above exploit toot place, the fol lowing adventure was performed by General Putnam : The strong- hold of Horse Neck, was in the possession of the British, and Putnam with a few followers, were lurking in its vicinity, bent on driving them from the place. Tired of lying in ambush, the men became impatient, and importuned the general with questions, as to when they were going to have a 'bout with the foe. One morning he made a speech, something to the following effect, which convinced them that something was in the wind : " Fellows ! you've been idle too long, and so have I. I'm going to Bush's at Horse Neck, in an hour, with an ox-team, and a load of corn. If I come back, I will let you know the particulars ; if I should not, let them have it !" " Within an hour he was mounted in his ox-cart, dressed aS one of the commonest Yankee farmers, and was soon at the Bush's tavern, which was in possession of the British troops. No sooner did the officers espy him, than they began to question him as to his whereabouts, and finding him a complete simpleton, (as they thought) they began to quiz him, and threatened to seize his corn and fodder. '* How much do you ask for your whole concern ?" asked they. ' In marcy sake, gentlemen," replied the mock clod-hopper, with the most deplorable look of entreaty, " only let me off, and , GENERAL PUTNAM. 265 you shall have my hull team and load for nothing; and if that wont dew, I'll give you my word, I'll return to morrow, and pay you heartily for your kindness and condescension." " Well," said they, " we'll take you at your word, leave the team and provender with us, and we wont require any bail for your ap- pearance. ' Putnam gave up the team, and sauntered about an hour or so gaining all the information that he wished ; he then returned to his men, and told them of the foe, and his plan of attack. The morning came, and with it sallied out the gallant band. The British were handled with rough hands, and when they sur- rendered to General Putnam, the clod-hopper sarcastically re- marked, " Gentlemen, I have only kept my word. I told you I would call, and pay you for your kindness and condescension." INCIDENTS AT THE BATTLE OF ORISKANY. IN the midst of the battle, while it raged hottest, and when the combatants were engaged hand to hand, in a conflict more fero- cious and bloody, perhaps, than any other of the revolutionary struggle, a welcome sound burst upon the provincials, which was greeted by hearty cheers of welcome from them, while it dismayed the enemy. The sound that broke upon those engaged in their bloody work, was that of firing in the direction of Fort Stanwix which was hailed as a reinforcement of American troops. But this circumstance had well nigh proved fatal. Col. Butler of the English troops, availing himself of a suggestion, despatched a company of his troop in the disguise of American soldiers, with 266 INCIDENTS AT THE directions to approach the battle-field, from the direction of the fort, in such a manner so as to deceive the Americans into the be- lief that they were the earnestly wished for reinforcement. But as they approached, the quick eye of Captain Gardinier, detected the cheat, and to the exclamations of those around him, that they were friends, he replied, " Not so ; they are enemies ! don't you see their green coats." The disguised troops continued to advance until they were hailed by Gardinier, " at which moment one of his own soldiers, observing an acquaintance, and supposing him a friend, ran to meet him, and presented his hand. It was grasped but with no friendly grip, as the credulous fellow was dragged into the opposing line, and told that he was a prisoner, He did not yield without a struggle ; during which Gardinier, watching the action and the result, sprang forward, and with a blow from his spear, levelled the captor to the dust, and liberated his man. Others of the foe instantly set upon him, of whom he slew the second, and wounded a third. Three of the disguised enemy now sprang upon him, and one of his spurs becoming entangled in their clothes, he was thrown to the ground. Still contending, however, with almost super-human strength, both of his thighs were transfixed to the earth by the bayonets of two of his as sailants, while the third presented a bayonet to his breast, as if to thrust him through. Seizing this bayonet with his left hand, by a sudden wrench he brought -its owner down upon himself, where he held him as a shield against the arms of the others, until one of his own men, observing the struggle, flew to his rescue. As the assailants turned upon their new adversary, Gar- dinier rose upon his seat ; and although his hand was severely lacerated by grasping the bayonet which had been drawn through it, he seized his spear, lying by his side, and quick as lightning BATTLE OF ORISKANY. 267 planted it to the barb in the side of the assailant, with whom he had been clenched. The man fell and expired. While engaged in the struggle, some of his own men called out to Gardinier 1 for God's sake, Captain, you are killing your own men !' He replied ' they are not our men they are the enemy fire away !' A deadly fire from the provincials answered, and then the par- ties once more rushed with bayonet and spear, grappling and fighting with terrible fury ; while the shattering of shafts and the clashing of steel, mingled with every dread sound of war and death, and the savage yells, more hideous than all, presented a scene which can be more easily imagined than described. The unparalleled fortitude and bravery of Captain Gardinier, inspired fresh spirit into his men, some of whom enacted wonders of valor likewise. " It happened during the melee, in which the contending par- ties were mingled in great confusion, that three of Johnson's Greens' rushed within the circle of the provincials, and attempted to make prisoner of a Captain Dilenback. This officer had de- clared he would never be taken alive, and he was not. One of his three assailants seized his gun, but he suddenly wrenched it from him, and felled him with the butt He shot the second dead, and thrust the third through with his bayonet. But in the moment of his triumph, at an exploit of which the mighty Hector, or either of the sons of Zerniah might have been proud, a ball laid this brave man low in the dust." General Herkimer, who commanded the American forces, in the early part of the contest, had been struck by a ball, which shat- tered his leg, at the same moment killing his horse. Undaunted by this accident, and indifferent to the severity of the pain, the brave old general continued in the battle, seated on his saddle 268 ADVENTURE OP COL. COCHRAN. which was placed on a little hillock by a tree, against which he leaned for support, and gave his orders with undisturbed coolness, while his men fell in scores around him, and the exposure of his situation made him a mark for the enemy. Amid the clashing of weapons, the report of artillery, and the yells of the combatants, all mingled in one wild, fearful outburst, as if man had been turned into a fiend, and a love of blood had assumed the mastery of every other passion, General Herkimer, deliberately took his pipe from his pocket, lit it, and cooly continued to smoke, amid all the horrors that surrounded him. It is said, tbat old Blucher, in the battle of Leipsic, in a similar manner, sitting upon a hillock, smoked and gave his orders; but Blucher was not wounded. General Herkimer's leg was amputated, but it was done so unskill- fully, that the flow of blood could not be stopped, and the conse- quence was fatal. During the operation, he smoked, and chatted in excellent spirits ; and when his departure grew nigh, he called for a bible, and read aloud until his fading strength compelled him to desist. ADVENTURE OF COL. COCHRAN. " COLONEL COCHRAN having been sent to Canada as a spy, his mission was suspected, and a large bounty offered for his head. While there he was taken sick, and hearing that he was suspect- ed, concealed himself for a few days in a brush heap, unable to make his escape, or even walk. Having suffered much from his sickness and want of nourishment, and having discovered a log cabin at a considerable distance from the spot where he was con- ADVENTURE OP COL. COCHRAN. 269 cealed, the only one in sight, he crept to it on his hands and knees, for the purpose of sojjciting assistance. On his approach to the rear of the cabin, he heard three men in earnest conversa- tion, and it happened that he was the subject of their discourse. Having heard of the heavy bounty offered for the Colonel, and having seen a man in the vicinity a few days before, answering the description of him, they were forming their plans, and ex pressing their determination to find his whereabouts, and take him for the sake of the bounty. One of the men was the owner of the cabin. His wife was also present ; and the others were his brother and brother-in-law. Soon after this conversation, the three men started in pursuit. He crept into the cabin, and frankly told the woman, who seemed favorably impressed towards him on account of his almost helpless condition, that he had overheard the conversation ; that he was the man of whom they were in search ; and that he should throw himself entirely upon her mercy, trusting to her fidelity for protection. This she very kindly promised him, to the utmost of her ability. Having re- ceived some restoratives, which seemed to give relief, and taken suitable nourishment, he lay down on a bed in the room, for the purpose of taking some repose. After the men had been absent about three hours, they returned ; when she concealed him in a closet by the side of the fire-place, taking good care, while the men were in the house, to keep near it, that if anything should be wanted from within, she might be ready to get it herself. During the time the men were in the house, they expressed much confidence in the belief that the Colonel was concealed somewhere in the vicinity, and named many places in which they intended to look for him. Having taken some food, and otherwise pre- pared themselves, the men departed to renew their search. 270 ANECDOTES OV SERGEANT MC DONALB. " Soon after they retired, the woman, not considering the Colo- nel's present situation safe, proposed that he should conceal himself at some distance from the cabin, where she might secretly bring him food, and render such other assistance as he needed. She accordingly directed him to take post on a certain hill, about half a mile distant, where he might be able to discover any per- son's approach, and to flee, if he was able, should it become necessary. He manifested an inclination to resume his former position in the brush heap, which was in tbe midst of a patch of ground that had been cut over for a fallow ; but she told him her husband intended to burn it the next day, and in that case he would be certainly discovered, or perish in the conflagration. He then submitted entirely to her directions, and crept along to the hill in the best way he could. He remained some time in this place of concealment, undiscovered by any one except this faithful Rahab of the forest, who, like the good Samaritan, poured in the oil and wine, until his strength was in a measure restored, and he was enabled to return to his country and his home. " Some years after the close of the war, and while the Colonel lived at Ticonderoga, he accidentally met with this kind-hearted woman, and rewarded her handsomely for her fidelity." ANECDOTES OF SERGEANT McDONALD. SERGEANT MCDONALD was another of those daring spirits whose exploits have been so intimately connected with the name of Marion. He was distinguished for his wonderful coolness and daring, for a keen sagacity, and for great strength and agility. ANECDOTES OP SERGEANT MC DONALD. 271 In one of Marion's numerous encounters with the enemy, when commanded by Major Gainey, he was victorious, and his enemies put to flight. " Great expectations," says Simms, " were formed of Gainey's ability to cope with Marion. On this occasion, though he made his escape, his mode of doing so was characterized by a peculiar circumstance, which rendered it particularly amusing to one side, and annoying to the other. He was singled out in the chase by McDonald, who was admirably mounted. Gainey was fortunate in being well mounted, also. McDonald, regarding but the one enemy, passed all others. He himself said that he could have slain several in the chase. But he wished for no meaner object than their leader. One man alone, who threw himself in the way of pursuit, became its victim. Him he shot down, and, as they went at full speed down the Black river road, at the corner of Richmond fence, the sergeant had gained so far upon his enemy, as to be able to plunge his bayonet into his back. The steel separated from his gun, and, with no time to extricate it, Gainey rushed into Georgetown, with the weapon still conspicu- ously showing how close and eager had been the chase, and how narrow the escape. The wound was not fatal." In Col. "Watson's expedition against Marion, while pressing hard upon the partisan chief, among the captures of the British commander, was the entire wardrobe of McDonald. The ser- geant felt that it was a point of honor that he should recover his clothes. He despatched a messenger, with a flag, to Watson, demanding his property, and at the same time gravely assuring him that if his clothes were not returned, he would kill eight of his men. Watson, irritated by a late defeat, was furious at the absurd and audacious message. He contemptuously ordered the messenger to return ; but some of his officers, aware of the 272 A ROMANTIC INCIDENT. character of McDc nald, urged that the clothes might be returned to the partisan, as he would be sure to keep his word if they were not. Watson yielded, and when the messenger returned to McDonald, he said, " You may now tell Col. Watson that I will kill but/owr of his men." A ROMANTIC INCIDENT. IN the British station at Georgetown, South Carolina, was an English adjutant, by the name of Crookshanks not a poetical name certainly, but, as the reader will see, his name did not pre- vent him from being placed in a veiy romantic situation, and which only ought to have happened a few centuries ago, to have secured for all the parties concerned, a lasting fame in poetry, and made them the envied of all romance worshippers. There lived in Georgetown, a fair daughter of a rebel publican, whose bright eye proved a strong attraction to the English offi- cers, who crowded her father's inn, and rivalled each other in their efforts to win the smiles of the rebel maid. But to one alone did she incline, and it soon became noted how the happy adjutant frequented the presence of his mistress, and with what delight he sought out her society. Love sprang up between them, and after a time they became solemnly affianced. But their future was unpromising ; the war gave no promise of a rapid end, and their opposition in principles, which the piejudices of their education could not remove, threatened them continually with a painful se- paration. In the peaceful enjoyment, however, of the present, they drowned all dread of evil in the future. HEROISM OP A YOUNG GIRL. 273 One night the adjutant, and several of his comrades, slept under the rebel inn keeper's roof. It chanced to be the very occasion when Georgetown was surprised by the whigs. At early morn, the young lady was suddenly awakened by the reports of muskets, the clashing of swords, and the shouts- of combatants, among which she recognized her lover's voice. In the greatest alarm, she sprang from her bed, and rushed, half dressed, out upon the piazza, where; to her terror, she saw her lover surrounded by a body of her countrymen, whose swords already hung suspended above his head, and threatening him with instant destruction. With a quick cry she sprang forward, rushed before the swords of his assailants, and threw herself upon his neck, exclaiming, " O save ! save Major Crookshanks !" The sudden appearance of such a protector, coupled with admiration for her heroism, com- pletely disarmed his opponents. He was taken prisoner, but re- leased on his parole, and suffered to remain with his betrothed. The possession of so brave and true-hearted a woman, and the remembrance of this signal deliverance, no doubt, contributed in after years to the worthy adjutant's happiness. HEROISM OF A YOUNG GIRL. MR. ROBERT GIBBES, a gentleman earnestly devoted to the pa- triotic cause, was the owner of a plantation on the Stono, a few miles from Charleston, on which, on a certain occasion, a Hessian battalion encamped, compelling the family to surrender to their use the lower part of the mansion, and to confine themselves in the upper story. While here on one dark and stormy evening, 274 HEROISM OF A YOUNG GIRL. two gallies appeared, ascending the river, which forthwith began a most destructive fire upon the Hessian encampment. The house Appeared particularly exposed, although the vessels had been com- manded to avoid firing upon it, and to confine their attack to the enemy's encampment. Of this Mr. Gibbes was not aware, and with the permission of the English commander, he set out, al- though suffering acutely from an infirmity, and with his nume- rous family, hastened to the protection of a neighboring planta- tion. The balls were falling thick and fast, sometimes scattering dirt and sand over the party, while their loud whizzing, mingled with the fury of the distant affray, rendered the scene one of dan- ger and terror. But scarcely had they proceeded so far as to be out of danger from the balls, when to their unutterable agony they discovered, that in the confusion and hurry of departure, an infant had been left behind. To leave the child alone in his dan- ger was impossible, and to return for him was an attempt of im- minent peril. Mr. Gibbes was suffering under an infirmity that made his movements exceedingly slow and painful, and there- fore it was impracticable for him to return. The frightened and chattering servants, stood trembling around, looking from one to the other in bewildering despair. Of all the rest of the party, saving Mrs. Gibbes, who was severely indisposed, none were above the age of childhood. While thus undecided, Miss Mary Ann Gibbes, but thirteen years of age, sprang forward and heroically offered to go for the lad, who was a son of Mrs. Fenwick, Mrs Gibbes' sister-in-law. The night was dark and stormy, the dis- tance considerable, and the whole space swept by the cannon of the assailant. But without fear she retraced the \iay, and reach- ed the house without injury, where the scene was one of unmin- gled terror. Undismayed by the thundering of the cannon, the A SPY IN BURGOYNE'S CAMP. * 275 crashing of the balls, the shrieks, shouts and imprecations of the combatants, she sprang to the door with the intention of entering when she was brutally refused by the sentinel. But tears, en- treaties, and the natural eloquence prompted by her heroism, and the high purpose on which she was bent, overcome his opposi- tion, and she was permitted to enter. With rapid steps she as cended to the third story, and finding the child there in safety she clasped it to her bosom, and hastened to overtake her retreat- ing family, her course, as before, full of danger, and often the ploughing balls would scatter clouds of dust over her person. Uninjured, her perilous journey was performed, and when she reached her friends, she was welcomed by shouts of enthusiasm and admiration. This intrepid action, worthy of an adult, and all glorious in a child, borrows a fair share of romance by the reflec- tion that the child thus saved, afterwards became Lieutenant Co- lonel Fenwick, so highly distinguished by his services in the last war with Great Britain. A SPY IN BURGOYNE'S CAMP. CHRISTOPHER FISHER, was selected by General Gates, to go into Burgoyne's army as a spy, whose mission was to circulate letters among the Hessian soldiers, to induce them to desert, and to bring on an engagement in such a manner as Gates desired. Fisher's mode of proceeding was related by himself, to an American offi- cer, by whom it was communicated to the author of the " History of Schoharie County." Fisher stated, that on the day appointed, he approached the enemy's picket, with a sheep upon his back 276 A. SPY IN BURGOYNE S CAMP. which had been killed for the occasion. Upon being hailed by the guard, and demanded his business, Fisher replied, " that the Yankees had destroyed all his property but one sheep, which he had killed, and was then taking to his freinds." Upon this re- port, he was delivered over by the sentinel into the keeping of an officer. When asked what proof he could give, that he was not deceiving, Fisher replied that, " the rebel's are preparing to give you battle, and if you will go with me, I will convince you of it's truth." The officer accompanied Fisher to a certain place in view, of which was a wood. Here had been stationed, agree- able to the order of Gates, a company of Morgan's riflemen, who were to exhibit themselves in a stealthy manner. The riflemen wore frocks, and were easily distinguished. "There there," says Fisher, " don't you see them devils of Morgan's dodging about among the trees ?" The movements of the American rifle- men, were indeed visible enough to the English officer. When urged to enlist in the British service, Fisher pleaded an aversion to a war, and declared it necessary to return home to protect his family against the rebels. He was allowed to depart for the army on his pleasure, and soon embraced an opportunity. A company of British troops was sent to dislodge the riflemen, which brought on a general engagement, and thus the spy succeeded to the wishes of Gates. Another object of Fisher's mission was also ef- fected. The letters circulated among the Hessians, had a good effect, and many of them deserted from the British army, either entering the American service, or settling down as good citi/ens. CAPTURE OF A TORY. 277 CAPTURE OF A TORY. GEORGE CUCK, a notorious tory, who was engaged with the enemy at Oriskany, and in their attack upon Cherry Valley, en,- tered the valley of the Mohawk, in the spring of 1779, to secure the scalps of Captain James Gardinier, and Lieut. Quackenboss, two efficient whigs, for which the enemy had offered a large bounty. He was concealed in the house of one Van Zuyler, a tory friend, who lived in the town of Glen. This Van Zuyler had three daughters, of whom certain whigs became enamoured. One of these, James Cromwell, on one occasion, went over to pay his devotion to the charms of his Dulcinea, and accompanied her to the sugar bush, to assist her in the annual labor of boiling the sap of the maple for sugar. While here a mutual interchange of confidence took place, and among other things, the young lady confided to her lover, the secret, that the tory Cuck, was concealed in her father's house, and was always secreted nnder the floor when there were any visitors. Cromwell received this informa tion with astonishment, and in a very little while made an excuse for departing. He hurried to Captain Gardinier and communi- cated this intelligence. That very night a dozen of whigs were assembled, and the charge of capturing the tory entrusted to Lieut. Quackenboss. As Cuck was a desperado, and a terror to the whole neighborhood, Quackenboss was instructed to capture or kill him at all hazards. The party set forward with alacrity. "When they were within a quarter of a mile of the house, they halted, and Quackenboss in a brief and spirited speech, informed them of the object of the expedition, and he concluded by stating, that as Cuck was a 278 CAPTURE OP A TORY. bold and desperate fellow, and doubtless well armed, some of them would probably fall beneath his hand. He, therefore, only, wanted volunteers to accompany him, and all who did not wish to engage in so desperate and enterprise were at liberty to re- turn. The whole party without exception, declared their readi ness to accompany their leader. The plan for proceeding was now determined on. It was agreed the party should separate and approach the house in different directions, so as not to excite suspicion. Quackenboss and three others approached the house from the front, and as they did so, they were greeted with the yelping of the watch-dog, which caused the opening of a little slide for observation, by a member of the family ; but seeing only four persons, the inmates supposed they were sugar makers. On reaching the door, and finding it fastened, the soldiers burst it open, and rushed into the house, much to the surprise and confu- sion of the family. " What do you want here ?" demanded Van Zuyler. " The tory George Cuck," was the reply. Var Zuyler said he was not in the house, but the assailants proceeded to the search. The other parties had now entered. There was a dark stairway leading to an upper room in which it was thought the object of their search might be concealed. As one of the party was about ascending the stairs, Quackenboss drew a large chest from the wall, when suddenly out sprang Cuck, from a hole in the floor, discharging a pistol at the party, but at the same mo- ment a bullet from the wary lieutenant entered his head, and he pitched forward upon the floor. The suddenness of his appear- ance had completely paralised most of the party, and the one who was ascending the stairs, was so startled by the sudden and rapid firing, that he came near tumbling back to the ground. Cuck was not yet dead, and one of the party placed the muzzle of his gun CAPTAIN HUDDY. 279 to his head, and blew his brains out. Thus fell the man -who had imbrued his hands in the blood of his neighbors and countrymen. Had not the party divided into separate squads and obtained en- trance into the house before their object was known, his capture would doubtless have been only obtained at a great loss, for he was thoroughly prepared for a desperate resistance. As it was the rapidity only with which the work was done saved many valu able lives.* CAPTAIN HUDDY. AMONG those whose active zeal, and daring deeds made them objects of terror to the enemy, was Captain Joshua Huddy, who figured conspicuously in various encounters in Monmouth county, and otner parts of New Jersey. His dwelling was situated at Colt's Neck, about five miles from Freehold. Here in the sum- mer of 1780, he was attacked by a party of about sixty refugees commanded by one Tye, or Col. Tye as he was commonly called, who was a mulatto, and a daring fellow. He usually commanded a mongrel crew of negroes and tories, and was much feared through that section of the country. He is represented to have been a brave and an honorable man, and was far more respected as an enemy, than many of his brethren of a fairer complexion. On the occasion of this attack, Huddy had no other assistance but a young servant girl, but with his weak aid, he managed to de- fond the house for some length of time against the assailants. " History of Schoharie Couuty. 280 CAPTAIN HUDDY. Several muskets had fortunately been left in the house by the guard, generally stationed there, but at this time absent. These the girl loaded, while Huddy, by appearing at different windows, and discharging them, gave the impression that there were many defenders. He wounded several, and while Tye, their leader, was setting fire to the house, he shot him in the neck. Tye afterwards died of lockjaw occasioned by this wound. The flames now be- gan to increase so rapidly, that all hopes of maintaining the build- ing against the foes were at an end, and Huddy agreed to sur- render, provided they would extinguish the fire. When the enemy entered the building, they were much exas- perated at the feebleness of its defenders, and were only restrained by their leader from butchering them on the spot. The militia now collecting, they were obliged to retreat, carrying Huddy with them. Their boats were stationed near Black Point, between Shrewsbury and Nivisink rivers, which they reached with all pos- sible speed. As they pushed off from the shore, Huddy jumped overboard, and was shot in the thigh, as was supposed by the mi- litia, then in close pursuit. He held up one of his hands toward them, exclaiming, " / am Huddy ! I am Huddy /" swam to the shore, and escaped. In March, 1782, about two years after the above incident, Huddy commanded a block house at Tom's river, which was at- tacked by a party of refugees from New York, and taken, after the ammunition was expended, and no alternative but surrender left. After the little brave garrison was in the power of the enemy, they deliberately murdered five men, even while they were asking for quarters. The prisoners were carried to New York, from which place Huddy was taken on board of a guard ship, heavily ironed, and thrown into the hold of the vessel. COLONEL FISHER. 281 While confined, he was informed by one of the refugees that he was to be hanged, " for he had taken a certain Phillip White, a refugee in Monmouth Co., cut off both his arms, broke his legs, pulled out one of his eyes, damned him, and then bid him run." lie answered, " it is impossible I could have taken Phillip White I being a prisoner in New York at the time, closely confined, and for many days before he was made prisoner." Some of his com- rades confirmed this statement. Notwithstanding this, four days after (April 12th) he was dragged from his prison, and conveyed by Captain Lippencott, commanding a company of sixteen refu- gees, to Gravelly Point, on the sea shore, at the foot of Neversink hills, when he was deliberately and barbarously executed. He made his will beneath the gallows with quiet composure, then mounted the barrel, and met his fate with an admirable and undisturbed firmness. For this deliberate murder, Washington resolved upon retalia- tion, and a correspondence to this effect was opened with Sir Henry Clinton. Capt. Lippencott was court-martialed, but waa acquitted, as it appeared that he acted under orders. The speedy termination of the war, prevented Washington's plan of retalia tion from being carried out. COLONEL FI3HER. A. PARTY of Indians, some tweniy in number, attacked, on one -jf their incursions into the Mohawk Valley, the homestead o( Col. Fisher. They attempted to gain admittance into the houbo by cutting in the door, but being fired upon from a window, they &6 COLONEL FISHER. retreated around the corner of the house, where they were less exposed, and were soon after joined by the main body of the enemy, some three hundred in number. An entrance was soon effected, but Col. Fisher and his brothers still defended the house, and a melee followed on the stairway. On their attempting to ascend, several balls were fired up through the floor, but withou effect. At this period the sisters escaped from the cellar kitchen and fled to the woods. Mrs. Fisher in attempting to follow them, was struck down by a blow from the butt of a musket The ammunition of the brothers was now exhausted, and their castle no longer tenable. Harman Fisher jumped from a back window, with the hope of escaping by flight, but just as he was about leaping a garden fence, the fatal bullet overtook him, and in a moment more the tomahawk had finished the work, and his scalp was seized upon as a trophy. As the enemy ascended the stairs, Col. Fisher discharged a pistol he held in his hand, and calling for quarters, threw it behind him, in token of submission. An Indian ran up, and struck him down with a tomahawk. He fell upon his face, and the Indian after scalping him, inflicted with his knife a gash in the back of the neck, and then turned him over with the intention of cutting his throat, but his cravat pre- vented it, the knife only entering just through the skin. His brother, Capt. Fisher, as the enemy ascended the stairs retreated to one corner of the room, but an Indian hurled a tomahawk at him, which brought him down, and he was then killed and scalped. The house was then plundered and fired, and the savages departed. In a short time the consciousness of Col Fisher returned. He soon discovered the dead body of his brother and also that the house was on fire. With great difficulty he 'succeeded in dragging his brother's body from the building. At COLONEL FISHER. 283 the door he found his mother, faint from the blow dealt on her head, and too weak to render him any assistance. With almost incredible exertions, weak as he was from his numerous wounds, he succeeded in getting the body and his mother from the build- ing, and securing a bed, he dragged it from the flames to a little distance from the house, and threw himself upon it in an utter state of exhaustion. A negro slave belonging to one of the neighbors, soon after arrived at the spot He inquired of the Colonel what he should do for him. Fisher, too weak to speak, signified by signs his desire for water. Tom, for that was the negro's name, hastened to procure water for the wounded man, and while engaged in this act of kindness, a tory neighbor ap- proaching, was applied to for assistance, but who only replied, " let the cursed rebel die." As soon as the Colonel could speak, he directed Tom to harness a span of colts then in pasture, which, from the fogginess of the morning, had escaped the notice of the enemy. Tom harnessed them to a wagon, in which tho bodies of the murdered brothers, and the Colonel and his mother were placed, and they were driven to a place of safety. Singular to state, the severe wounds of Col. Fisher all healed, and he lived until 1 809, when he died of a complaint in the head, caused, no doubt, by the loss of his scalp. 284 AN ESCAPE FROM AN ESCAPE FROM THE PRISON SHIP. " I WAS one of eight hundred and fifty souls confined in the Jersey, in the summer of '81, and witnessed several daring at- tempts to escape. They generally ended tragically. They were always undertaken in the night, after wrenching or filing the bars off the port-holes. Having been on board several weeks, and goaded to death in various ways, four of us concluded to run the hazard. We set to work and got the bars off, and waited impa tiently for a dark night ; we lay in front of Mr. Remsen's door inside of the pier head, and not more than twenty yards distant. There were two guard sloops, one on our bow and the other off our quarter, a short distance from us. The dark night came the firs! two were lowered quietly into the water the third made some rumbling. I was the fourth that descended, but had not struck off from the v eseel before the guards were alarmed, and fired upon us. The alarm became general, and T was immedi- ately hauled on board. They manned their boats, and with their lights and implements of death, ware quick in pursuit of the unfortunates, cursing and swearing, and bellowing and firing. It was awful to witness this scene of blood. It lasted about one hour all on board trembling for our shipmates. These despe radoes returned to their different vessels rejoicing that they killed three d d rebels. " About three years after this T saw a gentleman in John street, near Nassau, who accosted me thus : ' Manley, how do you do I 1 1 could not recollect him. ' Is it possible you do not know me ? recollect, 'iJie old Jersey,' and he opened his vest and bared his breast. 1 immediately said to him, ' You are James M'Clean.' THE PRISON SHIP. 285 I am,' he replied. We both stepped into Marrener's public house, at the corner, and he related his marvelous escape to me. " ' They pursued me I frequently dived to evade them, and when I came up, they fired on me. I caught my breath, and im- mediately dove again, and held my breath, till I crawled along the mud. They no doubt thought they killed me. I, however, with much exertion, though weak and wounded, made out to reach the shore, and got into a barn, not far from the ship, a little north from Mr. Remsen's house. The farmer, the next morning, came into his barn saw me lying on the floor, and ran out in a fright. I begged him to come to me, and he did. I gave an account of myself where I was from how I was pur- sued, with several others. He saw my wounds ; took pity on me ; sent for his wife, and bound up my wounds, and kept me in the barn till nightfall took me into his house nursed me secretly, and then furnished me with clothing, 374 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. diers Spring,' which derived its name from the following tragical incident. The British had landed on Verplanck's Point, and com menced so vigorously to cannonade the village of Peekskill, that the Americans had to retire hastily. Their enemies kept up a constant firing upon them as they sought various avenues of re- treat A soldier stopped in his flight to refresh himself at the spring. While on his hands and knees, in the act of drinking, a ball which struck on the eminence above him, glanced obliquely, and descending the road with rapid bounds, finished its course by shattering the thigh of the soldier. Unable to move, he remained bleeding, and in agony, in the same position, until a wagon pass- ing by rescued him. The wound proved fatal. IN one of the incursions of Indians upon our frontier settle- ments during the revolution, a very romantic incident occurred. The celebrated chief Cornplanter made an attack upon the neigh- borhood of Fort Plain, burning and destroying, and among the prisoners he captured was one John Abeil, an old inhabitant. The party had not travelled but a few miles on their return when was discovered that this Abeil was almost as well acquainted with their language as the Indians themselves. This fact interested the chief, and on inquiring of his captive his name, Cornplanter knew at once that he stood before Ms own father. Abeil, twenty- five years before, had been a trader among the Indians of Wes- tern New York, and in one of his visits became enamored of a pretty squaw, and the result of this affection was the graceful and celebrated warrior, whom the father now for the first time saw standing before him. The chief had learned from his mother the history of his parentage, and his father's name. The meeting MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 375 was certainly extraordinary to a degree. The young cliief held out strong inducements to his white father to accompany him to his tribe, but paternal affection did not seem so strong in the heart of Abeil as his love for the comforts and luxuries of a white man's home, and so he chose rather to be restored to liberty and be returned to his friends. This was yielded, and he wa conducted in honor back to the settlements. Thus singularly me and parted the father and son. GEN. SULLIVAN in his expedition into the Genessee Valley, fired daily, while in the Indian country, a morning and evening gun, to notify the scouting parties which were constantly kept out of his position. In one instance a pleasing incident was the result of these signal guns. The firing of a gun alarmed a party of Indians who were near, and they scampered off in great haste, leaving a female, who was in their company, who finding herself thus abandoned, went towards the American camp. On being brought before Col. Butler she stated that she was a native of Danbury, Connecticut ; had been married several years before, and was living at Wyoming on the occasion of the massacre, when her husband was killed, an infant at her breast snatched from her arms and brained, and two other children carried away by one party of Indians as prisoners, while she herself was retain- ed as captive by another party. When she arrived with her cap- tors at their place of destination, she was compelled to live with in Indian as his wife, in which position she had remained until Ihe signal gun in frightening away her companions gave her lib- erty. When she came into the American camp she had an infant child which was the fruit of her late unhappy connection. The child died" not long after, and it was suspected that an American 376 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. soldier, from sympathy to the woman, had given it poison. On the return of the army, she went back to her friends in Connec- ticut. ON one occasion when a party of Indians attacked the house of Lieut. Vrooman, on the New York frontier, he caught up his infant child and fled to a corn-field, followed by his wife leading her little daughter. He seated himself against the trunk of a tree, and his wife was concealed a few rods from him in the corn. All would probably have been well had not Mrs. Vrooman, not knowing where her husband was, called to him, which informed the enemy of their place of concealment. Her call was scarcely uttered ere a bullet pierced her side, and she fell writhing in death. An Indian now approached and scalped her little daugh ter, while another savage approached the husband and thrust a spear at him, which he parried, and the infant in his arms smiled. Another pass was parried and the infant again smiled. At the third blow of the spear, which Vrooman succeeded in warding off, the child, but five months old, laughed outright at the supposed sport, and this so awakened the sympathy of the savage that he forebore in his attack, and made Vrooman a prisoner. M AT the commencement of the revolutionary struggle, General Heath's division of the American army was stationed at Morris- ania, on Harlem River, N. Y. From his Memoirs we gather the following particulars. A picket from our general's division, of four hundred and fifty men, constantly mounted, by relief, at Mor- risania, from which a chain of sentinels, within half gun shot of each other, were planted, from one side of the store to the other, MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 377 and near the water passage, between Morrisania and Montressor'a island, which in some places is very narrow. The sentinels on the American side were ordered not to presume to fire at that of the British, unless the latter began ; but the British were so fond of beginning, that there was frequently a firing between them. This having been the case one day, and a British officer walking along the bank, on the Montressor's side, an American sentinel, who. had been exchanging some shots with a British sentinel, see- ing the officer, and concluding him to be better game, gave him A shot, and wounded him. He was carried up to the house on the island. An officer with a flag soon came down to the creek and called for the American officer of the picket, and informed him that if the American sentinels fired any more, the command- ing officer of the island would cannonade Col. Morris's house, in which the officers of the picket were quartered. The American officer was directed to inform the British officer that the American sentinels had always been instructed not to fire upon sentinels un- less they were first fired upon, and then to return the fire ; that such would be their conduct ; as to the cannonading of Col. Mor- ris's house, they might act their pleasure. The firing ceased for some time ; but a raw Scotch sentinel having been planted one day, he very soon after discharged his piece at an American sen- tinel nearest to him, which was immediately returned ; upon which a British officer came down, and called to the American officers, observing that he thought there was to be no firing be- tween the sentinels. He was answered, that their own began ; upon which he replied, ' he shall answer for it then.' There was no firing between the sentinels at that place, any more, and they were so civil to each other on the posts, that one day, at a part of the creek where it was practicable, the British sentinel asked the 378 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. American if he could give him a chew of tobacco; the latter having a thick, twisted roll, sent it across the creek to the British sentinel, who after taking off his bite, sent the remainder back." IN December, 1777, while Washington was at Valley Forge and the enemy was in Philadelphia, Major Talmadge was sta- tioned between the two places with a detachment of cavalry, to make observations and to limit the range of British foragers. On one occasion, while performing this duty, he was informed that a country girl had gone into Philadelphia perhaps by Washing- ton's instigations, ostensibly to sell eggs, but really and especi- ally to obtain information respecting the enemy ; and curiosity led him to move his detachment to Germantown. There the main body halted while he advanced with a small party towards the British lines. Dismounting at a tavern in plain sight of their outposts, he soon saw a young girl coming out of the city. He watched her till she came up to the tavern ; made himself known to her, and was about to receive some valuable intelligence, when he was informed the British light horse were advancing. Step- ping to the door he saw them in full pursuit of his patroles. He hastily mounted, but before he had started his charger, the girl was at his side begging for protection. Quick as thought, he or- dered her to mount behind him. She obeyed, and in that way rode to Germantown, a distance of three miles. During the whole ride, writes the Major in his Journal, where we find these details, " although there was considerable firing of pistols, and not a little wheeling and charging, she remained unmoved, and never once complained of fear." OF all the heroines whose names are imperishably connected MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 379 with our history, that of Elizabeth Zane stands foremost. In 1777, Fort Henry in Ohio county, Virginia, was attacked by the Indi- ans. The defence was made with vigor, but suddenly the ammu- nition became exhausted, and surrender seemed the only alterna- tive. There was a keg of powder in a house about twelve rods distant, which to obtain would prolong the defence, and perhaps preserve the lives of the whole garrison. It was resolved that one person should venture out, and, if possible, secure and bear into the fort the valued prize. The Indians having retired a little dis- tance, a favorable opportunity was afforded, but it became difficult to decide who should undertake the service, as every soldier was emulous for the honor of performing the perilous, but honorable enterprise. Their contention, however, was cut short by Miss Zane, who claimed to be chosen for performing the duty, giving as reasons, that the life of a soldier was more valuable in the de- fence of the fort, than was her own, and that her sex might pre- serve her errand from suspicion, and secure the success of the plan. Her resolute manner and urgent arguments overcame the scruples of the officer, and she was permitted to make the attempt. The Indians observed her depart from the fort, but from some un- known cause, offered her no molestation. She reached the house, seized the powder, and hastened to return. But by this time the savages comprehended the object of her visit without the fort. They fired a volley after her, as she with speed ran rapidly along to the gate of the fort. Fortunately not a bullet injured her. They only gave activity to her movements, and reaching the fort, she was admitted, to the unbounded joy of the garrison. Animated by so noble an instance of heroism, the besieged fought with a bravery and vigor which the enemy could not overcome, and they raised the seige. 380 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. DURING the revolutionary war, while Fort Motte, situated on Congaree river, in South Carolina, was in the hands of the British, in order to effect its surrender, it became necessary to burn a large mansion standing near the centre of the trench. The house was the property of Mrs. Motte. Lieut. Colonel Lee communicated to her the contemplated work of destruction with painful reluctance, but her smiles, half anticipating his proposal, showed, at once, that she was willing to sacrifice her property if she could thereby aid in the least degree towards the expulsion of the enemy and the salvation of the land. The reply she made to the proposal was that she was " gratified with the opportunity of of contributing to the good of her country, and should view the approaching scene with delight !" " GOVERNOR GRISWOLD was once indebted to a happy thought of his wife for his escape from the British, to whom he was ex- tremely obnoxious. He was at home, but expected to set out im- mediately for Hartford, to meet the legislature, which had com- menced its session a day or two previous. The family residence was at Blackhill, opposite Saybrook Point, and situated on the point of land formed by Connecticut river on the east, and Long Island Sound on the south. British ships were lying in the sound ; and as the governor was known to be at this time in his own man- sion, a boat was secretly sent ashore for the purpose of securing his person. Without previous warning, the family were alarmed by seeing a file of marines coming up from the beach to the house. There was no time for flight. Mrs. Griswold bethought herself of a large meat barrel, or tierce, which had been brought in a day or two before, and was not yet filled. Quick as thought, she decided that the governor's proportions which were by no means MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 381 slight must be compressed into this, the only available hiding- place. He was obliged to submit to be stowed in the cask and covered. The process occupied but a few moments, and the sol- diers presently entered. Mrs. Griswold was of course innocent of all knowledge of her husband's whereabouts, though she told them she well knew the legislature was in session, and that busi- ness required his presence at the capital. The house and cellar having been searched without success, the soldiers departed. By the time their boat reached the ship, the governor was galloping up the road on his way to Hartford.' " A BRITISH officer, distinguished by "his inhumanity and con- stant oppression of the unfortunate, meeting Mrs. Charles Elliot in a garden, adorned with a great variety of flowers, asked the name of the Camomile, which appeared to flourish with peculiar luxu- jiance. ' The Rebel Flower,' she replied. ' Why was that name given to it ?' inquired the officer. ' Because,' rejoined the lady, * it thrives most when most trampled upon.' " " MRS. DANIEL HALL having obtained permission to pay a visit to her mother on John's Island, was on the point of embarking, when an officer stepping forward in the most authoritative man- ner, demanded the key of her trunk. ' What do you expect to find there ?' asked the lady. ' I seek for treason,' was the reply. You may then save yourself the trouble of search,' said Mrs Hall. ' You may find plenty of it at my tongue's end.' " " MRS. THOMAS HEYWARD, in two instances, with the utmos* firmness, refused to illuminate for British victories. An officer 382 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. forced his way into her presence, and sternly demanded of Mrs Hevward, ' How dare you disobey the order which has been is- sued ; why, madam, is not your house illuminated ?' ' Is it pos- sible for me, sir,' replied the lady, with perfect calmness, ' to feel a spark of joy ? Can I celebrate the victory of your army, while my husband remains a prisoner at St. Augustine ?' ' That,' re- joined the officer, ' is of but little consequence ; the last hopes of rebellion are crushed by the defeat of Green at Guildford. You shall illuminate.' ' Not a single light,' replied the lady, ' shall be placed with my consent, on such an occasion, in any window of my house.' * Then, madam, I will return with a party, and, be- fore midnight, level it with the ground.' ' You have power to destroy, sir, and seem well disposed to use it ; but over my opin ions you possess no control : I disregard your menaces, and reso lutely declare I will not illuminate !' " " A REMARKABLE scene is related by Dr. Ramsay, to have oc- curred on the occasion of Fort Augusta, commanded by Colonel Browne, being taken, which well deserves to be recorded. Pass- ing through the settlement where the most wanton waste had re- cently been made by the British, both of lives and property, a Mrs. M'Koy having obtained permission to speak to Colonel Browne, addressed him in words to the following effect : ' Colonel Browne in the late day of your prosperity, I visited your camp, and on my knees supplicated for the life of my son ; but you were deaf to my entreaties. You hanged him, though a beardless youth, before my face ! These eyes have seen him scalped by the savages under your immediate command, and for no better reason than that his name was M'Koy. As you are a prisoner to the leaders of my country, for the present I lay aside all thoughts of MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 383 revenge ; but when you resume your sword, I will go five hun- dred miles to demand satisfaction at the point of it, for the murder of my son.' " SHORTLY after the commencement of the war, the family of Dr Channing, then residing in England, removed to France, and sail- ed in a stout and well-armed vessel for America. They had pro- ceeded but a little way when they were attacked by a privateer. A fierce engagement ensued, during which Mrs. Channing kept the deck, handing cartridges, aiding the wounded, and exhorting the crew to resist until death. Their fortitude, however, did not correspond with the ardor of her wishes, and the colors were struck. Seizing the pistols and side-arms of her husband, she threw them into the sea, declaring that she would rather die than see him surrender them to an enemy." " THE haughty Tarleton, vaunting his feats of gallantry, to the great disparagement of the officers of the continental cavalry, said to a lady at Wilmington ' I have a very earnest desire to see your far-famed hero, Colonel Washington.' ' Your wish, colonel, might have been fully gratified,' she promptly replied, ' had you ventured to look behind you, after the battle of the Cowpens.' " It was in that battle that Washington had wounded Tarleton, which gave rise to a still more pointed retort. Conversing with Mrs. Wiley Jones, Colonel Tarloton observed : ' You appear to think very highly of Colonel Washington ; and yet I have been told that he is so ignorant a fellow, that lie can hardly write his own name.' ' It may be the case,' she readily replied, ' but no 384 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. man better than yourself, colonel, can testify, that he knows how to make his mark.' " " PRE-EMITTENT in malignity stood the Engineer Moncrief. The instances of oppression issuing from his implacable resentment, would fill a volume. I shall confine myself to one anecdote. " Mrs. Pinkney, mother of C. C. Pinkney, solicited as a favor that he wonld not suffer certain oak trees of remarkable beauty on a farm which he occupied, to be destroyed, as they were highly valued by her son, having been planted by his father's hand. ' And where is your son, madam F ' At Haddrels, sir, a prisoner.' 'And he wishes me, madam, to have these trees preserved ?' 'Yes, sir, if possible.' 'Then tell him, madam, that they will make excellent firewood, and he may depend upon it they shall be burnt.' Colonel Moncrief was no jester. The promptitude of his actions left no room for suspense. An opportunity was offer- ed to injure and to insult, and he embraced it. The trees were " MARGARET WHETTEN, the wife of Capt. William Whetten, of New York, was one of the true mothers of the Revolution. During a part of the war, she resided on Cliff street, near the rear of St. Grorge's chapel. There, if we mistake not, she became a widow ; and though not left in affluent circumstances, she made her houte an asylum, especially for the wounded and suffering whigs. For a long time she prepared food daily for the impri- soned soldiers, and often visited them and cheered their drooping hearts by her lively and hope-giving conversation. She was also accustomed to visit the hospitals ; and even the Provost was not MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 385 shunned, though the marshal was surly and abusive. Nor did she forget the prison-ships ; their hapless inmates were often th recipients of favors which she caused to be sent. "At one time a party of soldiers was sent to her house in pur suit of a suspected enemy of the crown. Being notified of their approach, she hastily slipped a dressing gown and night-cap on him ; and placing him in a large easy chair, and handing him a bowl of gruel, she pointed the soldiers to the seeming invalid, whose fears doubtless contributed to his paleness. Thinking he must be too feeble, just then, to travel, they went away. The leader of this duped band was reprimanded for leaving him if his gruel, and ordered back : meanwhile the invalid had become rapidly convalescent, changed his suit, and gone out to try the " WHEN Col. Washington of the dragoons was engaged with Tarleton's cavalry, at the battle of in South Carolina, his impetuosity separated him from his troops, and he was furiously beset by an officer and a dozen of British dragoons. In defend- ing himself, he broke his sword, and was in a most perilous situa- tion. While defending himself with his broken sword, the ene- my pressing upon him with the fullest confidence of destroying him, Sergeant Everhart, of Frederick Co., Maryland, gallantly rushed up to him and handed him his well-tried sword, with which Washington soon extricated himself, cutting down his an- tagonists, until he was joined by his troops. Col. Washington ever afterwards, attributed the preservation of his life to the timely relief afforded by Everhart, gratefully acknowledging it, and en- rolled him on the list of his dearest friends ; and he never passed OSO MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. through Frederickstown without spending a day or two with his faithful sergeant." "Ax the commencement of the Revolution, Mrs. Wright, a native of Pennsylvania, a distinguished modeler of likenesses and figures of wax, was exhibiting specimens of her skill in London. The king of Great Britain, pleased with her talents, gave her liberal encouragement, and, finding her a great politician, and an enthusiastic republican, would often enter into discussion relative to passing occurrences, and endeavored to refute her opinion with regard to the probable issue of the war. The frankness with which she delivered her sentiments, seemed ratiier to please than to offend him ; which was a fortunate circumstance, tor, when he asked an opinion, she gave it without constraint, or the least re- gard to consequences. I remember to have heard her say, that on one occasion, the monarch, irritated .by some disaster to his troops, where he had prognosticated a triumph, exclaimed with Wf.mrth : ' I wish, Mrs. Wright, you would tell me how it will be possible to check the silly infatuation of your countrymen, restore them to reason, and render them good and obedient subjects.' ' I consider their submission to your majesty's government is now altogether out of the question,' replied Mrs. Wright : ' friends you may make them, but never subjects ; for America, before a king can reign there, must become a wilderness, without any other inhabitants than the beasts of the forest. The opponents of the decrees of your parliament, rather than submit, would perish to a man ; but if the restoration of peace be seriously the object of your wishes, I am confident that it needs but the stri- king off of three heads to produce it.' ' O, Lord North's and Lord George Germaine's, beyond all question ; and where is the MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 387 third head ?' 0, sir, politeness forbids me to name him. You. majesty could never wish me to forget myself, and be guilty of an incivility.' " In her exhibition room, one group of figures particularly at- tracted attention ; and by all who knew her sentiments, was be- lieved to be a pointed hint at the results which might follow the wild ambition of the monarch. The busts of the king and queen of Great Britain, were placed on a table, apparently, intently gazing on a head, which a figure, an excellent representation of herself, was modeling in its lap. It was the head of the unfor- tunate Charles the First" "ON one occasion, two young subalterns, who had been wounded, were taken prisoners, and on parole, took up their resi- dence at a place called Dobb's Farm. One day, as they were sit- ting down to dinner, a swarthy man, of bold and full countenance, entered the room where they sat, and without announcing him- self, asked how they liked their situation, and how they were treated ? They answered in such a manner, as gave pleasure to their good host and hostess. The stranger expressed his satisfac- tion also ; and begging leave to dine with them, placed himself at table, without waiting for an answer. When dinner was over, a couple of yagers made their appearance, and desired to know the stranger's commands. " You will bring the wine hither," said he ; " get some refreshment yourselves, and saddle at five o'clock." The yagers withdrew, and their commander seeing the surprise of the officers, said, " Gentlemen, my name is Morgan, a major- general in the service of America." They interrupted him by apologies for the unceremonious reception he had met with ; which he begged not to hear, saying, that he had come on pur 17 ' 388 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. pose to see them, and to render them any assistance they might require ; adding, that he was very glad to see them so well ac- commodated. Then filling a glass of wine, to which the officers had been sometime strangers, he gave, "A speedy peace," in which he was pledged most cordially. The bottle was quickly circulated, and the healths of the principal commanders in both armies drank in succession. A song was proposed ; and after one of the offi- cers had complied, the general won the hearts of his auditors, by singing, in allusion to his former profession, " When I was driving my wagon one day." It was now five o'clock ; the yagers presented themselves foi orders, and General Morgan took his leave in a most friendly manner, assuring them he would use the best efforts for their speedy exchange, but adding, very gallantly, " though I have no desire to meet such men in arms against me." He left two hampers of wine which had been brought for the prisoners by the yagers, and which proved of infinite service to them, in aiding the recovery of their health." THE following anecdote, says a correspondent in the American " Village Record," comes from a source entitled to perfect credit. During the revolutionary war, two British soldiers, of the army of Lord Cornwallis, went into a house, and abused the inmates in a most cruel and shameful manner. A third soldier, in going into the house, met them coming out, and knew them. The peo- ple acquitted him of all blame, but he was imprisoned because he refused to disclose the names of the offenders. Every art was tried, but in vain ; at length he was condemned by a court-mar- tial to die. When on the gallows, Lord Cornwallis, surprised at his pertinacity, rode near him. MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 389 " Campbell," said he, " what a fool are you to die thus. Dis- close the names of the guilty men, and you shall be immediately released ; otherwise you have not fifteen minutes to live." " You are in an enemy's country, my lord," replied Campbell, " you can better spare one man than two." Firmly adhering to his purpose, he died. Does history furnish a similar instance of such strange devo tion for a mistaken point of honor ? ONE day in the middle of winter, General Greene, when passing a sentinel who was barefooted, said, " I fear my good fellow, you suffer much from the severe cold." " Very much," was the reply, " but I do not complain. I know I should fare better, had our general the means of getting supplies. They say, however, that in a few days, we shall have a fight, and then I shall take care to secure a pair of shoes." " DURING the traitor Arnold's predatory operations in Virginia, in 1781, he took an American captain prisoner. After some gen- eral conversation, he asked the captain " what he thought the Americans would do with him if they caught him." The captain declined at first giving him an answer ; but upon being repeatedly urged, he said, "Why, sir, . . .^st answer the question, you will excuse my telling you the truth ; if my countrymen should catch you, I believe they would first cut off your lame leg, which was wounded in the cause of freedom and virtue at Quebec, and burj it with the honors of war, and afterwards hang the remainder of your body on a gibbet" 390 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. " AT the disastrous battle of Camden, while acting as Aid-do- Camp to General Gates, General Thomas Pinckney, was despe- rately wounded and made a prisoner. His patience and fortitude remained unshaken. Conveyed into the town, it was night when he reached Mrs, Clay's house (then by the fiat of power, con- verted into a Hospital). The family had retired, and Major Pinckney was placed on a table in the piazza, where he lay till morning, suffering under a compound fracture of both bones of his leg, as he would not permit the rest of an oppressed and pat- riotic female to be disturbed. This calm and happy temper of mind, contributed in no small degree to the preservation of his life, for an exfoliation of the broken bones following soon after his removal to quarters, and no surgical aid at hand, he was obliged to direct the dressing of his wound, and to point out to his anxious and intrepid wife, the splinters that occasioned the greatest agony, while, with tenderness she removed them. The trial was, indeed, a severe one, to a lady of uncommon sensibility ; but there is no exertion to which the female heart, under the influence of its af factions, is not equal. The duty performed, the fortitude of Mrs. Pinckney was no more ; her emotion, on seeing her husband's sufferings, so totally overpowered her, that she fainted and fell. The recollection of such tender and heroic conduct cannot be lost : it must ever command the admiration of the world, and to her sex, afford a fascinating example for imitation." " AN American officer, during the war of independence, was ordered to a station of extreme peril, when several around him suggested various expedients, by which he might evade the dan gerous post assigned him. He made them the following heroic reply : " I thank you, my friends, for your solicitude I know I MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 391 can easily save my life, but, who will save my honor, should 1 adopt your advice ?" " COLONEL HENDRICK FRET, (a colonel of colonial troops undei Sir William Johnson, in the French war), a wealthy royalist, who resided in Schoharie County, N. Y., and who feigned neutrality the day after the battle of Oriskany, was visited by a party of hostile Indians. As they assembled around the table to eat, a Bister of Frey who was awaiting upon them, discovered upon the person of one, the shirt of Major John Frey, a brother on the pat- riotic side one sleeve of which had been perforated by a bullet and left very bloody. Her worst fears were aroused, and nearly letting fall something she held, she ran to her brother Ilendrick, placed her hands on his shoulders, and exclaimed in a tone of real sorrow : " Brother John is dead !" assigning as her reason for such belief, the sight of the bloody trophy before them. The colonel who could speak the Indian dialect well, desired his sis- ter not to show any emotion before the Indians ; and endeavored to quiet her fears, by remarking, that probably the shirt had be- longed to some one else. The agitated maiden could not be per- suaded into this belief, as the garment had been the workman- ship of her own hands ; and her mental agony seemed almost insufferable. " In a short time the Indians left the house, followed by Col. Frey, who overtaking them, inquired of the possessor where he got the shirt, which covered his brawny frame. He replied, that he had wounded an officer the day before, in the Oriskany con- test, in an arm which he had exposed from behind a tree, had made him his prisoner, and after taking from him such portion of his clothing as he desired, had sold him to a British officer, who 392 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. would possibly take him to Canada. This statement tended somewhat to calm the apprehensions of the brother and sister. It was found to be true. Major Frey was taken to Canada, and after two years confinement, was restored to liberty." " THE following anecdote, which is too well authenticated to be disputed, furnishes one instance, among thousands, of that heroic spirit and love of liberty, which characterized the American females during the struggle for independence. " A good lady, we knew her when she had grown old, in 1775, lived on the sea-board, about a day's march from Boston, where the British army then was. By some unaccountable acci- dent, a rumor was spread, in town and country, in and about there, that the regulars were on a full march for that place, and would probably arrive in three hours. " This was after the battle of Lexington, and all, as might be well supposed, was in sad confusion : some were boiling with rage, and full of fight ; some, in fear and confusion, were hiding their treasures ; and others flying for life. In this wild moment, when most people, in some way or other, were frightened from their property, our heroine, who had two sons, one about nineteen years of age, the other about sixteen, was seen by our informant preparing them to discharge their duty. The eldest she was able to equip in fine style: she took her husband's fowling-piece, ' made for duck or plover,' (the good man being absent on a coasting voyage to Virginia,) and with, it the powder-horn and shot-bag. But the lad thinking the duck and goose shot, not quite the size to kill regulars, his mother took a chisel, cut up her pewter spoons, hammered them into slugs, and put them into his bag, and he set off in great earnest, but thought he would call one MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 393 moment and see the parson, who said, ' Well done, my brave boy ! God preserve you !' and on he went in the way of his duty. The youngest was importunate for his equipments, but his mother could find nothing to arm him with, but an old rusty sword. The boy seemed rather unwilling to risk himself with this alone, but lingered in the street, in a state of hesitation, when his mother thus upbraided him : ' You John H*****, what will your father say, if he hears that a child of his is afraid to meet the British ? go along : beg or borrow a gun, or you will find ono, child : some coward, I dare say, will be running away : then take his gun, and march forward ; and if you come back, and I hear you have not behaved like a man, I shall carry the blush of shame on my face to the grave.' She then shut the door, wiped the tear from her eye, and waited the issue. The boy joined the march. Such a woman could not have cowards for her sons. Instances of refined and delicate pride and affection occurred, at that period, every day, in different places ; and, in fact, this disposition and feeling was then so common, that it now operates as one great cause of our not having more facts of this kind recorded. What few there are remembered, should not be lost Nothing great or glorious was ever achieved, which women did not act in, advise, or consent to." " AT the massacre of Wyoming, a tory found a brother se- creted, and on recognizing him, said, " so it is you, is it ?" The un- armed man approached his brother, fell upon his knees and besought him to spare his life ; promising, if he would, to live with him and become his servant. " All this is mighty fine," re- j> r fcd the human fiend, "but you are a d d rebel!" at the 394 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. same moment he raised his gun, heedless of the frantic prayers of his brother, and discharged its contents into his victim's body," " DURING the siege of Yorktown, Baron Steuben, giving a breakfast to several of the field officers of tho army, in the course of the entertainment, while festivity was at its height, and in an- ticipation of the honors which awaited them, mirth and good hu- mor abounded, a shell from the enemy fell into the centre of the circle formed by his guests. There was no time for retreat ; to fall prostrate on the earth afforded the only chance of escape ; every individual stretched himself at his length ; the shell burst with tremendous explosion, covering the whole party with mud and dirt, which rather proved a source of merriment, than serious concern, since none of the party sustained any further incon- venience." "ABOUT the period of the final departure of the British from New York, an excellent repartee, made by Major Upham, aid-de- camp to Lord Dorchester, to Miss Susan Livingston, has been much celebrated. "In mercy, Major," said Miss Livingston, " use your influence with the commander-in-chief, to accelerate the evacuation of the city ; for among your incarcerated belles, your Mischianza Princesses, the scarlet fever must continue to rage till your departure." " I should studiously second your wishes," replied the Major, " were I not apprehensive, that freed from the prevailing malady, a worse would follow, and that thej would be immediately tormented with the Blue Devils" " THE wife of Colonel William Fitzhugh, of Maryland, while he was absent at one time, during the Revolution, was surprised by MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 395 the news that a party of British soldiers was approaching her house. She instantly collected her slaves ; furnished them with such weapons of defence as were at hand ; took a quantity of cartridges in her apron, and, herself forming the van, urged her sable subalterns on to meet the foe. Not looking for resistance, the advancing party, on beholding the amazon with her sooty in- vincibles, hastily turned on their heels and fled." " On a subsequent occasion, a detachment of soldiers marched at midnight to Colonel Fitzhugh's house, which was half a mile from the shore, and near the mouth of the Patuxent river, and knocked at the door. The Colonel demanding who was there, and receiving for reply that the visitants were "friends to King George," told the unwelcome intruders that he was blind and un- able to wait upon them, but that his wife would admit them forthwith. Lighting a candle and merely putting on her slippers, she descended, awoke her sons, put pistols in their hands, and pointing to the back door, told them to flee. She then let the soldiers in at the front door. They inquired for Colonel Fitzhugh, and said he must come down stairs at once, and go as a prisoner to New York. She accordingly dressed her husband forgetting meanwhile, to do as much for herself and when he had de- scended, he assured the soldiers that his blindness, and the infirmi- ties of age unfitted him to take care of himself, and that it could hardly be desirable for them to take in charge so decrepit and inoffensive a person. They thought otherwise ; and his wife, seeing he must go, took his arm and said she would go too. The officer told her she would be exposed and must suffer, but she persisted in accompanying him, saying that he could not take care of himself, nor, if he could, would she permit a separation." " It was a cold and rainy night, and with the mere protection 396 r MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. of a cloak, which the officer took down and threw over hei shoulders before leaving the house, she sallied forth with the party. While on the way to their boat, the report of a gun was heard, which the soldiers supposed was the signal of a rebel gathering. They hastened to the boat, where a parole was writ- ten out with trembling hand, and placed in the old gentleman's possession. Without even a benediction, he was left on shore with "his faithful and fearless companion, who thought but little of her wet feet, as she stood and saw the cowardly detachment of British soldiers push off, and row away with all their might for safety." " ON the occasion of an anticipated attack on the Middle Fort, Schoharie Co., orders were given that the women and children should retire into a long cellar, within the fort. Upon hearing of this order, Mary Haggidorn, a lass of goodly proportions, stepped up to the commandant, and thus addressed him : " Cap- tain, I shall not go into that cellar ! should the enemy come, I will take a spear, which I can use as well as any man, and help defend the fort." Captain Hager, gratified in finding a soldier where he' least expected one, and in admiration of her dauntless spirit, replied, " Then take a spear, Mary, and be ready at the pickets to repel an attack." She armed herself with this weapon, took her post, and did not abandon it until the danger was past." "Is the battle of Guilford, in the South, occurred one of those sanguinary personal conflicts, that frequently arose from the bitter hatred existing between the whigs and tories. The combatants were Colonel Stuart, of the enemy, and Captain John Smith, of tho continental army. Both were men distinguished by nerve MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 397 and muscle. They had met before, and a personal provocation had resulted in the mutual declaration, that their next meeting should end in blood. The present contest was seized upon as a fitting occasion, and they singled out each other, with a fierce pas- sion for revenge, which made them totally regardless of the hor- rors of the contest. Their weapons were at once crossed, with a desperate fury, which promised but one result. A moment de- cided the conflict The adroit pass of Stuart's small-sword, waa admirably parried by the left hand of the American, while with his right, he drove the edge of the heavy sabre through the head of his enemy, cleaving him to the very spine. The next moment, he himself was brought to the ground, stunned, not slain, by the graze of a pistol-shot, sent by a devoted follower of the fallen Briton, who was stricken to the heart, almost in the same mo- ment, by the bayonet of an American, who was equally watchful of the safety of his superior." " AN unfortunate whig, flying before a party of the enemy, intent upon his destruction, rushed into the dwelling house of Mr. Trapier, and entering the apartment of Miss Newman, an in- mate of the family, exclaimed ' Protect me, Madam, or I am lost.' ' Quickly conceal yourself,' replied the lady, ' be silent, and rest assured, that I will do all that I. can to save you.' She had scarcely time to compose herself, before admission was de- manded from without, and an officer presenting himself, insisted that the place of concealment to which the fugitive had retired, should be immediately pointed out. 'It is little probable,' said Miss Newman, ' that a soldier, to whom I am probably alto- gether unknown, would, even under the terrors of death, seek security by intruding himself into my chamber j but, as I am 398 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. confident tnat no credit will be given to my assertions, and that the power of search rests with you, its indulgence must neces- sarily follow ; yet, I trust, from your character as a soldier, and appearance as a gentleman, with the delicacy due to a lady's feelings.' The composure so happily assumed, calmed the vio- lence of the party, and the officer, believing that it could alone be exhibited from an entire ignorance of the hiding place of the object of his pursuit, bowed and retired." " IN one of the revolutionary battles, Colonel Jessup, suspecting that his troops had expended nearly all their cartridges, passed along the rear of the line, to make inquiry as to the fact Sev- eral soldiers who lay mortally wounded, some of them actually in the agonies of death, hearing the inquiry, forgot for a moment, in their devotion to their country, both the pain they endured and the approach of death, and called out, each one for himself, ' Here are cartridges in my box, take and distribute them among my companions." " A soldier in the line exclaimed to his commander, ' My mus- ket is shot to pieces.' His comrade, who lay expiring with his wounds at the distance of a few feet, replied, in a voice scarcely audible, 'My musket is in excellent order take and. use her." " It is no extravagance to assert, that an army of such men, commanded by officers of corresponding merit, is literally invin- cible." AN officer calling out to General Huger, " General, I plainly see one of the enemy's riflemen taking deliberate aim to destroy you." " That is no concern of mine," said the General. " If you think proper, order one of your men to take the fellow off." MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 399 " Dodge, or change your position," rejoined the officer, " or you are a dead man." " I will neither dodge nor quit my post," re- plied the General, " be the consequence what it may." " THE Baron Steuben after the defeat of Gates in Carolina, was engaged in raising a regiment in Virginia ; men sufficient to form a regiment had with difficulty been collected ; the corps was paraded, and on the point of marching to Carolina. A good looking man on horseback, with his servant as it appeared, also well mounted, rode up, and introducing himself to the baron, informed him he had brought a recruit. ' I thank yon, sir,' said the baron, ' with all my heart, he has arrived in a happy moment. Where is he, colonel ?' for the man was a colonel in the militia. ' llere, sir,' ordering his boy to dismount The baron's counte- nance altered ; a sergeant was ordered to measure the lad, whose shoes whe/ off, discovered something by which his height had been increased. The baron patted the child's head, with a hand trembling with rage, and asked him how old he was ? He was very young, quite a child ; ' Sir,' said the baron, turning to him . who brought him, ' you think me a rascal !' * Oh, no baron, I don't.' ' Then, sir, I think you are one, an infamous scoundrel, thus to attejnpt to cheat your country ! Take off this fellow's spurs, place him in the ranks, and tell General Greene from me, ' Colonel Gaskins, that I have sent him a man able to serve, in- stead of an infant, whom he would have basely made his substi tute. Go, my boy, carry the colonel's horses and spurs to his wife ; make my respects to her, and tell her that her husband has gone to fight, as an honest citizen should, for the liberty of his country. By platoons ! to the right wheel ! forward march P " 400 MISCELLANF.Ot'S ANECDOTES. " lie the battle of Princeton, Capt. M'Pherson, of the 17th British regiment, a very worthy Scotchman, was desperately wounded in the lungs and left with the dead. Upon General Putnam's arrival there, he found him languishing in extreme dis- tress, without a surgeon, without a single accommodation, and without a friend to solace the sinking spirit in the gloomy hour of death. He visited and immediately caused every possible comfort to be administered to him. Capt. M'Pherson, who con- trary to all appearances recovered, after having demonstrated to Gen. Putnair the dignified sense of obligations which a generous mind wishes not to conceal, one day in familiar conversation, de- manded 'Pray, sir, what countryman are you?' 'An American,' answered the latter. ' Not a Yankee !' said the other. ' A full- blooded one,' replied the general. 'Indeed, I am sorry for that,' rejoined M'Pherson, ' I did not think there could be so much goodness and generosity in an American, or, indeed, in anybody but a Scotchman.' " IN the terrible massacre of Wyoming the most unheard of barbarities were practiced, and, what history scarcely affords a parallel of, the acts that exceeded all others in fiendishness were those committed by men upon their own kindred. One man named Partial Terry had sent repeated messages to his father, saying that " he hoped one day to wash his hands in the old man's heart's blood," and his wishes were but too well answered, for on this occasion, after having murdered and scalped his own mother, brothers, and sisters, he cat off his father's head! Another man, named Thomas Hill, killed his mother, his father in-law, and his sisters. It is difficult for us to realise that these atrocities could have been performed, and were they not MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 401 accredited by unimpeachable testimony, would be considered as monstrous fictions. " GENERAL NASH, in the battle of Germantown, October 4th, 1777, was severely wounded in the thigh, the bone of which was shattered by a grape-shot. While they were carrying him oft the field, a friend coming up, began to condole with him on his situation, and asked him how he felt ; ' It is unmanly,' said the dying hero, ' to complain ; but it is more than human nature can bear.'" M !N the commencement of the American revolution, wher one of the British king's thundering proclamations made its ap- pearance, the subject was mentioned in a company in Philadel- phia ; a member of Congress who was present, turning to Miss Livingston, said, ' Well, Miss, are you greatly terrified at the roaring of the British lion T ' Not at all, sir, for I have learned from natural history, that that beast roars loudest when he is most frightened:* IN August, 1775, Gen. Gage sent two armed schooners from Boston to Machias, with cash, to buy live stock, and gave or- ders to take the stock by force, if the inhabitants would not sell it. They did refuse, the crews of the schooners then attempted to take off the stock by force, upon which the inhabitants rose, made all the men prisoners, seized on the schooners and cash, and shared about 5/. sterling a man. WHEN Marion's brigade was once engaged in battle, captain Gee was supposed to be mortally wounded. A ball passed 402 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. through the cock of his hat, very much tearing, not only tho crown, but also his head. He lay, for many hours, insensible ; but, suddenly reviving, his first inquiry was after his hat : which being brought to him, a friend at the same time lamenting the mangled state of his head, he exclaimed : ' Oh, I care nothing about my head : time and the doctors will mend that ; but it grieves me to think that the rascals have ruined my new hat forever.' " AN affair in which Major Postell was concerned, may serve to show the spirit of the times, and, especially, the indifference for property which then prevailed. A captain of the royal army, with twenty-five grenadiers, having taken post in the house of Postell's father, the major placed his small army of twenty-one militia, so as to command its doors, and then called on them to surrender. This being refused, he set fire to an out-house ; was proceeding to burn the dwelling in which they were posted ; and nothing but their immediate submission restrained him from sacrificing his father's valuable establishment for the interest of his country. " IT happened in 177G, that the garden of a widow, which lay between the American and British camps in the neighborhood of New York, was frequently robbed at night. Her son, a mere boy, and small for his age, having obtained his mother's permis- sion to find out and secure the thief, in case he should return, concealed himself with a gun among the weeds. A strapping highlander, belonging to the British grenadiers came, and having filled a large bag, threw it over his shoulder ; the boy then left hia covert, went softly behind him, cocked his gun, aiid called MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 403 out to the fellow, ' You are my prisoner : if you attempt to put your bag down, I will shoot you dead ; go forward in that road.' The boy kept close behind him, threatened, and was constantly prepared to execute his threats. Thus the boy drove him into the American camp, when he was secured. When the grenadier was at liberty to throw down his bag, and saw who had made him prisoner, he was extremely mortified, and exclaimed, ' a British grenadier made prisoner by such a brat !' The American officers were highly entertained with the adventure, made a collection for the boy, and gave him several pounds. He returned, fully satisfied for the losses his mother sustained. The soldier had side arms, but they were of no use, as he could not get rid of his bag." " LADY HARRIET ACKLAND accompanied her husband to Canada in the beginning of the year 1776. In the course of that cam- paign, she traversed a vast space of country, in different extremi- ties of the seasons, and with difficulties that an European travel- ler will not easily conceive, in order to attend her husband in a poor hut at the Chamblee, upon his sick-bed. In the opening of the campaign of 1777, she was restrained from offering her- self to a share of the hazard expected before Ticonderoga, by the positive injunction of her husband. The day after the conquest of that place he was badly wounded, and she crossed Lake Champlain to join him." " As soon as he recovered, Lady Harriet proceeded to follow his fortunes through the campaign. Major Ackland, her hus- band, commanded the British grenadiers, who formed the most advanced post of the army, which required them to be so much on the alert, that frequently, no person slept out of their clothes. 404 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. In one of these situations a tent, in which the Major and Lady Harriet slept, suddenly took fire. An orderly sergeant of grena- diers, with great hazard of suffocation, dragged out the first per- son he caught hold of; it proved to be the major. Fortunately, his lady at the same moment escaped under the canvass of the back part of the tent." " This accident neither altered the resolution nor the cheerful- ness of Lady Harriet, who was in a hut during the whole of the action which followed, and close to the field of battle. In a sub sequent engagement, Major Ackland was desperately wounded and taken prisoner. Lady Harriet sustained the shock with great fortitude, and determined to pass to the enemy's camp, ar>d request General Gates' permission to attend her husband." " Having obtained pel-mission of General Burgoyne, Lady Harriet, accompanied by the chaplain of the regiment, one female servant, and the major's valet-de-chambre, rowed down the river to meet the enemy. The night was far advanced before the boat reached the enemy's outpots, and the sentinel would not let it pass, nor even come on shore. In vain was the flag of truce offered, and the state of this extraordinary passenger strongly represented. The guard, apprehensive of treachery, and punc- tilious in obedience to his orders, threatened to fire into the boat if they offered to stir before daylight. Her anxiety and sufferings were thus protracted through seven or eight dark and cold hours ; and her reflections on that first reception, could not give her very encouraging ideas of the treatment she was afterwards to expect. But in the morning, as soon as her case was made known to General Gates, he received her with all the humanity and respect due to her rank and exemplary conjugal virtue, and immediately restored her to her husband." MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 405 " WHEK a British fleet menaced a part of the American coast during the revolution, a man promulgated that he had discover- ed a combustible matter which could be easily conveyed uninjured to the ships, and then taking fire, produce a dreadful conflagra- tion. With a knowledge of the inventions of Franklin and others, it was no wonder that this intimation, which was soon purposely conveyed to the English naval commander, should in- duce him to act with caution. At an appointed day, a number of barrels were set on float, which made their way towards the ships, while the artist was embarked with a complicated apparatus, in a little boat. Shortly after, one of the barrels exploding with considerable blaze and report, the fleet, whose cables were already slipped, departed with precipitate haste, leaving the inventor, whose dangerous scheme was now entirely exhausted, in full possession of the coast fop many miles." " GEN. PUTNAM is known, to have been decidedly opposed to duelling, on principle. It once happened that he grossly affronted a brother officer. The dispute arose at a wine table, and the offi- cer demanded instant reparation. Putnam, being a little eleva- ted, expressed his willingness to accommodate the gentleman with a fight ; and it was stipulated that the. duel should take place on the following morning, and that they should fight without sec- onds. At the appointed time, the general went on to the ground, armed with sword and pistols. On entering the field, Putnam, who had taken a stand at the opposite extremity, and at a dis- tance of about thirty rods, levelled his musket, and fired at him. The gentleman now ran towards his antagonist, who deliberately proceeded to reload his gun." 406 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. " ' What are you about to do ?' exclaimed he ; ' is this the conduct of an American officer, and a man of honor ?' " ' What are you about to do ?' exclaimed the general, attend- ing only to the first question ; ' a pretty question to put to a man whom you intended to murder. I'm about to kill you ; and if you don't beat a retreat in less time than 'twould take old Heath to hang a tory, you are a gone dog ;' at the same time returning his ramrod to its place, and throwing the breech of his gun into the hollow of his shoulder. " This intimation was too unequivocal to be misunderstood : and our valorous duellist turned and fled for dear life." WHEN our gallant countryman, Major Pinckney, received the wound at Gates' defeat, which placed him in the hands of the enemy, the generous feelings of an old school-fellow, Captain Charles Barrington M'Kenzie, of the 7 1st British regiment, under the blessing of Heaven, preserved his valuable life. Applying to Tarleton for his interposition in behalf of his suffering friend, he immediately received an order to call from the field his surgeon, whose early attention, in all probability, prevented the catastrophe which befel General Porterfield and other officers, whose wounds not being dressed for thirty-six hours, from exhaustion and loss of blood, expired. The character of the wounded prisoner had excited a deep interest in his bosom. The ferocity of his temper was laid aside. He ordered, that every attention should be paid him that could mitigate the severity of his wound supplied him amply with port wine, considered essential to prevent the spasms that threatened his life tendered the restoration of the horses recently impressed from his family at Fort Motte and urged with the generous spirit of a soldier, the free and unlimited use MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 40 1 of his purse. I could pardon Liin a thousand errors for this ema- nation of generous sympathy. Such attentions were received with the gratitude they were well calculated to excite. The sin- cerest acknowledgments were expressed for all though neither the horses nor purse were accepted. This gave an opportunity to M'Kenzie to display a trait of chivalric gallantry that cannot be too much admired. " Give me his charger, then ;" he feeling- ly exclaimed, " it shall never be said, that the horse that carried Tom Pinckney, was ever employed against the friends and the sause that were dear to him." " GENERAL WASHINGTON had two favorite horses ; one, a large elegant parade horse of a chestnut-color, high-spirited, and of a gallant carriage ; this horse had belonged to the British army : Ibe other was smaller, and his color sorrel. This he used always to ride in time of action ; so that whenever the general mounted him, the word ran through the ranks, ' We have business on hand.' " AT the battle of Germantown, General Wayne rode his ga. lant roan, and in charging the enemy, his horse received a wound in hia head, and fell, as was supposed, dead. Two dajrs after, the roan returned to the American camp, not materially injured, and was again fit for service." "Ar & review at Morristown, a Lieutenant Gibbons, a brave nd good officer, was arrested by Baron Steuben, and ordered in the rear, for a fault which it appeared another had committed. At a propei moment, the commander of the regiment came forward, 408 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. and informed the baron of Mr. Gibbons' innocence and worth, and of his acute feelings under this unmerited disgrace. ' Desire Lieutenant Gibbons, said the baron, 'to come in front of the troops.' ' Sir,' said he to him, ' the fault which was committed by throwing the line into confusion, might in the presence of an enemy, have been fatal ; and I arrested you. Your colonel has informed me, that you are in this instance blameless. I ask vour pardon ; return to your command, I would not do injustice to any one, much less to one whose character is so respectable.' All this was said with his hat off, and the rain pouring on his reverend head ! Was there an officer who saw this, unmoved with feelings of respect and affection 1 Not one, who had the feelings of a soldier." " WHEN the news of a skirmish at Lexington reached Barn- stable, a company of militia immediately assembled and marched off to Cambridge. In the front rank, there was a young man, the son of a respectable farmer, and his only child. In marching from the village as they passed his house, he came out to meet them. There was a momentary halt. The drum and fife paused for an instant. The father suppressing a strong and evident emotion, said, ' God be with you all, my friends ! and John, if you, my son, are called into battle, take care that you behave manfully, or else let me never see your face again.' A tear start- ed into every eye, and the march was resumed." IT is certainly a very singular circumstance, that Andre should, in a very satirical poem, have foretold his own fate. It was called the "Cow Chace" and was published by Rivington, at New YorJ- MISCELLANEOUS. ANECDOTES. 409 in consequence of the failure of an expedition undertaken by Wayne for the purpose of collecting cattle. Great liberties are taken with the American officers employed on the occasion With " Harry Lei and his Dragoons, and Proctor with his Cannon." But the point of his irony seemed particularly aimed at Wayne whose entire baggage, he asserts, was taken, containing His' Congress dollars, and his prog, I Is military speeches : is cornstalk whiskey for his grog, Black clockings and blue breeches.' And concludes by observing, that it is necessary to check th* current of satire. " Lest the same warrio-drover Wayne, Should catch^-and hang the Poet" He was actually taken by a party from the division of the a-m) immediately under the command of Wayne. THE house of Captain Charles Sims, who resided on Tygei river, South Carolina, was often plundered by tories ; and on ona of these occasions, when his wife was alone and all +Jie robber* had departed but one, she ordered him away, and he disobeying she broke bis arm with a stick, and drove him from the house. WHILE the husband of Mrs. Dissosway, of Staten Island, was ia the hands of the British, her brother Nathaniel Randolph, a cap- tain in the American army, repeatedly and greatly annoyed th* tovies ; and they were anxious to be freed from his incursions. Accordingly, one of their colonels promised Mrs. Dissosway to procure her husband's release, if she would prevail upon hei 410 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. brother to leave the army. She scornfully replied : " And if I could act so dastardly a part, think you that General Washington has but one Captain Randolph in his army ?" REV. THOMAS ALLEN was the first minister of Pittsfield. When the American Revolution commenced, he, like the great body of the clergy, ardently espoused the cause of the oppressed colonies, and bore his testimony against the oppression of the mother coun- try. When, in anticipation of the conflict which finally took place at Bennington, the neighboring country was roused to arms, he used his influence to increase the band of patriots, by exciting his townsmen to proceed to the battle ground. A company was raised in his parish and proceeded. Some causes, however, were found to retard their progress on the way. Hearing of the delay, he proceeded immediately to join them, and by his influence quick- ened their march, and soon presented them to Gen. Stark. Learn- ing from him that he meditated an attack on the enemy, he said he would fight, but could not willingly bear arms against them until he had invited them to submit. He was insensible to fear, and accordingly proceeded so near as to make himself distinctly heard in their camp, where, after taking a stand on a convenient eminence, he commenced his pious exhortations, urging them to lay down their arms. He was answered by a volley of musketry, which lodged their contents in the log on which he stood. Turn- ing calmly to a friend, who had followed him under cover of tha breast-work which formed his footstool, he said " Now give me a gun ;" and that is said to be the first gun which spoke on that memorable occasion. He continued to bear his part till the bat- tle was decided in favor of the American armies, and contributed honorably to that result. MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 411 THE circumstances of the murder of Miss Jane M'Crea have been variously given, but the following version is supposed to be correct : " Miss M'Crea belonged to a family of royalists, and had engaged her hand in marriage to a young refugee, named David Jones, a subordinate officer in the British service, who was advan- cing with Burgoyne. Anxious to possess himself of his bride, he despatched a small party of Indians to bring her to the British camp. Her family and friends were strongly opposed to her going with such an escort ; but her affection overcame her pru- dence and she determined upon the hazardous adventure. She set forward with her dusky attendants on horseback. The family resided at the village of Fort Edward, whence they had not pro- ceeded half a mile before her conductors stopped to drink at a spring. Meantime, the impatient lover, who deserved not her embrace for confiding her protection to such hands, instead of going himself, had despatched a second party of Indians upon the same errand. The Indians met at the spring ; and before the march was resumed, they were attacked by a party of the Provincials. At the close of the skirmish, the body of Miss M'Crea was found among the slain, tomahawked, scalped, and tied to a pine-tree, yet standing by the side of the spring, as a monument of the bloody transaction. The ascertained cause of the murder was this : The promised reward for bringing her in safety to her betrothed was a barrel of rum. The chiefs of the two parties sent for her by Mr. Jones quarreled respecting the anticipated compensation. Each claimed it ; and, in a moment of passion, to end the controversy, one of them struck her down with his hatchet." 412 MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. AN act similar to that recorded of the gunner's wife at the battle of Monmouth, was performed by Mrs. Corbcu, at the attack on Fort Washington. Her husband belonged to the artillery, and in the early part of the conflict was shot down. Standing by his side and seeing him fall, without pausing to heed her private grief, or give way to the agony of her heart, she hastened to fill his place and perform his duties. Although severely wound- ed, she heroically maintained her post to the last. Her services were rewarded by the honorable notice of Congress. AT the darkest period of the Revolution, New Jersey was, for a short time, full of British soldiers, and Lord Cornwallis was stationed at Bordentown. He visited Mrs. Borden one day. at her elegant mansion, and made an effort to intimidate her. He told her that if she would persuade her husband and son, who were then in the American army, to join his forces, none of her property should be destroyed ; but if she refused to make such exertions, he would burn her house, and lay waste her whole estate. Unintimidated and patriotic, she made the following bold reply, which caused the execution of the threat : " The sight of my house in flames would be a treat to me, for I have seen enough to know that you never injure what you have power to keep and enjoy. The application of a torch to my dwelling I should regard as the signal for your departure." And such it "AN intrepid action of Sergeant Mitchell, merits particular notice. There were no ensigns attached to the command, and when it was ascertained that a contest must ensue with Tarleton, the adjutant selected Mitchell to bear the colors, as he had MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. 413 always been distinguished for correctness of conduct, and wa connected with a family of high respectability. In the progress of the battle, Tarleton led an attack on the centre of the line where Mitchell was posted with his standard. The intrepid sergeant was cut down, and the staff of his colors broken. Grasping the part to which the colors were attached, he retained it firmly in his hands, while dragged to a distance of fifteen yards. The British dragoons now gathered round him, and would immediately have mangled him to death, but Captain Kinloch dismounted and protected him from their rage, declaring that so gallant a soldier, though an enemy, should not perish. Mitchell survived his wounds, though severe, removed, at the close of the war to Georgia, became, from his acknowledged merits, a brigadier-general, and was, but a few years back, a hale and heartv man." 414 INCIDENTS ON THE BORDER. INCIDENTS ON THE BORDER. " AT one time during the war, a detachment of seventy men, while ascending the Ohio river, were surprised by a party of In- dians, and nearly exterminated. Among those who escaped both death and captivity, were Captain Robert Benham and another man, whose cases, together, form a novel and romantic adventure. Benham was shot through both hips, and the bones being shat- tered, he instantly fell. Still, aided by the darkness, he succeed- ed in crawling among the thick branches of a fallen tree, where he lay without molestation through the night and during the following day, while the Indians, who had returned for that pur- pose, were stripping the slain. He continued to lie close in the place of his retreat until the second day, when, becoming hungry, and observing a raccoon descending a tree, he managed to shoot it, hoping to be able to strike a fire and cook the animal. The crack of the rifle was followed by a human cry, which at first startled the captain; but the cry being repeated several times, the voice of a Kentuckian was at length recognised : the call was returned, and the parties were soon united. The man proved to INCIDENTS ON THE BORDER. 415 De one of his comrades, who had lost the use of both his arms in the battle. Never did mercy find more welcome company. One of the party could use his feet, and the other his hands. Ben- ham, by te'aring up his own and his companion's shirts, dressed the wounds of both. He could load his rifle and fire with readi ness, and was thus enabled to kill such game as approached, while his companion could roll the game along the ground with his feet, and in the same manner collect wood enough to cook their meals. When thirsty, Benham could place his hat in the teeth of his companion, who went to the Licking, and wading in until he could stoop down and fill it, returned with a hatful of water. When the stock of squirrels and other game in their immediate neighborhood was exhausted, the man of legs would roam away, and drive up a flock of wild turkeys, then abundant in those parts, until they came within range of Benham's rifle. Here they lived for six weeks, when they discovered a boat upon the Ohio, which took them off. Both recovered thoroughly from their wounds." GENERAL BENJAMIN LOGAN, a Virginian by birth, resided du- ring the war in a small settlement called Logan's Fort, in Ken- tucky. Here, on one occasion, he distinguished himself by an act of courage and generosity unexcelled in the history of roman- tic and chivalrous daring. " In the month of May, 1777, as the women of his family were engaged in milking the cows at the gate of the little fort, and some of the garrison attending them, a party of Indians appeared and fired upon them. One man was shot dead, and two more wounded, one of them mortally. The whole party, including one of the wounded men, instantly ran into the fort, and closed the 416 INCIDENTS ON THE BORDER. gate. The enemy quickly showed themselves upon the edge of a canebreak, within close rifle-shot of the gate, and seemed nu- merous and determined. Having a moment's leisure to look around, Logan beheld a spectacle, which awakened his most lively interest and compassion. "A man named Harrison had been severely -wounded, and still lay near the spot where he had fallen, within view both of the garrison and the Indians. The poor fellow was, at intervals, en- deavoring to crawl in the direction of the fort, and had succeeded in reaching a cluster of bushes, which, however, were too thin to shelter his person from the enemy. His wife and family were in the fort, and in deep distress at his situation. The Indians undoubtedly forbore to fire upon him, from the supposition that some of the garrison would attempt to save him, in which case, they held themselves in readiness to fire upon them from the canebrake. The case was a trying one. It seemed impossible to save him without sacrificing the lives of several of the garri- son ; and their numbers were already far too few for an effectual defence, having originally amounted only to fifteen men, of whom three had already been put Jiors de combat. " Yet the spectacle was so moving, and the lamentations of the wounded man's family so distressing, that it was difficult to resist making an effort to rescue him. Logan tried to persuade some of his men to accompany him in a sally, but so evident and appalling was the danger, that all at first refused ; one herculean fellow observing that he was a ' weakly man,' and another de. claring that he was sorry for Harrison, but that ' the skin was closer than the shirt.' At length, John Martin collected his courage, and declared his willingness to accompany Logan, saying, that ' he could only die once, and that he was as ready now as INCIDENTS ON THE BORDER. 417 he ever could be.' The two men opened the gate, and started upon their expedition, Logan leading the way. " They had not advanced five steps, when Harrison perceiving them, made a vigorous effort to rise, upon which Martin, suppo- sing him able to help himself, immediately sprang back within the gate. " Harrison's strength almost instantly failed, and he fell at full length upon the grass. Logan paused a moment after the de- sertion of Martin, then suddenly sprang forward to the spot where Harrison lay, rushing through a tremendous shower of rifle-balls which was poured upon him from every quarter around the fort, capable of covering an Indian. Seizing the wounded man in his arms, he ran -with him to the fort, through another heavy fire, and entered it unhurt, although the gate and picketing near him were riddled with balls, and his hat and clothes pierced in several " IN the year 1782, the war-chief of the Wyandot tribe of In- dians of lower Sandusky sent a young white man, whom he had taken prisoner, as a present to another chief, who was called the Half-king of Upper Sandusky, for the purpose of being adopted into his family, in the place of one of his sons, who had been killed the preceding year. The prisoner arrived, and was pre- sented to the Half-king's wife, but she refused to receive him ; which, according to the Indian rule, was in fact a sentence of death. The young man was therefore taken away, for the pur- pose of being tortured and burnt on the pile. While the dread- ful preparations were making, and the unhappy victim was al- ready tied to the stake, two English traders, Messrs. Arundel and Bobbins, moved by feelings of pitv and humanity, resolved to 418 INCIDENTS ON THE BORDER. unite their exertions to endeavor to save the prisoner's life, by offering a ransom to the war-chief; which, however, he refused, saying it was an established rule among them to sacrifice a pris- oner when refused adoption, and besides, the numerous war cap- tains were on the spot to see the sentence carried into execution The two generous Englishmen were however not discouraged and determined to try another effort. They appealed to the well known high-minded pride of an Indian. ' But,' said they 4 among all these chiefs whom you have mentioned, there is none who equals you in greatness ; you are considered not only as the greatest and bravest, but as the best man in the nation.' ' Do you really believe what you say ?' said the Indian, looking them full in the face. 'Indeed we do.' Then, without speaking another word, he blackened himself, and taking his knife, and tomahawk in his hand, made his way. through the crowd to the unhappy victim, crying out with a loud voice, ' What have you to do with my prisoner ?' and at once cutting the cords with which he was tied, took him to his house, which was near that of Mr. Arundel, whence he was conveyed in safety." " A soldier in Western N. Y., one day was out on a scouting party. Being a man of courage, enterprize, and sagacity, he was determined, if possible, to obtain an accurate knowledge of the position of the enemy. For this purpose he ventured to separate from his companions. In the course of his reconnoitering alone, in the open field, he approached a wood, the under brush of which was very thick. His watchful eye discovered what he supposed to be some animal among the bushes. He immediately saw his mistake it was an Indian crawling on his hands and feet, with his rifle in his hand, and watching the soldier, evidently INCIDENTS ON THE BORDER. 419 with the intention of advancing sufficiently near to make him a sure mark. For the soldier to retreat was now impossible ; he thought he could not escape, and he remembered too, that his father had told him never to return with a backside wound. He pretended not to see the Indian, and walked slowly towards him, with his gun cocked by his side, carefully observing all his movements. They approached nearer and nearer ; at length he saw the Indian bringing the gun to his shoulder at that instant the soldier fell to the ground the ball whistled its deadly music over his head. The soldier lay motionless. The Indian uttered the dreadful yell which signifies the death of an enemy, and drawing the bloody scalping-knife, (but forgetting to reload his piece), advanced with hasty strides, thirsting for murder, and anticipating the reward for the scalp. The soldier, motionless, permitted him to approach within ten paces, he then with the ut- most composure sprung upon his feet. The savage stood aghast ! The soldier with deliberate aim, put two balls directly through his heart. A hoarse groan was the only sound that issued from the fallen savage. This son of the forest was at least six feet five inches in height." " WHEN the war of extermination between the Indiana and Kentuckians was at its height, those who inhabited the back parts of the state of Kentucky, were obliged to have their houses built very strong, with loop-holes all around ; and doors always fas- tened, so as to repel any attack from the Indians. While the owner of one of these domestic fortresses was with his slaves, at work on the plantation, a negro who was posted near the house, saw approaching a party of Indians. He immediately ran to the house, and the foremost Indian after him. The Indian was the 420 INCIDENTS ON THE BORDER. > fleetest, and as the door opened to admit the negro, they both jumpad in together. The other Indians being some distance be- hind, the door was instantly closed by the planter's wife within, when the Indian and negro grappled. Long and hard was the struggle, for as in the case of Fitz James and Roderick Dhu, the one was the strongest and the other more expert, but strength this time was the victor, for they fell, the Indian below ; when the negro, placing his knees on his breast, and holding his hands, kept him in that position, until the woman, seizing a broad axe, and taking the Indian by his long hair, at one blow severed his head from his body. The negro, then seizing the guns, fired them at the other Indians, which as fast as discharged, were loaded again by the planter's wife, until the party from the field, hearing the firing, arrived, and the Indians took to flight." " CAPTAIN HENRY ECKLER, was out with a friend in the vicinity of Fort Herkimer, and unexpectedly fell in with Brant and a party of his warriors. The chief, who was well acquainted with Captain Eckler, addressed him by name, and asked him if he would surrender himself his prisoner. " Not by a d d sight, as long as I have legs to run !" and suiting the action to the word, he turned and fled at the top of his speed, and his com- panion with him. The surprise took place near a piece of woods, into which the fugitives ran, pursued by a band of yelling sav- ages. Eckler had proceeded but a little distance in the woods, when he found it would be impossible for him to run far with the epeed requisite for his escape by flight ; and passing over a knoll which hid him from the observation of his pursuers, he entered head first, a cavity at the root of a wind-fallen tree. He found its depth insufficient, however, to conceal his whole person, and INCIDENTS ON THK BORDER. 421 like a young ostrich or partridge, that, with its head concealed, fee-Is secure, if it remains still, lie resolved to keep silence and trust to Providence for the issue. The party pursuing him, soon arrived upon the knoll, and halted almost over him, to catch another glimpse of his retiring form. But they looked in vain ; and while they stood there, and he heard their conversation, he expected every moment would be his last, as he was sure if his foes looked down, they could not fail to see at least, one half his person. He felt that if they did but listen, they could hear the heart in his breast beat like the thumping of a hammer. Suppo- sing Eckler had fled in an opposite direction, his pursuers over- looked his place of concealment, and expressing to each other their surprise at his sudden exit, and declaring that a spirit had helped him escape, they withdrew, when he backed out of his hiding place, and regained his home in safety." " IN the massacre of Cheny Valley, a Miss Jane Wells, a young lady of superior character and exalted piety, having escaped by the door, sought safety in the wood-pile ; but an Indian discov- ered her, and, after deliberately wiping his scalping-knife on his legging, sheathed it, and seized her by the arm, at the same time, brandishing his tomahawk. The captive remonstrated with him in the Indian language, with which she had some acquaintance ; and one of the tories among the invading party, named Peter Smith, who had once lived with the family of Mr. Wells as a servant, interposed and begged the savage to spare her life, pre- ending that she was his sister. But this availed only to procure short delay. The next moment the interesting young lady fell dead from the blow of a tomahawk. 422 INCIDENTS ON THE BORDER. The house of the venerable pastor was entered by the enemy, and his aged wife immediately put to death ; but one of the Mo- lawk chiefs, named Little Aaron, led him out of the house, and kept him under his protection. An Indian, running by, pulled off the old gentleman's hat; and the chief pursued him and brought it back. The old man was thus rescued from massacre; but the shock he received was so great, that, although he was set %t liberty soon after, he died a few months subsequently. The fort was not taken by the enemy : but, on the first alarm, a gun was fired from it, which gave intimation of the attack." HISTORY OF NANCY HART. 423 HISTORY OF NANCY HART.* ONE among the most remarkable women that any country has ever produced, resided in Elbert, We give our readers various, particulars concerning her, derived from conversations which we have had with persons who were acquainted with her, and from notes kindly furnished by the Rev. Mr. Snead, of Baldwin County, Georgia, a connection of the Hart family. We are also under obligations to the Hon. Thomas Hart Benton, to whom we addressed a letter asking for information in regard to the relationship existing between the family of the Harts and himself, who promptly favored us with all that we desired. NANCY HART'S maiden name was Morgan. She was married to Benjamin Hart, and soon afterwards came to Georgia. Her husband was brother of the celebrated Colonel Thomas Hart, of Kentucky, who married a Miss Grey, of Orange County, North Carolina. This gentleman was the father of the wife of the Hon. Henry Clay, and maternal uncle of the Hon. Thomas Hart Benton. The family of Mr. Snead removing to Georgia, in consequence of the relationship between them and the Harts, Aunt Nancy, as she was usually called, came to see them. Mr. Snead says he well remembers her appearance, and many anec- dotes related of her. He describes her pretty much as she is made to appear in the Yorkville sketch below, but says she was positively not cross-eyed. He represents her as being about six From Historical Collections of Georgia, by the Key. George White. 424 HISTORY OF NANCY HART. feet high, very muscular, and erect in her gait ; her hair light brown, slightly sprinkled with gray when he last saw her, being at that time about sixty years of age. From long indulgence in violent passion, her countenance was liable, from trivial causes, to sudden changes. In dwelling upon the hardships of the Re- volution, the perfidy of the Tories, and her frequent adventures with them, she never failed to become much excited. Among the anecdotes remembered by Mr. Snead is the fol- lowing : On one evening she was at home with her children, sitting round the log-fire, with a large pot of soap boiling over the fire. Nancy was busy stirring the soap,- and entertaining her family with the latest news of the war. The houses in those days were all built of logs, as well as the chimneys. While they were thus employed, one of the family discovered some one from the outside peeping through the cre- vices of the chimney, and gave a silent intimation of it to Nancy. She rattled away with more and more spirit, now giv- ing exaggerated accounts of the discomfiture of the Tories, and again stirring the boiling soap, and watching the place indicated for a re -appearance of the spy. Suddenly, with the quickness of lightning, she dashed the ladle of boiling soap through the crevice full in the face of the eavesdropper, who, taken by sur- prise, and blinded by the hot soap, screamed and roared at a tremendous rate, whilst the indomitable Nancy went out, amused herself at his expense, and, with gibes and taunts, bound him fast as her prisoner. Soon after the close of the Revolution, she removed with her family to Georgia, and settled at Brunswick, then a frontier place. She was the mother of six sons (Morgan, John, Ben, BISTORT OF NANCY HART. 425 Thomas, Mark, Lemuel) and two daughters (Sally and Reziah). Her eldest daughter, Sally, married a man by the name of Thomp- son, who partook largely of the qualities of Mrs. Hart. Sally and her husband followed Mrs. Hart to Georgia several years after- wards. Upon their journey, a most unfortunate affair occurred. In passing through Burke County, they camped for the night on the roadside. Next morning a white man, who was employed as a wagoner, on being ordered by Thompson, in a peremptory manner, to do some particular thing, returned rather an insolent answer, and refused. Thompson, enraged, seized a sword, and with a single blow severed his head from his body. He then, with apparent unconcern, mounted the team, and drove on him- self, until he came to the first house, where he stopped and told the inmates he had "just cut a fellow's head off at the camp, and they had best go down and bury him !" He then drove on, but was pursued and taken back to Waynesborough, and con- fined in jail. This brought the heroic Nancy to the up-country again. She went to Waynesborough several times, and in a few days after her appearance thereabouts, Thompson's prison was one morning found open, and he gone ! Mrs. Hart, speaking of the occurrence, said rather exultingly, " That's the way with them all. Drat'em, when they get into trouble, they always send for me !" Not long after their removal, Nancy lost her husband. But, after paying suitable respect to his memory, she consoled herself, like most other good wives who have the luck, by marrying a young man, with whom she lifted up her stakes, and, in the language of the annexed sketch, set out among the earliest pioneeers for the " wilds of the West." The following sketch of this extraordinary woman, which 426 HISTORY OF NANCY HART. originally appeared in the Yorkville (S.C.) Pioneer, is believed to be the first account of her that ever found its way to the public : NANCY HART and her husband settled before the Revolution- ary War a few miles above the ford on Broad River, in Elbert County, Georgia. An apple orchard still remains to point out the spot. In altitude, Mrs. Hart was a Patagonian, and remarkably well-limbed and muscular. In a word, she was " lofty and sour." Marked by nature with prominent features, circum- stances and accident added, perhaps, not a little, to her peculiar- ities. She was horribly cross-eyed, as well as cross-grained; but, nevertheless, she was a sharp-shooter. Nothing was more common than to see her in full pursuit of the bounding stag. The huge antlers that hung round her cabin, or upheld her trusty gun, gave proof of her skill in gunnery ; and the white comb, drained of its honey and hung up for ornament, testified to her powers in bee-finding. Many can testify to her magical art in the mazes of cookery being able to get up a pumpkin in as many forms as there are days in the week. She was extensively known and employed for her profound knowlege in the management ot all ailments. But she was most remarkable for her military feats. She professed high-toned ideas of liberty. Not even the marriage knot could restrain her on that subject. Like the "Wife of Bath," she held over her tongue-scourged husband " The reins of absolute command, With all the government of house and land, And empire o'er his tongue and o'er his hand." HISTORY OP NANCY HART. 427 The clouds of war gathered, and burst with a dreadful ex- plosion in this State. Nancy's spirit rose with the tempest. She declared and proved herself a friend to her country, ready " to do or die." All accused of Whiggism had to hide or swing. The lily- livered Mr. Hart was not the last to seek safety in the cane- brake with his neighbors. They kept up a prowling, skulking kind of life, occasionally sallying forth in a sort of predatory style. The Tories at length, however, gave Mrs. Hart a call, and in true soldier manner ordered a repast. Nancy soon had the necessary materials for a good feast spread before them. The smoking venison, the hasty hoe-cake, and the fresh honey- comb were sufficient to have provoked the appetite of a gorged epicure ! They simultaneously stacked their arms and seated themselves, when, quick as thought, the dauntless Nancy seized one of the guns, cocked it, and with a blazing oath declared she would blow out the brains of the first mortal that offered to rise, or taste a mouthful! They all knew her character too well to imagine she would say one thing and do another. " Go," said she to one of her sons, " and tell the Whigs that I have taken six base Tories." They sat still, each expecting to be offered up, with doggedly mean countenances, bearing the marks of disappointed revenge, shame, and unappeased hunger. Whether the incongruity between Nancy's eyes caused each to imagine himself her immediate object, or whether her command- ing attitude, stern and ferocious fixture of countenance, over- awed them ; or the powerful idea of their unsoldierlike con- duct unnerved them; or the certainty of death, it is not easy to determine. They were soon relieved, and dealt with according to the rules of the times. 428 HISTORY OF NANCY HART. This heroine lived to see her country free. She, however, found game and bees decreasing, and the country becoming old so fast, that she sold out her possessions, in spite of the remon- strances of her husband, and was " among the first of the pioneers who paved the way to the wilds of the West." The following, from Mrs. Ellet's "Women of the Revolu- tion," will be read with interest, although it does not coincide exactly with the Yorkville account : In this county is a stream, formerly known as " War- woman's Creek." Its name was derived from the character of an indi- vidual who lived near the entrance of the stream into the river. This person was NANCY HART, a woman ignorant of letters and the civilities of life, but a zealous lover of liberty and the "liberty boys," as she called the Whigs. She had a husband, whom she denominated " a poor stick," because he did not take a decided and active part with the defenders of his country, although she could not conscientiously charge him with the least partiality towards the Tories. This vulgar and illiterate, but hospitable and valorous female patriot, could boast no share of beauty a fact she herself would have readily acknowledged, had she ever enjoyed an opportunity of looking in a mirror. She was cross- eyed, with a broad, angular mouth, ungainly in figure, rude in speech, and awkward in manners, but having a woman's heart for her friends, though that of a Catrine Montour for the ene- mies of her country. She was well known to the Tories, who stood in fear of her revenge for any grievance or aggressive act, though they let pass no opportunity of worrying and annoying her, when they could do so with impunity. On the occasion cf an excursion from the British camp at Augusta, a party of Tories penetrated into the interior, and HISTORY OF NANCY HAKT. 429 having savagely murdered Colonel Dooly in bed, in his own house, they proceeded up the country for the purpose of perpe- trating further atrocities. On their way, a detachment of five of the party diverged to the east, and crossed Broad River, to make discoveries about the neighborhood, and pay a visit to their old acquaintance, Nancy Hart. On reaching her cabin, they entered it unceremoniously, receiving from her no welcome but a scowl, and informed her they had come to know the truth of a story current respecting her, that she had secreted a noted rebel from a company of King's men who were pursuing him, and who, but for her aid, would have caught and hung him. Nancy undauntedly avowed her agency in the fugitive's escape. She told them she had at first heard the tramp of a horse rap- idly approaching, and had then seen a horseman coming towards her cabin. As he came nearer, she knew him to be a Whig, and flying from pursuit. She let down the bars a few steps from her cabin, and motioned him to enter, to pass through both doors, front and rear, of her single-roomed house, to take the swamp, and secure himself as well as he could. She then put up the bars, entered her cabin, closed the doors, and went about her business. Presently some Tories rode up to the bars, and called out boisterously to her. She muffled her head and face, and opening the door, inquired why they disturbed a sick, lone woman. They said they had traced a man they wanted to catch, near her house, and asked if any one on horseback had passed that way. She answered no, but said she saw somebody on a sorrel horse turn out of the path into the woods, some two or three hundred yards back. " That must be the fellow," said the Tories ; and asking her direction as to the way he took, they turned about and went off, " well fooled !" said Nancy, " in an 430 HISTORY OP NANCY HART. opposite course to that of my Whig boy ; when, if they had not been so lofty-minded, but had looked on the ground inside the bars, they would have seen his horse's tracks up to that door, as plain as you can see the tracks on this here floor, and out of t'other door down the path to the swamp." This bold story did not much please the Tory party, but they could not wreak their revenge upon the woman who thus un- scrupulously avowed her daring aid to a rebel, and the cheat she had put upon his pursuers, otherwise than by ordering her to aid and comfort them by giving them something to eat. She re- plied, " I never feed King's men, if I can help it. The villains have put it out of my power to feed even my own family and friends, by stealing and killing all my poultry and pigs, except that one old gobbler you See in the yard." " Well, and that you shall cook for us," said one, who ap- peared the head of the party ; and raising his musket, he shot down the turkey, which another of the men brought into the house, and handed to Mrs. Hart, to clean and cook without delay. She stormed and swore awhile for Nancy occasionally swore but seeming, at last, resolved to make a merit of neces- sity, began with alacrity the arrangements for cooking, assisted by her daughter, a little girl some ten or twelve years old, and sometimes by one of the soldiers, with whom she seemed in a tolerably good humor," exchanging rude jests with him. The Tories, pleased with her freedom, invited her to partake of the liquor they had brought with them, an invitation which was ac- cepted with witty thanks. The spring, of which every settlement has one near at hand, was just at the edge- of the swamp, and a short distance within it was a high snag-topped stump, on which was placed a conch- HISTORY OF NANCY HART. 431 shell. This rude trumpet was used by the family to give infor- mation, by means of a variation of notes, to Mr. Hart, or his neighbors, who might be at work in the field or clearing just be- yond the swamp, that the " Britishers" or Tories were about ; that the master was wanted at the cabin, or that he was to " keep close," or " make tracks" for another swamp. Pending the operations of cooking, Mrs. Hart had sent her daughter, Sukey, to the spring for water, with directions to blow the conch in such a way as would inform him that there were Tories in the cabin, and that he should " keep close," with his three neighbors who were with him, till he heard the conch again. ' The party had become merry over their jug, and sat down to feast upon the slaughtered gobbler. They had cautiously stacked their arms where they were in view, and within reach ; and Mrs. Hart, assiduous in her attentions upon the table and to her guests, occasionally passed between them and their muskets. Water was called for, and as there was none in the cabin Mrs. Hart having so contrived that Sukey was again sent to the spring, instructed by her mother to blow the conch so as to call up Mr. Hart and his neighbors immediately. Meanwhile, Mrs. Hart had slipped out one of the pieces of pine which constitutes a " chinking" between the logs of a cabin, and had dexterously put out of the house, through that space, two of the five guns. She was detected in the act of putting out the third. The party sprang to their feet. Quick as thought, Mrs. Hart brought the piece she held to her shoulder, and declared she would kill the first roan who approached her. All were terror-struck, for Nancy's obliquity of sight caused each one to imagine her aim was at him. At length one of them made a motion to advance upon her. True to her threat, she fired. He fell dead upon the 432 HISTORY OF NANCY HAKT. floor ! Instantly seizing another musket, she brought it to the position in readiness to fire again. By this time Sukey had re- turned from the spring, and taking up the remaining gun, earned it out of the house, saying to her mother, " Daddy and them will soon be here." This information increased the alarm of the Tories, who understood the necessity of recovering their arms immediately. But each hesitated, in the confident belief that Mrs. Hart had one eye, at least, upon him for a mark. They proposed a general rush. No time was to be lost by the bold woman ; she fired again, and brought down another Tory. Sukey had another musket in readiness, which her mother took, and, posting herself in the doorway, called upon the party to " surrender their d d Tory carcasses to a Whig woman." They agreed to surrender, and proposed to " shake hands upon the strength of it ;" but the conqueror kept them in their places for a few moments, till her husband and his neighbors came up to the door. They were about to shoot down the Tories, but Mrs. Hart stopped them, saying they had surrendered to her, and, her spirit being up to boiling heat, she swore that " shooting was too good for them." This hint was enough. The dead man was dragged out of the house, the wounded Tory and the others were bound, taken out beyond the bars, and hung. The tree upon which they were hung was pointed out, in 1838, by one who lived in those bloody times, and who also showed the spot once occupied by Mrs. Hart's cabin, accompanying the de- signation with the emphatic remark, " Poor Nancy she was a honey of a patriot, but the devil of a wife." APPENDIX. HISTORY OF TflE SONS OF LIBERTY. IN the year 1*765, ISAAC SEARS, afterward, better known by the name of KINO SEARS, a man of great personal intrepidity, forward in dangerous enterprises, and ready at all times to carry out the boldest measures, became the originator and leader of a patriotic band, who associated themselves together under the name of the " SONS OF LIBERTY." Their organization soon pervaded every part of the colonies, and was the germ of the Revolution. l>y their intrepidity the spirit of the masses was aroused, and by their persevering industry and zeal, the people were excited to oppose all efforts to enslave them. These bold spirits formed the nucleus of the future armies of the Revolution ; and it is to the moral courage which they displayed, and the indomitable resolution with which they braved all danger, that the world is indebted for the- illustrious example set by the infant colonies to Europe, and the foundation of a great and glorious republic. The intent of the first association of the " Sons of Liberty" was to put down the stamp-act ; and when this was effected, the objects of the society appeared to be accomplished. But the acts of parliament, simultaneous with, and subsequent to the repeal, gave to the more sagacious a cause for alarm greater than the obnoxious bill which had been rescinded. The billeting act, or mutiny bill, by establishing a standing army in the colonies at their own charge, was intended to strengthen the arm of the royal authority, to overawe the assembly, and to coerce the people to acquiesce in the impositions of the parliament. 434 APPENDIX. History is full of the resistance to the enormous assumption* of the mother-country by New England, and at the south ; but little is said of the attitude of New York in that dangerous crisis. And yet in that colony, where the power of the sovereign was almost omnipotent, notwithstanding the exertions of the most wealthy inhabitants whose large estates were held by grants from the cr6wn, and whose subservience to the. royal mandates influ- enced the assembly, and all those who subsisted by the royal bounty, there was found a chosen few who remained constant to the last ; and" who, when all seemed lost, kept alive the spirit of resistance, until from a feeble and hopeless minority, they were enabled to triumph over the power of the colonial government and prostrate the royal authority for ever. The association of the " Sons of Liberty" was organized in 1765, soon after the passage of the stamp-act, and extended throughout the colonies, from Massachusetts to South Carolina. It appears that New York was the central post from which com- munications were despatched to and from the east, and to the south, as far as Maryland ; which province was the channel of communication to and from its neighbors of Virginia and the Carolinas. As the post-offices were under the control of the government, and the riders not at all times reliable, the committee of New York (and probably the other provinces adopted the same course), upon extraordinary occasions, despatched intelligence by special messengers ; and if need were, a part of their members visited in person the neighboring associations to insure the perfect organ- ization of the patriotic league. The New York association had a correspondent in London, to whom an account was given of their proceedings, and from whom intelligence was from time to time transmitted of their proceed- ings and the supposed designs of the ministry, which in its turn was disseminated among the people by the association at home. A record of the names of the most active of their leaders would be a desirable document, but as this would be difficult to be obtained without great labor, and, perhaps, by a single individual impos- sible, a list of the committees in the different provinces, so far aa they can be ascertained, from the remaining papers of the com- mittee of New York, might be the means of initiating inquiry in other quarters toward producing the desired result. Those from Maryland will appear from the following extract from the proceedings of the " Sons of Liberty," March 1, 1766. APPENDIX. 435 " The Sons of Liberty of Baltimore county, and Anne A rundel county, met at the court house of the city of Annapolis, the first day of March, 1766. " On motion of a Son of Liberty to appoint a moderator and secretary, the Rev. Andflew Londrum was chosen moderator, and William Paca, secretary. " Joseph Nicholson, of Kent county, presented an address from that county, signed, William Ringgold, William Stephenson, Thomas Ringgold, jr., Joseph M'Hard, Gideon M'Cauley, Daniel Fox, Benjamin Binning, William Bordley, Jarvis James, William Stukely, Joseph Nicholson, jr., James Porter, Thomas Ringgold, James Anderson, Thomas Smyth, William Murray, JosephrNich- olson, George Garnet, S. Boardley, jr., Peroy, Frisby, Henry Van- dike, and John Bolton." William Paca, Samuel Chase, and Thomas B. Hands, were the Anne Arundel county committee. John Hall, Robert Alexander, Corbin Lee, James Heath, John Moale, and William Lux, were the Baltimore county committee. Thomas Chase, D. Chamier, Robert Adair, Patrick Allison, and W. Smith, were the Baltimore town committee. Pennsylvania. William Bradford and Isaac Howell, were the correspondents at Philadelphia. New Jersey. Daniel Hendrickson, minister. Peter Imlay, jr., Jos. Holmes, jr., Peter Covenhoven, jr., and Elisha Lawrence, jr., were the committee of Upper Freehold Richard Smith of Bur lington, and Henry Bickers of New Brunswick. Connecticut. Jo. Burrows ; Jonathan Sturgis, Fairfield ; John Durker, Norwich ; Hugh Leollie, Windham. New York. Isaac Sears, John Lamb, William Wiley, Edward Laight, Thos. Robinson, Flores Bancker, Chas. Nicoll, Joseph Alli- coke, and Gersham Mott Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, Mynhard Roseboom, Robert Henry, and Thomas Young, Albany. John S. Hobart, Gilbert Potter. Thos. Brush, Cornelius Conk- lin, and Nathaniel Williams, Huntington, Long Island. George Townsend, Barack Sneething, Benjamin Townsend, George Weeks, Michael Weeks, and Rowland Chambers, Oyster Bay, Long Island. The first organization of the Sons of Liberty, was dissolved at the repeal of the stamp-act ; and while the hope was strong that similar associations would no longer be necessary, the committee received a letter from their faithful correspondent in London, of the following import : 436 APPENDIX. LONDON, 28^ July, 1766. Gentlemen : I flattered myself to have heard from you by the last ships, but am informed your society is dissolved, which I am glad to hear, as the cause of your complaint is removed. But I think it necessary to assure you that the continual account we had of the Sons of Liberty, through all North America, had its proper weight and effect. As our gracious sovereign rules over none but free men, and in which he glories, it therefore cannot offend him that his numer- ous and faithful subjects in America claim the appellation of Sons of Liberty. * Permit me, therefore, to recommend ten or twenty of the principal of you, to form yourselves into a club, to meet once a week, under the name of Liberty Club ; and forever, on the 18th of March, or first day of May, give notice to the whole body to commemorate your deliverance, spending such day in festivity and joy. I beg pardon for taking the liberty to advise you ; but I am firmly of opinion it will have such effect as you wish. I have the honor to be, gentlemen, your most humble servant. NICHOLAS RAY. P. S. The commercial acts and free ports which we lately sent to all the colonies, I believe will give you pleasure. To the Sona of Liberty, New York. To this letter the committee returned the following reply : NEW YORK, October 10th, 1766. SIR : Your esteemed favor of the 28th July last, we have duly received ; and observe with the greatest regret your disappoint- ment at not hearing from us, agreeably to your expectations, which, permit us to assure you, was not owing to any remissness on our part, or want of respect ; but to the dissolution of our soci- ety, which happened immediately upon the repeal of the stamp- act Your proposal with regard to a number of us forming our- selves into a club, we have already had under consideration. But as it is imagined that some inconvenience would arise, should such a club be established just at this time, we must postpone the same till it may appear more eligible ; at the same time we take the liberty to assure you, and all our good friends on your side of the water, who so nobly exerted themselves in behalf of us, and the expiring liberties of their country, that we still do, and ever shall APPENDIX. 437 retain the most grateful sense of the favors we have received ; and that we shall use our utmost endeavors, consistent with loy- alty, to keep up that glorious spirit of liberty which was so rap- idly and so generally kindled throughout this extensive continent ^ Border to which, we shall not fail hereafter to celebrate the an- r*niversary of the repeal, with every demonstration of gratitude and ^joy, on the memorable eighteenth day of March. We have the honor to be, in behalf of the Sons of Liberty, sir your most obedient and obliged humble servants, ISAAC SEARS, EDWARD LAIGHT, FLORES BANCKER, JOHN LAMB, CHAS. NICOLL, JOSEPH ALLICOKE. To Mr. Nicholas Ray, merchant, London. It was not long before the necessity for reorganization became apparent, and most of the committee, who had acted with so much vigor and zeal, were found equally vigilant on every emergency. Of the persons before named of the New York association, Mr. Allicoke alone is known to the writer to have espoused the cause of the king. But with the exception of Messrs. Nicoll and Bancker, whose names do not appear on any of the subsequent committees ; the others were the most determined opposers of the crown and steadfast adherents to the revolutionary party. 438 APPENDIX. THE APPOINTMENT OF GEORGE WASHINGTON TO THE SUPREME COMMAND, JUNE 18TH, 1775. " The army was assembled at Cambridge, Massachusetts, under General Ward, and Congress was sitting at Philadelphia. Every day new applications in behalf of the army arrived. The country were urgent that Congress should legalize the raising of the army , as they had what must be considered, and was in law considered, only a mob a band of armed rebels. The country was placed in circumstances of peculiar difficulty and danger. The struggle had begun, and yet everything was without order. The great trial now seemed to be in this question, Who shall be the com- mander-in-chief ? It was exceedingly important, and was felt to be the hinge on which the contest might turn for or against us. The southern and the middle states, warm and rapid in their zeal, were for the most part jealous of New England, because they felt that the real physical force was there. What then was to be done ? All New England adored General Ward : he had been in the French war, and went out laden with laurels. He was a scholar and a statesman. Every qualification seemed to cluster in him ; and it was confidently believed that the army could not receive any appointment over him. What then was to be done ? Difficulties thickened at every step. The struggle was to be long and bloody. Without union, all was lost. The country, and the whole country, must come in. One pulsation must beat through all hearts. The cause was one, and the army must be one. The members had talked, debated, considered, and guessed, and yet the decisive step had not been taken. At length Mr. Adams came to his conclusion. The means of resolving it were some- what singular, and nearly as follows : he was walking one morn- ing before Congress hall, apparently in deep thought, when his cousin, Samuel Adams,, came up to him and said : " ' What is the topic with you this morning ?' " ' Oh, the army, the army,' he replied. ' I'm determined to go into the hall this morning, and enter on a full detail of the state of the colonies, in order to show an absolute need of taking some decisive steps. My whole aim will be, to induce Congress to ap- point a day for adopting the army as the legal army of these uni- ted colonies of North America, and then to hint at ray election of a commander-m-chief.' APPENDIX. 439 Ui Well,' said Samuel Adams, 'I like that, cousin John; but on whom have you fixed as that commander ?' w ' I will tell you George Washington, of Virginia, a member of this house.' " ' Oh,' replied Samuel Adams, quickly, ' that will never do never.' " ' It must do it shall do,' said John, ' and for these reasons : the southern and middle states are both to enter heartily in the cause, and their arguments are potent : they say that New Eng- land holds the physical power in her hands, and they fear the result. A New England army, a New England commander, with New England perseverance, all united, appal them. For this cause they hang back. Now, the only course is to allay their fears, and give them nothing to complain of; and this can be done in no other way but by appointing a southern chief over this force, and then all rush to the standard. The policy will blend us in one mass, and that mass will be resistless.' " At this, Samuel Adams seemed to be greatly moved. They talked over the preliminary circumstances, and John asked his cousin to second the motion. Mr. Adams went in, took the floor, and put forth all his strength in the delineations he had prepared, all aiming at the adoption of the army. He was ready to own the army, appoint a commander, vote supplies, and proceed to business. After his speech had been finished, some objected, and some feared. His warmth increased with the occasion, and to all these doubts and hesitations he replied thus : " ' Gentlemen, if this Congress will not adopt this army before ten moons have set, New England will adopt it, and she will un- dertake the struggle alone yes, with a strong arm and a clean conscience, she will front the foe single-handed.' " This had the desired effect They saw New England was neither playing nor to be played with, and they agreed to appoint a day. A day was fixed : it came : Mr. Adams went in, took the floor, urged the measure, and after some debate it passed. " The next thing was to get a commander for this army, with supplies, etc. All looked to Mr. Adams on the occasion, and he was ready. He then took the floor, and went into a minute de- lineation of the character of General Ward, bestowing on him the encomiums which then belonged to no one else. At the end of the eulogy, he said : ' But this is not the man I have chosen.' He then went into the delineation of the character of a com mander-in-chief, such as was required by the peculiar situation of the colonies at that juncture. And after he had presented the 440 APPENDIX. qualifications in his strongest language, and given the reasons for the nomination he was about to make, he said : " ' Gentlemen, I know these qualifications are high, but we all know they are needful, at this crisis, in this chief. Does any one say they are not to be obtained in this country ? In reply, I have to say, they are ; they reside in one of our own body, and he is the person whom I now nominate GEORGE WASHINGTON, OF VIRGINIA.' " Washington, who sat on Mr. Adams' right hand, was looking him intently in the face, to watch the name he was about to an- nounce, and, not expecting it would be his, sprang from his seat the minute he heard it, and rushed into an adjoining room. Mr. Adams had asked his cousin Samuel to ask for an adjournment as soon as the nomination was made, in order to give the mem- bers time to deliberate and the result is before the world. " I asked Mr. Adams, among other questions, the following : " ' Did you ever doubt of the success of the conflict ?' " ' No, no,' said he, ' not for a moment. I expected to be hung and quartered, if I was caught ; but no matter for that my country would be free ; I knew George the Third could not forge chains long enough and strong enough to reach around these United States.' " A REVOLUTIONARY RELIC. THE following interesting document was found among the papers of Major John Jacob Schsefmyer, a deceased patriot of the Revolution. It is a discourse delivered on the eve of the bat- tle of Brandy wine, by Rev. Joab Trout, to a large portion of the American soldiers, in presence of General Washington, General Wayne, and other officers of the army. REVOLUTIONARY SERMON. " They that take the sword shall perish by the sword." Soldiers and Countrymen : We have met this evening perhaps for the last time. We have shared the toil of the march, the peril of the fight, and the dis- may of the retreat alike ; we have endured the cold and hunger, APPENDIX. 441 the contumely of the internal foe, and the courage of the foreign oppressor. We have sat, night after night, beside the camp fire ; we have together heard the roll of the revel lie, which called us to duty, or the beat of the tattoo, which gave the signal for the hardy sleep of the soldier, with the earth for his bed and the knapsack for his pillow. And now, soldiers and brethren, we have met in the peaceful valley on the eve of battle, while the sunlight is dying away be- yond yonder heights, the sunlight that to-morrow morn will glim- mer on 'scenes of blood. We have met, amid the whitening tenta of our encampment ; in the time of terror and gloom have we gathered together God grant that it may not be for the last time. It is a solemn moment. Brethren, does not the solemn voice of nature seem to echo the sympathies of the hour ? The flag of our country droops heavily from yonder staff the breeze has died away along the green plain of Chadd's Ford the plain that spreads before us glittering in sunlight the heights of the Bran- dywine arise gloomily and grand beyond the waters of yonder stream all nature holds a pause of solemn silence on the eve of uproar and bloodshed and strife of to-morrow. " They that take the sword, shall perish by the sword." And have they not taken the sword ? Let the desolated plain, the blood-sodden valley, the burned farm-house blackening in the sun, the sacked village, and the ravaged town, answer let the whitening bones of the butchered farmer strewn along the fields of his homestead, answer let the starving mother, with her babe clinging to the withered breast that can afford no sustenance ; let her answer with the death rat- tle mingling with the murmuring tones that marked the last struggle of her life ; let the dying mother and her babe answer. It was but a day past, and our land slept in the quiet of peace. War was not here ; wrong was not here. Fraud and woe, and misery and want dwelt not among us. From the eternal solitude of the greenwoods, arose the blue smoke of the settler's cabin, and golden fields of corn looked forth from amid the waste of the wilderness, and the glad music of human voices awoke the silence of the forest. Now, God of mercy, behold the change. Under the shadow of a pretext, under the sanctity of the name of God, invoking the Redeemer to their aid, do these foreign hirelings slay our people I They throng our towns they darken our plains, and now the/ encompass our posts on the lonely plain of Chadd's Ford. 442 AFPENDIX. " They that take the sword, shall perish by the sword !" Brethren, think me not unworthy of belief when I tell you the doom of the British is near. Think me not vain when I tell you that beyond the cloud that now enshrouds us, I see gathering thick and fast the darker cloud and blacker storm of Divine re- tribution ! They may conquer us to-morrow. Might and wrong prevail, and we may be driven from this field : but the hour of God's own vengeance will come ! Aye, if in the vast solitude of eternal space, if in the heart of the boundless universe, there throbs tjie being of an awful God, quick to avenge, and sure to punish guilt, then will the man George Brunswick, called King, feel in his brain and his heart, the vengeance of the eternal Jehovah ! A blight will be upon his life a withered brain, and an accursed intellect ; a blight will be upon his children and on his people. Great God, how dread the punishment. A crowded populace, peopling the dense towns where the man of money thrives, while the laborer starves : want striding among the people in all its forms of terror : and ignorant and God-defy- ing priesthood chuckling over the miseries of millions ; a proud and merciless nobility adding wrong, and heaping insult upon the robbery and fraud : royalty corrupt to the very heart, and aristocracy rotten to the core ; crime and want linked hand in hand, and tempting men to deeds of woe and death these are a part of the doom and retribution that come upon the English throne and the English people. Soldiers I look around upon your familiar faces with a strange interest To-morrow morning we will go forth to the battle for need I tell you that your unworthy minister will march with you invoking God's aid in the fight we will march forth to battle ! Need I exhort you to fight the good fight, to fight for your home- steads, for your wires and children ? My friends, I might urge you to fight by the galling memories of British wrongs. Walton I might tell you of your father butchered in the silence of the night on the plains of Trenton ; I might picture his grey hairs dabbled in blood ; I might ring his death shriek in your ears. Shelmire I might tell you of a butchered mother, and a sister outraged ; the lonely farm-house, the night assault, the roof in flames, the shouts of the troopers as they dispatched their victims, the cries for mercy and the plead- ings of innocence for pity. I might paint this all again in the APPENDIX. 443 vivid colors of the terrible reality, if I thought your courage needed such wild excitement. But I know you are strong in the might of the Lord. You will march forth to battle on the morrow, with light hearts and deter- mined spirit, though the solemn duty the duty of avenging the dead may rest heavy on ycrur souls. And in the hour of battle, when all around is darkness, lit by the lurid cannon glare, and the piercing musket flash, when the wounded strew the ground, and the dead litter your path then remember, soldiers, that God is with you. The eternal God fight* for you he rides on the battle cloud, he sweeps onward with the march of the hurricane charge God the awful and infinite, fights for you, and you will triumph. " They that take the sword, shall perish by the sword." You have taken the sword, but not in the spirit of wrong or ravage. You have taken the sword for yotw homes, for your wives, for your little ones. You have taken tEe sword for truth, and justice, and right, and to you, the promts is be of good cheer, for your foes have taken the sword inQwniance of all that men hold dear, in blasphemy of God they 3*11 perish by the sword. pO And now, brethren and soldiers, I bid you qjHarewell. Many of us may fall in the battle of to-morrow. GoCifst the souls of the fallen ! Many of us may live to tell the story of the fight to- morrow, and in the memory of all will ever rest and linger the quiet scenes of this Autumnal night. Solemn twilight advances over the valley ; the woods on the opposite heights fling their long shadows over the green of the meadow ; around us are the tents of the continental host, the sup- pressed bustle of the camp, the hurried tramp of the soldiers to and fro among the tents, the stillness and awe that marks the eve of battle. When we meet again, may the shadows of twilight be flung over a peaceful land. God in heaven grant it Let us pray. PRATER OF THE REVOLUTION. Great Father, we bow before thee ; we invoke thy blessings, we deprecate thy wrath ; we return thee thanks for the past, we ask thy aid for the future. For we are in times of trouble, oh, Lord, and sore beset by foes, merciless and unpitying. The sword gleams over our land, and the dust of the soil is dampened with the blood of our neighbors and friends. Oh ! God of mercy, we pray thee to bless the American arms. 444 APPENDIX. Make the man of our hearts strong in thy wisdom ; bless, we be- seech thee, with renewed life and strength, our hope, and thy in- strument, even George Washington ; shower thy counsels on the honorable the Continental Congress ; visit our host, comfort the soldier in his wounds and afflictions, nerve him for the fight, pre- pare him for the hour of death. And in the hour of need, oh, God of Hosts, do thou be our stay ; and in the hour of triumph, be thou our guide. Teach us to be merciful. Though the memory of galling wrongs be at our hearts, knocking for admittance, that they may fill us with the desire of revenge ; yet let us, oh, Lord, spare the vanquished, though they never spared us, in the hour of butchery and bloodshed. And in the hour of death, do thou guide us to the abode pre- pared for the blest ; so shall we return thanks unto thee, through Christ our Redeemer. God prosper the cause. Amen. THE LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Santa Barbara THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE STAMPED BELOW.