E 280 .C95 B7 Copy 1 tR i^ \' p^ f- -^ ENOCH CROSBY. THE SPY UNMASKED; OR, MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CEOSBY, alias HARVEY BIRCH, THE HERO OF ME. COOPER's TALE OF THE NEUTRAL GROUND; BEING AN AUTHENTIC ACCOUNT OF THE SECRET SERVICES AVHICH HE RENDERED HIS COUNTRY DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, \ (Taken from his own lips, in short hand), COMPRISING MANY INTERESTING FACTS AND ANECDOTES, NEVER I'.EFORE PUBLISHED. BY H. L. BARNUM EMBELLISHED WITH ENGRAVINGS. PRINTED IN NEW YORK CITY. 1828. BY J. & J. HARPER, AND RE-PRINTED BY THE Fli^HKIIili WEKKLY TIMES, WITH ADDITIONAL APPENDIX AND ILLUSTRATIONS, 18 86. o o 3sr 1? HI isr T 3 . Pnyc. Dedication 5 Introduction 9 Chap. I. — Early Impressions 13 II. — Leaving Home 17 III— The First Campaign 21 IV.— The Tories 28 V. —Secret Service 31 VI. — The Spy and the Haystack .....' 38 VIL— The Escape 44 VIIL— The Mountain Cave 49 IX.— Chaderton's Hill 56 X.— The Secret Pass 63 XI. — Lights and Shadows 71 XIL— Quaker Hill 75 XIIL— The Spy Unmasked 79 XIV —The Spy and the Traitor. ., 85 Conclusion 91 Appendix 93 Additional Appendix : The Old Senate House, Kingston, N. Y 119 A Revolutionary Heroine 120 The Old Brinckerhoff Mansion, Swartwoutville, N. Y 121 Washington's Headquarters, Newburgh, N. Y 122 The Crosby Memoirs 129 The Fishkill Centennial 129 The Old Trinity Church, Fishkill, N. Y 143 The Old Reformed Dutch Church, Fishkill, N. Y 145 The Wharton House, Fishkill N. Y 147 Anecdote on Continental Money 148 Fishkill in Olden Time 149 Revolutionary Reminiscences 150 Our Nation's Progress 152 Illustrations : Enoch Crosby 2 Old Reformed Dutch Church 47 "Wharton House 61 Old Trinity Church 93 & 143 Old Senate House 119 Old Colonel Brinckerhoff Mansion 121 Washington's Headquarters 123 Bartholdi's Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World 152 DEDICATION. TO JAMES F. COOPER, Esq., Author of "The Spy," "Red Rover," &c. SlE, As it was your fascinating pen that first immortalized the subject of the following Memoir, while it elevated the lit- erary reputation of our free and happy country, the Compiler has ventured to prefix your name to this unauthorized dedica- tion. Rest assured. Sir, that in taking this liberty, the under- signed had no other incentive but a profound respect for your talents as an author, and a warm esteem for your virtues as a man. Under the hope that the motive will justify the act, he begs leave to subscribe himself Your most obedient, and very humble servant. H. L. BARNUM. INTRODUCTION. Since the first publication of Mr. Cooper's interesting novel of "The Spy, A Tale of The Neutral Ground," much curiosity has been excited in the reading community, respecting the original of that excellent por- traiture, Harvey Birch. It seemed to be generally admitted, that the Spy was not a fictitious personage, but a real character, drawn from life; aad the author himself intimates as much in his preface, where he admits that "a good portion of the tale is true." But we are happy to assure the reader, that the fact does not rest upon the slender basis of fanciful conjecture. A gentleman of good standing and respectability, who has filled honourable official stations in the county of Westchester, and who has long enjoyed the friendship and confidence of Mr. Cooper, informed the writer of this article, on the au- thority of Mr. Cooper himself, that the outline of the character of Har- vey Birch, was actually sketched from that of Enoch Crosby; but filled up, partly from imagination, and partly from similar featui'es in the lives of two or three others, who were also engaged in secret services, during the revolutionary war. But Mr. Cooper has frequently assured our informant' that, though he had borrowed inci- dents from the lives of others, to com- plete the portrait, yet Enoch Crosby was certainly the original which he had in his "mind's eye." That there were several such secret agents in the service of the leaders of the revolution, is a fact that is now well known; a fact to which the author alludes in the first chapter of "The Spy," where he says, '■'■Many an individual has gone down to the tomb stigmatized as a foe to the rights of his countrymen, while, in secret, he has been the useful agent of the lead- ers of the revolution." Each of these individuals might have contributed a tint, a shade, a line, or perhaps a feature, to the character of Harvey Birch; but we think no one can per- use the following pages without be- ing convinced that Enoch Crosby was the original model from which that character was formed. It is highly probable, however,'that Mr. Cooper never saw Crosby; and, of course, could not have received the INTRODUCTION. incidents of bis life from his own ]ij)s, as did the compiler of the following Memoir. But the honourable John Jay, it will be recollected, was chair- man of the "Committee of Safety," under whose sanction Crosby's secret services were performed; and we un- derstand, it was at Mr. Jay's resi- dence that the novel of "The Spy" was first conceived and brought into existence. This venerable patriot, (bet- ter than any one else, not even ex- cepting the secref a^/ents themselves,) could furnish Mi'. Cooper with every requisite material for the character of Harvey Birch; although he was un- der the erroneous impression, that Enoch Crosby had long since paid the debt of nature. On learning the foregoing facts, from the gentleman alluded to above, the writer of this narrative, being then about twenty miles from the residence of Mr. Ci'osby, was induced to pay him a visit, for the purpose of hearing some of the incidents of his life related by himself; but with:)ut the least intention of ever committing them to paper. Although perfect strangers to each other, the old gentleman gave his visitor a cordial reception, and read- ily complied with his request, by re- lating several particulars of his own eventful life. Some of these were of so interesting a nature, as induced his auditor to suggest the propriety of laying them before the public. The aged veteran modestly waived such a proposition, considering the events of his life as of too little con- sequence to claim attention from the patrons of literature. He had never seen "The Spy,"' as novels were nijt included in his present course of reading; he was consequently ignor- ant of being himself the very hero of the tale. AVhen advised of this fact, and solicited to peruse the work, he consented; and the visitor took his leave. A short time subsequent to this in- terview, Mr. Crosby was called to the city of New York, to give his testi- mony in an important law suit, re- specting the transfer of some valuable real estate. While attending Court, in the City Hall, he was recognized by an old gentleman, who, not having heard of him for a number of years, supposed (like Jay and Cooper,) that Crosby had been, long since, number- ed with the dead. After such mutual greetings as ai'e usual on similar oc- casions, Crosby's old acquaintance turned to the Court, and introduced his friend as "the original Harvey Birch of Mr. Cooper's 'Sjjij.' " This anecdote being published in some of the daily papers, Mr. Sand- ford, proprietor of the LaFayette Theatre, politely invited Mr. Crosby to attend the representations of the drama of the "5p^;" which was per- formed expressly for that occfisiou. Ml". Crosby complied; and, the cir- cumstance being announced in the papers, a numerous audience attend- ed, who received the old soldier with several rounds of applause, which he modestly acknowledged. He ap})ear- ed to be much interested in the pei'- formance, and readily admitted, that some of the incidents resembled transactions in which he himself had been an actor in "olden time," on "the Neutral Ground." How Mr. Crosby was pleased with his reception in the city, will be seen from the following letter, which he sent to the Editors of the '■'Journal of Coiinii-i'iTe,"' in which paper it appeal"- INTRODUCTION. XI ed on the twenty -first day of Decern ber last, 1827. I "For the Journal of Commerce. Messrs. Editors. It would be an unsatisfactory re- straint of my feelings, should I not express my gratitude to the citizens of New York, for their kind attention to me during my late visit to that city, and particularly to the managers of the theatre, who politely invited me to witness the play called the 'Spy: I was much gratified with the per- formance; for, while it called to mind those trying scenes of the revolution- ary war, it also created happy emo- tions in reflecting upon the glorious result of our labours during that perilous time, which bi'ought with it Independence and Pi-osperity; and having been spared to enjoy those blessings for half a century, and see them still continued, I can lay down my weary and worn-out limbs in peace and happiness, to see my feeble labours rewarded, and my greatest wishes answered, in gaining our in- dependence, and the blessings attend- ing it; and my most earnest and fer- vent prayer is, and shall be, that they may be perpetuated to the latest ]>osterity. Yours, very respectfully, ENOCH CROSBY December 15, 1827.'' The writer of these pages now felt convinced that the public curiosity demanded an authentic nax'rative of Enoch Crosby's secret ser rices, during the revolutionary war. Under this impression, he paid him a second visit; and, after much persuasion, prevailed on him to relate the princi- pal incidents of his life, in the order thev occurred, while his visitor took them down, from his own lips, in short-hand. The substance of the following pages may, therefore, be depended upon, as facts related by Mr. Crosby himself. It is true, the language is, in the most instances, the Compiler's; but the ideas, with very few exceptions, are Crosby's own. The language was changed for the two following reasons: First, The events and incidents of Crosby's life were related to the Com- piler in the first person; which would have precluded many other facts, from various sources, Avhich have a connection with, or bearing on, those furnished by himself. By changing the style to the third person, the Com- piler was at liberty to interweave sev- eral important events which can cer tainly detract nothing from the merits of the work. Secondly, The particulars of Crosby's adventures, as narrated in the following pages, were elicited in a catechetical colloquy; the style of which is seldom sufficiently accurate, or elevated for the page of history. But the facts themselves did all ac- tually occur, with very trifling variation. The following work has been di- vided into chapters, for the conven- ience of the reader, in making references, &c. ; each of which has been headed with a motto, in order that his path, as he proceeds through the narrative, might be diversified with a few flowers of acknowledged s\ve<^tness. They may be "read or sung, at the discretion of" those who honor the l)Ook with a perusal; or th('y may be passed over unnoticed; for a motto, like a pai'enthesis. ''can always be omitted without injuring the sense.'" THE SPY UNMASKED; O R, MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. CHAPTER I. EARLV IMPRESSIONS. Be tliis brief precept carefully imprest, By ev(M'y iKircnt. on the infant breast; "Thy best atfcclions let tliy God conimancl. But next to Ii(>aven. adore thy native land." Enoch Crosby, the svibject of the following memoir, is a native of Harwich, in the county of Barnstable, state of Massachusetts.* He was born on the fourth day of January, 1750; a year rendered somewhat re- markable by the first indication of a wish, on the part of the British par- liament, to infringe the rights and privileges of the American colonies. f It would not be an unpardonable hyperbole to say, that the adventures of Enoch Crosby commenced at the early age of fhree t/ears; as, at that period, he left the place of his nativ- ity, and, after a journey of more than two hundred miles, became a resident in the state of New York. His father had purchased a farm in the town- ship of Southeast,^; then in the county * ''Harvey Bii'cli," savs Coojier.in lirs interest- ing novel of the Spy, "was snpiiosed to be a na- tive of one of tile Eastern cobniies,"— Spv, Vol. i. p. SI. T It is well known, that the "mother country" liad, for a lont; period. reai)ed a rich harvest fi'oni the tradeOf her colonial subjects in Xorth America. In order to secure a perpetraty of these coniniercial advantages, liy compellint; her colonists to "let their workshons i-eniain in Kur.)pe," sundry prohibitorv acts' were i)assed by paVlianient, in the year alluded to. which i)ro- d'uced considerable excitement on this side the Atlantic. of Dutchess, but since set off as part of the county of Putnam, to which place he removed his family in 1753 In this delightful retreat, Enoch passed the happy period of childhood, blest with parents wiiose tenderness and affection were only equalled by the rectitude of their lives; and in- dulged with every reasonable gratifi- cation that moderate affluence could procure. The natural scenery which, sur- rounded his paternal mansion, was picturesque, wild, and romantic; and, no doubt, contributed to tinge his in- fantile mind with that cast of ro- mance and adventure which so eminently influenced the actions of his riper years. His earliest recrea- tions were among cragged rocks and dizzy steeps; frightful precipices, roaring cataracts, and placid lakes. A high and romantic eminence called Joe's Hill, which rises near the centre of the town, and extends several miles into the state of Connecticut, t This town derives its name from its situa- tion. Ix'inm the southeast corner of Putnam c.iuntv. In extent it is about six miles square: l)oun(ied bv Connecticut Jn the East, and the county of Westchester (the neutral ground) on tlieSinith. The face of the country is rather m luutaiuous ]ind hillv. with numerous little val- leys nmniuit Southwest and Northeast. It is well watered bv the Ci-oton iuid Mill rivers, and their tributary streams. There are. in the town, five natural ponds, the largest of wliich is two milei in length and one in breadth. 14 THE SPY unmasked: OR was the theatre of many of his juven- ile exploits ; as were, also, the flowery banks of the meandering Croton, and the bord(n-s of several beautiful ponds, which lie like mirrors in the bottom of valleys, reflecting from their lucid surface the mountains and the sky. Endowed by nature with more than ordinary physical advantages, he generally bore away the palm from his play-fellows, in every athletic exercise; especially such as required a combination of personal courage, strength, and ac- tivity. Thus, for several years, glided the smooth current of his existence, sparkling in the sunbeams of hope, and unruffled by any intruding cures, save such as are incidental to the April morning of life. As his Qiental faculties gradually developed them- selves, they were doubtless assisted by such precarious literary instruc- tion as could be conveniently obtain- ed in a thinly populated district, at a period when the state of education was not very promising in any part of the country. Under such circumstances, it is not to be presumed that a lad of fourteen yeai's could have a very clear idea of the political relations existing be- tween different countries; yet there is little doubt, that the political dis- cussions to which, at that age, he was frequently a silent listener, had con- siderable influence in prepai'ing his mind for the part he was destined to perform in the great drama of the revolution. These discussions originated in cer- tain acts of the British parliament, which were passed in the year 1764; one of which commenced in the fol- lowing alarming terms: "^^■hereas it is just and necessary, that a revenue be raised in America, for defraying the expenses of defending, protecting, and securing the same,* we, the com- mons, &c., give and grant unto your majesty, the sum of,' &c. Here fol- lowed a specification of duties on certain articles of foreign produce, such as sugar, indigo, coftee, silks, calicoes, molasses, and syrups. This being the first act of the kind* (avowedly for the purpose of raising a revenue from the colonies,) that had ever disgraced the parliamentary statute book, it natiirally produced much excitement and animadversion on this side the Atlantic. The mer- its of the question were freely and warmly canvassed by persons of all conditions and ages, and in every * Tiulor, in liis life of Otis, {fives us tlie follow- ing interesting anecdote: ''When President AdiiMis was niini-;ter at the couft of St. James, he often saw his eountrynian, Benjamin West, the late' president of the royal academy. Mr. West always retained a strohg and nny'ielding affection for his native land. Mr. West one day asked Mr. Adams, if he shi)uld like to take a walk with him, and see the canse of the Ameri- can revolution. The minister, having known something of this mattei-. smiled at the proposal. I>ut told him that he should b- glad to see tlie cause ()!' that revolution, and to take a walk with his friend West any where. The next morning lie called according to agreement, and took Mr. Adams into Hyde f 'ark. to a si)ot near the Ser- pentine river, vvheie he gave h.im the following narrative. The king came to the throne a young man, surrounded liy.llattering courtiers: one of whose frequent toiiics it was, to declaim against the meaimess of his i>alace, which was wholly unworthy a monarch of such a country as Eng- land. They said that ther-e was not a sovereign in i'^urone wlio was lodged so poorly: that his sorry, dingy, old, brick palace of St. .fames, looked like a stable, and that he ought to build aiiahu'c suitable tolas kingdom. The king was fond of arc!iii;'ctui-e. and would therefore more readily listen to suggestions, which were in fact all true. This siiot that you see here, was se- lected for the site, l>etween this ;uid this point, which were nmrkcd out. The king applied to his ministei's on the snli]cct; they nnpiired what Sinn would lie wanted by his maji'sty, who said that he would bi'gin with a. million: they stated the expenses of the war, ;uid the |)overty of the treasury, but th;d his majcstv"s wishes should he taken into full consideration. Some time after the king was informed, that the wants of the treasury were too urgent to admit of a supply from tlieir pre-icnt me.ans, bnl that a revenue might he raised in .\merica to ^alpply all the king's wishes. This suggestion was followed u|).and the king was in this way tirst led to con- sider, and then to consent to the s(dicjue for t;ix- ing the colonies." MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 15 situation where two or three happen- ed to be congregated; by females as well as males, and even by children in their seasons of recreation. The villag'e lasses felt indignant at the interference of parliament in matters connected with the regulation of their wardrobes; while the children justly apprehended some economical restrictions in their usual allowance of gingerbread and sweetmeats. Master Enoch, of course, was not an indifferent auditor of these per- petual discussions; but regularly reiterated, to an audience of school fellows, such of his father's argu- ments andobservations,as his juvenile mind partially comprehended. Each of hm ''omrades could, from a similar source, furnish his own quota or re mark; and thus a determined spirit of opposition to ministerial encroach- ments on colonial rights, was per- manently, and almost instinctively, established in the bosoms of the ris- ing generation, even before they were capable of understanding the nature or extent of the subject. Ere these newly awakened feelings, in the minds of Americans, were allowed time to subside, the celebra ted stamp act was received from England. The astonishment, alarm, and indignation, which now agitated every patriotic breast, would not be restrained, but burst forth in expres- sions and acts that could not be mis- understood by the friends and abettors of the obnoxious measure. A string of patriotic resolutions on the subject, offered by the celebrated Patrick Henry, and adopted by the legislature of Virginia, were printed, and circulated through all the provin- ces. Wherever they were read, they were hailed with enthusiasm: even school -boys were encouraged to re- cite them in their respective classes, and exhorted to imbibe the spirit by which they had been dictated.f A new mode of expressing the popular resentment against this odious act, began with the whigs in Boston, and was soon adopted by those of the neighboring colonies. This was by hanging or burning, in effigy, such of the principal loyalists as had openly avowed themselves friendly to the revenue system. The temper which prompted these tu- multuous proceedings rapidly spread through the colonies, until popular commotions prevailed to a degree that gave serious alarm to those cool and reflecting citizens who regarded the morals as well as the liberties of their country. Scarcely a day passed without furnishing the peaceful in- habitants of Southeast with some new account of riots, J mobs, and sum- mary chastisements, inflicted on the friends of the stam]3 act, in Boston, Newport, New York, Baltimore, and other populous towns. This was cer- tainly a dangerous spirit to let loose in society; and though, in the present insance, its excesses were, perhaps, in some measure, sanctified by its motives, still the necessity of its existence was deeply deplored by the best friends of their country. Tlie mind of youth is easily dazzled by such vivid corruscations of patri- otic fervour; and there is little doubt that they had a due share of influence + Wiu'ii tlie;e resolutions were first re:ul in the house of l>urj;e^S!'s. iu Virginia, tlie boldness anil novelty of them atfected one of the nieinbers to sueh a Vlegr.^e tliat lie cried (lut •'Treason! treason I" X In all America there liad been Vuit seven presses issuinji newsjiapers, jirevious to the year 1T.'>(). In ITO.") they had increased to twenty- six on the c mtiaent. and li\e in the West India Islamls. 16 THE SPY unmasked; OR, in the formation of Enoch Crosby's character. About this period, patriotic asso- ciations were formed, the members of which were denominated the "»So?rs of Liberti/,'^ and they agreed "to march with the utmost expedition, (at their own proper cost and ex- pense), with their whole force, to the relief of th'ose who should be in dan- ger from the stamp act, or its pro- moters and abeitors, on account of any thing done in opposition to its obtaining." This agreement was sub- scribed to by such numbers in New York and the Eastern states, that nothing short of a repeal of the offen- sive act could have prevented the immediate commencement of a civil war. It was accordingly repealed on the 18th of March, 1766. The subject of this memoir very distinctly remembers the una?;nal re joicings which took place in his vicinity, in consequence of this highly interesting event. Similar demon- strations of joy were exhibited throughout the colonies. The names of Camden and Pitt were cheered to the skies. Every indignant resolu- tion was immediately rescinded; the churches resounded with thanksgiv- ings; illuminations and bonfires were every where exhibited; and a joy fill holiday was held throughout the country. This was another circum- stance that made a lasting impression on the youthful mind of Enoch, and assisted in the formation of a char- acter which has since been so admir- ably delineated by the pen of a master. But while the whole country was thus dissolved in joy, there were not wanting a few enlightened patriots, who maintained "that the immoder- ate transports of the colonists were dispi"oportioned to the advantage they had gained;" for at the same time that the stamp act was re- pealed, the absolute unlimited suprem- acy of parliament was, in words, asserted. "Wherefore do we rejoice?" asked the good clergyman, to whose pious exhortations, both in public and pri- vate, the Crosby family ever listened with pleased and devout attention. "Is it because the parliament of Great Britian has been graciously pleased to exchange our handcuffs for fetters? Is it because she claims the power and right to bind tlie colonies in all cases whatsoever? Are we prepared for this? Shall the petty island of Great Britian, scarce a speck on the map of the world, con- trol the free citizens of the great continent of America? God forbid!" "I believe, sir," replied the elder Crosby, "that we are hallooing before we are fairly out of the woods. Our politicians seem to overlook the de- grading condition which is tacked to this boasted repeal, that we must make compensation to those who have suffered, in person or property, through their own wilful adhei'encg to the cause of our oppressors. If we submit to this, we deserve to be slaves." "It appears to me," observed the village schoolmaster, who happened to be present, and who was strongly suspected of leaning to the minis- terial side of the question; "it ap- pears to me, that if we look at this subject by the pure light of sober reason, and not by the illusive flashes of excited passion, we shall see the propriety, of waiving ail debate and controversy; and, for the sake of in- MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 17 ternal peace, of making the trifling compensation required. It cannot amount to much." "It is not the amount of the sum that I object to," returned the other. "It is the principal that I am con- tending for. If we yield in one point, there is no telling how far their encroachments may extend." "Is not their compliance with our petitions for repealing the stamp act an evidence of their i-espect for the rights of the colonies?" "No sir," replied the clergyman. "In this measure, the ministry have not been so much actuated by princi- ples of equity, as impelled by necessity." "Necessity!" reiterated the peda- gogue. "To me it appears an act of favour and lenity." "The doctrine of submission, pas- sive obedience, and non i-esistance, may do very well in the discipline of your school," answered Crosby; "but I hope my son will never imbibe from you, or any other man, such sentiments as applied in politics." Here the conversation terminated; and Enoch, who was present, did not feel any great increase of respect towards his preceptor in consequence; nor was it long afterwards, that his father placed him under the tuition of an elderly gentleman, of superior literary acquirements, whose political sentiments were in accoi'dance with his own. As this j)ersonage will again appear on the stage, in the pro- gress of our little drama, we beg the reader to bear in mind that he is not only a "staunch whig," but, in every other I'espect, a worthy man. CHAPTER II. LEAVING HOME. "Here, as, with wearied steps. I bent my way, I marli'd each dear and well-remembered spot, Wliere youth had buoyed my mind with visions g:iy, Xor tJunight I then how hard would be my lot." At the period of which we are writ- ing, it was the earnest wish of all parties, that harmony might be re- established between Great Britian and her American colonies. The severities of the British government "had not yet taught the colonists to express themselves in any other modes of language, but what indi- cated their firm attachment to the mother country; nor had they erased the habitual ideas, even of tender- ness, conveyed in their usual modes of expression. When tbey formed a design to visit England, it had al- ways been thus announced, T am go- ing home.' Home, the seat of happiness, the retreat of all the felicities of the human mind, is too intimately associated with the best feelings of the heart, to renounce without pain, whether applied to the natural or the political parent."* But although a strong desire for the re-establishment of harmony was manifested bj' persons of every des- cription, there still existed a great diversity of opinion as to the best means of producing so desirable a re • suit. "There were sevei'al classes in America, who were at first exceed- ingly opposed to measures that militated with the designs of admin- istration. Some, impiessed by long * Jirs. Warren. 4 18 THE SPY unmasked; OR, connection, were intimidated by her powei', and attached, by affection to Britain; others, the true disciples of passive obedience, had real scruples of conscience with regard to any resistance to 'the powers that be;' these, whether actuated by affection or fear, by principle or interest, formed a close combination with the colonial governors, custom-house officers, and all insubordinate depart- ments who hung on the court for subsistence."* The partizau distinction of ir}iig and torij was adopted at an early stage of the controversy, and intro- duced in evei*y political altercation to which it gave rise. It was no un common occurrence for members of the same family, not only to es- pouse opposite sides of the question, but to defend the st?md they had taken with a zeal and pertinacity that ultimately sundered the tender- est ties of consanguinity. Thus, as the general ferment increased, the father was often arrayed "against the son, and the son against the father;" brothers became implacable enemies to each other; and even the fair sex were not unfrequently involved in this frightful whirlpool of political contention. Fortunately for the subject of these memoirs, and happily for his coun- try, his father's family, to adopt his own expression, were '-staunch whigs;" so was a majority of their fellow-townsmen, particularly the good clergyman, the Rev. Mr. Greg- ory, before mentioned. Indeed, the clergy, of every denomination, throughout the country, with very few exceptions, warmly espoused the * Mrs. Warren's American Kovolution. cause of the colonies ; and embraced every opportunity, both in public and private, of exhoi'ting their flocks manfully to resist every encroach- ment on their rights as freemen. Their influence was great, and its effects such as might have been ex- pected.f The attention of the elder Crosby, however, and that of his amiable family, were, for a time, diverted from political difficulties by domestic misfortunes. From a state of com- fort and comparative affluence, he suddenly found himself reduced to poverty and distress. ;j; This unexpected reverse of fortune rendered it necessary for the son, at the age of sixteen, to leave, for the first time, the shelter of his paternal roof, and seek his own fortune in an untried world. The painful sensations incidental to the parting of an afl'ection ate child t The clergyman of New Englaiiil, in particu- lar, were aiiiong the strongest advocates of '•Whig principles;" there were a few instances only of a separation of a minister from his peo- ple, in consequence of a disagreement in political sentiment. It was jeconuiiended hy tlie provin- cial congress of Massachusetts, that on other occasions than tlie Sabbath, ministers of parishes should adapt tlieir discourses to tlie times, and explain the nature of civil and re- ligious liberty, and the duties of migistrates and rulers. A zealous divine, who had been com- pelled to abandon the people of his charge in Boston, on one occasion used, in the puli>it, at P***, the following emphatic language: "() Lord, if our enemies wiU tight us, let them have fighting enough. If more soldiers are on their way hither, sink them, O Lord, to the bottom of the' sea." Thachcr's Journal, p. 23. "The clergy of Now England were a numerous, leained. anil respectable liody. who had a great ascenilancy over the minds of their hearers. They ccmuccted religion and patriotism, and, m their sermons andprayers, represented the cause of America as the cause of Heaven." Ramscji. "The clergy were among the first and most zealous jialiiots. both iu speaking and writing in vindication of the rights of their country. No class of men had more deeply imbibed the spirit of their vener- able ancestors, the first settlers of New England, than they. None more generally engaged m the cause of "their injured country, nor had a greater and more general influence upon the people." Morse's Rev. t Mr. Cooper frequently intimates that the parents of Harvey Birch had been suddenly "re- duced from competence to poverty." See Spy. Vol. i. p. Xi, and 154. MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 19 from indulgent parents, and the home of his childhood, are seldom forgotten by the parties concerned; but in the present instance, their im- pression was left with a vividness of colouring which the lapse of more than sixty years has not been able to obliterate. In reverting to this inci- dent, at the age of seventy-eight, the subject of this memoir expressed himself, in substance, as follows: "At the age of sixteen the scene changed, and I was compelled to leave the home of my childhood, to seek the protection of strangers, and depend upon my own exertions for support. With the scanty outfit of a change of clothes and a few shillings in my pocket, I bade a long adieu to the friends I best loved, and the scenes of my happiest days. After receiving the blessing of my parents, with miach good advice, and a small Bible, which they assured me would prove my greatest consolation in every trial and affliction that might befall me, I shouldered my pack, clasped their hands in silence — for 1 dared not trust my voice to say [fare- luelir — and hastened away, leaving my poor mother in an agony of tears. "I proceeded a short distance, with a burden at my heart much heavier than the one on my back. I then paused, and cast back a 'longing lingei'iog look,' on the spot that I could once call my home — but now no longer a home for me. I then re- sumed my march, and after proceed- ing a little further, again turned; when, for the last time, I saw mj'^ weeping mother through the widow, gazing, with streaming eyes, after her exiled son. I hurried away — I could not look again. The hills which surrounded the beloved man sion soon hid it from my view, and I felt myself alone in the world, cut oflf from all that I held dear; while the future appeared like a dark impene- trable cloud, scarcely illumined by a ray of hope." Painful as these sensations must have been t ) a youth in his circum- stances, they were soon dissipated by the novelty ever attendant on a change of scene and associations. He became an apprentice to a worthy man who resided in the eastern part of Phillipstown, since called Kent, in the county of Putnam. Here he was taught the "art and mystery of a cordwainer," and faithfully fulfilled his term of service, which terminated on the fourth day of January, 1771, that day completing his twenty -first year. Let it not be supposed, however, that during all this period he was an unconcerned spectator of the political movements around him. Far from it The sentiments which he had imper- ceptibly imbibed in childhood, "grew with his growth, and strengthened with his strength," and now began to fiow out into effective operation. Al- though military discipline had for several years been almost totally neg- lected, it now began to assume a more respectable attitude. New trainbands were organized, in one of which young Crosby soon became an active and efficient member; and he largely shared in the prevailing im- pression, that a most important crisis was fast approaching, for which it was the duty of every lover of his country to be duly and properly pre pared. Nor was this impression weakened by an incident which oc- curred in the last year of his minor- ity; an incident which forms a 20 THE SPY unmasked; OR, conspicuous chapter in the history of those times. We mean the massacre, in cold blood, of several citizens in the streets of Boston, by the British soldiery. This wanton act of bar- barity was perpetrated in open day, on the lifth of March, 1770. No previous outrage had produced such a general alarm as the one here alluded to. "Yet the accident that created a resentment which embold ened the timid, determined the wavering, and awakened an energy and decision that neither the artifices of the courtier, nor the terror of the sword, could easily overcome, arose from a trivial circumstance: "A sentinel, posted at the door of the custom house, had seized and abused a boy, for casting some op- probrious reflections on an officer of rank; his cries collected a number of other lads, who took the childish revenge of pelting the soldier with snow balls. The main guard, stationed in the nt ighborhood of the custom house, was informed by some persons from thence, of the rising tumult. They immediately turned out under the command of a captain Preston, and beat to arms. The cry of fire was raised in all parts of the town; the mob collected, and the soldiery, from all quarters, ran through the streets, sword in hand, thi-eatening and wounding the peo- ple, and with every appearance of hostility they rushed furiously to the centre of the town. "The soldiers, thus ready for exe- cution, and the populace grown outrageous, the whole town was justly terrified by the unusual alarm. This naturally drew out pei'sons of higher condition and more peaceably dis posed, to inquire the cause. Theii consternation can scarcely be des- cribed, when they found orders were given to fire promiscuously among the unarmed multitude. Five or six persons fell at the first fire, and sev- eral more were dangerously wounded at their own doors."* "How slightly soever historians may pass over this event, the blood of the martyrs, right or wrong, proved to be the 'seeds of the congregation.^ Not the battle of Lexington or Bun- ker's Hill; not the surrender of Burgoyne or Cornwallis, were more important events in American his- tory, than the battle of Kin<>' street, on the 5th of March, 1770."t The immediate result of this out- rage is well known. Captain Preston and his party were taken into cus- tody of a civil magistrate, tried for mui'der, and acquitted; and all the royal troops were subsequently re- moved from the town to the fort about three miles below. But the in- dignant feelings which it had created in every patriotic bosom were not to be appeased. The blood of their brethren cried from the ground for vengeance, and the appeal was felt in every section of the country. Like other young men of his age, Enoch Crosby ardently longed for an oppor- tunity to mingle the blood of the assassin with that of their victims. But the hour had not yet come.;}; * See Appendix, No. 1. * Mrs. Warren's Americau Kevolution. t John Adams' letters to Dr. Morse. i The town, of Boston instituted an annual oration in comnienioration of this catastrophe, and anions the first orators were such naiueo a Hancock, Warren, and Lovell. MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 21 CHAPTER III. THE FIRST CAIIPAION. "O, who, reclined in dastard ease, Could hear his country's call in vain; Or view her banner court the breeze, Nor sigh to join the hostile train." WOOUWORTH. As we are not writing a history of the rise and progress of the revolu- tiouary war, but merely the memoirs of a private individual who took an active part in chat momentous con- test, it is only requisite to give a brief detail of such events as are con- nected, more or less remotely, with his own transactions. The destruction of the tea in Bos- ton,* the consequent port bill,f as it was called, the formation of a con- tinental congress, and the arrival of General Gage with an army to re- duce the '"i-efractory colonists" to submission, are prominent ieatures in the history of four yeai's, from the period of our last chapter. But events of still greater importance were at hand, and anticipated with trembling anxiety. xVmong the "signs of the times," was the newly awakened militarj^ ardour which prevailed throughout the colonies, more especially in the Eastern states. In almost every town, a certain quota of hardy youth were draughted from the militia trainbands, who voluntarily devoted a daily portion of their time to im- prove themselves in the military art, under officers of their own choice. These were styled '•'•nvnute men,'''' and stood ready to march at a moment's warning, to defend the rights of their countrymen. + The tst day of June. 1774. the day when the Boston iiort-l>i!l l)ega:i to operale. was observed, in most of tlie c ilouies, with niicoinnion solem- nity, as a diiy of fa^-iinij and prayer. At this period, the younger Crosby resided at Danbui-y, in the State of Connecticut; and though it was not his fortune to be draughted as a minute-man^ he was still actuated by the same martial spirit which in- spired the rest of his countrymen. The year 1775 had opened without the occurrence of any incident of much political importance; but while thousands of bosoms wei'e throbbing with feelings of intense interest, every eye was directed to the capital of Massachusetts as the quarter from whence momentous intelligence might be hourly expected. The public mind was in this state of feverish suspense, when, in the month of April, an express arrived at Danbury, with intelligence that "up- wards of four-score of Americans had been inhumanly butchei'ed on the plains of Lexington,* by a detach- ment of the British army, which had afterwards been put to flight by a few raw country militia. That houses had been rifled, plundered, and burnt: that neither sex, age, nor infirmity, had been respected by these ruthless marauders; and that women, with their new-born infants, had been compelled to fly naked, to escape the fury of flames in which their houses were enwrapped!" f * When General Washington heard of the battle of Lexington. April 19. 177.5, and of the slaughter of the Americans on that occasion, he said, '•! grieve for the death of iny countrymen: but rejoice that the British are' still so deler- Hiined to ke9|> (!od on our side; for the smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, whicii Heaven itself has ordained."— TFcf-ms's Life of WasMiujton. t The celebrated Rev. John Ilorne (Tooke.) two years after the event, was tried, in England, and "found guilty of publishing an advertisement, in wliudi it was asserted, "that the king's troops had coiiimitted mnrder at Lexington, in America:"' he wa-s conseipiently, sentenced to imi>!isoanieiit for a year, to [layatine of Ib'iOO. liid to fnid secnritv for his good behaviour for three years'.— Funlycc's CInonology. 22 THE SPY unmasked; OR, The sensation produced by this in- telligence not only at Danbury, but in every other place, can be bettor conceived than described. The shock was electric, and the whole counti*y flew to arms. J Within twenty-four hours after the routed "regulars" had rr>gained the protection of their shipping, the town of Boston was invested by sev- eral thousands of our exasperated counti'ymen; while the colonies of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire, seemed all to be in motion. Ind.^ed, "such was the re- sentment of the people, and the ardour of enterprise, that it was with diilicalty they were restrained from rushing into Boston, and rashly in- volving their fi'iynds, in common with their enemies, in all the calamities of a town taken by storm " § The outrage at Lexington occurred on Wednesday, the 19th of April ; but the news did not reach the city of New York until late on Saturday even- ing, nor was it generallj known un- til Sunday morning. A m?eting of the citizens immediately took place; who, without much ceremony, seized upwards of tive hundred stands of muskets and bayonets belonging to his Britannic majesty. Oil the following day, the keys of the custoQi-house were secured by the whigs; who soon made themselves t I-irael Piuiiam (afterwarils Major-general) was ploughing ill his field when he heard the iiewi. He iastiuitly stopped his team, left the plough in the furrow, mounted a horse, and in eighteen hiiirs wa^^ on the battle-gr.mnd. a dis- tance of one hundred mile-i! He then returned to Conneciicut. anil raised an a:-iiiv; the provin- cial co'.igress of Mmachusetts having that day voted to raise thirty thousand men. "They heard— and the plough in the furrow was stay'd. Each art wa^ relinquished for musket and blade; Tiie pipe of the swain in the vallev was still. While the bngle rang louJ from' each fortified hill." § Mrs. Warreu's Americaia Kevolutiou. masters of all the public stores in the king's ware houses in the city and at Turtle Bay. At this time there were about three hundred regular British troops in the city, commanded by a Major; and very serious apprehensions were en- tertained, that the confused and dis- orderly manner in which the foregoing transactions were con- ducted, would produce a rupture be tween the soldiers and ttie populace. A regular general meeting of the citizens was therefore called, and a committee of fifty appointed, who were invested with full powers to act as the exigency and circumstances of the times might require. At this meeting a set of spirited resolutions were passed, and signed by the citi zens at large, in which they pledged themselves, their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honovir, to support tbeir committee in all its operations, and also every measure of the general congress, then in session at Philadel- phia. One of the first acts of the com- mittee, was an order permitting the British troops to depart without in- terruption, taking with them their arms and accoutrements. In conse- quence of this order, the troops pre- pared to embark on the following day; when it was observed that they had several carts loaded with spare arms. Marinus Willett, and some others, immediately resolved to pre- vent this virtual infraction of their agreement; and meeting the troops in Broadway, stopped them, and without much difficulty took posses- sion of the spare arms. With these Willett armed a new company of his own raising, with which he joined the first Canadian expedition. MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBT. 23 The citizens of Danbury were not backward in this moment of gene- ral excitement. || A renrlezvous was opened, to which the youth of the county flocked from every quarter; and two regiments were immediately raised, one under the command of Colonel (nfterward General) Wooster, and the other under the command of Colonel Waterbury. Within a few houx'.s from the arrival of the express at Danbury, the name of Enoch Crosby was inscribed on the muster- roll of Captain Benedict, followed by those of one hundred and fifty young men, a'l residents of that town; form- ing the most efficient company in Waterbury's regiment.* As soon as these regiments were duly organized, equipped, and re- ported to the provincial congress of Massachusetts, then in session at Water tow a, f they impatiently waited for orders to move and act in defence of their Eastern brethren. Nor was their impatience abated by the suc- cesses of their enterprising neigh- bours at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, on the 10th of May following;^ li This excitement was not confined to any class, age or sex. Tlie females largely partici- pate.! in tiie patriotic arJoiir tliat prevailed, and exliibited instances of heroic virtne that were never surpassed by the celebrated women of Sparta. See Appeiulix. No. III. * It i-i worthy of remark, that every one of the^e youag men returned from the Northern campaign in safety; while, during their short absence one hundred deaths occurred in the town waere they belonged. Perhans, by going int ) danger, many of them preserved their lives. ■j; Tliis legislative body liad voted to raise thirty thousand men; thirteen thousand and six hundred of them to be of their own province, and that a letter and delegate be sent to the sev- eral colonies of New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Khode Island. Tlie Committee of safety also sent letters t.) the several towns in tli'e olony soliciting assistance. X This enter|irise was managed hy Colonels E.iston, Arnold, and Allen; and so secretly, judiciously, and rapidly was the expedition con- ducted, that tiiey entered the garrison before it was known tliat an enemy was near it. Arnold ani Allen contended for the honour of entering the fort first; but it wa*. finally agreed that they slijuld both go in together. They advancecl abreast, and entered tlie foriress at the davvn- but on the news of the battle of Bun- ker Hill, § it was wrought up to a pitch of painful intensity. Every man longed to be in the field, and share in the dangers and glory that awaited the champions of liberty. This patriotic ardour was shortly to be gratified. The continental congress was now in session at Philadelphia; and, at this i^eriod, the importance of possess- ing the Canadas, strongly impressed the minds of gentlemen of the first penetration, private citizens as well as the representatives of the several colonies, in that august legislative body. It was thought a favourable crisis to make the attempt "when the flower of the British troops, then in America, were shut up in Boston; and when the governors of the Southern provinces, interrupted in their negotiations with the Indians, had taken refuge on board the king's ships, either from real or imagined personal danger." || It was, there- fore, detei'mined to employ Colonel Waterbury's regiment, together with two regiments of New York militia, in this important and hazardous ser- vice; the whole force consisting of about three thousand men, under the command of Generals Schuyler and Montgomery. The reader may easily imagine ing of day. A sentry snapped his piece at one of them, ;ind then retreated through the covered wa\ to the parade. The Americans followed, and immediately drew up. The commander, surprised in his bed, was called upon to surren- der the fort. "By what authority?" exclainied the astonished officer, rubbing his eyes, and scarcely knowing whether he was asleep or awake. •'I demand it in the name of thegreat Jehovah, and of the continental congress." was the reply of Colonel Allen. The authority could not be disputed. Tlie fort was surrendered without resistance, together with forty-eight prisoners, several brass and iron cannon, and ;. valuable quantity of warlike stores. § See Appendix, No. III. li Mrs. Warren's American Kevolution. 24 THE SPY unmasked; OR, with what alacrity our hero and his fellow soldiers obeyed the orders of their superiors, to "strike their tgnts and march away." The language of each heart was, "Strike up the drirns: and let the tongue of war plead for our interest." The}' were ordered to the city of New York, where they were joined by the New Yoi'k militia, one corps of which was commanded by the gallant Willet; but encamped about two miles oat of town, near the spot now occupied as Vauxhall garden.* After remaining in tbis position about three weeks, they removed toHarlaein, and encamped ^ in the village. From thence they took boats, and proceeded up the Hudson to Albany, on their way to Lake Champlain. General Schuyler being detained at Albany, for the purpose of nego- ciating an Indian treaty, his coad- jutor, the intrepid Montgomery, led on his gallant band of patriots to Ticonderoga, wdiere they arrivyd on the twanty-tii-st day of August.f As * In the year 1775, the city of New York (we mean tlie eoaijKict pirt of it) extended no farther north thaa PaiTition street, now called Fulton street, near St. Paul's eluire',). P.eyond this there were only a few seatteriu}-- iiouse-:. with here and there a handsome country seat. It was' considered a pleasaut ramble -oat of town" to go to '-the ficlJs," wliere the Citv ILill now stands. t Tlie fortress of Tieonde: o^a. so often men- tioned in tlie liistory of the Aniei-ican wars, is now a heap of rain C thoajjli nr.uiv of the walls are so entire as to exhibit proofs of the excel- lency of iheir construction, and of the i)lan of the W(u-;s. (lene'a! \b'^»-- cr^mbie, with tlie British army, assailed this fortress; was defeated .Jnlv:i. uith tne loss (n 1,911 men. Bat it was surrendered to General Amherst, in July of the following year. It was soon as a sufficient number of boats could be provided to convey the army down Lake Champlain, they em- barked for Isle mix iVoix, lying about eleven miles north of the lake, in the river Soral, which connects the waters of Champlain with that of the St. Lawrence. On reaching Islt^ La Motte, they were rejoined by Gen. Schuyler, who had prepared an ad- dress to the inliabitants of Canada, 1 inviting them to join the standard of [ liberty, and unite in the common ! cause of America. From Isle aux Noix, the army pro- ceeded to St. Johns, the tir.-^t British post in Caaad.i.;!; During their pas- sage down the river, the soldiers were directed to hold themselves con- stantly in readiness for defence, as it was reasonably apprehended that they might be assailed by the Indians from the woods which skirted the stream. On effecting a landing, at a short distance from fort St. John'-', the as- sailants, about one thousand in num- ber, immediately formed in full view of the garrison, and prepared for hostile operations. Their movements, at this juncture, are thus described by Crosby himself: "We were now in full view of the enemy, who kept up a corstant can- nonading, which ordy caused us to dodge now and then, merely serving to get us into a fighting mood. We were soon ordered to advance; but had only proceeded a few rods, when we were suddenly attacked by a body of Indians in ambush; who, after a the first fortress carried by the arms of America in the war that established our Independence; it was taken t/V surprise, by Col. Allen, IVIay U). 177.'), and retained till .July, 1777. when it was ■evacuated, on the appncich of Gen. Bin-goyne with the British army. % Abv>ut 115 miles north of Ticouderoga. MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 25 short contest, were glad to show lis a specimen of their speed in running.* "Onr sport, however, was soon in- terrupted by an order to halt!— when, after burying the dead, and providing for the wounded, a council of war was held by the officers, in which it was determined to return to Isle aui Noix, throw a boom aci'oss the channel, and erect works for its defence. "In the meantime, a breastwork was ordered to be thrown up on the spot where we stood; and accordingly every one went to work with alacrity. While some were felling trees and preparing timber for this purpose, and others throwing up the earth to form a parapet, we were constantly annoyed by the shells thrown from the fort. This circumstance tended to retard our operations; for when a shell rose in the air, every one would stop working to watch its course, and ascertain if it would fall near him. I must confess that I felt no particular affection for these unwel- come intruders, but rather regarded them as 'messengers of evil;' still, however, notwithstanding the cold I'ecaption which I gave these warm- hearted visitors, I never thought of the fashionable expedient of 'not being at home,' (in other words, of 'dodging them,') until I heard some one ex- claim, 'Look out! — take care, there!' whan I looked up, and saw one des cending towards the very spot where * Ramsay says, that "the British pickets were driven into tlie fort. The environs were then reconnoitred, and tlie fortifications were found to 1)6 miicii /stronger than liad been suspected. This induced the calling of a council of war. which recommended a retreat to Isleaux Noix." Mrs. Warren says, tliat "an unexpected attack from a large body of Indians obliged them to re- treat to their former post, and await the arrival of reinforcements." The latter account is in strict conformity with Mr. Crosby's own state- ment. Both, however, may be correct. I was standing. I threw myself flat on the ground, and it just passed over me. 'A miss is as good as a mile' thought I, as I sprang from my recumbent posture, and resumed my labour. But after that, I kept one eye upon the enemy. "Our general, however, gave us some instructions on this subject. He advised us never to change our position until the shell was directly over UP; and if it should then appear that it had lost its projectile force, and was falling, 'it would be well enough to step on one side.' He was a noble fellow, that Montgomery. f Every soldier in the army loved him like a brother. "When the breastwork was com- pleted, which was in a much shorter t Montgomery was a warm-hearted Irishman: and war was his profession. He had been a captain of grenadiers in the 17th regiment of British troops, of which Moncton was colonel. In 1772. he bequitted his regiment, though in a fair way of preferment, because he disapproved of the sentiments of the ministry, and had imbibed an affection for America, which he viewed as the rising seat of arts and freedom. A sentiment of a still more tender nature might have had some influence in this transaction, as he soon after- ward married the beautiful and accomplished daughter of Judge Livingston, of New York. His many amiable qualities had procured him an uncommon share of private affection, and his great abilities an equal proportion of public es- teem. His name was mentioned in parliament with singular respect. The minister himself ac- knowledged his worth, while he reprobated the cause he had espoused. He concluded an in- voluntary panegyric, by exclaiming— "Course on his virtues! they have undone Ids counti^'." When he embraced his amiable lady for the last time, on his departure for Canada, and bade her a tender farewell, his parting words were— "You shall never blush for your Montgomery." She never did— but a nation wept his untimely fall. "Yes, yes, I go," he whispered soft, "In h-eedom's cause my sword to wield, Columbia's banner waves aloft. And glory calls me to the field." Then foreihost on the foe he prest. While war's rude tempest wildly roar'd, Till, gushing from the hero's breast. The purple tide in torrents pour'd. He fell, and oh! wh.at fancies stole Througli memorv's vista, bright and warm. Till one loved image o'er his soul Came like an angel in the storm. But loudlv swell'd the bugle's blast. His haiid instinctive grasp'd the steel; Again *t swelled— but all was past. The warrior's breast had ceased to feel. WOODWORTH. 26 THE spy unmasked; oe, tiiBH than ml.^-ht have bean exp33te 1 consideriiij: tho cirjam-itimcos vinder which we laboureJ, we prepared for a retreat; as this show oi! hostility was merely a tinesse to de,\'rt th3 onemy's attention. A^. soon as night set ill, and every object was shrouded in darkness, we were ordered to de- ciinp with as little noise as possible. We accordingly took our boats, and vetnrn.id np the river; leaving he oneiny to wonder at our sudden and mysterious exist. On the following d ly, we reached Isle ais. Noix. where we remained t.vo weeks, waiting for reinforce ia ut •.." Soon after this event, an extreme ba 1 sfc ite of he ilth in biced Greneral Sjilrivler to retire to Ticjnduroga. ail the sole cjmnand devolv.-d on General .Montgomery. Im:nediately on the fi'nvd of his expected rein force:i;en':„ this intrepid and enter prising otii.'er returned to the vi- cinity of St. Johns, and opened a b itt ry against it on the seventeenth d ly of September. '■Ammnuition, howev r, was so scarce, that the siege could not be carri'd on with any prosp 'ct of speedy success. The Ge.neril, ther.'fore, detac'iel a sm ill body of trjops. to attempt the rodnction of fort Chambleo, only six miles distant. Success att* n led this enterprise; and, by its surrendsu". six tons of gun powder were obtained, which enabled the General tc pro-o- ciite the siege of St. Johns with vigour. The garrison, though strait- ened for provisions, persevered in de- fending themselves with unabating fortitude.* The severe duties of so arduous a campaign; the frequent skirmishes. * Eomsay'sAiiiericimEevoluLLou. marches, and counter-marches, and constant exposure to sudden changes of Ave;)ther, in the inclement month of October, were not Avithont their eifects on the health of the soldiers. Among othtu's, Crosby was seized with a severe indisposition, and re- moved to the hospital at Isle aux Noix. But his impatience to share in the danger's and glory of the ap proaching contest, would not permit him to remain under the surgeon's hands but a few days, when he re- turnevd to the army, in direct op- position to the wishes of his medical adviser. In I'elating this incident, Mr. Crosby says: "I returned against the surgeon's advise, and contrary to the expecta- tions of my C.iptain; for as the time for which we had enlisted had nearly expired, he had no idea that any of us invalids would rejoin the army. As soon as he saw me, he accosted me in a tone of unaft'ected surprise; '•Halloo, Crosby! Have you got back? What induced \ou to return before your health was restored; I never expected to see you here again; so you might as well have gone home. You havs not had time to get well; for you look more like a scarecrow than a soldier fit for duty.' I re- plied, that I wished to be with liim; and that if I was not able to fight, I might at l^ast frighten the enem\', as he thought I looked like a scarecrow. At this remark he laughed heartily, and told rae, that if I wished so much to tight, that I should soon be gratified. Accordingly, in the course of the day we had a severe engage- ment, in which we proved victorious; and, to ray great satisfaction, I was one of the number that marched into the fort to the tune of Yankees MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 27 DooJlo, auil took charge of the prison. n's."* Oar invalid soon rpcovered his hoaltli, and continued in the service until the army took possession of Montreal, which they did, without rvVsistance, on tiie 12th of November. His term of enlistment having now expire.l, hp proposed to return, once more, to the tranquil scenes of -his childhood. He was warmly solicited by his commandant to remain with the arm}', and even promised pro- motion if he would comply; but, be- ing strongly impressed with the idea that a morj extensive field for useful- ness wonld soon be opened in the vicinity of New York, he persisted in his intention of leaving the army. In co:iip:iny with several others, whose term had also expired, (having en- listed for six mouths only.) he em- barked in a small schooner for Crown Point,t where he ari'ived about the 1st of Decembei'. "From thence, (says he.) our little pirty proceeded on foot to Ticon- derogn. where we procured a small boit, and rowed up the river which connects Lake George with Champ lain. On re:tching the falls, however, we were compelled to draw our boat on shore, and drag it on the ground, acrt)ss a neck of land about a mile in width. In this manner, with immense labour and fatigue, and suffering * .Major rre^on.fho conimaiuliiigofiioprnt St. Jo'rii. siirrPinle 1 Hint fnrtre-i-! on rci-eivin'r lioi )u:-:i')if toriin of cutiitiiliition. "Hy those i1 W:i< ajrpeil. that tli" Karri vin slimilil liiarcli out wit'i tlie lioiiMir-i of \va •; tlmt tlio ofCicprs and ]) a/ It" ! sliotilil mroirvl t'lcir a-ins on th" nlain : t'le oni'?r-i to kcfii tli"ir siilt'-anii<. and tliinr fiiv-aiMi! Up rPiorvPd for tlicin. aid that the ppo'ile af the K HTiioii slio'ild retain tlieireffeet-:. Ah i'lt live irri l-e I resrilar-:. a-vl one Irindrecl r uvi li US h'ei n'Mi"i colors to th" prnvinoia's. T le.' a'so a; inii-e 1 thirty-nine nie;H's of eaunon. s'ven ni)-ti--i. an 1 tvo lr>.vitz"ri. and abont ei'j;ht Iria h"e I .itan I of a'"ns. Among t'lP ean- n II were inanv hra^-i field--iie'>ei. :v\ artielp of wliicli the Aiiierijaiu were nearly destitute." greatly from the inclemency of the season, we reached Sabbath-day Point, J in Lake George. Here, how- ever, no friendly shelter awaited us; and though, almost perishing with cold, we could obtain no better qunr- ters than an old pig-stye. This miserable substitute for a tent was , soon filled with brush and straw; ' when, with wet feet and shivering bodies, (all of us being thinly clad,) we laid ourselves down to rest from the fatigues cf the day." t On I.al;e Chaniplain. ahont 12 miles north of Tieonderfiga "The eelehiated fortress of Crown Point, one of tlie liest ever ereelert within tlie jtresent ti-rritory of tlie United Slates, gave its name to this town, which eoiilains the riuns of tlie fort. Alonij the lake, the surface is liretty level, but hish nionntaiiis i)revaiie tho western ])art. 'I he fort itself is on a point of land jutting far into the water northward, a r.d washed by a considerable bay on the west. called West I>ay. This fortress was first elected by the Firncli. ill 1701. and called Fort St. Fieder- icK. In IT.'iii. it was snrrended to the Hritish I troops under (icneral Amherst, and was oe- I cuiiied by them until May 14. 177.';, when it fell I into the hands of Ihe Americans, (as stated in a I preceding note.) but was evacuated in 177G, iiinl I agiiin fen Into the hands of Ihe British. Tie I walls weie of wood and earth, twenty-two fett : thick, and sixteen feet in height. It was :ibont 1 fitleen hundred >ai(ls stinaie. surKUii ded by a I deep and broad ditch, cut in a solid granite rock, ! with immense labour. On tlie n(n-lli is a double row of strorg stone barracks, of a capacity to contain two thousand troops. On the same side was a gMtP, a strong drawbi i('ge, ;ind a covered way to the margin of the lake. The whole are now in ruins, and the outworks, of which Ihefe were some pretty extensive. ;iie little else than heaps of rubbish, barely suflUiicnt to revive re- I membrance."— S/jairortr,s Gazetteer. , X So called from its havinsr been the scene of a \ bloody massacre on the Sabbath day. A hirge ; party of whites had eiieamiied there, witi out suspecting an enemy to be near them ; 1 ut the Indians came upon them suddenly, and cut them off, :ilinosf to a man. Verv few escajied tolell liie dis;istri us stm'y. We have often heard the t-adition, but are not in jiossession of the p.ar- ticnlars. Lake Ge(M'ge. of course, could not i have been atlraelive to our tiavellers in the ' middle <)f winter: but in any other seas(ni it is i the most beautiful sheet of dear water in Amcr- ii'it. pei-haps in tlie world. It is about thir'y- three miles in length, and nearly two in breaillh. Its northern extremity approaches within two , and a half miles of Lake Cliamplaiu.and the out- let is little more then three miles long, where it is said to de-'cend l.")7 feet. Lake (ieorge is sur- rnimdeil bv high mountains, and is excelled in romantic beauties bv no similar waters of the world. Its water is very deep, the bottom so clean that neither winds or freshets render lo tn:'bi 1, :ind it abonnds with the finest fish for the ang'er. Silmon trout are taken weighing twenty P'lunds and upwards, with a great variety of other tiih. 28 THE SPY unmasked: OR At early dawn, on the following morning, this intrepid little party re- sumed their unpleasant journey; and, after several days of fatigue and suf- fering, without meeting any remark- able adventure, at length reached their respective homes in safety. After a few weeks repose had res- tored Ci'osby to his usual health and strength, he resumed the peaceful occupation of shoemaking, in his former situation at Danbury. Here he continued until the 25th of Jan uary, 1776, when a sudden gloom was spread over the whole country, by the disastrous news that his beloved General, the brave and amiable Mont- gomery, had fallen before the walls of Quebec, on the last day of Decem- ber. Even at this distant period, (1828,) Mr. Crosby cannot speak on this subject without emotion. The soldiers almost adored Montgomery; and there was scarcely an individual that had ever served under him, but shed tears for his untimely fate. Crosby was so much affected on tirst hearing of the melancholy event, that he found it difficult to pursue a 1 occupation that gave so much op- portunity for painful reflections; he, therefore, sought relief in change of scenery, and oaid a visit to his friends in Kent, where we leave h'm for the present, while we take a glance at the state of the country, on the open- ing of the eventful year 1776. In doing this we shall discover the causes which prompted the subject of this memoir to assume a new charac- ter in the revolutionary drama — that of a Spy, on the '-Neutral Ground." CHAPTER IV. THE TORIES. Know, villains, when such paltry slaves presume To mix in treason, if the nlot siiceeeils, They're thrown negleeteil by; but, if it fails, Tliey're sure to die like tlojjs, as you shall do. AUDISOV. The winter of 1775-6 passed tai'dily away, and no military movements of consequence were made on either side. The British troaps remained shut up in Boston, under the com- mand of General William Howe, the pei'fidious Gage having sailed for England. The continental army in the vicinity of Boston was rapidly de- creasing by the expiration of the short period for which the soldiers had enlisted.* Although Congress had exerted all its energies to create a new army, still the recruiting ser- vice went on very slowly, and no active operations were attempted un- til the beginning of March, when a threatened bombardment, from the heights of Dorchester,t compelled General Howe to evacuate Boston, and thus relieved the suffering in- habitants from their distress and privations. J The British ai'ray was * At the close of the year 1775. the continental army near Boston, was reduced to a very critical situation, being (Obliged to substitute new raised troops and militia, in the jilace of those who had been in service five or six months; and this exchange was made within musket-shot of the enemy's lines. During part of this period, their numbers were not sufficient to man the lines, nor was there powder enougli in camp to furni-h/oiH-ron/ids a man! They had only four small brass cannon, and a few old honey-comb iron pieces, with their trinmions broken off; and tliese were ingeniously bedded in timliers, in tlie same manner as that of stocking a nuisket. These machines were extremely unwieldiy and inconvenient, requiring much skill and labour to elevate and depress them. Had the enemy in Boston been made acquaihted with the situation of their besiegers, the consequences might have neen unpleasant.— T/iac/iej-'.s Journql t See Appendix, No. IV. t The distresses of the inhabitanis of Boston, during the memorable winter of \"ir,-r,, exceed description. Thev had been promised permis- siou to leave the town, if they would deliver up MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBT. 29 hastily embarked on board the ships and transports ihen lying in the har- bour, together with a host of tories ;;nd refugees^ who claimed the protec- tion of General Howe, and abandoned their blee(ling country. The fleet l^roceeded to Halifax, where the loyal fugitives were landed, and where Howe determined to remain, until the arrival of his brother from Euglanil, with the expected rein- foi'cements, which should enable him to pursue the year with vigour. Immsdiately after this joyful event, Washington sent on the continental army, in detachments, to New York; and as soon as he had made some necessary arrangements for the future defence of th« eastern states, he has- tened on himself, and made every possible preparation for the reception of the expected enemy, who did not arrive at Sandy Hook until the 29th of June. After waiting, at Halifax, two or throe months, for the arrival of his brother Lord Howe, with his "motley mercenaries from Hosse, Hanover, and. Brunswick,'* Sir William became impatient of delay, and set sail for New York, accompanied by Admiral Shuldham. Here, however, he found the continental army so strongly posted on Long Island and the island their artns. whicli were acoordiiisly rlepositefl in Fanciiil II iil, to the care of tlie sef-ct men. l?ut no sooner were tlie citizens conii>letely flisiirmed. then <;.i^o violated liis agreement, and refused t'> let them depart. Nor was general Ho-.ve. his successor, any more lenient; for he i-isued a proclam ition. proliibitiiis; all persons ntteini)t- in^ to quit the town, without if written license, oa peniltv of miUtnnj e.cecutinn : and, if they e>e iped, they were to he proceeded airainst as traitors, and tiieir effects to be forfeited. The c )iisequeuces may ue easily conceived. That ill- fated town was a scene of famine and distress. T.ie iuhibitaiits were almost in a st;ite of star- vation, for the wa-it of food anil fuel. Totally deuituteof vegetables, flour, and fresh provis- ions, they were actually obliged to feed on horse fle^h; while the news of churches, old houses, an I ti nbered wharves, were demolished for fuel.— r/iac/icr's Journal. of New York, that hft did not imme- diately attempt anything of conse- quence; but landed his troops at Staten Island, and there awaited the arrival of his brother. In the meantime, the declaration of Independence was adopted by Congress, and pulolished to the nation. Four day? after its passage, it was read to the army at New York, by whom it was received with the most enthusiastic demonsti'ations of joy. A leaden statue of his Majesty George III, was itnmediately thrown down, and run into bullets, for the reception of Lord Howe, and his host of mercenaries, who arrived, four days afterwards, with a formidable squadron. After amusing, or rather insulting, the American government with an inadmissible proposition of reconcili- ation, the enemy made preparations to act with vigour. Having been joined by /'the repulsed troops from the south ward, J and the broken squad- ron under the command of Sir Peter Parker; by a regiment from St Augustine, and another from Pensa- cola; also, by a few troops from St. Vincents, some small additions from other posts, and a considerable party of tories from New Jersey, and from the environs of Philadelphia and New York, which, by great industry, had been collected and embodied by Governor Tryou," the whole hostile army crossed the channel, and landed on Long Island, where they were posted, in detachments, on the south side, fi'om one end of the island to j the other; separated from the Ameri- can army by a ridge of hills covered with woods. X See flrst note, in Chapter Vlll. 30 THE SPY unmasked; oe, Tryon. it will bo recolleatecl, was the hisfc governor who presided at New York, under the crown of Eng- land. He had formei-ly been gover nor of North Carolina, where his severities had rendered his very name univej'sally detested. He, of course, entered with great zeal into all the measures of the British government; and endeavoured with ari-, influence, and inlrigne, (of which he was perfect m'lster,) to induce the city of New York, and the inhabitants under his governtfieut, to submit qaietly, and not unite with the other colonies in their plans of opposition. Failing in this purpose, and becom- ing apprehensive for his own per- sonal safety, he left the seat of government, and put himself at the head of a body of toiies, whom he assisted in butchering their fellow countrymen, and comiiittin:? the most shocking enormiti(?s on the de- fenceless inhabitants of New Jersey, and wherever else he could penetrate. He; constantly held out such flatter- ing inducements for these wretches to join him, that scarcely a day passed without his receiving recruits from some quarter. At this period, the "Committee of Safety" for the colony of New York, consisted of Messrs. Jay, Piatt, Duer and Sackett; gentlemen who have since held conspicuous situations in the government of their emancipated coiintry. It, of course, became the policy of this committee to count?r- act, as far as in them lay, the arts and intrigues of the wily Tryon. For this purpo.se, they e.x;ercised the ut- most vigilance to prevent the torie-i from joining the standard of the oneiiiy; and felt perfectly justified in resorting to coercive meiisures to effect this desirable object. In fact, so dai'ing had become their opposition and outrages, that any lenity ex- tended towards them would have been cruelty to the friends of libefty, as the following facts will amply demonstrate. A gang of these unprincipled wretches, who had as.sociated in NeYV York for the purpose of joining the British army, had even conci rted a plan to assassinate Wasldngton, and some other officers; and, while our arm}'' was engaged with the enemy, to blow up the magazines. The mayor of- the city, and an armourer wht^ was employed in making rifles for the iories, together with several others, were taken into custody, and connnitted to prison. The m;\vor. on examination, confessed that he had received money from Tryon to p::y the armourer for the rifles. Two of Washington's body-guards were con- federates in this nefarious scheme; but a third, to whom the secret was conlided, honestly disclosed the in- formation. Several of these mis- creants were tried and convicted, and two or three were executed. About the same time, a similar plot was brought to light in Albany by the confession of two iories. Their plan was to set the city on fire, and blow up the magazine. In conse- quence of this pi'emature exposal, some of the conspirators were appre- hended, and the meditated plot frustrated.* But the most dangerous and cul- pable of these internal enemies, were those who had the effrontery and ad- dress to pass themselves off" for w higs. One of these was Dr. Benjamin * Sec Tau;Uer'.s Jauruul, p. G4. MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CEOSBY, 31 Church, vrho had long sustained a hig-h reputation as a patriot and a son of liberty. He had beon a mem- ber of the house of representatives of Massachusetts, and was afterwai'ds appointed sur<^-eou g-eneral, and di- rector of tha hospitals. Previous to the evacuation of Boston, however, he was detected in a traitorous cor- 1 resf)OtKleuco with the eneoiy; tried, convicted, and expelled from the house of representatives, and ordered to be "closely confined in some secure jiil in Connecticut, withnnt the use of pen, ink, or paper; and that no person be allowed to converse with him, o.Kcejjt in the ijresence and hear ing- of a magistrate, or the sheriff of the county." After all this, however, he was tin;illy permitted to depart from the country. He and his family embarked for the West Indie.^; but the vessel fouudei-ed at sea, and all Vv^ere lo:.t.t A man by the name of Ledwitz, who, by his own solicitation, had been appointed Lieutenant-colonel in the continental army, was also detected in a traitorous correspondence with the infamous Tryon. He intrusted his letter to one Steen, an honest German, to be conveyed to New York; but, considering' it his duty to expose the perjidy, the messenger delivered it to Washington. By this criminal act the perlidious wretch had for- feited his life, according to the articles of war; but, on his trial by a cjiirt -martial, his life was savea by the casting vote of a militia officer, who pretended some scruples of con- srience! He was, however, cashiered, and declared incapable of holding any military office in the American service.* But it is unnecessary to multiply instances. Enough has been said to show that the tories were the most insidious, virulent, and implacable enemies, with which the friends of liberty had to contend in the fearful struggle which secured the indepen- dence of these United States. Inter- nal secret enemies are always more dangerous than open avowed foes in the field; and it ought to be con- sidered as a signal and remai'kable interjjosition of divine providence, that their vile machinations were so frequently defeated. But Providence always operates by instruments; and among the most efficient, patriotic, disinterestf d, and successful agents, in counteracting the meditated treachery and machinations of inter- nal secret enemies, was Enoch Crosby; as will be sufficientiy shown in the following pages. t Soe T!iaclisi-'> Journal, p. 3S. CHAPTEE V. SECltET SERVICES. What is it tliat you wduld impart to mc? If it 1)0 anjilit tdward tlie ,a('iiPi"al good, "Set honour in one eye. ami deatli i'the other, And I will look on both i-.dillerently; Ftir let the uods so speed nie, as I love The name of honour more than I fear death. Shakspeake. The unfortunate battle of Long Island, the consequent retreat of the American army, and the subsequent occupation of the city of -New York by the British, under Geneial Howe, are events familiar to every reader. The first occurred on the 27th of August, 1776, and the last on the 15th of the following month. The affair at Kipp's Baj'.f the contest at Har- * Ibid. p. G-t. t Sec Chapter VI, third paragraph. 32 THE SPY unmasked; OR, laem HeidiateIy above York Is- land. It is jolneil to Putnam comity on the north, and Connecticut on tlie east; comnrisisifj about four hundr.xl and eighty sonare nuies It enjoys ;i direct coimnunication with the llndson on the west, and witli the .Sound on the snulh- east. f(s surface, in souie i);irts. is rngLrcd and mountainous; in others. be;nitifnllv unchdatiiifr. and iuxuriaiitlv fertile: the whole well wiUerwl, and diversified with scenery that is trulv |)ictnr- es(|ut' and roniiuitic. Tlie ccnti-c of this countv. lyiufi between the two hosiile armies, duii!i}i: the revolufionary war, was called thp "Neutral Grouud." MEMOmS OF ENOCH CEOSBT. 33 have beeu given. This arrangement I will relieve my mind from a load of anxiety, and I shall feel myself under a weight of obligation to you." •'Not at ail, sir; it is a pleasure to servo those who, in these trying tiui.>s, retain their integrity, and re- main faithful to his majesty. I am happy to know that many of my neighbors are of this class; and though the vigilance of Jay, Duer, Piatt, Suckett, and their deluded in- striin^nts, comp3l my friends to be vary circa:nsp3c;t iu their raovem3nts, thera is nj donbh of thair being able to complete their arrangements, and reaching the army without molesta- tion. They will very gladly receive you as a member, and in their com- pany you will be perfectly safe." "I have no doubt of it," returned Crosby; ''anl am impatient to be in- trodu3ed to their acquaintance." "Yonder is my residence; and you need refre.shment and repose. Rest yourself to-uight, and in the morn- ing your wish shall be gratified." Crosby readily acceded to this pro- posal, and followed his new acquaint- ance into a small enclosure that led to a neat farm-house at a short dis- tance from the x'oad. Here he was received with a cordial welcome, and furnish. >d with such refreshments as his situa'.ioa required. After supper, the evening was spent in conversing on a variety of subjects, that natur- ally grow oat of the critical state of the timas at that period; such as may easily be imagined to have passed be- tween a covert whig, anxious to obtain intelligence, and a real toi'y, who had no suipicion of the charac- ter of his guest. Having had a comfortable night's rest, and a substantial breakfast, Crosby reminded the host of his promise to introduce him to such of his neighbours as were faithful to the royal cause; particularly tho&e who were about forming a company to join the British army. "I am anxious," said he, "to be- come acquainted with the agents, before I join in the enterprise. It is not every man of fair professions that can be safely trusted. I like to see and judge for myself." The reasonableness of this request induced his kind entertainer to com- ply with it without delay. Crosby was accordingly introduced to a num- ber of persons, on many of whom the shadow of suspicion had never before lighted, they having ever professed to be warm adherents of the Ameri- can cause. Every one received him with cordiality, and conversed on political subjects without the least disguise or restraint, so completely had they been thrown off their guard by their contidence in the person who had recommended him. He found the whole of them to be most invete- rate and virulent in their hostility to the friends of liberty, and was con- vinced that he could not render a greater service to his bleeding coun- try, then by counteracting the ma- chinations of her most dangerous (because most secret and insidious) foes. Accordingly, at the expiration of three days, during which time he had made himself master of all the infor- mation in their power to communi- cate, (and some of them held secret correspondence with the enemy,) he told his host, that he felt too im- patient to join the army, to wait any longer the dilatory movements of this company. He was, therefore, re- 34 THE SPY unmasked; OR solved to proceed alone, and to trust to fortune and his own address for protection. After vainly exhausting every argument to dissuade his guest from so hazardous a project, the other finally consented, and Crosby resumed his knapsack and musket, took leave of his entertainer, and was soon out of sight on the road to New Yorii. In this direction, however, he did not travel long; but took advantage of an abrupt angle in the road, to change his course; when, leaving the highway, he plunged into a thicket, and pursued his way, through a path less tract of country, in a northwes- tern dii'ection. He had heard of a Mr. Young, who resided within eight miles from White Plains, and knew him, from reputation, to be a warm friend to the American cause. With him. therefore, he determined to consult on the px'oper steps to be taken with respect to the arrest of these traitor- to their country. Owing, however, to the circuitous route he had adopted, to avoid the observation of his late associates, night had set in befoi'e his journey Avas half accomplished; and it was witli extrem? difficulty, that he "groped his darkling way" throtigh the wild and broken region that lay between him and the object of his pursuit. Hills were to be climbed, thickets penetrated, and sti'eams forded, before he could gain the road which was to conduct him to the mansion of Mr. Young. All these difficulties, however, were at length happily surmounted; but it was near midnight when he reached the end of his journey. Fortunately, the master of the house was still up and alone, his family having all re- tired. Crosby was a stranger, and the hour unseasonable; but such cir- cumstances were not unusual in those "stirring times." He was promptly admitted, and politely invited to take a seat; when Mr. Young, fixing on him a searching gaze, (as if anxious to penetrate into the secret recesses of his heart, and there to read his real character.) intimated that he was ready to learn the purport of his untimely visit. Crosby was aware that the inhabi- tants in that section of the country, had lost much of their former con- fidence in each other, and knew not whom to trust; he, therefore, hastened to explain the object of his intrusion, and relieve his host from the evident embarrassment his suspicions had created.* "I understand, sir," said Crosby, "that you are a friend to the 'upper party.'f Give me leave to ask if I have been correctly informed? Is it true?" "Yes, sir," promptly replied the other; "it is true. I am a friend to my country; and am not afraid or ashamed to avow it, to friend or foe." "I have always understood, sir, that such was your character, and rejoice to find that I am not deceived. Under this impression, I have taken the liberty to wait on you, for the purpose of communicating informa- * "The county of Westchester.'after the British had obtainert possession of the Island of New Yoi'k. iK'fiiiiK' eomiiion gminul, in wiiich both jiartlt'S coiitiiiucd to act for the remainder of tlie war of the revolution. A larjre proportion of its inhabitants, either restrained by their a.ttach- nients, or influenced by their fears, affected a neutrality they did not ahvavs feel."— ^>pjy. Vol. i. p. 2. • t As respects location, the Americans were always the "upper'' party, in the vicinity of New York ; for while they retained pos.sessicin of the city, the British were still below them, at Staten Island. The same relative position contiinied on I their retreat throuijh the county of Westchester. MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBT. 35 tion that may prove beneficial to the Americdii cause." "Go on, sir," returned the host, in a tone bordering on sternness, and without relaxing his features. "Pro- ceed; I am all attention." "Do yon know, sir, that there are traitors around you? — that even some of your neighbours are secretly con- certing plans to assist the common enemy in plundering and butchering their ©wn brethren and fellow-coun- tryjnen?" "I am well aware," returned Young, with a sigh, "that there are too many who feel secretly disposed to aid the cause of the enemy. But they dare not openly avow it." "That is true, sir." "O, that I knew them!" continued the host, with increasing animation, as he rose from his seat. "O, that I could designate them—point them out — name them! They should soon be linked together by closer and stronger ties than those which now connect them." "Tiien, sir," replied Crosby, with confidence, rising on his feet, and ap- proaching the other, "I have news that will interest you. I have just left a company of these wretches, after having spent three days with them, and know all their plans. Their intention is to join the 'lower party,' with whom they now hold a secret coi'respondence, and raise their parricidal hands against their bleeding country." "Is it possible!" "It is most true, sir. I know them all — have visited their families— at- tended their secret meetings-assisted them in maturing their nefarious phins." "Indeed! Then you yourself " " Understand me, " inteiTupted Crosby. "I have levelled this musket too often at the open and avowed enemies of my country, to be on terms of intimacy with her secret foes, except for the purpose of dis- covering and preventing their con- templated ti'eachery." Here Crosby gave a particular de- tail of the circumstances connected with his introduction to the members of this hopeful confederacy; par- ticulars with which the reader is already acquainted; and, as he pro- ceeded, the countenance of his audi- tor gradually brightened. As soon as he had finished, the latter seized him eagerly by the hand ; and, with sparkling eyes, exclaimed — "Is this true, upon the honour of a man?" "It is true, by Heaven!" returned the other; "and if you will assist me with your advice and co-operation, eight-and-forty hours shall not elapse until you are convinced by the testi- mony of your own eyes." "Come on, then, my good fellow!" exclaimed Young, seizing his hat. "The Committee of Safety are at White Plains, and thither we must proceed immediately. Follow me quickly, and I will be your pilot." Crosby was not backward in com- plying with this injunction, though already much fatigued by his recent journey; but promptly followed his hasty guide, on this midnight ex- cursion. Fences, rocks, and streams, were but slight impediments •To liearts resolved, and liiiihs inured to toil." and, before two o'clock, they found themselves at the end of their jour- ney, in the village of AVhite Plains, and in the presence of the honourable John Jay, one of the most vigilant of 36 THE SPY unmasked; OTl, the33 watchful guaraians of the pub lie safety. This gaatleman being made ac- quiintod with the forjgaiag par- ticulars, dismissed his informaut with a raqusst that they would re- main near at hand, for further in- structions, as he intended, at early dawn, to convene the committee, and hold a consaltitija on th.> important subject. Were we writing a rommce, in- stead of an authentic narrative of events wliich actually occurred, and could we command the descrip- tive pen of our inimitable Cooper, hero woull be the place to introduce a series of incid.mts which attended, (or might have attended,) the subse quent movements of our nocturnal adventiirers. Their difficulty in pi'o- curing comfortable quarters for th? remainder of the night; a description of the village inn, where they finally succeeded in rousing the lazy land- lord from his slumbers; the motley group which lay snoring on the floor of the bar-room ; a portraiture of the florid-faced landlady, and the various incidents resulting from this unex- pected ^'nterruption of her arrange- ments for the night, would, all together, form sufficient materials for an interesting chapter. But as noth ing of the kind has been promised in our title page, the reader must rest contented with a plain una- dorned narrative of such facts as our hero can actually remember at the advanced age of seventy-eight. The committee were convened at an early hour on the following morning, when Crosby was summoned before them, to recapitulate the particulars of his recent adventure. After hear- ing his statement, and consulting on the most pi'oper steps to be taken in the business, Crosby was requested to hold himself in readiness to ac- company a detachment of Rangers,* (on the ensuing night,) to the place where his recent associates were in the habit of holding their secret cabalr. The enterprise was crowned with complete success. Without dream- ing of molestation, these vile con- spirators found themselves suddenly surrounded by a troop- of horse, and compelled to surrender. Thus, in less time than our hero had specified, his friend Young had the satisfaction of seeing the whole cavalcade, linked together in pairs, safely conducted to priso 1, to the tune of the "Rogue's March." The successful result of this enter- prise, in.luced the committee to believe that the cause in which they had so zealously embarked, might be highly promoted by engaging a person of Crosby's acuteness and ad- dress in similar secret services. The proposition was accordingly made to him at a confidential interview. '•It was your intention," said the chairman, "again to serve your coun- try as a private in tlie ranks. Such a resolution, in a person of your character and abilities, could only have originated in motives of the pvirest patriotism. But you must now be convinced that much greater services may be rendered by pursuing a different, though certainly not a less hazardous, course. There is a sufficient number of brave fellows to repulse our open and avowed enemy. The g-reatest danger which now * Tlie-;e i-ansers were a coinpiiny of mounted men. re-iorveit p\i)re;siy for exigencies of tliis kiiiil, wlieiiever tliev should oeeur. and to go vvliex'ever the Couimittee should direct. MEMOIRS OP ENOCH CROSBY. 37 threatens this suffering country, is from her internal foes; those secret enemies who, in their midnight cabals, are plotting our destruction. He who succeeds in bringing such wretches to justice, deserves infinitely more of his country, than he who lights her battles. Are you willing to engage in such service?'' '•I am willing to encounter any danger, and make any sacritice, (my honour only excepted,) in the service of my country." '•It cannot be disguised that, in the service now proposed to you, even honour, in the general acceptation of that term among men, must also be sacrificed; but not so in the eye of that Being who reads the secret thoughts of the heart, and judges the motive instead of the act. He will approve, though man may con- demn." "It is, indeed, a hazardous part you would have me play. I must be- come a Spy." "In appearance only. Our bleed- ing country requires such service at this momentous crisis. We must tight our secret foes with their own weapons; and he who will magnani- mously step forward as a volunteer in that service, will merit a rich I'eward — and receive it, too, from Heaven, if not from man. If he falls, he falls a martyr in the glorious cause of liberty." "I will be that man," replied Crosby, with firmness. — "I have ccjunted the cost, and am aware of th3 danger. I know that I must be content to endure reproach, obloquy, and detestation; to cover my poor doating parents with shame and misery, and incur the hatred of those I dearest love. Pei'haps to suffer an ignominious death, and leave a name of infamy behind. I know it all, and yet I will not shrink from the task. I will encounter all— risk all — suffer all, if I can thereby serve my country. But there is one condition If I do fall in the discharge of this duty, you must pledge your- selves to do justice to my memory. It would be dreadful to die, and leave such a name behind me." "Of that rest assured," replied the chairman, not a little affected by the solemn earnestness of this appeal; "but we hope and trust that the melancholy duty will not be soon re- quired at our hands. We will furnish you with a pass for your protection; but it must never be exhibited save in the last extremity. Should you be arrested as an eramissary of the enemy, you shall be secretly fur- nished with the means of escape. But the secret of your real character must go no farther. Your dearest friend must not be intrusted with it." After furnishing their new agent with every necessary instruction, to gether with the promised pass, the committee adjourned, and Crosby immediately tet about making ar- rangements for his new undertaking. His musket was laid aside; and in- stead of a ktjapsack, he furnished himself with a large j)edlar's pad* containing a complete set of shoe- makers tools. Thus equipped, he sallied forth in quest of ad- ventures. His ostensible object, (in order to avoid suspicion,) was searching for employment; or what the sons of St. Crispin, at that period, termed "whipping the cat;" but, in * '"Harvey Birch had been a pedlar from his youth: at least, so lie frequently asserted."— Spy, Vol. i. p. 31. — THE SPY unmasked; OR, mora modern times, we believe it is called "cutting a stick." Whatever be th? genuine classical appellation, however, we mast leave our intinerant to pursue hi.-> peregrinations in the interior of Westchester county, while we take u peep at the army below. CHAPTER VI. THE SPY AND THE HAYSTACK. "Our foes shall fall, with heedless feet, Into the pit they made; Ani t'lrici psvUh in tlie net Waitili their own hands have spr.^ad.'" Imm3diately after the battle of Long Island, the retreat of the Americans, and the barbarous execu tiou of th3 bravo and unfortunate Hale,* the enemy made prompt dis- positions for attacking the city of New York. It was a serious question with Wtishington, whether that place was defensible against so formidable a force; it was IJnally decided, how- evei', in a council of w;ir, that it had become not only prudent, but neces- sary, to withdraw the army. Several of the enemy's ships of war having passed up the Hudson, on the west side of York Island, and also tip the East river, on the op- posing side, Sir Henry Clinton em- barked at Long Island, at the head of four thousand lueu; and, proceeding through Newtown Bay, crossed the East river, and landed, (under cover of five ships of war.) at Kipp's Bay, aboiit three miles above the city. Works of considerable strength had be.m thrown up at this place, to oppose the landing of the enemy; hut they were immediately abandoned by the troops stationed in them. Ter- ritied at the fire of the ships, they fled precipitately towards their main body, aud communicated their panic t Sob A:v3-i-lii, Nj. Vi. to a detachment which was marching to their support. Washington, to his extreme morti- fication, mec this whole party retreat- ing in the utmost disorder, and exerted himself to rally them, but, on tbe appearance of a small corps of the enemy, they again broke and fied in confusion! The General, who was not only mortified and distressed, but actually enraged at their cowardice, drew his sword and snapped his pistols to check them; but they con- tinued their flight without firing a gun ! For a moment, the feelings of Washington got the mastery of his reason. '"Are these the men with which I am to defend America'?" ex- claimed he, in a tone of bitterness, as he gazed after the recreant fugitives; then, turning his horse's head to face the advancing enemy, he remained for some minutes exposed to their fire, as if wishing, by an honourable death, to escape the infamy ho dreaded from the dastardly conduct of troops on whom he could place no dependence. His aids, and the con- fidential friends around his person, by indirect violence compelled him to retire. Nothing now remained but to withdraw the few remaining troops from New York, and to secure the posts on the heights. The retreat was efl'ected with very inconsiderable loss of man; but all the heavy ar- tillery, and a large portion of the baggage, provisions, and military stores, were unavoidably abandonee^ Major- General Putnam, at the head of three thousand five hundred con- tinental troops, was in the rear of the retreating arjuy. In order to avoid any of the enemy that might MSMOino or e:;och czo3li:, 80 be advancing in the direct I'oad to the city, ho made choice of a rout parallel with, and contiguous to, the North river, till he could arrive at a certain angle, whence another road would conduct him in such a direc- tion as that he might form a junction with the main army, it so happened, that a body of about eiglit thousand British and Hessians were, at the samo moment, advancing on the road, which would have brought them in immediate contact with Putnam, be- fore he could have reached the turn into the other road. Most fortunately, the British Gen- erals, seeing no prospect of engaging the Americans, baited their own troops, and repaired to the bouse of a Mr. Robert Murray, a quaker, and a whig. Mrs. Murray ti-eated them so hospitably with cake and wine, that they wera induced to tari-y two hours or more, during which time Tr3'on was frequently joking her about her American friends. By this happy incident, Putnam G5cap>d a rencouatre with a greatly superior force, which must have proved fatal to bis whole party, as one half hour would have been sufficient for the enemy to hare se- cured the road at the turn, and en- tirely cut off Putnam's retreat. Dr. Thacber, in relating this circum- stance, adds: ''It has since become almost a common saying, among our ofHicers, that Mrs. Murray saved this part of the American army." The enemy immediately took pos- session of the city, for the defence of which ha left a suitiible detachment, and then advanced towards Harlaem, in pursuit of Washington. The Americans now occuiDJed Kings- bridge, at the northwestern extremity of York Island, both sides of which had been carefully fortified; they were also in considerable foi'ce at M'Gowan's Pass, and Morris's Heights. A strong detachment was also i^osted in an intrenched camp, on the heights of Harlaem, within a mile and a half of the enemy. On the day after the retreat from New York, a considerable body of the enemy appearing in the plain lie- tweeu the two camps, Washington ordered Colonel Knowlton, with a corps of Rangers, under Captain Townsend, and Major Leitch, with three companies of Virginians, to get in their rear, while be amused them by making apparent dispositions to attack them in front. The plan suc- ceeded. A skirmish ensued, in which the Americans charged the enemy with great intrepidity, and gained considerable advantage. Knowlton was killed, and Leitch badly wounded; but their men be- haved with great bravery, and fairly beat their adversaries from the field. Most of these were the same men who had disgraced themselves the day before, by running away from an inferior force. Struck with a sense of shame for their late misbehaviour, they bad offered themselves as volunteers, and requested the com- mander-in chief to give them an op- portunity to retrieve their honour. In the mean time, Crosby was earnestly pursuing his new vocation; traveling about the country; and, with his characteristic acuteness,* becoming "all things to all men," in order to elicit such information as * •'Htirvey Bircli iiossesscd the conimou mnn- ners of tliP country, and was in no way distin- ifuished from men of his class, but by his acuteness -and the niysiery whicli enveloped liis movements.— Si>2/, Vol. i. p. 31. 40 THE SPY unmasked; OR, would enable the committee of safety to discrimiaaie between their real friends and their secret foes. Through his intimacy with the latter, (who, of course, hailed him as a kindred spirit,) he obt lined regalar informa- tion of the movements of the enemy below, and privately transmitted the same to his employers. As miy readily be supposed, the committee, at this time, were tremb- ling for the safety of the American army; and their well-grounded ap- prehensions were hourly increasing, when a secret communication from their new agent informed them, that the contest on the heights of Har- laem had fully retrieveJ the tarnished honour of the American arms; that their good conduct, at this second en- gagement, had proved an antidote to the poison of their example on the preceding day; and demonstrated that Americans only wanted resolu tion and good officers to be on an equal footing with their enemies. The committee were thus inspired with hopes, that a little more ex- perience would enable their country men to assume, not only the name and garb, but the spirit and firmness of soldiers. In one of Crosby's reconnoitering excursions, the approach of evening, and some fatigue of body, reminded him that it was time to look out for com'"ortable quarters for the night. There was no public house of enter- tainment within several miles, anrl only a few poor farm-houses, thinly scattered, within the whole circum ference of his vision. To one of these, therefore, he determined to ap- ply, for supper and lodgings. He accordingly struck off into a foot- path which led to the nearest; and, bending beneath the weight of his pack, advanced to the door, and knocked for admittance. A rosy-cheeked girl, of about fif- teen, just budding into maturity, of rustic appearance, and bashful de- meanour, at length appeared, with visible reluctance, to answer to his summons. On being made acquainted with his wishes, the timid maiden hesitated, stammered, and then sud- denly reti'eating; saying, as she closed the door, "I will ask mother, sir." In a few minutes, however, she again made her appearance, and bade him walk in. He did not wait for a second invitation; but followed his fair conductor into an apartment that served at once the two-fold pur- pose of parlour and kitchen. Here he reoeated his request to a middle- aged female, who sat in a corner of the capacious fire place, very busily employed with her knitting- work. "Lodging, did you sayf exclaimed the good woman, surveying her weary guest over the top of her spectacles. "We don't keep lodgings, sir." "I am very much fatigued, madam; and would be vsry grateful for per- mission to stay in your house till morning." "O well, I don't know," returned the old woman, rising from hjr seat and approaching the stranger to examine him more particularly "There's some strange works, now-a- days, and I don't like to keep any- body for fear of something. What, in mercy's name, is that great bag there?" "That, Madam, is my shop. I am a shoemaker, by trade, and am in search of work, with my shop, upon MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 41 my back. WilJ you give me leave to dism(5uut it?" "Well, [ don't care if you stay long euoug-h to make our Johu a pair of shoes, for be is going over east, to See some men tliat are going down to the army next week." "Are they going to our array?" asked Crosby, as he disencumbered himself from his ponderous pack.* "I 'spose you mean the lower army; doij't you, sir?" "O, yes, madam; certainly," ans- wered Crosby, helping himself to a cliair. '•! mean the royal army, a large detachment of which is now at Tlirog's Neck. The rebel army has run away from York Island, and is now moving towards White Plains. But Howe will soon overhaul them, and give a good account of them, too, or I miss my guess." "Here, Sally! - Where are you? — Get this man something to eat. for his good news: and then see if the l,)est bed-room is put to rights, and make him as comfortable as you can." As a good loyalist, Crqsby was now made welcome to the best the house afforded. While he was thus refresh- ing himself, and chatting with his loquacious landlady, the good man of tlie house himself came home, to whom she eagerly introduced her guest as a warm adherent of his Majesty, and a swam enemy to the ! reb3ls. This assertion was alniudantly { confirmed by the remarks of Crosby I himself, during a long and interest- ing conversation on the subject of I (hat wicked rebellion against the m )ther country. * "At (irst siijlil his slroiiirtli seemed mi('i[u;i! j to lUiuin^e tlie unwieldy burden of his p;X'k: vet ln^ tlirevv it on ;iiul oil' \vitii gi-^at dexteriry. :ind | "■:*';i a', niurli apuarent ea>('' ;u if it had lieen | ,:;her-^."-.Syjjy. To'. ;■. /;. si. In the course of this conversation, Crosby learned that a company was forming, about three miles east of that place, for the purpose of joining the British army. On his intimating a desire to become a member of this corps, his host readily agreed to introduce him to the Captain, in the course of the following day. He then conducted his guest to the best Vied in the house; and, wishing him a pleasant night's repose, left him to his own meditations, to dream of plots and counterplots, or any other subject that fancy might conjure up. Whatever might have been the character of his dreams, however, our adventurer arose the next morn- ing completely refreshed and in- vigorated; and, after partaking of a hearty breakfast, he accompanied his host to the residence of the tory Cap- tain before mentioned. On being- introduced, by his attentive guide, as a loyalist, who was desirous of serv- ing his Majesty, Crosby was most cordially received, and politely in vited to stay to dinner, and to spend the remainder of the day and the coming night tit the Captain''s house. This invitation was readily ac- cepted; and, in the course of the evening, Crosby wtis made acquainted with many interesting particulars relative to the plans and intentions of the Ctiptaiu and his confederates. On the following morning, at break- fast, the subject was again introduced, when Crosby was asked if he was ready to enter his name on the mus- ter roll. "I have not yet entirely made up my niind," replied he. "Such a step will necessarily be attended with considerable danger: for, in case I should be ttikeu by the Americans, 42 THE SPY unmasked; oe, and my name known, they would hang me as a traitor." "Were there any solid grounds for such an apprehension," replied the other, "you would only incur that risk in common with us all. Bat the I'ebels dare not resort to such ex- tremities, for fear of a terrible re taliation." "It may be so," returned Crosby. "But I think I should rather go down without entering my name on the roll; unless, indeed, I could first examine, and see if there are any names of my acquaintance on it." "That privilege shall b© cheerfully gr.mted you," said the Captain, pro- ducing a long Toll of signatures, and handing the same to his visitor, who ran over them with a satisfaction which he took good care to conceal; for he readily perceived, to use his own expression, that there was a "tine haul for his net." After attentivyly examining every name, he rolled up the list, with an air of disappoint- ment; saying, as he returned it to the Captain, "I shall beg to bo excused, sir. They are all strangers to me; and it is not impossible that this roll may one day fall into the hands of the Americans. Besides, I can just as well go down without enrolling my name." "Well, sir," replied the Captain, "I have a safer way yet, for those who are influenced by similar apprehen- sions with yourself. I put five or six names on one slip of paper, which I then conceal beneath a large stone in my meadow. I have several such de- posits. Come along with me, and say what you think of the plan." So saying, hf' arose from the tible, and, accompanied by his guest, sallied out into a lai'ge meadow, at some dis- tance from the house. After visiting several spots where these secret mus- ter rolls werj deposited, he directed the attention of h:s companion to a hay-stack of enormous dimensions, and asked him what he thought of it. "I think it would prove a great temptation to a rebel foraging party," answered Crosby,after a short silence, and with some covert humour which cost him an exertion to conceal. f "It probably would," obs.'rved the other, "were such parties abroad. But it would be dilitieult for the best mathematician among them t'>> deter- mine its solid contents by measiiring its superficies. It is a mystery worth penetrating into. Let me instruct you." With these words, the speaker lifted up the hay, on one side of the huge edifice, and discovered a small opening which led to the interior of the excavated pile. Fond of adven- tui'e, Crosby entered without hesita- tion, and found himself in a most in- genious hiding place, of suificient capacity to contain forty or tifty men, comfortably seated. "What think you of thatf" asked the proprietor of the hay. as his guest emerged from its interior. "Would the rebels ever think of look- ing for you there?" 'T think not," replied the otlic^r, with an inward chuckle, as he sur- veyed the exterior of the premises T "Wiioii e;i,u;;i.iie(l in lii-; ordinai-y liusiiiess, tlic iiilr'Ui^ciu-e of his tare a!>!i";ii-t'('| iwcly. ae- tivi'. am! tlexililo. thou.uli luu-oirniionly acute: if till' (tdiiviTsalioii turned on tlie oidinary tran- sactions of lite, liii air heeanie aWstracied anil restless: but if, by einiuce. tiie I'evolulion anil the country were the tonic, liis whole system seemed jiltered- all his faculties were co'neen- ti'ated— he would listen for a great lenjiUi of time without spi'akin.n'. and then would break silence l)y some light :in« employers at White Plains. Such arrangements wer(? immed- iately adopted by the Cosnmittee of Safety as were considered, by all parties, appropriate to the emergency. Their infornjant then took his leave; and. before daylight, was again snor- ing in his bed, at the house of the loyal Captain. On the following morning, he in forini^d his entertainer that he had made up his mind as to the subject of th.?ir recent conversation. He was willing and anxious to become a member of the company; and would hold himself in readiness to march with them at a moment's warning: but should decline signing his name to the muster-roll until they had safely arrived within the British lines. The Captain appeared satisfied with this arrangement, and expressed a hope that every thing would be prepared for their departure on the following day. 'Would it not be advisable, then," asked Crosby, "to call a general meet- ing of the company this evening"? — There is much to do, and it is neces- sary that we act in concert. .When we are all togeihn-, cnir plans can be better digested, as we shall have the opinion and advice of each individual. Such a meeting is indispensable be- fore we go down, and there is cer- tainly no time to be lost." '•The idea is a good one," replied the Captain; "and every man shall be notified to meet here this evening, when we will complete our arrange- ments, and be ofi" to-morrow. You must assist me in calling them to- gether." (Crosby readily consented to exert himself on this occasion; and went about the business with such cheer- ful alacrity, that, before nine o'clock in the evening, the whole company were assembled m the Captain's par- lour, with the exception of the lieu- tenant, who had gone f]-om home on some terapox'ary business. By ten o'clock the business of the meeting was nearly all completed; and the usual refreshments were about being introduced, when the at- tention of the party was sudderdy arrested by the loud trampling of horses. The lights were instantly extin- guished ; and they all sat in breathless silence; every heart palpitating with fearful anticipations of some un- pleasant adventure, until they were 44 THE SPY unmasked; OR, aroused to action by a voice at the door exclaiming — '•Surrender! or you are all dead men!" At that instant the door was thrown from its hinges, and the apartment was filled with the American Rangers, all heavily armed. ''Surrender! I demand it in the name of the continental congress!" exclaimed the leader of these unwel- come intruders. "Resistance is use- less, and escape impossible, for the house is surrounded. You are oar prisoners." Words are inadequate to depict the general consternation produced by this alarming salutation. Some flew to the attic; others retreated as precipitately to the cellar; and all most devoutly wished themselves in the bowels of the hay-stack, as there was nothing to hope from the bowels of theii captors. Several attempted to throw themselves from the win- dows; but were soon convinced that there was no chance for escape in that direction. — The secret, but un- suspected cause of all this conf asion and dismay, made a feint of conceal- ing himself in a closet; but was quickly dragged forth, and compelled to share the fate of his companions, who were manacled together in pairs, and marched, like felons, to the vil- lasre of White Plains. CHAPTER VII. THE ESCAPE. To be the mark Of sinoky muskets! O you leiiden messengers. That ride upon the violent speed of (ire, Fly with false aim. ShAIvKSVKAKE. The historic events connected with the name of White Plains, will long live in the pages of American history; and if the readers have patience to accomxDany us through a few more chapters, he will acknowledge that there is sufficient cause for this last ing celebrity. At present, we merely wish to introduce him to the scene of so many important transactions. Bronx river, a beautiful stream of water that rises just on the south line of Newcastle, in the county of Westchestei", holds its course nearly due south to the village of West Farms, from whence it empties into the East river, between Morrissania and Throg's Neck. A few miles east of this stream, and nearly parallel with it, is another called Mamaroneck creek, which empties into Long Island Sound, near a village of the same name. Between these two little rivers, and near the head of the latter, is the township of White Plains, com prised in an area of about eight and a half square nxiles; with Northcastle on the north, Harrison on the east, Scarsdale on the south, and Greens- burgh on the west. On a fine plain, near the centre of the town, stands the iionrishing little village, of the same name, which has been the theatre of so many revolutionary in- cidents. The reader will recollect that we left our prisoners on the march to this place, under a strong escort of Townsend's Rangers. On arriving at the village, where the Committee of Safety were still in session, awaiting the result of the en- terprise, each of the prisoners under- went a partial examination, which resulted in their being ordered to Fishkill, there to await a more formal investigation. Our hero was pri- vately r^'minded that he must stiU continue to support the character he had assumed, until his arrival at MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBT. 45 their place of destination, when some means should be provided by which he might effect his escape, without awakening any suspicions as to his real character. On the following morning, the whole party resumed their journey, he meekly replied, in the same order as before. After a ; "You see me as I am. march of about twenty- five miles, explanation to off'er." they arrived at Peekskill, a small vil- j "Good God! Is it then true that lage on the eastern bank of the Hud j you have turned traitor to your coun- son, where they took boats, and i try, and are now a prisoner to her crossed the river to Fort Montgom- 1 brave defenders! It cannot be. There sible! — Explain this horrid mystery! — How is it that I see you in this situation?" Crosby instinctively returned the friendly pressure of his tutor's hand ; then casting his eyes on the ground, I have no ery.* Here the prisoners were per- mitted to remain a short time, for rest and refreshment. And here our must be some dreadfiil mistake. Speak, and relieve me from this fear- ful suspense. Have you been con hero encountered the most distressing cerned in the secret plots for which incident that he had ever yet ex- i these men are now in custody?" perienced. i "Were it not so," replied Crosby, On entering the fortress, the first j with a slight tremor in his voice, "we person he recognized was his former ! should both have been spared the tutor, the worthy gentleman of vvhom pain of this interview." a brief notice was taken at the con | "O, who shall tell your poor old elusion of our first chapter. The j father this!" exclaimed the other, recognition was mutual; but the cir [dropping his pupil's hand, and cumstances under which the meeting clasping both his own together in took place, rendered it peculiarly ; agony, while the big tears coursed painful to both parties. I each other down his furrowed cheeks. The worthy preceptor started with ' "What will be the feeling of your terror and astonishment, on behold- 1 doatiug parents, when they learn ing his favorite pupil, the son of his ! that the son to whom they looked as dearest friend, manacled like a felon, i the pride and prop of their declining and dragged to prison, with a gang j age, has proved unworthy of the care of unprincipled wretches, under the ; and affection which have been so ignominious charge of treason to i freely lavished upon him! That he their country! He gazed for a mo- j has forgotten the precepts of his raent, as if unxvilling to believe his senses; then, advancing to the pri.ioner, and seizing him by the hand, he exclaimed, with an einotion that it was impossible to conceal, "Enoch Crosby ! — It cannot be pos- * "This fort was tolerably situated on the western liaiilc of the Hu(ts<»n. to annoy shipping going np the river; the works were pretty good on tliat ,side, bnt were not so. nor fnllv eoni'pleted Oil the back side."- HeuNi's Memoirs, p. 129. father —the lessons of his teacher — and is a convicted trator to his coun- try! The news will break their hearts.'' For the first time, Crosby now felt the full weight of the cross to which he had voluntarily lent his shoulder. He felt — and it almost crushed him. Eut it was too late to recede; he had put his hand to the plough, and dared 46 THE SPY unmasked: OR not look back. With a groan of an- guish, he lifted up his manly form beneath the load. The effort was desperate, but it was successful. "Spare me," he faintly articulated, as he brushed a truant tear from his eye, and turned to accompany his fellow-captives to their quarters. "There is one who knows — who judges— who approves. He will com- fort my parents. Farewell." So saying, he departed with the rest, leaving his good old tutor to la- ment an apostacy as unexpected and inexplicable as it was mortifying and distressing. The old gentleman im- mediately despatched a letter to the elder Crosby, in which he communi- cated the afflicting intelligence with as much caution, delicacy, and gen tleness, as possible. It was a blow for which the parents were not pre- pared; but it is notour province to portray their feelings on the occasion. We must accompany the son. From Fort Montgomery, the pris- ouars were again embarked, and pro- ceeded up the river, through the lofty and sublime scenery of the High- lands, and between those Herculean pillars of the Western world, which are supposed to have been once uni ted in an adamantine barrier across the present course of the majestic Hudson. Leaving West Point and Butter-Hill on the left, and the Col- lossean break neck,* St. Anthony, on the right, a beautiful campaign country opened at once upon their view. Here the pleasant villages of New Windsor, Newburgh, and Fish- kill, with the smiling landcapes be- yond them, presented a charming contrast to the rude scenery which • See 4th note in Chapter IX. our voyagers had just left behind them. On reaching the mouth of Fishkill creek, on the east side of the Hud- son, nearly opposite Newburgh, the prisoners were landed; and from thence proceeded on foot, under their former escort, along the delightful valley,then thickly studded with trees, through which that stream pursues its sinuous course to the river. A march of five miles brought them to the beautiful little village which was to terminate their journey. Here the captive loyalists were committed to prison; or, raiher, con- ducted to church, for such was the edifice which the peculiar circum- stances of the times had converted I \ into a strong hold for the safe keep- I ing of prisoners of war. It was a low antiquated building, in the Dutch style of architecture, with enormous thick walls of rough stone, pierced with two rows of arched win- dows. The main building was an oblong square, with a square tower attached to the eastern extremity, from the top of which arose a modest Gothic steeple, surmounted by a ball and weathercock. The principal en- trance was in the centre of the south side, fronting the road which led from the village to the river. Instead of the sepulchral yew, with which romance has invariably embellished such consecrated ground, a number of luxuriant willows here cast a melancholy' shade among the rustic memorials of departed worth. Here it was that little groups of villagers were wont to assemble on a Sabbath morning; and, while they awaited the appearance of their pi- ous clergyman, reverently discuss the local news and politics of the day. OLD REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH, FISHKILL, N. Y., IN WHICH CROSBY WAS IMPEISONED. [See Pages 46 and 145.] MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CBOSBT. 47 But, alas! even the hallowed rites of the sanctuary must sometimes give place to the blighting footsteps of ruthless war! That roof which had so often resounded with the language of "peace, and good will to man," was now re-echoing with the curses of disappointed malevolence. The stone church had become a prison, as its more humble neighbor (a wooden church without a steeple) had, for similar reasons, been converted into a hospital, for the sick and wounded. If this be sacrilege, of what was that British General guilty, who protitu- ted an elegant church in Boston to the purposes of a stable! But this is digression. Our present business is at Fishkill. This pleasant little village (situated in a township of the same name), is in the county of Dutc'.iess, north of the Highlands, and about five miles east from the Hudson. It consists ef a handnoma collection of neat white farm houses, with here and there a mansion of more ample dimensions and showy exterior. These biiildings are principally on a semi -circular street, a little north of a correspond- ing bend in the stream before men- tioned; and in the midst of them, on a little plain, are the two churches, rising with modest dignity above the elevation of the humbler mansions around them. The first appearance of this vil- lage, in approaching it from the south, is picturesque in the extreme. After toiling, for fifteen miles, among the rugged hills and shapeless rocks, between which the road winds its serpentine course; when there ap- pears no prospect of a speedy ter- mination to the traveller's fatigue; and when his impatience begins to despair of relief; at that moment, the village and plains of Fishkill suddenly open upon his view with the effect of enchantment, afifording an amp^e compensation for all his previous anxiety and perplexity. Although this is the oldest village in the county of Dutchess, it was but thinly populated at the time of which we are writing. The Marquis de Chateleux, who visited it four years afterwai'ds, when it had become the principal depot of the American ar- my, says: ''There are not more than fifty houses in the space of two miles." He adds, however, that the American magazines, hospitals, workshops, &c., "form a little town of themselves, composed of hand- some large barracks, built in the woods at the foot of the moun- tains." It is well known, that Fish- kill possessed all the qualities neces- sary for a place of military depot, at this critical period; being situated on the high road from Connecticut, near the river, and West Point, that "Gibraltar of America;" and pro tected, at the same time, by a chain of inaccessible mountains, which oc- cupy a space of more than twenty miles between the Croton river and that of Fishkill. But whatever local advantages, or rural charms, this village might have boasted in the year 1776, they were all lost on the wretched inmates of the stone church. The Committee of Safety had arrived from White Plains, and were now in session, at a farm house within a few rods of their prison. Thither were the newly-ar- rived captives conducted, one by one, to undergo a second private examin- ation. The muster-roll, and other papers, found on the person of their 48 THE SPY unmasked; OR, leader, were considered as a sufficient testimony of their traitorous inten- tions; they were, therefore, remanded to prison to await a more formal in- vestigation before a competent tri- bunal. Crosby, in his turn, was also placed at the bar of this military inquisi tion. On entering the apartment where his employers were seated in all that magistei-ial dignity which surrounds, or is supposed to sur- round, the stern arbiters of life and death, he affected such extreme re- luctance to advance, as rendered it necessary for the officer in attend- ance to compel him to proceed. With clanking chains, and an aspect of va- cant despair, he at length approached the awful bar, and tremblingly awaited the pleasure of his judges. A lui-king smile was visible in each of their visages; but the prisoner ap- peared to be too much agitated with terror to observe it. As soon as the officer had re- sumed his station on the outside of the door, however, and Crosby was left alone with the Committee, the characters were changed; for they at once lost the gravity of judges, and laughed outright at a scene which so neaily approached the ludicrous. When their merriment had a little subsided, they highly commended Crosby for the effective manner in which he had performed his part, and the important service he had thereby rendered to his country. They then consulted with him on the best mode of making his escape; and requested him, when that was effected, to re- pair, with all possible diligence, to Wappinger's Creek, and pall upon Mr. *,***, who would furnisii him with further instructions, as " there ivas business for him on the other side the Hudson.'''' Crosby signified his readiness to continue in this hazardous and disre- putable service; but suggested the propriety of his assuming a different name, in order to pi'osecute it with greater effect. The Committee ap- proved the idea, and it was finally un- dei'stood between them, that all com- munications from their secret agent would, in future, bear the signature of "John Hmith.'" As soon as these preliminaries were all duly adjusted, the Committee re- sumed their former stern deportment, and Crosby his fictitious character. The officer re-entered, and, in obedi- ence to orders, led his trembling pris- oner back to the church. On the approach of night, a com- petent number of soldiers were de- tailed for the prison guard, some of whom were stationed in the basement of the tower, to guard the eastern entrance of the building. On the outside, four armed sentinels were posted in as many different positions, corresponding to the four cardinal pointsofthe compass. The remainder of the little force then in the village were in barracks, at a short distance from the church. In entering and leaving his prison, Crosby had hastily reconnoitred the premises without; and after his at- tendance on the Committee, he lost no time in making his observations within. He soon ascertained that there was only one avenue through which an escape could be attempted with the least probability of success; ,and that was a window at the extreme northwest corner, which was partially obscured by the thick foliage of a large willow that grew near it. MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 49 Screened from observation by the friendly gloom of this tree, he thouL,'ht it practicable to pass the sentinel, and clear the churcb-yard in safety. Or, should he not be able to elude the vigilance of the guard, still the uncertainty of his aim in that shadowy position, would leave little to appi'ehend from the discha^'ge of his musket. At all events, ho deter- mined to mike the experiment. Hai'assed in mind, and fatigued in body, the prisoners soon availed themselves of such indifferent accom- modntionsas their situation afforded; and, before the "noon of night," there were few, besides Crosby, who were not fast locked in the arms of sweet forgetfulness. But, as Hamlet says. Some must watcli, while others sleep, So runs this woi Id away. When every sound was Imshed, save the discordant nasal chorus of the unconscious performers around him, Crosby arose from his counter- feit slumbex", and cautiouslj'^ ap- proached the window, from which he had previoiTsl}' su-Jceeded in remov- iag tha fastenings. Without noise, he r xised the sash, ■•And, that they might not clank, held fast his chains." In the next raomen,t he was safely seated on the soft mould of a newly covered grave, busilj^ employed in divesting his limbs of their iron bracelets. When this was accom- plished, he cautiously raised himself upon his feet; and, knowing that a thick swamp lay within one hundred rods, northwest of the church, he started in that direction with as much speed as the uneven surface of a burying ground would permit. He had not proceeded tifly ptices, however, before he was suddenly challenged by a sentinel on his right. Hesitation would have been fatal. The swamp was before him -the path had become plainer— he darted for- ward with the celerity of a deer. The whizzing of a bullet and the re- port of a musket saluted his ear at the same moment; but he considered the salutation merely as a friendly warning not to relax his speed. The race was for life or death; for the alarm was given, and 'ithe chase was up." Three or four more leaden messengers,* each as harmless as the first, passed him in quick succession; and, as if emulating their velocity, he xjursued them with accelerated swiftness. The pursuers wei'e be- hind—but the friendly swamp was in front, extending its bushy arms to I'eceive him. One more effort — He is safe ! CHAPTER VIII. THE MOUNTAIN CAVE. Honour and policy, like unsevered friends, I" the war do grow together.— S/tafc;ipeare. While the foregoing events were transpiring in the vicinity of the Highlands, transactions of higher im- portance and on a much larger scale, were going forward forty miles below. It was an important object with W^ashington to secure the roads and passes that communicated with the eastern states; to prevent which Howe had left New York, with the greater part of the royal army, by the way of Hurlgate, and landed, as before men- tioned, at Thi'og's neck, in W^estches- ter county. It was evidently the de- termination of th® British General, * "Fifty pistols lighted the scene instantly, I aTid the bullets whistled in every direction I around the head of the devoted pedlar.l'— Spy, ■ Vol. i, p. 138. 50 THE SPY unmasked; OR, either to force the Americans from their position on York Ishind, or to enclose Ihem in it. Aware of his design, Washington removed a purt of his troops from York Island to join those at Kings- bridj^e; and, at the same time, de- tached some regiments to Westches- ter. It still appeared to be his in- tention, however, to retain that part of the island which he now occupied; aud there was cert linly a prevailing disposition among the officers gener- ally to do the s ima. But ths gallant Loe, who had just returned from a successful expedition at the south,* gave such convincing reasons for evacuating the island altogether, that it WHS imm 'diately resolved to with- draw the bulk of the army. He also urged the expediency of evacuating fort Washington;! but in this he was opposed by Greepe, who argued that the possession of tkat post would divert a large body of the enemy from joining their main force; and in conjunction with fort Lee, on the opposite side of the river, would bj of givat use in covering the trans- portntion of provisions and stores, up the Hudson, for the service of the ♦Some ti)ne previous to tlie evaouatioi) of Bost'in, Sir lleury C.iiitoii hud been sent soutli- ward, to the assistaiKe of (Jovenior Martin and Lord William Caniphell, Covernors of tlie two Carohuas. As soon a.s^tlus was known in ("ani- bridge, Lee was ordered to set forward and ob- serve his movement ■!, and prei)are to meet liim with advantage, in any part of the eontinent he might thhik proper to visit. On reaching \ew York, with his detachment from Tamliridge. Lee put tlie eity in a state of defence, and proceeded south with sui'li lia-ile. tliat. to the astonishment of Clinton. Lee was in V'irghiia before him. Hut as the object of the Rritish armament was still further south, Lee, with uncoiinnon celerity, tra- verseritidi troojys, under the eouunaud of Clinton. The Americans were .triumphant, and the discomllted enemy was glad to retire to the general rendezvous be- fore >few-York. + This fort was situated on the bank of tlie Uudiou, in the vicinity of Kingsbridge. American troops. He added further, that the garrison could be brought oflf at any time, by boats from the Jersey side of the river. Unfortunately for the cause, the opinion of Greene prevailed. Though the system of evacuating and re- treating was generally adopted, an exception was made in favor of Fort Washington, and near threethousand men were assigned for its defence. An unfortunate error, as will appear in the sequel; for, as Adjutant-Gene- ral Read afterwards said, in a letter to Lee, "If a real defence of the lines was intended, tlie number was too few; if the fort only, the garri- son was too numerous by half." In retreating from York Island, the American leader was careful to make a front towards his enemy, from Eastchoster almost to White Plain.s, in order to secure the march of those who were behind, and to do- fend the removal of the sick, the cannon, and the stores of the army. In this manner, the Americans formed a line of small, detached, intrenched •amps, on the several heights and strong grounds, from Valentine's Hill, near Kingsbridge, on the right, to the vicinity of the White Plains, on the left: the whole, of course, fronting eastward. In the mean time, the enemy was not idle; although he had, apparently, been so, for several days after his landing at Throg's Neck— which is a kind of mole or point, connected with the main by a longcau3eway,throu^h a marshy tract of considerable extent. His spies, however, had been on the alert; and the tirst movement of Washington was the .signal for Howe to commence his favourite scheme of circumvention. MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 51 Flushed with his recent victory on Long Ishind, the British General ar- dently longed to grapple, once more, with his discomfited opponent. But Washington wisely considered that the pr'ze at stake was of too much value to be risked on the fortuitous result of a single contest, under his present disadvantages of numbers and discipline. He, therefore, cau- tiously avoided a general engage- ment, while his troops were daily acquiring confidence and experience by skirmishing with their enemies. After several unsuccessful attempts to pass the causewaj' before men- tioned, which was strongly guarded by the Americans, the British crossed to the other side of Throg's Neck, em- barked on board their boats, crossed over the cove, and re-lauded on a place called Pell's Neck. From thence th«y commenced a brisk movement towards New Rochelle.J Three or four American regiments were im- mediately sent forward to annoy them on their march. — These took a good position behind a stone fence; and when the advance of the enemy had approached sufficiently near, poured such a well directed fire upon his columns, as caused many of his finest troops to bite the dust. This unexpected assault not only checked, but even caused the advancing party to fall back; but, being immediately supported, they returned vigorously to the charge. For a short time, the action was sharp, and well supported; but the Americans were finally obliged to give way to superior force, and the enemy pursued his march al- most to New Rochelle, where he halted. t New Kdchflle is aluuit five miles soutli of White riniiis, and is waslied on one side by the waters of tli'.^ East river, or Long Island Sound. Shortly after this affair, Howe re- moved the right and centre of his army two miles farther north, on the road to White Plains. During this movement, a skirmish took place be- tween two hundred of Lee's men and three hundred Hessians, in which the latter suffered considerably. The British then moved on, in two columns, and took a position with the Bronx river in front;* upon which Washington assembled his main force at White Plains, behind intrench- ments. Thus, like two skillful chess-players, did these able Generals manoeuvre their men; while the theatre of their movements, like an immense chess- board, was crossed with lines, and chequered with redoubts and in- trenchments. But an important crisis in the game was now evidently at hand; one more move must, appar- ently, decide it. Heaven gi*ant that it may be "checkmate to the king." But while thes* two gallant op- ponents ai*e thus sternly looking defiance at each other, both CM^gerly watching for an opening to strike, it is our duty to return to the fugitive whom we left in the swamp, near the village of Fishkill. Crosby remained secure in his place of concealment, until every sound of alarm and pursuit had ceased; he then proceeded, with no little difficulty, to grope his way through bushes and brambles, quag- mires and morasses. He doubtless reasoned with himself, on this occas- ion, as iEsop's fox is said to have done, under similar circumstances: "For the sake of the good, let me bear the evil with patience; each bit- i^v has its sweet; and these brambles, * See Chapter VII, 2d paragraph. 52 THE SPY UNxMASKED; OR, though they wound my flesh, pre- serve my life from danger." After much exertion and fatigue, he succeeded in emerging from the thicket; and, fortunately, on the side opoosite to where he entered. He then pursued his course northward, with the speed of one who is sensible that every step removes him farther from danger. In less than two hours he found his course impeded by a stream, which be rightly conjectured to be Wappinger's Creek, the boundary line between Fishkill and Poughkeep- sie.f Agreeably to the instruction he had received from the Committee, he now turned to the left, and a short half hour brought him to the residence of To be suddenly aroused from bed, by som3 histy messenger, at any hour of the night, had become so cjinmon an occurrence, since the commencement of hostilities, that this gentleman evinced no symptoms of surprise or alarm, when he ap- peared at the door, in his night gown and slippers, to answer to the knock of his untimely visitor. A few brief sentences, exchanged in a low voice, convinced both that they were tread ing on safe ground. Crosby was, therefore, requested to enter and be seated, while the other retired to re- sume such habiliments as were better adapted to the purposes of business. On the return of his host, Crosby was informed tliat his coming had been anxiously waited for, as the Committee had intimated that he might be expected before midnight. Refreshments were then introduced; t Tills uvme is saiil to hive been deriveil from the IiiiUaii word Apokeepsiug, signifying '"safe hajbour." and while the weary traveller was diligently employed in appeasing the cravings of a voracious appetite, his entertainer proceeded to ''open the business of the meeting.'' It appeared, that Mr. ***** had re- ceived certain information that an English officer was privately enrolling a company, on the other side of the river. This fact he had communicated to the Committee of Safety, on their arrival at Fishkill; and they had agreed to send him an agent with wiiom he might concert some feasible plan for seizing the officer, and mak- ing prisoners of his men. This being a business in which Crosby, to use his own expression, felt himself "perfectly at home," he readily entered into the scheme, and undertook to see it accomplished by his own ingenuity and address. This proposition was gladly acceded to by his host, who gave him such instruc tions as would tend to facilit ito the project; and, before daylight, our hero was safely landed on the western bank of the Hudson, in the town of Marlborough, a little north of New- burgh. Agreeably to the directions he had received, Crosby immxliatelj struck into the country, in a southwestern course from the river; and, after pro- ceeding tabout twelve miles, applied at a farm-house for refreshment. ! Here a comfortable breakfast was I cheerfully prepared for him; and, ] while partaking of it, he received I such topographical inforaiatioa, as j convinced him that he had reached 1 the right spot to commencj opara- I tions. 1 After finishing his repast, th':>re- I fore, ho began to make himself known I as an itinerant shoemaker, in pursuit MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CR0SB7. 53 of work; and intimated a wish of be- ing employed to make shoes for the farmer or his family. "I wish to do something to pay my way," added Crosby, with an honest simplicity, which he well knew how to assume; "as I don't like to be be- holden to any one for a meal's vict- uals, or a night's lodging." "That's all very right," returned the farmer; ''every honest man would wish to live by hi? own airnens." "Well, don't you think that you could give me something to do for a few days? If you are not in want of shoes, I wouldn't care to turn my hand to anything." "Why, yes," replied the other, after a little reflection; "I rather guess that I should like to have you work for me a day or two. It is true, I have no shoemaking to do at present; but if you can help me on the farm, in killing hogs, and sich like, I should like to have you, and my wife shall assist you." Crosby readily consented; and, as there was no cavil on the score of wages, the bargain was soon struck. He accorru- dence," returned Crosby. "I have n© inclination to get into the hands of the rebels again; it was at the hazard of uav life that I escaped from them at Fishkill." "What! have you really been taken by them? Why, how in nature did you get away?" Crosby here recapitnlat^id the par- ticulars of his escape fi'om the stone church, and then added — MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 55 "They are obstinate dogs, for, jou Lear, they are at it yet." "Let the riglars get them at close quarters, with the baggonet, and the rebels will stand no chance," replied the other. "They must be at long shot now, -or the skrimmage would, not last so long." Hero the convei'sation ended; and, separating to pursue their respective avocations, they met no more till sapper time. After which they set out. according to agreement, to seek an interview with the military hermit in the "cave of ihe mountain." On arriving at the western side of the lofty eminence which our hero's conductor had pointed out to him in the morning, they paused near a clump of dwarf cedai's which grew at its base. In front of them was a dark IcK^king object, which proved to be a iiuge rock, cleft in twain by some concussion of the elements, or by a precipitate descent froni the dizzy steep above it. With a heavy stick, which the farmer carried with him, he struck several blows, in quick suc- cession, on the "fl-it surface of the rock; and, in a short time, a bright ray of light daited from behind it, and gradually inci-eased in brilliancy. In the next moment the object of their visit stood before them, with a sm;ill hmthern in his hand, by the aid of which he took a critical survey of his visitors without speaking. He then bid the farmer welcome, who promptly introduced his companion as "John Smith, a faithful friend to his majesty," and instantly disap- peared. The Captain received Crosby very cordially; and after numerous in- quiries, to all of which he received plausible and satisfactory answers, he at length exclaimed — "Well, sir, you appear to have limb and muscle, and would make a devil- ish good looking soldier. I should like to have you in my corps of High- landers, which have just been col- lected. Come, what say 3'ou?" "I have not the least objection," replied Crosby; "and as I have no fixed home, or jDlace to go to, I should like to stay with you; for if the rebels catch me again, they will show me no mercy." "Agreed!" exclaimed the Captain, after eyeing him sharply for a few monaents. , "You are a d — — d honest looking fellow, and I'll try you. Come, sir; see if you can double up that gigantic carcass of yours so as to get into that hole," pointing to the mouth of an artificial excavation in the mountain, just behind the cloven rock, which Crosby had not before observed. The new recruit instantly obeyed the orders of his supei'ior, and found himself in a small, comfortable, well- furnished apartment, with seats, and other conveniences, suitable for two or three persons. In the centre of the flcor, stood a small round table, liberally supplied with a great variety of cold meats, pastry, bread, butter, cheese, and every other kind of eat- ables that the neighbouring farm- houses could furnish. But what the occupant of the caVe most earnestly commended to the attention of his guest, was a large jug, or rather its contents, which he swore was as fine Madeira as had ever graced the table of Sir Harry, or even his lordship himself. "Come, my good fellovv, help your- self," said the hermit, pushing the 56 THE SPY unmasked; OR, jug to his new proselyte, after filling his own goblet to the brim. "D — n me, but you shall lire like a fighting cock, for the few clays longer that I have got to burrough in this hole. A health to his Majesty, and success to the good cause." "With all ray heart," exclaimed Crosby, and drained the goblet. As our hero now appears to le very comfortably situated, in a strong hold, with plenty of provisions for the garrison, we will venture to leave him there for a few days, while we revisit the scene from whence pro- ceeded those "sounds of war," which gave rise to the conversation tbat ultimately brought about the present chancre in his circumstances. CHAPTER IX. CHADERTON'S HILL. -This day hath made Much work for tears in many an English mother, Whose sons lie scattered on tlie t>leeding ground ; Many a widow's husband grovelinj; lies Coldly embracing tlie discoloured earth. Shaks. King John. We left the two hostile armies, in front of each other, at White Plains, with souls "in arras, and eager for the fray." On the morning of the 28th of October they still retained the same position, sharply watching each other's motions. In the mean time, a commanding eminence, on the southwest of the American carap, had caught the at- tention of W^ashington; who, know ing the iraportance of strengthening his position, resolved to reconnoitre the ground immediately. He, accord- ingly, ordered such of his general officers as were not on duty, to attend him, and rode to the spot; but, on examination, found it not so suitable for his purposes as he had antici- pated. "Yonder," said Lee, pointing to another eminence on the north, "is the ground we ought to occupy." "Let us, then, go and view it," re plied the commander-in-chief; and away they posted as fast as their mettlesome steeds would caiTy them. They had not proceeded far, how- ever, when a light horseman was seen coming up, on full gallop, his steed almost out of breath. Hastily salut- ing the General, he exclaimed — "The British are on the camp, sir!" "Then, gentlemen," said Washing- ton, "we have other business than re- connoitring. Follow me!" So saying, he put spurs to his prancing charger, and galloped to the camp, swiftly followed by his well-mounted Generals, Lee, Heath, and the rest. On arriving at head- quarters, the party were met by the Adjutant General, the Gallant Read, who hastily addressed his com mander — "The guards, sir, have been all beat in, and the whole army are now at their respective posts, in order of battle." Washington, on hearing this,turned coolly to his officers, and dismissed them with this brief order — "Gentlemen, you will repair to your respective posts, and do the best you can."* Here they separated, each officer repairing to his own division, which he found in the lines, firmly awaiting the charge, which had already com- menced on the right of the Americans, by a column of Hessians, the forlorn hope of the British army. They were commanded by General de Heister and Colonel Rhal, who di- * See HeatU's Memoir's. MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 57 rected their first attack against the Americans that were posted on an eminence called Chaderton's Hill, commanded by General M'Dougall. The cannonade now become brisk 1 on both sides. Suddenly, theionemy's j right column, consisting of British | troops, under the command of Gen- j eral Leslie, appeared in the road leading to the court-house, in front of Heath's division, on the American left. This advancing column was preceded by about twent> light-horse men, in full o;allop, brandishing their swoi'd?, as if they intended to decapi- tate I'Ycry Yankee they could reach. Without hesitation, they leaped the fence of a wheattield, v.t the foot of tlie hill on which the brave Mal- colm's regiment was posted; of which circnmstance the cavaliers were not aware, until a shot from a field-piece struclv in the midst of them, and un- horsed one of the i:arty without cere- mony. This being a hint that the gentle- . men could not well misunderstand, j they wheeled short about and gal- 1 loped out of the field as as fast they came in; nor did they slacken their speed until a friendly hill left noth- ing but the tips of their nlumes for Malcolm to waste his fire on. Whether it was owing |to this cir- cumstance, (the precipitate flight of his horse,) or to previous arrange- ment, it is certain that the British column advanced no farther up the road, but suddenly wheeled to the left, by platoons, as fast as they came i\p; and, passing through a bar or gatewa.v, directed their head towards the troops on Cluulerton's Hill, al- ready engaged with the Hessians. The appearance of this column of well disciplined troop.-^, the flower of the British army, was truly imposing. Their brightly polished arms, brist- ling with bayonets, glittered in the siinbeams with almost a dazzling lustre. —What a contrast to their un- disciplined opponents, the American militia, who, with rusty muskets, irregular accoutrements, and scarcely a bayonet to a platoon, stood before them undismayed, and (even when vanquished) unsubdued ! The cannonade still continued brisk across the Bronx; the Americans firmly retaining their position on the hill, and the enemy directing all his energies to dislodge them. Con- vinced, at length, that long shot would never effect the object, pre- parations were made to come to closer quarters. For this purpose, a part of the enemy's left column, composed of British and Hessians, forded the river, and marched along, under cover of the hill, until they had gained sufficient ground to the left of the Americans; when, by facing to the left, their column became a line parallel with their opponents. In this order they ascended the hill with a quick movement. The fire fi'om the British artillery now ceased, of course, in order not to endanger tlieir own men. who were bravely advancing to charge the Americans on the summit of the hill; but the fire of the musquetry between 1 the two parties was so rapid and in- ; cessant, that it was impossible to dis- ■ tinguish the sounds. : The Americans finally gave way before superior disciplin<\ and movf'd off" the hill , in as good order as could have been expected. The British ascended the hill very slowly, but in that close compact or- 58 THE SPY unmasked; OR, der for which their infantry are so justly celebraterl. There is no doubt, however, that every man felt glad when he had reached the sumiuit, where they formed and dressed their line, without evincing any disposition to pursue their retreating foe. The fact is, both parties felt per- fectly willing to rest awhile after the fatigues of the day. It is true, that obtaining po'^session of the contested eminence gave the British great ad- vantage over their opponents; but, feeling too sore to pursue this advan- tage, they were content to let things rcmiin as they were for the present. During this action, which ouglit to be called the "Battle of Chaderton's Hill," several hundreds fell on both sides. It was a waste of lives, with- out much advantage to either party. In the midst of the engagement, how- ever, the American baggage and stores were moved off in full view of the British army.f Washington soon after changed his front, by drawing back the right and centre of his forces to some hills in his rear, and leaving the left wing in its former position; thus forming a line nearly east and west, fronting his enemy on the south. In this eligible position he expected and de- sired an action; but the enemy did not see fit to make the atteujpt. He afterwards withdrew the whole army to the heights of Northcastle, about five miles above AVhite Plains, near the Connecticut line, where his position was so strong that Howe t "The brunt of \h\> battle," s.ays Sliallus. "was sustained by tlio American General M'DougaU, p >ste(l oil the ri;;ht of the American iirmv. who nobly sn^taineM hi-; post with six Imndred mea, a.;iiast the r.riti-ih arniv, thonj^h basely de-ieited by I'oar regiaients of iiiil-tia. who fled on the approach of two huadrcd and flity light horse." found it necessary to adopt an entire new plan of operations. In the mean time, Crosby was en- joying ease 'and luxury in the "cave of the mountain," which was regular- ly supplied with provisions by sev- eral farmers who secretly favored the royal cause. He found the Captain to be a good-humoured jovial fellow, somewhat coarse in his mariners, but not a disagreeable companion. As he and Crosby lived and messed to- getlier, tliey were, of course, on the most familiar terms of intimacy; it will, therefoi'e, be readily conceived, that the latter soon made himself ac- quainted with every particular of the other's plans. "In three days, my lad, we shall cross the Highlands," said the Cap- tain, gaily, as he folded a letter which had just been handed him by our hero's late employer. "In three days," repeated the other. "Let mo see — that will be Tuesday, as this is Saturday." "Yes, this is Satui'day, and to- morrow will be Sunday, when your motely psalm -singing rebel army will be chaunting hallelujahs through their noses; that i.s, if our cavalry didn't shave off those vocal appen- dages at White Plains." "According to the letter you have just read to me, it wc>uld seem that some of the royal cavalry have been even closer shaved by the rebels in Heath's division," returned Crosby, with a slight indication of humour in his countenance. "By Heaven!" exclaimed the Cap- tain, "you look and talk as if you were glad of it." "I should be glad to have been in their situation," said Crosby, drily. "Where?— Behind the hill?" MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 59 "No — I would hjive cleared the hill, and made for the Heaih."'' "Good by *** ! If the flash of your musket be like that of your wit, you will be an honour to the corps." "Wit sometimes wounds a friend." '•Then there the comparison ends, for your musket will only be levelled at the rebels. But come; let's to business. Do you know whei'e the little heap of earth stauds which the Yankees call Butter Hill?"* "Yes — at the north entrance of the Highlands, opposite St. Anthonj'^'s face.^f '"True — and were that break-neck rock a real living saint, and the op- posite hill composed of genuine Goshen butter, d — n me, biit the saint's mouth would water. But, as I was saying, ou the western side of t'jat mountain, (for so we would call an eminenoe of tifteeu hundred feet in England,) is a lonely barn, belong- ing to a gojl loy.nlist, and a d d fine fellow. To that barn we must all go on Tuesday evening; and, after taking au hour's rest in the hay-mow, j)ursue our course to the royal lines. To-morrow you and I will bid good- bye to this cursed hole, as my friend S**** has generously offered to ac- commodate the whole of us, until we march." H-iving nothing to oppose to this * This is ;i lii.uh c-obhlp iiill, on tlie wesr sido of Hiulsiin rivet-, (itiimsilc Breakneck Hill. These are the iiorliiern hills of the Higlihiiid eliain. t .S'f. Antlnnii/\-< Face is on tiie south si.le of Breakneck Hill, at I lie north entrance of the Highlands, sixty iniles from the citv of N'ew York. Its name is derived from a ludicrous re- send)lance of a Colossal human face, as seen from the river. The rock whicli has this a)i- l)earance, exhibits a ;rood lu'ofile of a face of tidrtv-two feet, aideil by a little fancy, and a relish for the marvellous" A tree which irrows upon tlie c)un. jir-;t reaches the hoiiiiit of the eyes, and kindlv siircails its liranclies for the eye-i)ro\vs of the saint. Tlieie is anoilicr pro- montory, opposite the site of Fort .Montgomery, live miles below West Point, wliich is called St. Anthonv's Nose, bi:t the resemblance is less re iiiurkable. arrangement, Crosby made no objec- tion; and Sunday evening saw the wholrt corps (about thirty) assembled at the house of Mr. S****. But how was the Committee of Safety to be made acquainted with these circumstances"? This was a question that, for some time, baffled the ingenuity of our hero; as he was aware that he could not absent him- self a moment without exciting sus- picions. At length, however, he hit upon a plan, and hastened to put it into execution. — Taking the Captain apart, he thus commenced it: — "I am apprehensive, sir, that our being hei*e altogether may turn out to be bad policy." *'Your reasons Jack, your reasons," said the other, with a dramatic air. "The devil's in't if we are not retix'ed enough; there's not a neighbor within a mile." "It is just such retired situations that Townsend's Rangers are always searching. They seldom seek for organized companies of loyalists in populous villages." "D — n To\vnseo{). ated, in the family of the friendly old Dutchman, who had feet enough in his family to keep the shoemaker in constant employment. It is true, a large majority of them were the property of females; but Crosby soon found, by actual admeasurement, that the undersfdiuling of a plump round face, rosy-cheek, country Dutch lass, is not such a trifling appendage, as the same article appears to be among our modern city belles; for, at the period of which we are writing, the doctrine of Dr. Sitgreaves most gen- erally prevailed, that "the wider the base, the more firm is the superstruc- ture." In this tranquil asylum he had continued but two days, when a letter from Duer, desiring his immediate attendance on the Committee, at Fishkill, was handed him on his seat, j by a messenger sent express for that ; purpose. The good old Dutchman, as well as every member of his family, evinced mi>ch curiosity to know the purport of this communication; which they knew, by some expressions that had ; fallen from the messenger, must have come from high authority; and our hero immediately rose, in their esti- mation, at least one hundred per cent. Could he have conversed with Mynheer, in the mother-tongue of the ; latter, there is little doubt that he might have "'taken his pick" among I the daughters, with a good farm into the btirgain. '•Mine Cot I'" exclaimed the Dtitch- man, knocking the ashes from his ])ipe; ''you know tee shentlemeh of tee armyt Vat for tey rite you ?" "I suppose they want shoes for the soldiers," replied Crosby, rising from his seat, and taking oft" his leather 68 THE SPY unmasked; OR, apron, which he carefully spread over his unfinished work and tools. "I understand that the poor fellows are all barefoot, and there's a cold winter at hand. At all events, I must go and see; but will probably retui'n time enough to finish Catrine's shoes for Sunday." "Now, don't you disappoint me," cried the smiling girl, with sparkling eyes, and one cf her sweet insinua- ting tones. "If you do, you'll be Bon-y." "Tevil take tee shoes!" exclaimed the father, [filling his pipe again. "Vy you hotter tee shentlemen mit shoes, ven he got bishness mit tee army? You know Gitty ish sick pon tee ped, and vont vant hern till Christmas. But, dunder and blixem, man ! You vont trudge to Vishkill mit Shank's mare'. Here, you Hauns! Puckle tee pest shaddle on Valdecker, and pring him to tee horse plock, ti- reetly — you hear!" Crosby was not very strenuous in declining this polite arrangement of his friendly host; but was soon mounted, and waving a farewell to the whole groupe, who had assembled in the yard to witness his departure, he struck his pony into a gallop, and was soon out of sight. On reaching Fishkill, he immedi- ately waited on Duer, to learn the pleasure of the committee; who re- minded him that it would be ex- tremely unsafe for him to remain in that place long enough for the com- mittee to hold a consultation; he therefore directed him to leave the village as secretly as he entered it, and travel about three miles, in a north-east direction, to a place called Hopewell; there to inquire for Dr. Miller, who kept a small retail drug- gist shop, where one of the commit- tee would meet him in the course of the afternoon. In compliance with these instruc- tions, Crosby again mounted his Dutch pony, and soon found the resi- dence of the Doctor, who happened to be absent from home, and not ex- pected back until evening. This information was communica- ted by a sprightly smiling female, whose voice and figure struck Crosby as not being entirely new to him; while some marked peculiarity in her manner of addressing him, evinced, on her part, a reciprocal recognition. But it was in vain that he tasked his recollection to elucidate the mys- tery; until, with an arch smile, and an emphasis of much meaning, she said — "If you wish any article from the shop, sir, I think I can wait upon you to your satisfaction. Dr. Miller's opiates, you recollect, are wonderfully powerful when mixed with brandy. They have been known to jmt even the vigilant Rangers to sleep." "Is it possible!" exclaimed Crosby. "Are you then the '' "Hush! Not a woi*d on that sub- ject, for your life!" returned the dam- sel, in a low voice. "These men by the fire are not Rangers; but it might not be safe to expose your real name in their hearing." She then added aloud, "You had better take a seat by the tire, Mr. Brown; as the Doctor will not be home till dark." Several of the neighbours were, as usual, collected round the fire, at one end of the shop, discussing the news andpolitics of the day. Crosby ven- tui'ed to mingle with the groupe; and, not being personally known to either, had the satisfaction to hear MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 69 his own adventures related, and des- canted on, with all those embellish- ments, variations, and exaggerations, that ever accompany the verbal dis- posal of retailed wonders. "There c;»n be no doubt," observed one, "that Sir Henry Clinton ob- tained that information from Crosby. How else would Knyphausen, and his d d Hessians, have known the way to Spiten-devil Creek?"* "Aye, and how the d 1, without the assistance of some spy, could the regulars ha^ e known on which side to attack the post on Laurel Hill f" demanded another, looking round him with an expression of triumph that challenged contradiction. "The Dutchmm's left column, you know, boi-e all the brunt of the battle, and were pretty decently peppered." "Well, well," said a third, with a self-complacent smile, and a knowing toss of the head; "every dog has his day. But if Townsend ever gets the traitor in his clutches again, he will soon dangle in the air, without judge or jury." "What sort of a fellow is this Crosbv?" asked our hero, addressing the last sf)eaker. "Have you ever seen him?" "O yes, I saw him at Fishkill. He is a little slender artful looking fel- low, of about live feet three. There's no confining him; for he'll creep out of a knot-hole, and I have no doubt that all our late disasters may be attributed to his secret intercourse with the enemy." * Near the site of Fort Washington, in the vi- cinity of Kingsbridge. + This hill WHS bravely defended liy the Amer- icans, diiriii'i the attack of Fort Wasliington. It is snpposed that over twelve hundred of the royal troops were kille I or wounded. After be- ing twice summoned, the commandant. Colonel Mauaw, was compelled to surrender, with 287U Aniericaas. "It is shrewdly suspected," said Crosby, dryly, "that this fellow was at the bottom of the affair at Kipp's Bay." "Very probably," said the other, forgetting the nature of that affair ;t wherever there is a tory plot, you may swear that Crosby is head-devil in the business." "Whether at the head or tail," ob- served a third, "his intrigues have given an unfortunate turn to our af- fairs. Fort Washington and Fort Lee are both in the hands of the en- emy. § The American army is re- treating tbrough the Jerseys, and Howe is close upon their heels." "But didn't Gooch do the neat thing?" exclaimed the first speaker. "Gooch! Who the d 1 is he?" asked his friend. "Who is he! A full-blooded yan- kee, from Boston, and a captain in Heath's division. During the attack on Fort Washington, which was bravely defended by Colonel Magaw, the commander-in-chief, who was across the river, on the high bank at Fort Lee, was a spectator of the whole affair. He wished to send a message across to Magaw, and Gooch offered to be the bearer of it. He ran down to the river— jumped into a small boat— pushed over in style — — landed under the bank — ran up to the fort, and delivered the message — came out — ran and jumped over the broken ground^dodged the Hessians, t See Chapter VI.. 3d paragrapli. § Soon after the reduction of Fort Washing- ton Lord Comwallis, with a large force, conjec- tured t.) amoimt to about six thousand men, crossed over the North River, to attack Fort I.ee. on the opposite Jersey shore. On the intel- ligence of their aj)proacli, the first determina- tion of the Amerieaus was to meet and fight them; but it was soon discovered that the con- test would be too une^pial, and the garrison was saved by an immediate evacuation, under the a'oie guiilaace of General CJreene. 70 --T3E SPY; TJNM ASKED;- OR, some of whom struck at him with their pieces, while others attempted to thrast him with their bayonets. But he escaped through the whole — got into his boat, and returned to FortLee."=i= "Was that message a recommenda- tion to surrender?" asked Crosby. "So it is presumed," replied the other. "Magaw had been summoned to surrender; but requested that he might be allowed to consider until 9 o'clock the next morning, before he gave a decisive answer. Only two hours were granted, and Magaw re- plied that he would defend the fort to the last moment. After receiving Washington's message, however, the fort was surrenfiered ; and it would have been a useless waste of lives to hold out auy longer." "Was our loss great?" asked Crosby. "Not in killed and wounded;" re- turned the other; "but the loss in prisoners was a serious blow indeed. It is said they were marched to the city, and ci'owded into prisons and sugar houses, where they are now dy- ing off by dozens; so that j)robably very few of the poor fellows will ever get home again." At this stage of the conversation, a gentleman entered the shop; and, without noticing the speakers, ad- vanced to the counter, and ordered a phial of medicine. In this new coiner, our hero instantly recognized the per son of Jay, who had ridden from Fishkill on an elegant horse, which Avas standing at the door. While the shopman was waiting npon his cus tomer, Crosby slipped out, and pre- tended to be admiring the noble ani mal, until his owner approached to *"See Heath's Memoirs. remount. Our hero politely held the stirnp, while Jay seized that oppor- tunity to whisper in his ear — "It will not do; there are too many observers in this place. Return to the Dutchman's, and there wait for further orders." He then mounted; and was soon out of sight, on the road to Fishkill. On re-entering the shop, which ho did without being perceived, Crosby discovered that his own person had been the subject of remark, by the loungers present. "His conversation and manners be- speak the gentleman," observed the principal speaker. "I wonder who he is, and what his business can be with Dr. Miller?" "He appears to be acquainted with Jay," said another; "for I saw them whispering together at the horse- block." On ovei'heai'ing these remarks, Crosby began to feel apprehensive, that if he remained much longer, these village politicians might become more inquisitive than he could wish. He therefore told the suoj^man that he would call in the evening; then mounted his horse, and soon found himself on the banks of Wappinger. j His host met him in the yard, in I front of the cottage, with his insepa- rable companion, the pijje, in his mouth. "Veil, ten, sho you cot pack," said he, puffing a huge volume of curling vapour from his mouth. "O yes," replied Crosby, dismount- ing. "There is no difficulty in getting back, on such a horse as yours, when his head is once turned toward home." "O yaw, Valdecker vill ride any potty right to mine house. Here, MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 71 Haunse! Take off tee shadcille, ant rup him towu mit a visp of shtraw; ant, to ye hear, Haunse! tont let him triuk till he coutch'd coold." "O there is no danger," returned Crosby; "I have not rode him hard. Biit how are the girls, and poor Gitty?" "Veil, she complains as she is leetle petter; but she stood up, von tinner vosh ready, pon tee ped, and ate pred, mit putter by it." By this time they had entered the house, where Crosby was met by the smiling Catreen, who kindly wel- comed him back, and again reminded him of her Sunday shoes. These he promised t(i attend to immediately; and, after visiting Gitty in her I'oom, resumed his seat, and pursued his usual vocation. CHAPTER X.I. LIGHTS .\ND SHADOWS. Why Mien, you priiice.-i. Do you. with fhoekis abashed bchokl our works: Anil tliiiik tlieiii shainej, whiith are, indeed, nouglil else Hui the pivuraetive trials of great Jove, To liiul persistive coiistauey in men. Sliahiipcare. The political intelligence which Cros- l)y gathered from the conversation at Hopewell, proved, alas! to be too true. Forts Washington and Lee ]iad fallen int'o the hands of the en- emy; and the Americans it^ere retreat- ing across the Jerseys, closely pur- saed by the British; so closely, '"that the rear of the army pulling down bridges, was often within sight and shot of the van of the other, building them up." At Newark, Washington asked Col. Reed— "Should we retreat to the back parts of Pennsylvania, will the Peunsylvanians support us?" "That may depend upon contin- gencies." replied the Colonel. "If the lower counties are subdued, and give xip, the back counties will doubt- less do the same." "My neck does not feel as though it was made for a halter," returned Washington, passing his hand over it. "We must n^pair to Augusta county, in Virginia. Numbers will be obliged to repair to us for safety, and we must try what we can do in carrying on a predatory war; and, if overpowered, we must cross the Alle- gany mountains." To increase the gloom which now shrouded his future prospects, the hero, about this time, was deprived of one of his most able coadjutatoi's and active generals. The veteran Lee, while leading on his division to join the main army, incautiously toc^k up his lodgings at a house 3 or 4 miles from his troops. This circumstance was immediately communicated, by some unprincipled tories, to Colonel Harcourt, of the Britsh light-horse, who resolved to attempt his capture. Accordingly, with a detachment of dragoons, he speedily surrounded the house; made Lee his prisoner; and, not permitting him time to take his hat and cloak, mounted him on a horse, and conveyed him to New York. In the meantime, Carleton's army in Canada, after driving the Americans from post to post, had made their ap- pearance before Ticonderoga. A na- val engagement had also taken place between the two fleets on Lake Champlain, which continued about four hours, and then resulted in the defeat of the Amercans. The enemy, soon afterwai'ds, established himself at Crown Point, and strengthened the fortifications; while Gates, with 72 THE SPY unmasked; OR, a coiTfisponding ardor, continued to increase the works of defence at Ti- conderoga, determined to give his neighbour a warm reception, if he honored him with a visit. Daring the development of the foregoing transactions, the Commit- tee of Safety felt very anxious res pecting the state of affairs on the northern frontier. Freqiaent instan- ces had been reported to them, of persons, in that quarter, being de- tected in enlisting soldiers for the tory regiments in New York. It had been already decreed, that every per- son of this description, who might fall into the hands of the Americans, should be tried by court-martial; and, if found guilty, executed as a spy.* Some had already suffered death un der this law, and still the nefarious practice was continued. Under such circumstances, the Committee deter mined to send Crosby to the north. Our hero was still a member of the Dutchman's family. Gitty had re- covered her health, and the Sunday shoes of Catreen had been once dis- played at church. It was a cold morning, near the close of December, and at a very early hour, that Crosby received a communication from the Committee of Safety, on the subject of this northern excursion. He had just re sumed his seat on what has been not unaptly termed St. Crispin's liddle; for, in the present instance, it not only resembled that instrument in form, but also in tone, as its unstable joints squeaked in unison to the music of the hammer and lapstone. Such * One Daniel strong was found lurking about our army at Peekskill. and, on exaniinaiion, en- listing orders were found sewed in his clothes. Uo was inunediately tried as a spy from the en- emy, sentenced to suffer death ; and was executed accordingly.— r/iocTi&r's Journal. as it was, however, it was the manu- facture of Crosby's own hands; ex- hibiting another evidence of that Yankee ingenuity which has since become proverbial in the production of horn flints, wooden nutmegs, and artificial pumpkin -seeds. He had just taken his seat, and was attempting to soften a roll of wax by the warmth of his own breath, when, casting his eyes to the window, he saw a horseman at the gate, in the act of dismounting from a white steed, of superior form and dimen sions. The unusual clatter of an old iron knocker, which ornamented the front door of the building, soon announced a message of more than ordinary im- port; on being admitted, however, the messenger appeared to have for- gotten the object of his journey amid the more important concerns of blow ing his fingers, and warming his feet. But as soon as such matters were perfectly arranged to his mind, he took a letter from his pocket, and in- quired for Jacob Brown.* ''I answer to that name, for want of a better," quaintly observed Cros- by, waxing his thread. "Then you are the man into whose hand I am directed to deliver this letter. An answer is expected by those who sent me." Crosby broke the seal, perused the epistle, and then wrote a brief reply, with which the messenger departed on foot. This done, our hero re- paired to the sleeping room of his host, who was yet in bed, and in- formed him that he was under the necessity of leaving him immediately; being ordered to the north, on busi- *This was the name by wliich Crosby was known in the Dutcbnian's family. MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 73 ness that would admit of no delay, and that a swift hoi'se had been sent for the express purpose of expediting his journey. "Mine Cot!" exclaimed the other, startiug up in his bed. "Ten you vill not shtay mit us all tee Christmas holidays." "Not an hour," replied Crosby. "Veil, den, shtay till I kit up. and Catreen kit tee breakfast py toe ta- ble. You must not ride pon your pelly empty in tee coldt." The whole family were soon mus- tered: and, by the time Crosby had corai)leted his own preparations for the journey, the table was loaded Avith hot buckwheat cakes, fried sau- sages, and every other substantial ar- gument with which a Dutch farmer's larder is always liberally supplied. During breakfast, our hero expressed his gratitude to every member of the family, for (he kindness and hospi- tality which he had uniformly re- ceived at their hands. "Nonesense, man! nonesenee!" ex- claimed the generous Dutchman. "Who vouldn't do tee same, ish no petter ash nobody." After taking an affectionate leave of every member of the family, and slily saluting Catreen as he stooped to assist her in buckling his port- manteau, which she had liberally furnished with necessaries, Crosby left the hospitabo mansion, and mounted his horse. He then inquired of his host, who had followed to the gate, the most direct road to Sharon. "To Sharon? Val, you see dat roat pon de hel"? — pointing - in a northeast direction. "O, yes, I see it." "Val, you musht not take dat roat. You see dis roat py tee colabarak?" "Yes, sir." "Val, dat ish not tee roat But you musht go right straight py tee parn, and vere yeu see von roat dat crooks justso— see.here" — bending his elbow, and describing it at the same time — "and ven you kit dere, keep right along; and you musht mind to come pack, and shtay all night mit me, and make done our Hannse's shoes." f In duo time Crosby found himself in the right road, and mounted upon an excellent horse. But the di*eary season of the year, and the conse- quent inclemency of the weather, rendered the journey extremely un- pleiisant. In speaking of this excur- sion, Crosby says — "I travelled as far as BenLiington,J; in Vermont, a distance of one hun- dred and twenty-five miles, and suf- fered much from the cold and severe storms I encountered, and from ri- ding on horseback, contrary to my usual habits. Had it not been for expediting my journey, I should rather have trusted to my legs." The object of his journey, however, was accomplished; foi% besides de- tecting a number of secret enemies to the country, in that quarter, whom he caused to be apprehended and brought to justice; he obtained such information, also, as enabled him ul t This direction of the worthy Dutchman re- minds tlie writer of the following storv: "A Yankee, travelling; through a Duten settlement, in ihe State of Now York, and, guessiin/ tliat he was near iiis place of destination, thought he would ascertani the fact hy inciuiring of a man who was hard at work iii a field of potatoes. }Ie was answered in the following manner: '•^'al, den, you vill turn de potato i)atcli round, de pridge over, and de river? up stroani. and de hf'l up: and tii'ectly you see mine prother Haune's i)arii, shingled mit straw; dat's his house vare mine brother Schnyven iives. He'll tell vou so iietter as I can. And you go little further, you see two roat)<— you nnist not take hote of 'em." * liennington is about thirty-six miles from Albany in a nortlieast direction, and is famous for (ieiieral Starke's victory over the Hessians, on the ICth of August, 1777. 74 thet^I'y: unmasked; or' timately to surprise a company of them much uearer home. In the meantime, while Washing- ton, with the main body of the Amer ican army, was retreating through the Jerseys, closely pursued by the enemy, General Heath, with his di- vision, remained to fortify and defend the Highlands, on both sides of the river. While attending to this ardu ous duty, assisted by Lincoln, Woos- ter, Scott, and Ten Broeck, he re- ceived agreeable intelligence that Washington, who had previously re- treated over the Delaware, into Penn- sylvania, had suddenly turned upon his pursu3rs with the most complete success. Such an event was totally unex- pected by the enemy, who were re- posing in confident security in Tren- ton, and other parts of New Jersey. They had been celebrating the festi- val of Christmas with unusual satis- faction, occasionally mingling in their libations some bitter sarcasms against the flying Yankees. The raei'cenaries of Hesse, Waldecker, and Hanover, who were posted at Trenton, were particularly elated on this occasion, as they fondly believed that their la- bors wei'e now over, and the prom- ised reward ready for their accept- ance. They imagined that they had at length succeeded in driving the rebels from their country, and that their houses and lands were to be im mediately divided among the Hes- sians — for such had been the delusive tale with which they had been flat- tered by their false-hearted employ- ers. Under such impressions, they cele- brated the birth of the Saviour with unusual demonstrations of joy; and feasted, and drank, and laughed, and sang, until the night was far spent. It Avas the Hessians' Christmas ban- quet. But like the impious feast of Belshazzar, its termination was to be fatal. The handwriting was already on the wall of their air built castle of success and security. In the morn- ing watch, the hero of Liberty came upon them like a thief, and few es- caped. After a contest of half an hour, those who had not fallen, surren- dered to the victorious chief, and his gallant little band of barefooted he- roes.* The news of this affair was like the first ray of sunshine after a long dis- mal storm. It rejoiced the Commit- tee of Safety, elated and encouraged the army, and revived the drooping hopes of Americans in every section of the country. In the midst of their congratula- tions on this auspicious event, the same gallant band stole a march upon the British who were posted at Princeton, over whom they obtained another complete victory. f The tide of success which had so long flowed in favour of the enemy, had now turned against them; while the Americans, suddenly aroused from a state of despondency, had be- come elated with joy; and, in their turn, pursued their invaders with as much rapidity as they had recently fled before them. Washington had always been popular; he was now the idol of the army — the acknowledged saviour of his country. In order to take advantage of the general consternation which these events had produced in the ranks of the enemy; and, if possible, to drive them entirely out of the Jerseys, * See Appendix, No. VII. t Ibid, No. VIll. MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBT. 76 Washington sent an express to Heath, whose headquarters were at Peekskill, directing him to draw his forces from the Highlands (excepting a sufficient guard), and march them down through the "neutral ground," to- wards New York, as if he had a de- sign upon the city. This manceuvre had the desired effect. The enemy became alarmed for the safety of the city, and withdrew his forces to pro- tect it. Heath advanced down as far as Kingsbridge, where a battle took place without much advantage on either side. He then retired to the for- tresses of the Highlands, where he retained the command until Wash- ington ordered him to take that of the eastern department, and hold his headquarters at Boston. Several other events of interest occurred about this period. General Dickinson, with four hundred mili tia, aad fifty Pennsylvanian riflemen, defeated a British foraging party of equal numoers, taking nine prisoners, one hundred horses, forty wagons, besides a number of sheep and cattle. Shortly after this affair. Colonel Neilson, of New Brunswick, with a party of militia, defeated the British Major Stockton, killed four of his men, and captured fifty nine, together with their commander. Every such incident produced a beneficial effect on the reviving hopes of America; and tended, not a little, to lessen the mortification arising from several concomitant disasters; such as the enemy taking possession of Rhode Island; and also, their de- stroying some stores at Peekskill. This latter affair, however, was of trifling import. Heath had gone to Boston; and McDougall, who com- manded the post at Peekskill, finding it prudent to retire, on the approach of the enemy, the object of their ex- pedition was partially accomplished. But the gallant Willett, then Lieu- tenant-Colonel, with only sixty men, came upon the enemy by surprise, and compelled them to retire with great precipitation, on board their vessels in the North river, after hav- inof suffered a considerable loss. CHAPTER XII. QUAKER HILL. Do you confess, 'twus not ;i thirst of honour Drew you thus far: but hopes to share the spoil Of conquered towns, and plundered provinces? Fired with such motives, you do well to join With Cato's foes, and follow Ca?sar's lianners, Aduison. AVhile the prospects of the Ameri- can army were the most gloomy, and the hopes of the people at the lowest ebb, the two Howes, flushed with the rapid successes of the royal troops, had availed themselves of the occa- sion, and put forth a second procla- mation, granting pardons to all those who should, within sixty days, sub- scribe a declaration to remain peace- able, not to take up arms, nor encour- age others to act against the king's authority. At the same time, they charged and commanded all who were assembled in arms, against his majesty, to disband; and all legisla- tive assemblies, committees, &c., to desist from their treasonable prac- tices, and relinquish their usurped power, within sixty days from the date of the pi'oclamation. In order to convince the friends of ' England that Crosby was in the em- ! ployment of Howe, the Committee of Safety, previous to his journey to the ' north, had furnished him copies of the foregoing proclamation, together 76 THE SPY unmasked; OR, with Howe's foi'mer dcelaratioD, of- fering rewards to such Americans as would assist hira in subjugating their fellow-countrymen. By exhibiting these documents to such as were too wary to avow their real sentiments, our hero was certain to gain their confidence, which was all that was requisite to secure their ultimate detection. It was not al- ways easy to determine who were genuine whigs, as hundreds assumed that mask to conceal their real char- acters. But there was little difficulty or danger in denouncing the cautious and the wavering as tories. In a cause where the liberties of the whole nation, and the lives and property of thousands, are all at stake, "he who doubts is damn'd." He that is hot for bis country, is virtually operating against it. It was to such persons that Crosby exhibited the British proclamations, and always with suc- cess. But there were not wanting occa- sions of detecting the blustering pre- tenders also. Crosby had sufficient discernment, and had seen enor.gh of human nature, to know that hypoc- risy is apt to overact its part. Un- der this imprt^ssion, he frequently set his trap for some of the most vio- lent brawlers in the cause of liberty — and always with the same resnlt— for the mask of patriotism was in- stantly thrown oflf, while the wearer would secretly confess to the bearer of Howe's proclamation, that he was at heart a partizan of Britain. On his I'eturn from this excursion, while on his way toFishkill, our hero ascertained that a company of loyal ists was about being formed and or- ganized at Pawling, a small town in Dutchess county, near the Connecticut line, and not many miles distant from the scenes of his boyish days. To Pawling, therefore, he imme- diately repaired; where, in the course of a fortnight, he succeeded in win ning the confidence of the recruiting officer; and, as usual, agreed to be- come a member of the company. In the centre of this town is an ex- tensive valley, bounded by high hills on the east and west; and in the midst of the valley is a great swamp, where Croton river, Fishkill creek, and some other streams, take their rise. On the east side of the valley, a well known eminence, called Qua- ker-hill, rears its gigantic height, on which stands a large old-fashioned Quaker raeetiug-honse It was at a retired habitation, in the vicinity of this building, that the newly formed company of tories were in the habit of holding their secret meetings. Our hei'o, ae3ordingly, made his arrangements to have the whole corps, himself included, taken into custody. Unwilling, however, to trust himself again in the hands of the rangers, and aware that his ab- sence at the time of the capture, would awaken the suspicion of his less fortunate comrades, he applied to Colonel Morehouse, who resided in the vicinity, and requested his co- operation. This gentleman had n3> immediate command, but promised to assemble and arm a sufficient num- ber of men for this particular occa- sion. Accordingly, at the time appointed, the trries being all collected at their usual rendezvous, two of the mem- bers hastily entered, with some de- gree of consternation depicted in their faces, one of whom addressed the captain — MEMOIRS OP ENOCH CROSBY. 77 '•Sir, there is a company of armed men collecting at Colonel More- house's. What can be their object?" "Are we betrayed!" exclaimed the Captain, looking sternly round upon the company. "Can it be possible that we have any traitors among us?" "O no;" replied the Lieutenant. "Th3 probability is, that the lower party Jire coming up to drive the d — — i rebels oft'; and that More- house has collected this company to oppose them." "Some of you go out and reconnoi- tre," said the Captain; "and if there be any appearance of danger, give us tiinelj notice." Five or six immediately sallied forth, while their comrades remained in anxious suspense for their report. This suspense, however, was not of long duration; for the challenge of '•stand! surrender!" soon saluted the eai's of the whole party, and threw them into a state of consternation, dismxy, and confusion, which it would be difficult, if not impossible, to describe. Some sprang from the windj-.vs, and attempted to conceal thainsjlves by plunging into snow- banks; others ran to the top of the building, and secreted themselves un- der the eyes of the roof. Crosby retreated to an adjoining room, and crept und^r a bed; bat was soon dragged out, when he learned, to his S3cret joy, that scarcely one of the party had succeeded in making good his escape. Seing his fellow-captives undergoing the procv^ss of being bjund, our hero was seized with such a severe lamaness in one of his limbs, as rendered it utterly impossible for him to walk. '•I beg that yon would not bind me," said he to the Colonel: "for in attempting to escape I have sprained my leg in a most shocking manner, and am not able to move a stop." '•Go you shall!" exclaimed the Col- onel, preparing to moxint his horse. ''Lame, or not lame, dead or alive, to prison you go with the rest. If you cannot walk, you shall be carried; here's a good horse, that will carry double, and you shall be tied to the crupper." So saying the Colonel mounted, and ordered two of his men to raiae up Crosby and seat him, straddle, on the crupper behind him. The men instantly obeyed, without much ten derness for the sprained leg, of which the prisoner bitterly complained. 1 The whole 'cavalcade, horse and foot, now took up the line of march, j with their prisoners tied together in j pairs. On approaching the place of : confinement, the Colonel dropped in j the rear, and in a whisper gave Crosby the necessary directions foi* escaping. The escort halted in two : lines, between which the prisoners I marched into the building. While ' every eye was fixed upon the proces j sion, Crosby slipped from the Colo- 1 nel's horse and disappeared; nor was ' his absence noticed for several min- I utes; so that all search for the fugi- ' tive was rendered unavailing* : From Pawling Crosby made his I way to Patterson, a few miles further south; but "finding no game in that quarter," he concluded to repair to Fishkill for further orders. On reach- ing that place, and obtaining a pri- I vate interview with the Committee of ] * "Why the rebels suffer him to escape so ea- sily, is iiiore than I can answer," returned the I Cantain, "but Sir Henry would not permit a I Iiai'r of his head to be injured." i "Indeed!" cried Frances, with interest; "is he j then known to Sir Henrv Clinton?" j "At least he ought lo be," said the Captain, smiling signiflcautly.- ,S'pi/, Vol. i., p. 62. 73 THE SPY unmasked; ou, Safety, tbey informed him that the service on which they next wished to employ him, would expose him to the danger of taking the small-pox, which then prevailed in various sections of the country. They therefare wished him to repair to Dr. Miller s to re- ceive the disorder by hioculation; to which proposition h3 very readily as- sented. Being furnished by the Com- mittee with a letter of introduction, together with the necessary funds, in "continental," he immediately waited on the Doctor for th.it purpose. The process was so favorable, that the pa- tient was confined bat a few days. As soon as lie was pronounced fit for duty, the Committee I'eq nested Crosby to visit the city of Albany, and the town of Claverack,f upon special busine'^s with Colonel Van Ness. Of the purport of this mis- sion, or the time it occupie;], we have not been informed; but during the absence of their agent, the Commit- tee of Safety was dissolved,]; and two Commissioners appointed in their stead; viz., Captain M. Smith, and a Mr. Benson. At Claverack, Crosby remained some time, acting as an agent, in transferring the property, which had been left by those tories who had joined the enemy, into the hands of t Claverack is about thirty-live miles soutli of Alliaiiy, on the eastern side of tlie Hiulson. It was settle 1 at a very early pei-ioU by the Dutch, and their descendants still occuiy a large i)ro- portion of the rich lands in its vicinity. t Jay was afterwards sent as an envoy to the court of S;)ain. ''His capacity was equal to the lausiness; he was well received, and his public characiier acknowledged; yet liis iieg )tiations were of little consequence lo America, wiiile he resided in Spain. I'erhaps, apprehensive that the spirit of freedom and revolt might extend to her own colonics, Spain cliosc to withhold her assistance." '•The highest favor he coulil obtain was, t!ie trivial loan of four or live thousand pounds. A short time afterwards, however, Spain declared war against England."— irac- re/i'jj ReooliUioii. such as had abandoned their own property, in order to escape from the British. "This course," says Crosby, •'had a very beneficial effect; as the tories soon became tii-ed of leaving their property to the enjoyment of other people." On returning to the vicinity of the '•Neutral Ground," our hero resumed his former vocation of ferretinig out such tories as were concocting plans to aid the common enemy, and caus- ing them to be brought to justice. But such was the result of his ingenu- ity and address, that his plans were always so contrived as to leave an im- pression on the minds of his victims, that he was one of their warmest ad- herents. He was frequently taken and imprisoned with the rest; but always escaped, and in such a myste rious, inexolicable, wonderful man- ner, as occasionally elicited from some good old Dutch matron, a dark hint, or an '•ambigtious giving-out," that Crosby had entered into a sol- emn covenant with a certain being whose name shall not sully our pages. Through the medium of the tories, whoso confidence in our hero's loy alty was every day strengthened by the risks he run to serve their cause, he obtained much valuable intelli- gence respecting the contempl ited movements of the lower party. This he always found means to communi- cate to the Commissioners, who as regularly transmitted the same to headquarters. The year 1777 was distinguished by many events, highly interesting to those who were engaged in the glori- ous struggle for American freedom; and there is little doubt that in the development of several, the unseen MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBT. 79 are chance and good luck, if their philosophy could only find it out; and by consulting on the siTbject, collating circum stances, and comparing notes, they at length came to the conclusion that Eaocih Crosby, instead of baing what ho pretended, a friend to the king, was in fact an American Spy; and unanimously resolved to take sum- mary and exemplary vengeance on the delinquent. Aware of the thi'eatening storm, Crosby thought it prudent to retreat from its fury. He had a brother-in- law in the Highlands, to whom he had lately imparted the secret of the part he had been playing, for the purpose of relieving his pai*ents from the burden of anxiety under which they had so long labored. He there- fore concluded to retire to the High- lands, and remiiin with this relation, until he could procure a respectable situation in the army of Washington. But he was watched, by his new enemies, moi-e closely than he had anticipated; and, on the second day of his retirement, was tired at through a window, by some person in ambush on the outsiilo of the house. The bill just grazed his neck, and lacera- ted the collar of his coat; it then bur- ied itself in an opposite wainscot, where the perforation is still to be seen. But, on the strictest search, no traces of the assailant could be dis- covered. Our hero was now compelled to be very circumspect and guarded in his movements; seldom venturing to show himself on the outside of the dwelling, and constantly sleeping in a retired back room, with a loaded musket at hand. But what precau- tion can elude the subtlety of deter- mined vengeance? '•A few nights subsequent to the fore- going incident," says Crosby, in rela- ting this circumstance to the com- piler, "an armed gang came to the liouse of my brother-in law, burst open the door, dragged him from his bed, and demanded where I was to be found. On his refusing to tell them, they commenced beating him until they had almost killed him. Perceiv- ing that there was no alternative loft him, but either to die under their hands, or to inform them where I slept, he directed them to my room, which they entered with the fury of demons. '•I now awoke, out of a sound sleep, when the first object that met my view was a large hideous looking fel- low, coming at me, with a light in one hand, and a drawn pistol in the other. I imnodiately sprang from my bed; but, bofore I could reach my gun, he discharged his pistol at me — happily without eftect. I instantly returned his fire; but, being in a souffle, my aim was imperfect, and the shot, of course, ineffactual. 1 then grappled with him, and soon had him on the floor, completely at my mercy. "At this moment, however, finding myself, amidst the smoke and confu- sion, assailed by three others, I was obliged to relinquish my fallen en- emy, who sprang upon his feet, while MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 81 I was defending myself against this i in-law. They then departed with formidable reinforcement. Two of j their booty, leaving the family in a them at length succeeded in making situation that baifles description.* themselves masters of my hands and But these midnight assassins had arm=i, which they held extended, happily thought more of their plun- while a third presented a pistol to der, than of their personal safety, ray breast, with th^ ramifest inten The report of fire-arrns had alarmed tion of blowing me through the body, the neighbors, who hastily assembled But this was prevented by the //^f ' and pursued the retreating ruffians, mane interference of him who had ' whom they finally overtook on the just reco-" ered his feet, i bank of the Croton. They were con- " 'Don't shoot the d d rascal!' j sidered outlaws, undeserving of quar- cxcl aimed he. 'Let us pound him to ! ter. Those who escaped the tire of death !' their pursuers, were driven into the "And sure enough, at it they went: j river, and several of them drowned! and soon found that I had hands and ' On the fall of the stream, in the en- feet as well as themselves. More than suing spring, the musket of our hero, one of them was saluted with a kick in the windchest that shortened his breath; and, notwithstanding their su})erior numbers, several of them with some other articles, were found and restored. Crosby recovered slowly from his wounds and bruises, so that it was got a flooring, from a pair of lists I several months before he was lit for that had seen some service. "But they finally proved too power active duty of any kind. The health of his brother in-law was much more ful for me; .when, exhausted with ex- j speedily restored; but the event it ertion and loss of blood, I fell on the j self was one of too much consequence floor in a state of insensibility." j to every individual concerned, to be Supposing that they had now con- j easily forgotten, suminated their bloody purpose, these ' In the mean time, through the in- luerciless marauders left their sense- , flueuee of the Marquis LaFayette, less victim weltering in his gore, and ; an alliance had been formed between r.'turued to the apartment of his j France and the United States of broth^n•-in-law, who was not in a j America. This event gave a new and much more enviable situation; while brighter aspect to affairs; and was the slirieks of women, and the cries | soon followed by the active co-opera- of children, added to the distress and tion of a French army and fleet. La confusion of the scene. fayette himself had been appointed a The villians then proceeded to major general, by Congress, at an plunder the house. They broke open early period of the war; but, as yet, every drawer and closet they could j held no separate command. He had, find; and not a single portable arti- however, distinguished himself, in cle, of the most trifling value, was ; several engagements, by the side of left behind. Among other things. Washington; and, at the battle of they took the clothes and musket of j ■ our fallen hero, together with a sum ' * Robbery of rinrvcy Birc-li by tlio Skinner-s, „ , , . . 1 • , ,1 ; boars some respiiibhiuco to this atlair.— Aifc the or money belonging to his brother- ^ :spy,yai. Lp 455. 82 THE SPY unmasked; OR, Brandywine, received a severe wound. While posted at Barren Hill, in Pennsylvania, with a detachment of two thousand five hundred men, an attempt was mida by General Grant, at the head of seven thousand troops, to surprise him. But the Marquis defeated his design by a masterly re- treat, which did him much honor. He also acted a conspicuous part at the battle of Monmuith,* where victory perched on the standard of freedom. Time rolled its ceaseless course, and the great contest was continued with various success; dame Fortune sometimes smiling on one party, and sometimes on the other. While the enemy could boast of his successful depredations at Rhode Island, Egg- Harbour, Nantucket, New Haven, and varioiTs other places, the Ameri cans could congratulate themselves on Wayne's glorious victory at Stony- Point;t the enemy's repulse atEhode Island, by General SuI]ivan;J and on the success of Miijor Lee, at Pawles Hook.§ Although they had to deplore * In this aff;iir the enemy left f >ur officers ;iiul 245 men dead on t!ie field of bnltle, who were buried by the Amerie;uis; they also left four officers iiiid fortv men wounded. Several died on both sides from the excessive heat of the weather, it being the 28th of June, and ther- mometer at 9(5. t Gen. Wayne took Stony Point, by assault on the null of .Fulv. 177.1. Li':'u't.-('o1. .JoUuson, eoni- m:iila'it. and'ii.o ha i L-e 1 a'.r.l forty three men were taken iJi'isoner-;. Tiie enemy lost sixty- three killel, and the Amerieans fifteen, with eiirhty-t'iree wounded, thirty of tlienrvery badly. Wayiie was wounded in the head with a musket ball. I In this affair the enemy lost .38 killed and 2!o wounded; 12 mis-iing: total loss, 200. The .•Amer- ican loss was mu'jh levS. § On the lOtli of July. 177D. Major Lee, of the Virginia cavalry, sui-itri-;eee, accordinir to his orders, retreated iinmediitely A large British force being in the vieinitv pre- veuteid his destroying the barracks and artillery. Lee was a man of fhivalric spirit and enterprise, and eo-nnianded the finest corps of cavalry that Washington could boast of. I'his active olft '.er and amiable gentleman distinguished him self oa oiaay occasious durin;; tiie war, and iij, uo the unfortunate surprise of Col. Bay- lor, at Tappan, by the British General Gray, who ordered no quarter to be given to the Americans; yet they had the consolation of several brilliant achievement.^, on their own part, which were unsullied by a single act of inluimauity. or a drop of needless blood. The history of our hero Inrnishes no event of interest, since the mid- night assault of his enemies, until we find him holding a subordinate command in the elegant corps of the Marquis La Fayette. Two brigades had been selected from the different regiments in tho main army, by Washington himself, as a compliment to his gallant young friend, and fellow-laborer in the glo- rious cause of liberty. When duly organized, they were paraded and re- viewed by the commander-iu- chief, with all his general oflicers, who were unanimously of the opinion that the whole army could not furnish a more excellent corps of light in- fantiy. They were then presented, in form, to the yotmg marquis, who was so delighted with his command, that he immediately equipped them, at his own individual expense, in a style of superior elegance. To every officer he presentwd an elegant sword, and the privates were clothed in a beautiful uniform. "He infused into this corps a spirit of pride and emu- lation, viewing it as one formed and modeled according to his own wishes, and as deserving his highest confi- dence. Tlwy were the pride of his heai't — h"- was the idol of their re- gard. They were constantly panting for aa opportunity of accomplishing donbt, tlie "Major Duuwoody" of Cooper's Spy- MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBT. 83 some signal achievement worthy of his and their character, and their wishes wore ultimately gratified." A detachment from this corps, com- manded by Colonel Van Cortlandt, was stationed on the east side of the Hudson, to muioeuvre on the "Neu- tral Ground," whf^re the inhabitants were now continually exposed to the ravages and insults of refugees and tories. One company of this de- tachment was commanded by Crosby, daring the absence of his captain to tho nortli; and was not unfrequeutly engaged in some interesting affair with the enemy's outposts and pa- t roles. The situation of the "Neutral Ground," at this period, was pain- fully interesting to the patriot as well as the philanthropist. The country was rich and fertile, and the i farms appeared to have been advan- tageously cultivated; but it now woi'e i the murks of a country in ruins. A larga proportion of the proprietors having abandoned their farm?, the few th it ro:n lined found it impossi- ble to harvest the produce. The meadows and pastures were covered with grass of a summer's growth, and thousands of bushels of apples and other fruit were ripening on the trees, for no other purpose than to fall and rot on the ground ! T'le pvpri nu-ad that er-st brougnt sweetly forth, Tac freclileil cowslip, buriict. ami green clover, Wa-i(ing thf* scvtlie. all iiueorrectell, i-ank, Coiu-eive-i liy i;lleiit'-.s: and mitliing teems. Hat hateful docks, rough lliist'es. kecksies, burs, Loiiug •»)[■> lie luty au;l utility. And as oar vineyards, fallows, meads, and hedges. Defective in their natures, grow to wildness. Shaks., Hen. V. Those of the inhabitants of the "Neutral Ground" who were tories, hid joined tneir friends in New York: while the whigs had retired into the interior of the country. Some of each side had taken up ai-ms, and were now the most cruel and deadly foes. Within the Britsh line, were hordes of banditti, consisting of law- less villains, who devoted themselves to the most I'apacious pillage and robbery among the defenceless in- habitants between the lines, many of whom were dragged off to New York, after witnessing the plunder of their hoiTses and farms. These shameless mttrauders were known* by the name of cotc-hoys and refugees; who, by their atrocious deeds, had become a scourge and terror to the people. In the vicinity of the American lines, was another class of robbers, equally unprincipled, bvit still more criminal, because they committed their depredations under the mask of patriotism. These were called sAv'n- ners, and professed to be whigs; while the con-hoys claimed the title of loyalists. The lust, of plunder alone was the governing impulse of each. Numerous instances occurred of these miscreants subjecting defence- loss persons to cruel tortures, to com- pel them to deliver up their money, or to^disclose the places whore it had been seci'eted. It was not uncommon for them to hang a man b}'^ the neck till apparently lifeless;* then re- store him; repeat the experiment, and leave him for dead. While Crosby was on duty in the vicinity of Teller's Point, where the waters of the Croton empty into Tappau B;iy. a British sloop of war came up the river and anchored in the stream, opposite the Point. With * In CooiK-r's (lesertptioii of the prei>amtions for hauL'ing a Skinner, hy a leadei- of the Refu- gees, lie says, the Skinner •'had so often resorted to a similar e\:iedient to extort infiiriiiatioa or Iilnndei-. lliat he by no means felt the terror an nn:ir:ic! isc(t ninn would h;i ve snlfered. ;\t these uiiiiiiijus movements."— i'(x' Sinj. Xol. ii p. 254. 84 THE SPY unmasked; OR, an unconquerable predilection for stratagem, our hero immediately con- certed a plot, for the sole purpose, as he says, of affording "a little sport for his soldieroi." He accordingly, proceeded down to the Point, accom- panied by sis men; five of whom, besides himself, concealed themselves iu the woods, which grew a short dis- tance from the shore, while the other paraded the beach, so as to display La Fayette's uniform in so conspicu ous a manner as to attract the notice of the officer on bo:ir>] the vessel. The enemy swallowed the bait; and a boat soon put off from the sloop of war, manned with eleven men, under the command of alieuteri^int, to make a prisoner of this one yankee, who precipitately fled into the woods, as the barge approached the shore. The Englishmen followed, threatening to shoot the fugitive unless he stopped and surrendered. As soon as the pursuers had passed his own little party, which were scat- tered in various directions, Crosby exclaimed — "Cv^me oa, my boys! "Now wo have them!" At this signnl every man sprang up iu his place, with a shout Ihat made the welkin ring; making, at the same time, such a rustling in the bashes, that the British, thinking themselveT, surrounded by a superior force, surrendered without resistance. On the next day they were marched to Fishkill, and contined in the old Dutch church. Van Courtlandt's detachment was small; but by a well-mmaged Hnesse, he often succeeded in deceiving the enemy, as to its real numbers. He would occasionally approach the British lines; and, posting his men in scattered positions, among the hills, cause each squad to beat to arms successively. They would then show themselves to the British, and manoeuvre in such a manner as to appear like reioforcoments coning down to join the main body. This ruse de guerre often deterred the en- emy from pursuing his predatory ex- cursions against th^ defonceless in- habitants of tlie "Neutral Ground." Van Cortlandt's detachment, how- ever, was at length ordered to West Point, and from thence to the main army at Tappan, in New Jersey; where Crosby remained until his stipulated term of service had ex- pired. In the meantime, the follow- ing incident occnrred, for the authen- ticity of which we have the testimony of Van Cortlandt himself; although the particulars, it is believed, have never before been published : A yoiing man, of Peekskill, by the name of John Paulding, while serv ing his country in the Westchester militia, was taken prisoner, and sent to New York city. Whether he was contined in a sugar-house, or the jjro- i'o.sf,t as it was then called, we have not been informed; nor do we know the length of time he remained a captive. It was in the summer of 1780, however, about the period that a celebrated satirical poem was pub- lished in New York, entitled the "Cow-Chase,";!; from the pen of John Andre, adjutant-general iu the Bri- tish army. t Tho present dehtor's jail. i This l)itter satire, tlie reader will doubtless rofollect, was directed a^jaiiist tlie American Uri'^Mdier-Ceiieral Waytx'. the liero of Stoiiy I'oint: whom the poet aeeiises of steali'i^i; cattle for tlie ti-se of the American army. Tlie iM)ein concludes with tlie loWowiuii; proplief.ic stimza: "And now I close my epic strain, I tremble as I sliow it. Lest this same warrior-drover Wayne Siioulil ever catch the poet." MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 85 Though vigilantly watehed, Paul- diug was allowed the liberty of his prisoo-yard, a capacious enclosure, surrounded by a strong high fence. By bribing a colored woman, who lived in the vicinity, to fiirnish him with a ladder, he one night effected his escape from the yard; and, after remaining concealed some time in her cellar, succeeded in reaching the North River, undiscovered. Here he found a boat, and finally landed in safety, on the Jersey shore, near Ho boken. He then made the best of his way to the American army at Tappan, where he related his adven- ture to his fellow townsmen. Colonel Van Cortlaudt, whose assistance he solicited, in proceeding to Peekskill. Van Cortlandt, accordingly, supplied him with money, furnished him with a puss, and procured him a passage across the river. After landing on the eastern side of the Hudson, Paulding directed his course homeward; but had not proceeded far. when he met two of his former companions in arms, Da- vid Williams and Isaac Van Wart; who hailed his return with joy, and heartily congratulated him on his fortunate escape. After some con- versation, they, prevailed upon Paul- ding to relinquish , his intention of going directly to Peekskill, and to accompany them on an excursion down the "Neutral Ground," towards the British lines, where they were going, they said, "to have some fun with the cow-boys." Young and en- terprising, Pauldkig readily acceded to the proposal; and, after providing himsflf with a musket, and other requisites, he accompanied his reck- less associates to Tarrytown, where they achieved an adventure that im- mortalized their names, and saved their country from inevitable ruin. CHAPTER XIV. THE SPY AND THE TUAITOK. -l.s there not some chosen cnrse, Sonic hidden thnniler in the stores of heaven, Ked with uncommon wrath, to bhist the man Wlio owes liis greatness to liis conntrv's ruin! Addison. About the middle of September, the commander-in-chief, attetided by Generals LaFayette and Knox, with a splendid retinue, left the American camp in New Jersey, and proceeded to Hartford, in Connecticut, for the purpose of holding a conference with the commanding officers of the French fleet and army, which had lately ar- rived at Rhode Island. In the mean- time, the command of the American army devolved on Major-G.eneral Greene, whose head -quarters were at Tappan, where the corps to which Crosby was attached, was now sta- tioned. A week had elapsed since the de- parture of Washington, and no inci- dent of importance had occurred. Greene had learned, through the medium of his spies, that some secret expedition was on foot, at the city of New York; but of its nature and di- rection, he could not obtain the smallest hint. On the ninth day, however, at three o'clock in the morn- ing, an alarm was spread through the American camp; and, in a few minutes, all were under arms. A de- tachment, consisting of two regi- ments, was immediately ordered to march to West Point, with all pos- sible expedition; and the rest of the troops were directed to hold them- selves in readiness to march at a moment's warning. While every one was pondering in 86 THE SPY unmasked; OR, his own mind the probable object of this sudden movement, and vainly en- deavoring to conjecture the cause, a general order was promulgated,which soon explained it to the whole army, filling every breast with astonishment and indignation. The following com- munication, in the orders of General Greene, was read by the Adjutants to their respective regiments: — "Treason, of the blackest dye, was yesterday discovered. General Ar- nold, who commanded at West Point, lost to every sentiment of honor, of private and pablic obligation, was about to deliver up that important post into the hands of the enemy. Such an event must have given the American cause a dangerous, if not a fatal, wound. Happily the treason has been timely discovered, to pre- vent the fatal misfortune. The providential train of circumstances, which led to it, affords the most con- vincing proofs that the liberties of America are the object of Divine pro tection. At the same time that the treason is to be regretted, the Gen- eral cannot help congratulating the army on the happy discovery. Our enemies, despairing of carrying their point by force, are practicing every base art to effect, by bribery and cor- ruption, what they cannot accomplish in a manly way. "Great honor is due to the Ameri- can army, that this is the first in- stance of treason of the kind, where many were to be expected from the nature of our dispute. The brightest ornament in the character of the American soldier is, their having been proof against all the arts and se- ductions of an insidious enemy. "Arnold has made his escape to the enemy; but Major Andre, the Adjn- tant-General of the British army, Avho came out, as a spy, to negociate the business, is our prisoner." ^ The particulai's of Andre's arrest and trial are familiar to every reader.* Lieutenant Colonel Jameson was then the commanding officer on the American lines, above the neutral ground; and to him was Andre con- ducted by his incorruptible captors, Paulding, Van Wart, and Williams; whom, in our last chapter, we left on their way to Tarrytown. The pris- oner immediately requested Jameson to inform Arnold, by letter, that John Anderson was taken on his way to New York, with which request the Lieutenant Colonel immediately complied. Arnold re- ceiv3d the letter about ten o'clock in the morning, while at break- fast. Two of Washington's aids, Major Shaw and Dr. M'Henry, had just arrived, and were at breakfast at Arnold's table. His confusion was visible, but no. one could divine the cause. Struck with the pressing danger of his situation, momentarily expecting Washington's return from Hartford, the traitor called instantly for a horse. "A horse!" exclaimed he, as he started from the table. "Any one — even if a wagon horse!" He then bade a hasty adieu to his wife,and enjoining a positive order on the messenger not to inform any one that he was the bearer of a letter from Colonel Jameson, he repaired to his barge, and ordered the coxswain, with eight oarsmen, to proceed down the river, to the sloop-of-war Vulture, which he reached in safety, under the * Se- Ai>;.(':ulix. Xo. XVI II. MEMOmS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 87 protection of a Hag, and vifhich im mediately set sail for New York. Washington arrived at Arnold's quarters in two hours after the traitor had escaped. Not finding Arnold at home, and being informed that he had gone to West Point, Washington passed over the river to view the works at that post; but not finding Arnold, he returned, in the hope of meeting him at his quarters. But here he was again disappointed, for no person could account for his absence. Mrs. Arnold was now in her chamber, in great agitation and dis tress, deprived of her reason, and Dr. Eustis in attendance. ' At a lucid in- terval, she requested to see Washing- j ton; but by the time he reached the chamber, her distraction returned, and she knew him not. He then j withdrew, and, I'epairing to the i dining-room, sat down to dinner, but soon arose again with apparent agita tion. He then took Colonel Lamb aside, and expressed to him his sus- picion that Arnoli had deserted to the enemy. In less than two houi*s it was ascertained that the conjecture was too well founded; for a despatch arrived from Colonel Jameson, with an account of the capture of Andre, accompanied by his own letter of confession. The prisoner was con- ducted to West Point, and from thence to headquarters at Tappan, where preparations were made for his trial by a court-martial. Washington immediately pro ceeded to the camp, at Tappan; and, the moment he arrived, sent for Major Loe, who was posted, with the Virginia light-horse, some distance in. front. "This officer repaired to head- quarters with celerity, and found the General in his marqiiee alone, busily engaged in writing. So soon as Lee entered, he was requested to take a seat, and a bundle of papers, lying on the table, was given him for perusal. "In these papers, much information WH,s detailed, tending to prove that Arnold was not alone in the base conspiracy just detected; but that the poison had spread; and that a Major-General, whose name was not concealed, was certainly as guilty as Arnold himself. "This information had just been re- ceived by Washington, through his confidential agents in New York; and Lee immediately suggested the probability that the whole was a con- trivance of Sir Henry Clinton, in order to destroy that confidence be- tween the commander and his officers, on which the success of military operations depend. ^ "'The suggestion,' replied Wash- ington, 'is plausible, and deserves due consideration. It early occurred to my own mind, and has not been slightly regarded. But the same suggestion applies to no officer more forcibly than a few days ago it would have done to General Arnold, now known to be a traitor. " T have sent for you, sir, in the ex- pectation that you have in your corps individuals capable and willing to un- dertake an indispensable, delicate, and hazardous project. Whoever comes forward on this occasion, will lay me under great obligations per- sonally; and, in behalf of the United States, I will reward him amply. No time is to be lost; he must proceed, if possible, this night. My object is to probe to the bottom the afflicting in- telligence contained in the papers you have just read, to seize Arnold, 88 THE SPY unmasked; or. and, by getting him, to save Andre. Tliey are all connected. While my emissary is engaged in preparing means for the seizure of Arnold, the guilt of others can be traced; and the timely delivery of Arnold to me, will possibly put it into my power to res- tore the amiable and unfortunate Andre to his friends.' " * Lee readily undertook tj lind a member of his corps capable of exe- cuting this hazardous service, but doubted whether he would consent to engage in an enterprise, the lirst step to which was desertion. The person he selected was the Sergeant -Major of the corps, Champe by name, and a Virginian by birth; who, after much persuasion, consented to undertake it- He that night deserted to the enemy ; and, though closely pursued, reached PawJes' Hook in safety, and was taken on board a British galley, which conveyed him to New York, where he was closely examined by Sir Heni'y Clinton, who gave him a letter of introduction to Arnold, who immediately appointed him one of his recruiting sergeants. In the meantime, the interposition of Sir Henry Clinton, who was ex- tremely anxious to save his much- loved aid-de-camp, still continued; and it was expected that the exami- nation of witnesses, and the defence of the prisoner, would protract the de- cision of the court of inquiry, which assembled on the twenty-ninth of the month, and give sufficient time for the consummation of the project committed to Champe, from whom information had just been received that gave some hopes of his success. But a complete disappointment took See the Memoirs of Major Henry Lee. place from a quarter unforeseen and unexpected. Andre disdained de- fence, and prevented the examination of witnesses, by confessing the char- acter in which ho stood. He was consequently declared to be a spy, and condemned to suffer accordingly. Washington approved the sentence, and ordered his execution to take place on the iirst day of October, at five o'clock in the afternoon. In this decision he was warranted by the very unpromising intelligence cjutaiued in another letter f mm Champe, which he had just received; by the still ex- isting implication of other officei's in Arnold's conspiracy; by a due regard to public opinion; and by real ten- derness to the prisoner himself. Neither Congress nor the nation could have been, with pi'opriety, in formed of the cause of the delay, had any been interposed; and without such infornicition, it must have ex- cited in both, alarm and suspicion. The secret was known to none but Washington, Lee, Champe. and a con- fidential agent in New York. Andre himself could not iiave been in- strusted with it; and would, conse- quently, have attributed the un- looked-for event to the expostulation and exertion of Sir Henry Clinton, .which would not fail to produce in his breast expectations of ultimate relief; to excite which would have been cruel, as the realization of such expectation depended only on a pos- sible, but improbable, contingency. On the first day of October, at the hour appointed, a large concourse of people assembled to witness the exe- cution of the gallant and unfortunate young officer. The gallows was erected, and the grave and coffin pre- pared; but a Hag of ti'uce arrived MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBY. 89 with a communication from Sir Henry Clinton, making another and further proposals for the release of Major Andre; in consequence of which the execution was postponed until twelve o'clock on the following day. This flag was accompanied by the British General Robertson, with An- drew Elliott and William Smith, Esquires, for the purpose of pleading for the release of Major Andre, the royal army being in the greatest affliction on the occasion. Elliot and Smith, not being mili tary officers, were not permitted to land; but General Greene was ap- pointed, by the commander-in-chief, to meet Robertson, at Dobb's ferry, ' and to receive his communications. He had, however, nothing material to ! urge, but that Andre had come on shore under the sanction of a tiag, and therefore could not be considered as a spy. But this plea was contra- dicted by Andre's ©wn confession. "Having failed in this point, Rob- ertson requested that the opinion of disinterested. persons might betaken; and pioposed Generals Knyphausen and Rochambeau, as proper persons. This proposition could not be ac- ceded to. "Robertson then had recourse to threats of retaliation, on some people in New York and Charleston; but he was told that such conversation could not be heard nor understood. "He next urged the release of Andre on motives of humanity, say-^ ing he wished an intercourse of such civilities as might lessen the horrors of war, and. cited instances of Sir Henry Clinton's merciful disposition ; adding that Andre possessed a great share of that gentleman's affection and esteem, and that he would be in finitelj obliged if he was spared. He offered, that if his earnest wishes were complied with, to engage that any prisoner in their possession, whom Washington might name, should be immediately set at lib- erty."* But all intercession was fruitless; and least of all availed a letter to Washington, of which Robertson was the bearer, from the traitor Arnold, tilled with threats of retaliation, and the accountability of Washington for the torrents of blood that might be spilt, if he should order the execution of Andre! It is difficult to say which created the most astonishment in the breast of Greene — that Arnold should have the consummate effrontery to write such a letter; or that Robert- son should consent to be the bearer of it. Nothing, of course, was eff'ected by this interview, and tha messengers returned in despondency to New York, xindi-e, in the meantime, dur- ing his confinement, trial, and con- demnation, evinced a composure and dignity of mind, that enlisted the sympathies of all in his favor. Not a murmur escaped him; while the civilities and attentions bestowed on him, were gratefully and politely ac- knowledged. Having left a mother and two sisters in England, he was heard to mention them in terms of the tenderest aff'ection; and in his letter to Sir Henry Clinton, he recom- mended them to his particular at- tention. Crosby assures us that, though every one acknowledged the policy of the sentence, there was scarcely one that spoke of his approaching fate * See Thacher's Journa), p. 271. 90 THE SPY unmasked: OR, without evincing the deepest emo- tions of sympathy. The principal guard officer, who was constantly in the room with Andre, informed Crosby that when the fatal hour ar- rived, and the prisoner was sum- moned to attend, he heard and com- plied without any visible emotion; and while all present were more or less affected, he retained a serene countenance, with calmness and com- posure of mind. The i)risoner walked from the stone house in which he had been confined, between two subaltern officers, arm in arm. A large detachment of troops was paraded, and an immense concourse of people assembled, to witness the awful ceremony. As the situation of Crosby, in the procession, was not so convenient for observa- tion, we will give the remaining par- ticulars in the language of Dr. Thacher, to whose excellent journal we have already acknowledged our- selves largely indebted. "During the solemn march to the fatal spot," says the Doctor, "I was so near as to observe every move- ment, and participate in every emo- tion, which the melancholy scene was calculated to produce. The eyes of the immense multitude were fixed on the prisoner; who, rising superior to the fears of death, appeared as if conscious of t|he dignified deportment which he displayed. He betrayed no want of fortitude, but retained a complacent smile on his countenance, and politely bowed to several gentle- men whom he knew, which was I'e- spectfully returned. "It was his earnest desire to be shot, as being the mode of death most comformable to the feelings of a military man, and he had indulged 1 the hope that his request woiald be granted. At that moment, therefore, when suddenly he came in view of the gallows, he involuntarily started backward, and made a pause. 'Why this emotion, sir?' said an officer at his side. Instantly recovering his composure, he said — 'I am reconciled to my death, but I detest the mode.' "While waiting, and standing near the gallows," continues Dr. Thacher, "I observed some degree of trepida- tion; placing his foot on a stone, and rolling it ovei% and choking in his throat, as if attempting to swallow.. So soon, however, as he perceived that things were in readiness, he stepped quickly into the wagon; and, at this moment, he appeared to shrink; but, instantly elevating his head with firm- ness, he said, 'It will bebvit a momen- tary pang;' and taking from his {)ocket two white handkerchiefs, the provost marshall, with one, loosely pinioned his arms; and, with the other, the victim, after taking off his hat and stock, bandaged his own eyes, with j^erfect firmness, which melted the hearts and moistened the cheeks, not only of his servant, but of the throng of spectators. "The rope being appended to the gallows, he slipped the noose over his own head, and adjusted it to his neck, without the assistance of the awk- ward executioner. Colonel Scammel now informed him that he had an op- portunity to speak, if he desired it. He raised the handkerchief from his eyes, and said — 'I praj^ you to bear me witness that I meet my fate like a brave man.' The wagon being now remove^ from under him, he was suspended, and instantly expired. It proved, indeed, 'but a momentary pang.' MEMOIRS OF ENOCH CROSBT. 91 •'He was dressed in his royal regi- mentals and boots; and his remains, | in the same dress, were placed in an i ordinary coffin, and interred at thfe [ foot of the gallows; and the spot was j consecrated l)y the tears of thou- j sands."* The enterprise of Champa was well concerted, and would probably have succeeded but for an unforeseen ac- cident. On the day preceding the night fixed upon for the execution of the plot, Arnold removed his quarters to another part of the town; and Champe, with all Arnold's new re- cruits, were transferred from their bta*racks to one of the transports. He was thus compelled to proceed with Arnold to Virginia, where he made his escape, and rejoined the American Army soon after it had passed the Cougaree. in pursuit of Lord Kawdon. C O N C L X^ S I O N. Now lire our brows IidiukI witli victorious w reulhs. Our liruiscd arms luiiij;; up for iiionunieuts: Our stt-ru alarni-^ clianircd to merry uief tings. Our (Ircailful uiarclii's. to ilelifiutful measures; (iii!Ji-\ isafi'i'd wai' liatli smootli'd his wrinkled tioul. " SHAKKM'K.AHK. A feiv weeks after the foregoing events, intelligence was received of a very brilliant exploit of the militia in North Carolina, under Colonels Campbell, Cleveland, Shelby, and Sevier; who, with about three thou- sand volunteers, attacked and de- feated Major Ferguson, at the head of a large force of refugees and tories. Ferguson, with one hundred and fifty of his men, were killed, and eiglit hundred and ten taken pris- oners, of whom one hundred and fifty were wounded. They also took fifteen * In thf autunm of is.'l. the remains of Major Andre weie disinterred, and transpiuled to Enulaud. hundred stand of arms. Of the Americans, Colonel Williams was mortally wounded; about twenty killed, and a number disabled. Ten of the prisoners were immediately hung as traitors. This is called the Battle of King's Mountain. But few incidents occurred in the vicinity of New York, during the en- suing winter and spring. In July following, the French and Aro/erican armies formed a junction at White Plains, from whence they proceeded to New Jersey. After some ingenious mancpuvering to deceive the British with respect to his real designs, Washington suddenly marched to the south, with the combined armies, leaving Sir Henry Clinton under the apprehension of an immediate attack on the city of New York. The result of this southern expe- iition is well known. Cornwallis surrended his army at Yorktown, and the ministry of England gave up the contest in despair. Our independence was acknowledged, peace restored, and the smiles of joy scattered over the long afflicted country. Crosby remained, with the division of the army which was left under the command of Heath, for the defence of the posts in the Highlands, until the period of his engagement had ex- pired. He then retii'ed to Southeast, where his father died shortly after- wards; and there he has since re sided up to the present day. He cultivates a small farm, the product of his own industry, since the peace of 1783; having receiv?d, for all his revolutionary services, only the trifiing pittance of two hun- dred and tiftv dollars.* He has had ^ "Never!" said Bireli, speakiiipr out; "was it for money I did all this."— 8pj/, Vol. it. p. 274. 92 THE SPY UNMASKED. two wives, the last of whish was the widow of Colonel Greene; and he is the father of four children, two sons and two daughters, who are grown up, and settled in the county of Westchester. For twenty-eight years he was justice of the peace in the town of Southeast; and for the last fourteen years he has held the office of deacon in the Presbyterian church. He has likewise held that of deputy- sheriif for the county. He is uni- versally respected by his neighbors, acquaintance, and fellow-citizens generally; and now enjoys a "green old age," which, we trust, will be succeeded by a happy immortality; for Enoch Crosby was, "for years, a faithful and unrequited servant of his country. Though man does not, may God I'eward him for his con- duct."* * See the concluding paragraph of the "Spy." vhuiu I'Mit a.vv OLLD TRINITY CHURCH, FISHIvILK [See Page 143.] APPENDIX. Note I.— Page 21. I DESTRUCTION OF THE TEA IN BOSTON HAR- BOR. \ The Americans, determined to op- 1 pose the revenue system of the Eng- i lish parliament, in every possible shape, considered the attempt of the j East India Company, to evade the [ resolutions of the colonies, and dis- pose of teas in America, as an indi- rect mode of taxation, sanctioned by til© authority of parliament. Several public meetings were held on the subject, particularly in the town of Boston. At one of these meetings, while the assembled multitude were in quiet consultation, on the safest mode to prevent the sale and con- sumption of an herb, noxious at least to the political constitution, the de- bates were interrupted by the en- trance of the Shei'ift", with an order from the governor, styling them an illegal assembly, and directing their immediate dispersion. This authoritative mandate was treated with great contempt, and the Sheriff instantly hissed out of the house. A confused murmur ensued, both within and without the walls; but in a few moments all was again tiuiet, and^ the meeting adjourned without delay. Within an hour after this was known abroad, there appeai'ed a great number of persons, clad like the aborigines of thf? wilderness, with tomahawks in their hands, and clubs on their shoulders, who, without the least molestation, marched through the streets with silent solemnity, and amidst innumerable spectators, pro- ceeded to the wharves, boarded the ships, demanded the keys, and with- out much deliberation knocked open the chests, and emptied several thou- sand weight of the finest teas into the ocean. No opposition was made, though • surrounded by the king's ships; all was silence and dismay. This done, the procession returned through the town in the same order and solemity as observed in the out- set of their attempt. No other dis- order took place, and it was observed the stillest night ensued that Boston had enjoyed for several months. The number of persons disguised as Indians is variously stated — none put it lower than 60, none higher than 80. The destruction was effected by the disguised persons, and some young men who volunteered; one of the latter collected the tea which fell into the shoes of himself and com- panions, and put it into a phial, and sealed it up; — which phial is now in his possession,^ — containing the same tea. The contrivers of this measure, and those who carried it into effect, will never be known; some few per- sons have been mentioned as being among the disguised ; but there are many and obvious reasons why se- cresy then, and concealment since, were necessary. — None of those per- 94 APPENDIX. sons who were confidently said to have been of the pai'ty, (except some who were then minors or very young men,) have, ever admitted that they were so. Mr. Samuel Adams is thought to have been in the counsel- ling of this exploit, and many other men who were leaders in the political affairs of the times; and the hall of council is said to have been in the back room of Edes and Gill's print- ing office, at the coi'ner of the alley leading to Brattle-street from Court- street. There are very few alive now, who helped to empty the chests of tea, and these few will probably be as prudent as those who have gone be- fore them."' No. II.— Page 23. FEMALE PATRIOTISM. The following anecdote, which is too well authenticated to be disputed, furnishes one instance, among thou- sands, 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 accident, a rumor was spread, in town and country, in and about there, that the regulais were on a full march for that place, and would probably ar- rive in three hours at farthest. 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 with fear and confusion, some hiding their treasures, and others flying for life. In this wild moment, when most people, in some way or other, were fi'ightened 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 voy- age to Virginia,) and with it the pow- der horn and shot-bag; but the lad thinking the duck and goose shot not quite the size to kill regulai's, his mother took a chisel, cut np her pewter spoons, and hammered them into slugs, and put them into his bag, and he set off in great earnest but thought he would call one 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 un- willing 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 one, child — some coward, I dare say, will be running away, then take his gun and march forwai'd, and if you come back, ard I hear you have not be- haved 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 APPENDIX. 95 have cowards for her sons. Instances of refined and delicate pride and af- fection 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 recoi'ded. What few there are remembered should not be lost. Nothing great or glorious was ever achieved which women did not act in, advise, or con- sent to.''- No. III.— Page 23. BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. The heights of Charlestown were so situated as to make the possession of thtm a matter of great consequence, to either of the contending parties. Orders were therefore issued, June 16th, by the provincial commanders, that a detachment of a thousand men should intrench upou Breed's Hill.* Here the Americans, between mid night and morning, with uncommon expedition and silence, threw up a a small redoubt which the British did not discover till the morning of the 17th, when they began an incessant firing, and continued it till afternoon. With the intrepidity of veteran soldiers, the Americans bore this fire, and proceeded to finish their redoubt and to throw up a breastwork, ex- tending eastward of it to the bottom of the hill. -About noon. General Gage detached Major-General Howe, and Brigadier -General Pigot, with the flower of his army, in two de tachments, amounting in the whole to nearly 3,000 men. They landed at a point about 150 or 200 rods south- * Histcriaiis, tlirough mistake, have called tlie hill whort' the battle was fought. J3u?i7fc)- Hill. whicl] is a (iiiartcr of a mile north of BrejCd's. or Kiissell's Hill, where the battle was foujyit. east of the redoubt, and deliberately prepared for the attack. While the troops, who first landed, were waiting for a reinforcement, the Americans on the left wing towards Mystic River, for their security, pulled up some adjoining post and rail fence, and set it down in two parallel lines near each other, and filled the space between with hay, which the day be- fore was mowed and remained in the adjacent field. The British troops, in the meantime, formed in two lines, and about 3 o clock advanced slowly towards the Americans. The hills and steeples in Boston, and the cir- cumjacent country, were crowded with anxious spectators of the du- bious conflict. While some felt for the honor of the British troops, mul- titudes, with a keener sensibility, felt for the liberties of a great and growing counti'y.— The attack com- menced on the part of the British troops. The Americans had the pre- caution, in obedience to the orders of their commanding officer, to reserve their fire till their enemies had' ap- proached within 10 or 12 rods of their works. They then began a well-directed and furious discharge of small arms, which mowed down their enemies in ranks, and occasioned a disorderly and precipitate retreat. Their officers rallied them with dif- ficulty, and pushed them forward with their swords, to a second attack. They were in the same manner put to flight a second time. With still greater difficulty they wei'e forced by General Howe to a third attack. By this time the powder of the Americans began to fail, and their redoubt was attacked on two sides. Under these circumstances, a retreat was ordered; the left wing of the Americans, north- 96 ATPPENDIX. east of the redoubt, still continuing their fire, ignorant ot what had taken place on the right, till the British had nearly surrounded them. The retreat was affected, with an incon- siderable loss, considering the greater part of the distance they had to pass was completely exposed to the inces- sant fire of the Glasgow man-of-war, and two floattng batteries. In this retreat Warren fell. During the heat of this bloody action, by order of General Gage, Charlestown was set on fire, by a bat tery on Cops Hill, in Boston, and a party from the Somerset man-of-war, lying in Charles River, and nearly 400 houses, including six public buildings, were consumed, with their furniture, &c., valued by nineteen men, under oath, at £156,900 specie; and 2,000 persons reduced from afflaence and mediocrity, to the most aggravated poverty and exile. The number of Americans engaged in this memorable action was only 1,500. There have been few battles in modern wars in which, all cir- cumstances considered, there was a greater slaughter of men than in this short engagement. The loss of the British, as acknowledged by General Gage, amounted to 1,054 men. Nine- teen commissioned officers were killed, and 70 wounded. The loss of the Americans was 77 killed, 278 wounded and missing. The death of Major-General War- ren, who four days before had re- ceived his commission, and, who, having no command assigned him, fought this day as a volunteer, was particularly and greatly lamented. "To the purest patriotism, and the most undaunted bravery, he added the eloquence of an accomplished orator, and the wisdom of an able statesman." No. IV. -Page 28. DORCHESTER HEIGHTS. On the 22d of February, 1776, it was evident that some gi'eat pre- parations were on foot, in the Ameri- can army, for some important event. Orders were received, in the hospital department, to prepare lint and bandages, to the amount of two thou- sand, for fractured limbs and other gun-shot wounds. On the second of March, a very heavy discharge of cannon and mortars commenced fi'om all the works at Cambridge and Rox- bury, which continued at intervals for two days. This, it seems, was merely a finesse to draw the enemy's atten- tion to a wrong quarter. On the fourth, the designs of Washington were made known to the army. "The object in view," says Dr. Thacher, "is now generally under- stood to be the occupying and fortify- ing of the advantageous heights of Dorchester. A detachment of our troops is ordered to march for this purpose this evening; and our regi- ment, with several others, has re- ceived orders to march at 4 o'clock in the morning, to I'elieve them. We are favored with a full briglit moon, and the night is remark- ably mild and pleasant; the pre- parations are immense; more than three hundred loaded carts are in motion. By the great exertions of General Mifflin, our Quartermaster- General, the requisite number of teams has been procured. The cover- ing party of eight hundred men ad- vance in front. Then follow the carts with theintrenchin'r tools: after APPENDIX. 97 which, the working party of twelve hundred, commanded by General Thomas, of Kingston. Next in the martial procession are a train of carts, loaded with fascines and hay, screwed into largo bundles of seven or eight hundred weight. The whole pro- cession moved on in solemn silence, and with perfect order and regularity; while the continued roar of cannon serves to engage the attention and divert the enemy from the main ol)ject. At about four o'clock our i-egiment followed to the heights of Dorchester as a relief party. On passing Dor- chester Neck I observed a vast num- ber of large bundles of screwed hay, arranged in a line next the enemy, to protect our troops from a raking fire, to which we should have been greatly exposed, while passing and repassing. The carts were still in motion with materials: some of them have made three or four trips. On the heights we found two forts iu considerable forwardness, and sufficient for a de- fence against small arms and grape shot. The amount of labor per- formed during the night, considering the earth is frozen eighteen inches deep, is almost incredible. The enemy having discovered our works in the morning, commenced a tre- mendous cannonade from the forts in Boston, and from their shipping in the harbor. Cannon shot are con- tinually rolling and rebounding over the hill: and it is astonishing to ob- serve how little our soldiers are ter- rified by them. — During the forenoon we were in mon)entary expectation of witnessing an awful scene; nothing less tha^i the carnage of Breed's Hill battle was expected. The royal troops are perceived to be in motion, as if embarking to pass the harbor, and land on Dorchester shore, to at- tack our works. The hills and ele- vations in this vicinity are covered with spectators to witness deeds of horror in the expected conflict. His Excellency General "Washington is present, animating and encouraging the soldiers, and they in their turn manifest their joy, and express a warm desire for the approach of the enemy; each man knows his place, and is resolute to execute his duty. Our breast-works are strengthened, and among the means of de- fence are a great number of barrels, filled with stones and sand, arranged in front of our works; which are to be put in motion and made to roll down the hill, to break the ranks and legs of the assailants as they advance. These are the preparations for blood and slaughter! Gracious God! if it be determined in- thy Providence that thousands of our fellow creatures shall this day be slain, let thy wrath be aopeased, and in mercy grant, that victory be on the side of our suffer ing, bleeding country. The anxious day has closed, and the enemy has failed to molest us. From appear- ances, however, there are strong rea- sons to suppose, that they have only postponed their meditated work till another day. It is presumed that the martial fire, which has b':'en enkindled in the breasts of our soldiery, will not be extinguished during the night, and that they will not rest quietly un- der their disappointment. Early in the morning of the 0th, our regiment was relieved from its tour of duty, and I bade adieu to Dorchester heights, without being called to dress a single wound. Not more than two 98 APPENDIX. or three men were killed or wounded during the twenty-four hours. — Some of the British troops were seen to embark, and pass down towards the castle last evening, to be in readiness, it was supposed, in conjunction with others, to attack our works this morn- ing; but a most violent storm came on in the night, and still continuing, obliges General Howe to abandon his enterprise; and thus has a kind Providence seen fit to frustrate a de- sign, which must have been attended with immense slaughter and blood- shed. General Howe must now be sensible of his exposed situation, and be convinced of the immediate ne- cessity of evacuating the town of Boston, if he would prevent the sacri- fice of his fleet and army." No. v.— Page 31. PATRIOTIC SACRIFICES. "From whatever cause it proceeded, it is certain, that a disposition to do, to suffer, and to accommodate, spread from breast to breast,and from colony to colony, beyond the reach of human calculation. It seemed as though one mind inspired the whole. The merchants put far behind them the gains of trade, and cheerfully sub- mitted to a total stoppage of business, in obedience to the recommendation of men, invested with no legislative powers. The cultivators of the soil, with great unanimity, assented to the determination, that the hard- earned produce of their farms should remain unshipped, although in case of a free exportation, many would have been eager to have purchased it from them, at advanced prices. The sons and daughters of ease renounced imported conveniences, and volun- tarily engaged to eat, drink, and wear, only such articles as their coun- try afforded. These sacrifices were made, not from the pressure of pres- ent distress, but on the generous principle of sympathy, with an in- vaded sister colony, and the prudent policy of guarding against a preced- ent which might, in a future day, operate against their liberties. The season of universal distress ex- hibited a striking proof how prac- ticable it is for mankind to sacrifice ease, pleasure, and interest, when the mind is strongly excited by its pas- sions. In the midst of the^ir suffer- ings, cheerfulness appeajred in the face of all the people. They counted every thing cheap in comparison with liberty, and readily gave up whatever tended to endanger it. A noble strain of generosity and mutual support was generally excited. A great and powerful diffusion of pub- lic spirit took place. The animation of the times raised the actors in these scenes above themselves, and excited them to deeds of self denial, which the interested.prudence of calmer sea- sons can scarcely credit." No. VI.— Page 38. EXECUTION OF CAPTAIN HALE. The particulars of this tragical event, sanctioned by General Hull, who was knowing to them at the time, are thus related by Miss H. Adams, in her History of New Eng- land. "The retreat of General Washing- ton left the British in complete pos session of Long Island. What would be their future operations, remained uncertain. To obtain information of their situation, their strength, and APPENDIX. 99 future movements, was of high im- portance. For this purpose, General Washington applied to Colonel Knowlton, who commanded a regi- ment of light infantry, which formed the van of the American army, and desired him to adopt some mode of gaining the necessary information. Colonel Knowlton communicated this request to Captain Hale, of Connecti- cut, who was then a Captain in his regiment. This young officer, ani- mated by a sense of duty, and con- sidering that an opportunity pre- sented itself by which he might be useful to his country, at once offered himself a volunteer for this hazard- ous service. He passed in disguise to Long Island, examined every part of the British army, and obtained the best possible information respecting their situation and future operations. In his attempt to return, he was apprehended, carried before Sir Wil- liam Howe, and the proof of his ob- ject was so clear, that he frankly ac- knowledged who he was. and what were his views. Sir William Howe at once gave an order to the provost marshall to exe- cute him the next morning. This order was accordingly exe- cuted in a most unfeeling manner, and by as great a savage as ever dis- graced humanity. A clei'gyman, whose attendance he desired, was re- fused him; a bible, for a moment's devotion, was not procured, though he requested it. Letters, which on the morning of his execution, he wrote to his mother, and other friends, were destroyed: and this very extra- ordinai'y reason given by the provost marshal, 'that the rebels should not know that they had a man in their army, who could die with so much firmness.' Unknown to all around him, with- out a single friend to offer him the least consolation, thus fell as amiable and as worthy a young man as Amer- ica could boast, with this as his dy ing observation, 'that he only lamented he had but one life to lose for his country.' How superior to the dying words of Andre. Though the manner of his execution will ever be abhorred by every friend to hu- manity and religion, yet there cannot be a question but that the sentence was conformable to the rules of war, and the practice of nations in similar cases. It is, however, a justice due to the character of Captain Hale, to observe, that his motives for engaging in this service were entirely different from those which generally influence others in similar circumstances. Neither expectation of promotion nor pecun- iary reward, induced him to this at- tempt. A sense of duty, a hope that he might in this way be useful to his country, and an opinion which he had adopted, that every kind of ser- vice necessary to the public good, be- came honorable by being necessary, were the great motives which in- duced him to engage in an enterprise, by which his connections lost a most amiable friend and his country one of its most promising supporters. The fate of this unfortunate young man excites the most interesting re- flections. To see such a character, in the flower of youth, cheerfully treading in the most hazardous paths, in- fluenced by the purest intentions, and only emulous to do good to his country, without the imputation of a 100 APPENDIX. crime, fall a victim to policy, must have been v^ounding to the feelings even of his enemies. Should a comparison be drawn be- tween Major Andre and Captain Hale, injustice would be done to the latter, should he not be placed on an equal ground with the former. Whilst almost every historian of the Ameri- can Kevolution, has celebrated the virtues and lamented the fate of Andre, Hale has roaained unnoticed, and it is scarcely known that such a character ever existed. To the memory of Andre, his coun- try has erected the most magnificent monuments, and bestowed on his family the highest honors and most liberal rewards. To the memory of Hale not a stone has been erected, nor an inscription to preserve his ashes from insult." No. VII. Page 74. BATTLE OF TRENTON. "Washington having obtained in- formation that the advanced party of the enemy, consisting of about fifteen hundred Hessians and British light horse, under command of Colonel Rahl, was stationed at the village of Trenton, concei'ted a plan for taking them by surprise. For this purpose, he made choice of Christmas night, under the idea that in consequence of the festivity, they might be less yigilajatly guarded. At this time the whole force under his immediate command did not exceed three thou- sand men. At the head of about two thousand four hundred men, one division being commanded by Gen- eral Greene, and the other by Gen. Sullivan, he crossed the river Dela- ware in boats, in the night of the 25th of December, daring a severe storm of snow and rain. The passage of the boats was rendered extremely diiScult and hazardous by the ice, and part of the troops and cannon actually failed in the attempt. Hav- ing landed on the Jersey shore, he had nine miles to march, and he reached the village about 7 o'clock in the morning with such promptitude and secrecy, so as to attack the enemy almost as soon as his approach was discovered. A smart tiring ensued, which continued but a few minutes, wlien the enemy, finding themselves surrounded, threw down their arms, and surrende^d as prisoners. Colonel Rahl, the commanding officer, Avas mortally wounded and several other officers were wounded and left at Tren- ton on their parole. About thirty -five soldiers were killed, sixty wounded, and nine hundred and forty-eight, including thirty officers, were taken prisoners, amounting in all to one thousand and foi'ty-eight. Of the continentals, not more than ten, it is supposed, were killed and wounded. General Washington i-e-crossed the Delaware the same day in triumph, bringing off si.x excellent brass can nou, about one thousand two hun- dred small arms, and three stand- ards, with a quantity of baggage, &c. This very brilliant achievement is highly honorable to the commander- in-chief, and to all that were engaged in the enterprise. We are sanguine in the hope that this most auspicious event will be productive of the happiest effects, by inspiring our de- jected army, and dispelling that panic of dispair into which the peo- ple have been plunged. Ceneral Washington allowed the Hessian prisoners to retain their baggage, and APPENDIX. 101 sent them into the interior of Pennsyl- vania, ordering- that they be treated with favor and humanity. This con- duct, so contrary to their expecta- tions, excited their gratitude and veneration for their amiable con- jueror, whom they styled, V/ very good rebfl.^ " — Thaclier. No. VIII.— Page 74. BATTLE OF PEINCKTON. "After his success at Trenton, Gen- eral Washington received consider- able reinforcements of troops from Virginia and Maryland, and some regiments of militia, which enabled him again to cross the Delaware into the Jerseys, and face the enemy. While at Trenton, Lord Cornwallis advanced to attack him, and a severe cannonade commenced. In the eve- ning, (iieueral Washington ordered a great number of fires to be lighted up, and, leaving a sufficient number of men to keep them burning during the night, to deceive the enemy, stole a march with his main army, taking a circuitous route, and, at 9 o'clock the next morning, attacked three regiments of the British, who were posted at Princeton, routed them, and drove them from their redoubts. By this masterly manoeuvre, the enemy lost about five hundred in killed, wounded, and prisoners. The loss on our side is very inconsiderable in point of numbers, but we have to lament the death of Brigadier-Gen- eral Mercer, a brave officer who com- manded the Virginia militia. The fact is published, that after General Mercer surrended himself, the enemy, deaf to the voice of humanity, stabbed him with their bayonets, and with the butt end of a musket battered and disfigured his face in a savage man- ner. It is to be remarked, that on this memorable occasion, Lord Corn- wallis was completely out-generaled ; while he was expecting to find the continental army at their lighted fires at Trenton, he was astonished and confounded to hear the firing occas- ioned by this same army, beating up" their quarters twelve miles in his rear. His lordship immediately re- paired by a forced march to Princeton, but arrived too late to retaliate on his vigilant antagonist, who had taken up his route to Morristown. Finding that the continentals were out of his reach, his lordship proceeded, with- out halting, to Brunswick. Strata- gems in war, when Avisely concerted, and Judiciously executed, are con- sidered as characterizing a military genius of superior order, and is a quality of inestimable value in every commander. It is often exultingly remarked in our camp, that Wash- ington was born for the salvation of his country, and that he is endowed with all the talents and abilities nec- essary to qualify him for the great undertaking. The militia of Jersey, immediately on their being liberated from the control of the British, fiew to arms, exasperated and stimulated by a recollection of their sufi'erings, and have become their most bitter and determined enemies; and are very active and vigilant in harassing them on all occasions, keeping a con- tinual watch, and cutting ott" small parties whenever opportunities otter. It is gratifying to the army, that Congress have conferred on their Generalissimo more ample powers, and appointed him Dictator for the liiin'ted term of six months; to reform and new model the military arrange- 102 APPENDIX. meats, in such manner as he may judge most advantageous for the public service. Much good is ex- pected to result from this measure." — Thacher's JournaL No. IX.— Page 79. CAPTURE OF PRESCOTT. "In the month of July, 1777, Lieu- tenant-Colonel Barton, of the Rhode Island militia, planned a bold exploit for the purpose of surprising and taking Major-General Prescott, the commanding officer of the royal army at Newport. Taking with him, in the night, about forty men in two boats with oars muffled, he had th? address to elude the vigilance of the ships of war, and guard boats, and having ar- rived undiscovered at the quarters of General Prescott, they were taken for the sentinels, and the General was not alarmed till his captors were at the door of his lodging chamber, which was fast closed. A negro man, named Prince, instantly thrust his beetle head through the pannel door, and seized his victim while in bed. The General's aid-de-camp leaped from a window undressed, and at- tempted to escape, but was taken, and with the General brought off" in safety. In re-passing the water- guards. General Prescott said to Colonel Barton, "Sir, I did not think it possible you could escape the vigi- lance of the water-guards." — This is the second time that General Pres- cott has been a prisoner in our hands within two years. This adventure is extremely honourable to the enter- prising spirit of Colonel Barton, and is considered as ample retaliation for the *fcapture of General Lee by Colonel Harcourt. The event occas- ions great joy and exultation, as it puts in our possession an officer of equal rank with General Lee, by which means an exchange may be ob- ; tained. Congress resolved that an elegant sword should be presented to Colonel Barton for his brave exploit. It has been ascertained that General Howe has relaxed in his rigid treat- ment of General Lee, and conducted towards him in a manner suitable to his rank. The Hessian officers, on whom retaliation had been inflicted, are also restored to their former con- dition as prisoners of war.-'- 71ta regretted. The loss of the \ Americans was inconsideraV)le. I Gates posted fourteen hundred j men on the heights opposite the ford I of Saratoga; two thousand in the rear, to prevent a retreat to Fort Ed- ward; and fifteen hundred at a f, 1885. J i The cut at the head of this article [ is a fair representation of the old '. stone house, at Kingston, known as the old Senate House. This is one of the oldest buildings in this State, having been erected by Col. Wessel Ten Broeck, in the year 1676, and is consequently considerable over 200 years old. It is 70 feet long, and built of stone with walls about two feet in thickness. The heavy oak timbers put in when it was first erected are sound, and apparently good for several centuries to come. The Fourth Provisional Congress as- sembled at White Plains July 9th, 1776, and immediately adopted the Declaration of Independence. The next day the body changed its ap- pellation to the "Convention of the Representatives of the State of New York." On the 29th of August follow- ing, it adjourned to Fishkill, and from here it moved to Kingston. A committee, of which John Jay was chairman, was appointed to draft a constitution for the State. Their work was completed and the new con stitution was adopted on the 20th of April, 1777. The committee met in this house, and under its venerable roof this important document was drafted. The first election under this constitution was held July 30th, 1777. George Clinton was elected Governor and installed in presence of the military and citizens assembled at Kingston. After the organization of the Stale Government the Senate held its sessions in this house until the British forces, under command of General Vaughan, sacked and burned the village of Kingston in October 12(1 ADDITIONAL APPP'.NDiX, following. Part of the roof of this house was burned at that time and restored soon after. Geu. Armatrong, the boy hero of the Revolution, after- wards Secretary of War. lived in this house in 1804, previous to his depar- ture as Minister to the French Court. A marble tireplace, erected by him, still adorns one of the rooms. This house has for many years been the property of Frederick E. Westbrook, Esq., son of Rev. Cornelius D. West- brook, D. D., who was for many years pastor of the Reformed Dutch church in this village. Dr. Westbrook's last years were spent in this house, where he died in March, 1858. Dr. West- brook's father. Gen. Frederick West- brook, was an officer of the Revolu- tion, and a Brigadier- General in the war of 1812. He died in this village in 1823, and was buried in the old burying ground near the entrance to the chapel. [From the Fishkill Times, July 1. isa'i. 1 A Revolutionarv Heroine. In the year 177G there resided at White Plains, Westchester county, N. Y.. a family consisting of the Rev. Samuel Mills, his second wife, who was a sister of General Humphrey, and several children by his first wife, the oldest being a daughter, then some ten or twelve years of age. The father was an ardent patriot, or as the British and their Tory allies would have termed him, a bitter rebel. When after the battle of Long Island, the British landed at Throgg's Neck, and commenced their advance into the country, Mr. Mills considered it prudent for hifn to leave his home and seek safer quarters farther in the interior. Being left alone with the children, Mrs. Mills busied herself dviring the few hours allowed her be- fore the arrival of the enemy, in pro- viding for the safety of the children and the pi'operty left in her charge. First she took the little ones into the woods and lodged them in the cabin of some friendly Indians. She then returned to her home, and after throwing her spoons into the well, carried off and hid all the portable j)ropei*ty she could before the invad- ers came and fired the house. Power- less to prevent, she witnessed the des- truction of her home and all its contents which she had not been able alone to remove. Remaining near the spot all night, in the gray dawn of the morning she discovered a soldier who had straggled from his command asleej) by the side of a fence Stealth- ily approaching, she secured his mus- ket, and compelling him to surrender, mai'ched him at the point of the bayonet to the American camp and delivered him np as a prisoner of war. The little twelve-year-old gii-1, who on that eventful day was taken by her step-mother to that Indian wigwam, in after years was the mother of the late Samuel M. Stevens. Mr. Stevens, for many years re- sided near this village, and his widow and two sons, William and George, and daughter Sarah, now re- side in this place. Mrs. Stevens still has in good preservation, the curtains which Mrs. Mills that day I stripped down from her spare-room i bed before the red coats applied their torch to her dwelling. The spoons, I which were afterwards recovered from the well, were some years ago sold for old silver. ADDITIONAL APPENDIX, 121 THE OLD COLONEL BRINCKERHOFF MANSION. 122 ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. [From the Fislikill Times, July 8, 1885.] The Old Col. Briiickerhoff Mansion. The old Col. Brinckerhoff house, a fine illustration of which appears in this number of the Times, remains substantially the same as when first erected nearly a hundred and fifty years a^fo. It is constructed of stone, except the gables, which are of brick imported from Holland. In the west- ern gable appears the date of its erection, 1738, in colored brick, as can be plainly seen in the cut. This house stands a short distance soxith of the road which runs from the village of Fisfikill to Hopewell, near the little hamlet called Swartwoutville. During the Revolutionary war it was frequently occupied by General Washington. His letter to Gen. Lin- coln announcing the appointment of the latter by Congress to the com- mand of troops for the defence of Charleston, dated "Headquarters, Fishkill, Oct. 3d, 1778," and numer- ous other letters and orders were written at this bouse. He occupied the bedroom back of the parlor, which remains the same as it then was,except that a door has since been cut through communicating with the hall. The Colonel was a devout member of the old Dutch church, at Fishkill. When Washington first became a member of his family he is said to have stated "I am commander-in- chief in my own house, and wish everybody under my roof to attend family prayers." Of course W^ash- ington complied. Col. Brinckerhoff died in 1785, at the age of 82 years, and was bnried near the entrance of the old burying ground at Fishkill. His grave stone is still standing, and as "sound and legible as when first erected a hundred years ago. Col. Brinckerhoff, by his will dated Dec. 29th, 1784, gave the farm on which he lived, including this house, to his grandson, John Brinckerhoff' Van Wyck, from whom it descended to his son. Alfred Van Wyck, who held it for many years. Mr. Van Wyck sold it aboiit 30 years ago and moved to Illinois, where he still re- sides. It is at present owned and oc- cupied by Mr. Myers Brownell. Washington's Headquarters. BY E. M. RUTTENBER. The building now so generally known as Washington's Head -quar- ters at Newburgh, is situated in the south-east part of the city. It is con- structed of rough stone; is one story high, fifty-six feet front by forty-six feet in depth, and is located on what was originally Lot No. 2, of the Ger- man Patent. The title of the lot was vested, by the Patent referred to, in Herman Schoneman, a native of the Palatinate of German^', who sold, in 1721, to James Alexander, who subsi - quently sold to Alexander Colden and Burger Meynders, by whom it was conveyed to Jonathan Hasbrouck. The north-east corner of the build ing, more particularly shown by the walls and the timbers of the roof re- maining in the attic, is the oldest portion; it was erected by Hasbrouck in 1750. The south-east corner was added by him for a kitchen, and in 1770 he erected the west half and embraced the whole under one roof. Jonathan Hasbrouck, from whom the building takes the name of 'The Hasbrouck House," was the grand- son of Abraham Hasbrouck, one of the Huguenot founders of New Paltz. He was a man of marked character; •of fine physique, being six feet and ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 123 four inches in height; was colonel of the railitia of the district, and was in frequent service in guarding the passes of the Highlands. His occu- pation was that of a farmer, a miller, and a merchant. He died in 1780. In the spring of 17S2, Washington Congress, of distress throughout the country, and of complaint and dis- content in the army, the latter at one time bordering on revolt among the officers and soldiers. It was at this place, on the 22d day of May. 1782, that Col. Nicola pro- made this building his Head quarters, and remained here until August 18th. 1783, on the morning of which day he took his departure from Newburgh. At this place he passed through the most trying period of the Revolution: the year of inactivity on the part of posed, l)y letter to Washington, that he should become King, for the '"na- tional advantage," a proposal that was* received by Washington with "surprise and astonishment,"' "viewed with abhorrence," and "reprehended with severity."' The proposition il- 124 ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. self was of little significance, and of no general importance whatever. It has, however, been so colored up by the fervent imagination of some wri- ters, that a passing reference to it seems proper.* The inattention of Congress to the payment of the army, during the suc- ceeding winter, gave rise to a more important episode in the history of the war. On the 10th of March, 1783, the first of the famous "Newburgh Lettei's" was issued, in which, by im- plication at least, the army was ad- vised to revolt. The letter was fol- lowed by an anonymous manuscript notice for a public meeting of officers on the succeeding Tuesday. Wash- ington was equal to the emergency. He expressed his disapprobation of the whole proceeding, and with great wisdom, requested the field officers, with one commissioned officer from each company, to meet on the Satur- day preceding the time appointed by the anonymous note. He attended this meeting and delivered before it one of the most touching and etfective addresses on record. When he closed his remarks, the officers unanimously resolved "to reject with disdain" the infamous proposition contained in the anonymous address. The meeting of officers referred to was held at the New Building, or "Temple" as it was called in the New Windsor encampment, but Washing- ton's address was written at his Head- quarters, in Newburgh. The "New- burgh Letters," to which it was a *Tlie slander should never be repeated that Nicola represented the army. He was not its representative in any sense, but spoke for him- self alone. There is no evideivce that lie even consulted with any one, nor was it ever elainied that he did. He held no important rank in the army, but was simply Colonel.of the Invalid Con- tinental Regiment at Philadelphia. He had no service in the tiekl. reply, were written by Major John Armstrong, Aid-de-camp to General Gates, who, as senior officer of the army, had command of the encamp- ment, with his quarters at the Ellison house, now more generally known as "Knox's Head-quarters." The anony- mously called meeting was not held. The motives of its projectors we will not discuss; but its probable effect, had it been successful, must be con- sidered in connection with Washing- ton's encomium of the result of the meeting which he had addressed: "Had this day been wanting, the world had never known the height to which human greatness is capable of attaining." Notice of the cessation of hostilities was proclaimed to the array April 19th, 1783. It was received with great rejoicings by the troops encamped at New Windsor, and, under Washing- ton's order, was the occasion of an appropriate celebration there. In the evening, signal Beacon lights pro claimed the joyous news to the sur- rounding country. Thirteen cannon came pealing up from Fort Putnam, and were followed by a feu-de-Joie rolling along the lines. "The moun- tain sides resounded and echoed like tremendous peals of thunder, and the flashing from thousands of fire arms, in the darkness of the evening, was like unto vivid flashes of lightning from the clouds." From this time furloughs were freely granted to sol- diers and entire regiments who wished to return to their homes, and when the army was finally disbanded by Congress, in November, those absent were discharged from service without being required to return. Practically, however, the army was disbanded by furlough prior to June 20, when ADDITIONAL APPENDIX, 125 the remnant of short term men were marched from New Windsor to West Point. As the furloughed regiments moved off the encampment grounds at New Windsor, there were many sad parting scenes. "Painful," says Thacher, "was the parting; no description can be ade- quate to the tragic exhibition. Both officers and soldiers, long unaccus- tomed to the affairs of private life, were turned loose upon the world. Never can the day be forgotten when friends, companions for seven years in joy and sorrow, were torn asunder, without the hope of ever meeting again, and with the prospect of a mis- erable subsistence in the future." Major North adds: "The inmates of the same tent, for seven long years, grasped each others' hands in silent agony. To go. they knew not whither; all recollection of the art to thrive by civil occupation lost, or to the youth- ful never known. Their hard-earned military knowledge worse "than use- less; and with their badge of brother- hood, a mark at which to point the finger of suspicion — ignoble, vile sus- picion! — to be cast out on the world long since by them forgotten. Sev- ered from friends and all the joys and griefs which soldiers feel ! Griefs, while hope remained— when shared by numbers, almost joys! To go in silence and alone, and poor and hope- less; it was too hard! On that sad day how many hearts were wrung! I saw it all, nor will the scene be ever blurred or blotted from my view!" Perhaps both of these pictures are overdrawn, but it is true that the men were literally hurried away — were lit- erally poor and without where to lay their heads. "Why was the army brought hith- er?" and "What portion of the build- ing was particularly occupied by Washington?" are questions so fre- quently asked that a few words of ex- planation appear to be necessary. The presence of the army of the Revolu- tion north of the Highlands, and in the vicinity of the river, was for the purpose of counterac*:ing the plans of the British Ministry, who hoped, by obtaining control of the navigation of the river, to cut off the Eastern Prov- inces from the Southern, with a view to confine the rebellion to the former and render its reduction certain. The Hudson thus became the strategic line of the contending forces, to which the possession of the Highlands was the key. While English cannon thun- dered at New York and Quebec, the extremes of the line, the forces of the patriots guarded the Highland passes; on both sides of the river the camp- fires of the army were lighted, while from the centre of the field —first at his Head-quarters in New Windsor, and subse :juently at the Hasbrouck House — Washington, through the se- cret service, watched the movements of his powerful antagouist. Once, twice, the centre of the line had been lost, and recovered almost by a mira- cle. Sir Henry Clinton's victorious banners were given to the breeze from the Highland battlemeots October 7. 1777, and his messenger sped away to bid Burgoyne hold on. It seemed but the question of a day; but accident led the messenger into the hands of a rallying militia — the silver bullet which he conveyed revealed hi 5 pur- pose. Burgoyne, after waiting his arrival until he could wait no longer, surrendered at Saratoga, and forts Clinton and Montgomery, blackened by fire and strewn with the dead, re- 126 ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. turned to the patriot forces. The treason of Arnold was not less acci- dentally prevented from accomplish- ing its purpose. And in this connec- tion how singular is the fact, that while accident or miracle twice saved the cause of liberty, the immediate agents through whom so great a boon was gained — Taylor and Andre — suf- fered death at the hands of hang- men! To the second question we answer: Washington's family consisted of him- self, his wife, and his Aid-de-camp, Major Tench Tighlman. The large room, which is entered from the piazza on the east, known as "the room with seven doors and one window," was used as the dining and sitting room. The north-east room was Washing- ton's bed-room, and the one adjoining it on the left was occupied by him as a private office. The family room was that in the south-east; the kitchen was the south-west room ; the parlor the north-west room. Between the latter and the former was the hall and stair -case, and the store-room, so called from having been used by Col. Hasbrouck and subsequently by his widow as a store. The parlor was mainly reserved for Mrs. Washington and her guests. A Mrs. Hamilton, whose name frequently appears in Washington's account book, was his housekeeper, and in the early part of the war made a reputation for her zeal in his service which Thacher makes note of and Washington ac- knowledges in his reference to an exchange of salt. There was little room for the accommodation of guests, but it is presumed that the chambers were reserved for that purpose. Wash- ington's guests, however, were mainly connected with the army and had quarters elsewhere.* The building is now substantially in the condition it was during Wash- ington's occupation of it. The same massive timbers span the ceiling; the old fire-place with its wide-open chim- ney is ready for the huge back-logs of yore; the seven doors are in their places; the rays of the morning sun still stream through the one window; no alteration in f'^rm has been made even in the old piazza — the adorn- ments on the walls, if such the ancient hostess had, have alone been changed for souvenirs of the heroes of the na- tion's independence. In presence of these surroundings, it requires but little effort of the imagination to re- store the departed guests. Forget- ting not that this was Washington's private residence, rather than a place for the transaction of public business, we may, in the old sitting-room, re- spread the long oaken table, listen to the blessing invoked on the morning meal, hear the cracking of joints, and the mingled hum of conversation. The meal dispensed, Mrs. Washing- ton retires to appear at her Hower beds or in her parlor to receive her morning calls. Colfax, the captain of the Life-C nai'd, enters to receive the orders of the day — perhaps a horse and guard for Washington to visit New Windsor, or a barge for Fishkill, or West Point, is required ; or it may be Washington remains at home, and at his writing-desk con- ducts his correspondence, or dictates orders for army movements. The old arm-chair, sitting in the corner yon- *C'liastellux relates that when he visited the }It'a(l-(Hiai'tfi's in December, '82, the room wliich ser\ ed :'s a sitliiij'-room in the day-time was his Ijed-ruoiii at nitjiil. ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 127 der, is still ready for its former occu- pant. The dinner hour of five o'clock ap- pi'oaches; the guests of the day have already arrived. Steuben, the iron drill -master and German soldier of fortune, converses with Mrs. Wash- ington. He has reduced the simple marksmen of Bunker Hill to the dis- cipline of the armies of Europe, and tested their efficiency in the din of battle. He has leisure now, and scarcely knows how to find employ- ment for his active mind. He is tell- ing his hostess, in broken German- English, of the whale (it proved to be an eel) he had caught in the river. Hear his hostess laugh? And that is the voice of Lafayette, relating per- haps his ventures in escaping from Fr:!nce, or his mishap in attempting to attend Mrs. Knox's last party. VV^ayue, of Stony Point; Gates, of Saratoga; Clinton, the Irish-blooded (Toveruor of New York, and their compatriots— we may place them all at times beside our Pater Fatrke in this old room, and hear amid the min- gled hum his voice declare: "Happy, thrice happy, shall they be pro- nounced hereafter, who have contrib- uted anything, who huvw performed the meanest office in erecting this stupendous fabric of Freedom and Empire on the broad basis of inde- pendency; who have assisted in pro- tecting the rights of human nature, and in establishing an asylum for the poor and oppressed of all nations and religions." In France, fifty years after Wash ington lived here, Marbois repro- duced, as an entertainment for La- fayette, then an old man, this old sitting-room and its table scene. From his elegant saloon he conducted his guests, among whom were several Americans, to the room which he had prepared. There was a large open fire-place, and plain oaken floors; the ceiling was supported with large beams and whitewashed; there were several small-sized doors and only one window with heavy sash and small panes of glass. The furniture was plain and unlike any then in use. Down the centre of the room was an oaken table covered with dishes of meat and vegetables, decanters and bottles of wine, and silver mugs and small wine glasses. The whole had something the appearance of a Dutch kitchen. While the guests were look- ing around in surprise at this strange procedure, the host, addressing him- self to them, said: "Do you know where we now are V Lafayette looked around, and as if awakening from a dream, exclaimed, "Ah! the seven doors and one window, and the silver camp goblets such as the Marshals of France used in my youth. We are at Washington's Head-quarters on the Hudson fifty years ago."* Fortunate will it be for America if, in the coming time, her children, drawing inspiration from those old walls and from the lessons of patriot- ism, of honor, of official integrity, of political action, which were here in- culcated, shall sincerely and reveren- tially respond: "The seven doors and one window — ire are at Washingtoii's I{eads Ihe dusky mmuitain, Tiieir si)irits 'sparkle in the foiiutaiii." On all important occasions, before aned- erick K. Scofield, Jacob G. Van Wyck, T. Van Wyck Brinkerhofi; Matthew V. B. Brinckerhoff, and Dr. Lewis H. White — represent old Revoluticnaiy families, who gave up their homes to the occupation of Revolutionary offi- cers, and did all they could for their comfort. Many of these persons oc- cupy the same houses that their an- cestors did, rich in historic associa- tions. These thirteen Vice-Presidents are chosen to represent the thirteen orig- inal States. Each of the thirty-eight young la- dies personates one of the 88 States; they represent the stars on the blue ground of our flag, the 38 stars in the dome of our National Capitol, the 38 States that are woven and interwoven into the very texture of our Constitu- ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 133 tion, so as to be "one and inseparable, now and forever." They, with the ladies in charge of them, represent '•Heaven's first, best gift to man — woman/" And now, let the toast be, "Dear woman!" and let the Band re- spond. Amid much apphause, the Band played and the choir sang "Let the toast be, Dear Woman!" repeated three or four times. Mr. Lossing then introduced Hon. Theodoric R. Westbrook, of Kingston, a Justice of the Supreme Court, and a native of Fishkill Village, who made the opening address. He spoke as follows: Ladies and Gentlemen — Upon the elevation of a century of years which onr country has now attained, of the greatness of which we are forcibly reminded by the presence of these young ladies representing the thirty- eight States of the Union, we are as- sembled to look backward to their beginning; to rescue so far as we can from oblivion the events which then transpired in tiiis locality; and, while we coatemplate the past and the pres- ent, to remember the Hand which has led us, and shaped and directed the occurrences making the history of the intervening period. In the immediate locality of this assembly there were no battles, but the scenes of carnage were not far away. Quite ne'^r us are Stony Point, Forts Clinton, Moutgomer-, and Put- nam, and West Point — historic and classic ground made memorable, not only by tlie deeds of patriotic valor, but by treason, almost successful, of H trusted general. Many of the act- ors in those great events were familiar with the landscape upon which we now look. They saw the same old hills, and beheld the same old build- ings. The ground around and about us is hallowed by recollections of tliose who here, from time to time, t(>ok counsel together concerning the important events in which tbej' were participants. On the 28th day of August, 1776, the Provincial Convention of this State — as its Legislature was then called — then in session at White Plains, selected Fishkill as the place to which should be removed the treas- ury and archives of the State, and in which the subsequent sessions of that body were to be held. They were accordingly resumed at this point on the 3d day of September, 1776. The Episcopal church, still standing and subsequently occupied as a hospital, was selected, because then unoccu- pied, but on assembling there it was found to be "foul with the dung of doves, and without seats, benches, or other conveniences." and thereupon the convention adjourned to the old Reformed Dutch church, which still rears its spire heaven -ward, and whose walls still stand, the sjient witnesses of the wisdom and patriotism of its then occupants. That historic build- ing continued to be the place of meet- ing of the convention until its removal to Kingston, where it contimied its labors from February, 1777, to May of the same year. Here also, in the same old church, the Committee .of Safety met. There, too. as tradition informs us. the prisoners captured by our soldiers were confined. Ah, could those walls but speak, what tales they could teJl! What words of wisdom they heard, what secrets they bear of dang(-rs averted by action determined upon within their enclosure! What hopes and aspirations there uttered, and what forebodings '^f evil, almost iiiaudibly whispered, they in silence listened to! The details of what there transpired shall never be disclosed to us. but from the character of the bod ies which there assembled we are sure that uinch of the history marked by the stirring events of the Revolution was there formulated and resolved upon. The old church yard, too, what a sacred and hallowed enclosure it is! There repose the bodies of Col. John Brinckerhoti", General Jacobus Swart- wout, General Frederick Westbrook, Capt. Gridley. and of many other pa- triots and soldiers of the Revolution. SK^ep on, and sleep sweetly, dear kin dred dust, until the archangel's trump 134 ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. shall wake you upon the glorious resurrection morn! Let me resume the history of the convention which assembled here: The draft of the Constitution was submitted to the convention in Kings- ton on the 12th day of March, 1777, and was adopted on the 20th of April. Concerning it, the late Mr. Gulian C. Verplanck said: "The Constitution of the State of New York was printed iu 1777, and was the first as well as the most important book ever printed in the State. The people could find but one press in their domain with which to print the work of their rep- i-eseutatives. It was done at Fishkill by Samuel Loudon, who had been a Whig editor and printer in the city of New York, and who had retired with his press to Fishkill, where was tbe chief deposit of stores, hospitals, etc., for the northern army of the United States." The same Samuel Loudon also pub- lished here till the close of the war a newspaper called "The Fishkill Packet." This paper was the official organ of the Whigs of the Revolutioc, and contained four pages of eight by ten inches in size. Upoa the press of Loudon was also printed the official orders of tbe American army. It would be interesting to pause at this point to consider how gi'eat a work in the establishment of our lib- erties that humble paper wrought. Beside the printing of the State Con- stitution and the orders of Washing ton, how many liearts were cheered and hands strengthened by its stir ting words during the long years of the bloody struggle for freedom! With Loudon and other patriot lefugees who fled hither from New York upon its occupation by the Brit- ish, was a Mr. Van Steenberg, who was the schoolmaster of the Collegiate Reformed Dutch Church of that city, and here established a school. At it many of the inhabitants of this local- ity wei'e educated. Who can calcu- late the influence for good of that seminary of learning, thus early es tablished, upon this neighborhood? We know it bore fruit in the virtue and intelligence of the occupants of the homes all around us. On the 14th of October, 1776, Fish- kill, in addition to being the deposi- tory of the ti'easure and archives of , the State, was turned into an armed ! encampment. Chastellvix gives this I general description of the place in ; 1780: "This town, in which there are i not over fifty houses in the space of ' two miles, has long been the principal I depot of the American army. It is I there they have placed their maga- zines, their hospitals, their workshops, j etc., but all these form a town by I themselves, composed of handsomo j large barracks, built of wood at the foot of the mountains " The barracks i referred to by the writer extended \ from the place recently occupied by I the late Sidney E. Van Wyck to the j foot of the mountain, and near by was i the soldiers' burial place, where many ! now unknown patriot dead repose. I From what cause it was lai'gely filled i let the following extract from the j same author describing the invalid camp, tell: "The houses were made of logs and were erected bj^ the soldiers. To this place the troops, however j healthy and fit for service, were sent when they became destitute of cloth - j ing. They remained at the barracks j as long as they had rags which could 1 be patcheil into a covering, but when I they became naked they were sent I into this hiding-place." What a tale I this is in simple words! We shudder : as we fill iu all the details of horrors [ here portrayed in general terms. In I hunger, and in cold, with no food or \ clothing, our heroes died. No stone I marks their resting places, their names I are not preserved to us, but He who i called them into being knows where ! they sleep. In the volume of His ' book their deeds are all recorded, and I by and by, in His own good time, shall their virtues and their works be proclaimed so loudly that the uni- I verse shall hear, and applaud. The Van Wyck mansion was the, officers' headquarters, and must often have been honored by the presence of Washington, Lafayette, Steuben, Put- nam and othex's. Lafavette was sick ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 135 in this village for six weeks of a fever, and while ill remained at the house more recently owned by Matthew V. B. Brinckerhoflf. The Baron Steuben and his military family occupied the residence of Mr. Samuel Verplanck, near the Landinj;, in which the con- stitution of the now historic society ■of the Cincinnati was formally signed on May 13th, 1783. ' { A word should here be spoken con- cerning Washington's headquarters* i when in this locality, and of their ! owner. Col. John Brinckerhoflf, who ; died full of years and honors March j 26th. 1785. The house is thus de- 1 scribed by one who is present with us I to day, and who may be justly styled ! the Historian of the Revolution, Mr. \ Benson J. Lossing: '"It is an old- I fashioned house built of stone, with the date 1738 on one of its gables, formed of brick imported from Hol- land.*' According to the same author- ity, "a letter written by Gen. Wash j ington to Gen. Lincoln, announcing; the appointment by the Continental j Congress of the latter gentleman to j the command of troops for the de ' fence of Charleston,'' was here penned, and "is dated at Col. BrinckerhoS''s, October 3d, 1778." Mr. Lossing also states: "In the Brii.ckerhotf mansion Washington remained a few days at this time, dating his letters written thnre, after the one just mentioned: "Headquarters, Fishkill." Whenever Washington was at Fishkill he made Col. Brinckerhotf 's his headquarters. He occupied fhe bedroom back of the parlor, "which remains the same (at date of 1874) excepting a door that opens into the hall, which has been cut through." In Fishkill lived John Bailey, who had also fled from the city of New York. He was a mechanic, and in his shop were forged many of the weapons of the patriot soldiers, and among them was a sword worn by the Father of his Country, now deposited with other national relics at the city of Washington, and bearing the in scription "J. Bailey, Fishkill.'' To -' See illiistralioii on page 121. this same individual Gen. Washing- ton alludes in a curious letter dated October 7th, 1779, as the person who could supply him with a two-bladed pocket knife, of which he was then in need, having lost "an eld and favorite one," by which loss he was "much distressed." Party spirit ran high during those days in this locality, but at least two- thirds of the inhabitants wei'e loyal to home and country, and the ladies were ever active in their contributions for our needy and suflfering soldiers. As proof of their loyalty, it may be mentioned that on the 14th day of August, 1776, they possessed them- selves by force of a quantity of tea stored here by Alderman Lefferts, of New York, disposed of it at six shil- lings per pound, and distributed the proceeds of the sale for the benefit of the patriot cause. During the week now closing stir- ring recollections of another great and saccef^sful struggle — ^one fought to preserve the Union which our fath- ers formed — have been awakened. All over this broad land have our people gathered to decorate with flowers the graves where departed heroes sleep. As I recalled the stirring reminiscen- ces of the war to achieve, and of the war to preserve, ''Liberti/ and Union," and remembered the issue of each, I could not but think that the Union of the States wiP be perpetual, ever blessing the world with the vision of I a government by the people for a peo- ! pie prosperous as never before wit- j nessed on earth, and of a nation gi'eat I in all that makes true greatness be- i yond all present human conception! The choir then sang "Columbia, the Land of the Brave," rendering the chorus amid the waving of their flags , by the 38 young ladies. Mr. J. Her- I vey Cook, of Fishkill-on Hudson, was ! then introduced as the next speaker, i and said: I Mr. President, Ladies and Gentle- j men— Go back with me one hundred j years. June 2, 1783, has been alike charming, and in all nature there is 136 ADDITIONAI, APPENDIX. the most attractive loveliness, but is there oot a fuller joy in Newburgh, New Windsor, Cornwall, West Point, and Fishkill, than can be felt upon this gladsome day? United in heart as now, those who have been long in camps, and in action upon many a field, hear from yonder old headquar- ters the oi'ders of their beloved Wash ington, summoning them once more to the Cantonment, and they strike their tents and hasten, while prayers go up from devout lips, and loud shouts and huzzas cause the welkin to ring, to be echoed and re-echoed among these hills and mountains. From that holy Temple where their leader had refused the crown that the people might be sovereigns, the non- commissioned officers and soldiers day after day are furloaghed in obedience to the voice of Congress, never in the providence of God to return, and are taking that reluctant leave of each other which springs from an afieetion that has been born of being fellow sharers in pei'ils, sufferings, enjoy- ments and triumphs, and they hurry away to the heart-touching welcomes awaiting them in their homes, where the loved shared with them the bless- ings which freedom brings. It is not the proclamation of uncertain war, nor the een waged. After the addresses you have al- ready heard, it w^uld be neMless to detain you by farther and fuller ref- erence to the wonderful scenes of ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 141 which the "Temple" was the witness. Had Washington accepted the offer of kingly authority, made by Col. Nicola on beiaalf of many of the offi- cers, you cannot doubt that the army, then in a mood of angry discontent, would have followed and recognized his sole authority. A monarchy, in- stead of a liepublic, would have been established in this young colonial em- pire, which had at last secured inde- pendence. Do yon realize, then, how momen- tous was the decision of Washington when he refused the crown? How it shaped the course of American histo- ry, and secured the establishment of an American Republic? Surely the "Headquarters" and "Temple Hill" should be the shrine to which every lover of republican liberty should journey, with something of that spirit of veneration which impels the fol- lower of Mahomet on a pilgrimage to Mecca, or the Christian traveler, as he treads the streets of Jerusalem, or the "sacred mountains" round about her. The places of special historic inter- est in your vicinity should be marked by some lasting memorial, and above all, the burial place of continental soldiers, here and at Temple Hill, should be guarded from further des- ecration, and made beautiful with shrubs and flowers. Then the song- birds will gather there and chant their morning hymns, and the sunshine will linger lovingly above them. As the wonderful story of these closing Revolutionary days is recalled and brought often before you, you are transported back, in fancy, through the years of the century and lo(jk up- on the camps of the soldiers on the hillside. You hear the words of prayer and praise on Lord's day, at the Tem- ple; you see Washington sitting at sunset at the door of the Headquar- ters, forgetting his cares as he gazes on the river and the mountain suffused with the "rose flush of departing day," and as the night comes on you hear the tread of the sentinel marching on his lonely round, and near the grounds where we are gathered see again many a battle -worn soldier, and at times some honored general meets you. You are startled as some form rushes past you in the darkness, but in a moment you recognize it as Harvey Birch, fleeing from his prison toward the mountain. What is the clattering tu- mult on the distant highway where the cloud of dust is rising? It is Morgan and his band of troopers dashing on toward Boston. As this day is the centennial of the beginning of the virtual disbandment of the continental army, I may, in conclusion, refer briefly to the closing- scene. We can never too highly honor the veterans who, in the war of the Re- bellion, preserved that Republic which the men of the Revolution had es- tablished. But yet, how marked, in some respects, were the contrasts in history, at the close of the respective struggles. In the last war, the Gov- ernment faithfully kept all its en- gagements as to pay and clothing and supplies for the soldiers in its service; although in cost, and numbers en- gaged, that war exceeded, many hun- dred fold, the Revolutionary struggle — and who can forget the grand array of all these Union veterans, who when the war had ceased, passed in review at Washington, before the President and other chief ofticei-s of the Govern- Tuent, with martial bearing and ban- ners floating, and music lending its enchantment to the pageant; and as they reached their various homes they were welcomed with shouts of rejoic- ing and words of grateful speech and song; and they were well worthy of all these honors — they can never be fully repaid. But now go back to 1783, and see how these "Continentals" are leaving, after seven long years of sacrifice and suffering. Think for a moment what their triumph had secured. They had won Independence for the colonies, and laid the foundations of an Amer- ican Republic, stretching now from ocean to ocean and embracing 50,000,- 000 of people. Surely, in view of such sacrifices and such results secured, they were worthy, if ever soldiers were, to have their dues paid in full measure and "running over." They 14l ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. were worthy, if ever successful war- riors were when parting from their officers and brother soldiers, to be clothed in "purple and tine linen," and even to wear, as did the victors of old, robes "richly inlaid with silver and gold." How different the picture presented there in those June days one huudred years ago! With long arrearages of pay, for which the prime of their manhood bad been sacriiiccd, and with clothing scanty and threadbare, these Continental soldiers broke camp and turned their faces homeward. With no grand review, no floating banners, no ranks keeping step to martial mu- sic, and passing proudly before their great commander iind all his gener- als. Day after day in succession, the troops of the several States struck their tents, and said their sad words of parting. Faithful soldiers whose sense of duty and love of country was proof against all temptations. The Hag which had floated over the en- campment for nearly a year, torn and battle stained, but which to them was more beautiful than if woven of sum- mer sunset hues— this old flag was taken down and folded away forever. Yes! there, as the "Army of the Continentals," you "passed out of mortal sight, bat into immortal his- tory." And your grateful^ country- men of this imperial republic, on this centennial of your disbandmeut, with eye of faith and loving reverence, be- hold you now not in "ragged regi- mentals" and with faces saddened and careworn, but they behold you radiant with joy. and wearing the glittering robes of crowned Champions of Free- dom, where "On FiiiiiP's t'ternal ciiniviiug tirouiul Your sili'iit tents ;ire si)re:iii:ic of llie dead." But now the lengthening shadows admonish me to close. It is an hour of mingled sadness and pleasure. Sadness, that those who are gathered on this festal "centennial" day will never again all meet for this pious duty. The old will soon be gathered to their fathers, and even the young cannot expect that their life, long though it may be, can span the com- ing century. This will be your last centennial commemoration of the clos- ing Revolutionary days. And yet, it is an hour of rejoicing— that the sea son to which so many have looked forward with patriotic longing has come, and we have all been permitted to offer some tribute, however hum- ble, to the memory of these veterans of the Revolution. We have been allowed, as it were, to sit at the feet of these patriarchs of the Republic, and to hear again from their lips the great lessons of "trust in Providence" and of "unconquerable patriotism." and "love of country," which their lives so splendidly illustrated. And we have an abiding faith that long after the ceremonials of to-day shall he past the lessons of these heroic lives will be seen Snd felt in the lives of all our citizens, and that thus we may rise to a nobler individual man- hood, and a higher national life may gladden the future of the Republic. The name and fame of these illus- trious men of the Revohition are now loft, in some measure, to your keep- ing. But. matchless and towering above them all, stands the majestic character of Washington. "Like the magnolia in Spring, one cloud of snowy bloom — like the tree of the tropics, under the blossoms, the rarest fruits, profuse and perennial." The loving reverence of his countrymen has long since crowned him with that noblest of titles, "the Father of his Country." Here we leave him, and we go forward refreshed, strengthen- ed, inspired, by the light of the life which, like a star, serene and inextin- guishable, •■Flames ui the forehead of our morning ,sky.'«' The choir then sang "America." The Chairman made a few closing reoiarks, when the chon' sang the "Doxology," and the Benediction was pronounced by Rev. M. Bross Thomas, of the Reformed Church, Fishkill, which closed the exercises, and the vast crowd dispersed, having appro- priately honored the great centennial anniversary of the disbanding of the Revolutionary army. ADDlTlOiNAL APPExXDIX. 143 OLD TRINITY CHURCH, FISHKILL, N. Y., AS IT FORMERLY APPEARED. [fiv)ni the Fishkill Weekly Trinity Chnrcl], Fisbldll, is one of the oldest chnrch e/.ifices in the State of New York. It was the third church organized in the town of Fishkill, and the first of its denomination in Dutch- ess county, or anywhere above the Highlands on the east side of the Hudson. As originally built, it had a tail,' tapering spire, surmounted by a ball and vane, as was usual a cen- tury tigo. The early records are lost, bat from the best evidence obtainable it is believed that the chnrch was built about 17G0. At that time thp people in this sec- tion were few in number and poor in worldly goods, and it was no light matter to procure funds for erecting what was then considered a large and expensive structure. A gentleman who now resides in this village in- forms us that his grandfather was one of the original contributors to the building fund for this church, and in order to pay his svibscription he was compelled to mortgage his farm to an amount which he was never able to p-iy daring his lifi'time. Time.i, of Feb. 17, 188G.] ■ , The land was not sacritied, however, and still remains in the family, and la.st year a great-grandson of this contributor, who now tills the same acres that his liberal ancestor first broke up, sold over twenty tons of grapes from his vineyard, beside abun- dance of other products of the farm. The tirst service was held by the Rev. Samuel Seabury. in 1756. The tirst rector was Rev. John Beardsley, who was appointed by the society for the propagation of the gosjjel, and accepted the charge Oct. 20, 1766. This church was connected with Christ Church in Poughkeepsie for neai'ly fifty years. Rev. Mr. Beardsley was removed to New York Dec. 16, 1777, by order of the Council of Safety. It appears the church was then without a pastor over nine years, during part of which time it was used both by the military and civil authorities as a hos- pital for the sick and wounded, and a meeting plnce for the Constitutional Convention of this State. The next rector was Rev. Henry Van Dyck, who accepted the rector- 144 ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. ship Jan. 22, 1787. He remained un- til the spi'ing of 1791, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. George H. Spierea, Nov. 12, 1792. He in turn was sue ceeded by Rev. John J. Sayers, Jan. 5, 1795. Mr. Sayers continued in the rectorship two years, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. Philander Chase, af- terward Bishop of Ohio and also of Illinois. Bishop Chase was the foun- der of Kenyon College, at Gambier, Ohio, and Jubilee College, at Robin's Nest, Illinois. Mr. Chase left here m 1805, and was succeeded by Rev. Bar- zillai Bulkley, Aug. 6, 1806. Mr. Bulkley was succeeded in 1812 by Rev. John Brown, who was fol- lowed in 1816 by Rev. Mr. Ten Broeck. He remained a short time, and left, when the church had no settled min- ister for a number of years, being supplied through missionary sources until 1833, when Rev. R. B. Van Kleeck, D. D., was duly installed as rector. He was succeeded in 1837 by Rev. Colly A. Foster, who was fol- lowed in 1838 by Rev. Richard F. Burnhani. Rev. Robert Shaw suc- ceeded Mr. Burnham in 1841, and was succeeded in 1844 by Rev. Wm. H. Hart. Mr. Hart remained about three years, and was followed by Rev. Christian F. Cruse, D. D., in 1847. Rev. F. W. Shelton succeeded Dr. Cruse in 1853, and was followed by Rev. John R. Livingston in 1855. Mr. Livingston served the church long and faithfully, and, dying in the harness, was succeeded in the minis- try, in 1879, by Rev. J. H. Hobart, D. D., the present incumbent. The church book comprises minutes of each vestry from 1785, and, like all old records, contains many curious entries : "At a meeting of the Trustees of Trinity Church at Fishkill, on the 11th day of August, 1788, present, John Cook, Peter Mesier, Jeremiah Cooper, James Cooper, and Elbert Willett, Jr., the following resolution was entered into, to wit: That said Trustees should meet Quartei'ly on the first Monday in May, first Monday in A'lg^ist, fii'st Monday in November and first Monday in February, here- after. In case of absence of any of the Trustees at any time of meeting, the person or persons so neglecting shall forfeit and pay respectively for every such neglect the sum of four shillings, two pence, for the benefit of the church. Resolved by the ves- try, all voting, that the damages this church received by the publick was duly appraised by James Weekes, Isaac Van VV'yck, and Capt. Cor's Adriance. From the year 1776 to 1783: The use of the church . . . .£140 " " " " " yard 20 Damages to the same by the publick 189 4 11 £349 4 11 This statement given to John Cook, to be Liquidated by the Publick. Resolved — The compensation so ob- tained shall be applyed in finishing and repairing the church so far as it will go, and for no other piarpose whatever." By a resolution passed in 1789 it was ordered that the church should receive two shillings from the par- ents for every child baptized. In 1803 money was raised to repair the steeple, but if the work was done it does not appear to have been effect, - ual, for in a few years after com- plaints were made that the spire was unsafe, and in 1817 it was removed. ADDITIONAL APPENDIX, 145 Tho apprehensions about the spire were probably not unreasonable, as the carpenter who removed it said that as he worked at the top, in the early morning, he could see his shad- ow swaying- backward and forward on the ground a long way to the west- ward. The base was left standing, and from that time to about 1860 the church had a short tower with an or- namental balustrade, as shown in the accompanying illustration. Then the building was repaired and this tower removed, since which it has appeared as shown in the larger engraving.* Some years later the interior was considerably changed also. The high pews were removed, and more com- fortable ones substituted, and the tall pulpit, with its antiquated sound- ing board, which stood near the cen- tre of the church, was dispensed with. In the buryiug-ground which sur- rounds the church on all sides except the front, a great many of the early residents lie buried. Forty or fifty years ago, when interments were fre- quent in this ground, it was no unu- sual thing to dig up pieces of blank- ets, which had probably been wrap- ped around the remains of those who died in this edifice when it was used as a hospital. In September, 1865, the church celebrated its Centennial, when in- teresting services were held and an address was delivered by Rev. Dr. Brown, who more than fifty years before had been its rector. * See p:ij,'e i)2. The Reformed Dutch Church, Fishkill. The Reformed Dutch Church of Fishkill was organized in 1716 by the Rev. Petrus Vas, pastor of the church at Kingston. At that time there was but a sparse population in this sec- tion. The census taken two years before gave 445 as the total popula- tion of Dutchess county, which was then much larger than at present. That the people were not only few but poor, is evidenced by the tax-list of 1717, which gives a total valuation for the county of £1,300. Six years later, in 1723, there were only 195 taxable inhabitants in this county. The first church building was erected in 1731, and was of stone, and pai't of these walls still remain in the present edifice. [See cut on page 47.] The first pastor was the Rev. Cor- nelius Van Schie, who was installed Oct. 4, 1731. He remained but a few years, and accepted a call to the church in Albany. Calls were then sent to the Classis of Amsterdam, and afterward to Germany, but no pastor was obtained until 1745, when the Rev. Benj. Meynema was installed, and held the position for ten years, when he resigned. The third to oc- cupy the position was the Rev. Jacob Vannist. He died in the ministry af- ter serving two years and a half, and was buried beneath the pulpit. His headstone, still standing at the end of the church, states that he died April 10, 1761, in his 27th year. In December, 1763, the Rev. Henricus Schoonmaker assumed the charge, and officiated nearly two years, and was then succeeded by the Rev. Isaac Rysdyck, who was installed in Sep- 146 ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. tember, 1765. In the spring of that year the church lost one of its mem- bers, who had attained a very remark- able age. The silver tankard used in celebrating the Lord's Supper was presented to the church in January, 1820, and bears the following inscrip- tion: "Presented by Samuel Ver- planck, Esq., to the First Reformed Dutch Church in the town of Fish- kill, to commemorate Mr. Englebert Huff, by birth a Norwegian, in his lifetime attached to the Life Guard of the Prince of Orange, afterwards King William III. of England. He resided for a number of years in this county, and died with umblemished reputation at Fishkill, 21st of March, 1765, aged 128 years." During the pastprates of Messrs. Schoonmaker and Rysdyck the R. D. churches in this country were divided into two parties, called the Coetus and Conferentie, between which the contention was very sharp and bitter, insomuch that they shut the churches against each other, and sometimes broke them open by force. Until then all clergymen had been educa- ted and licensed in Holland, which was very inconvenient, and caused great delay in obtaining pastors. The Coetus partisans advocated their edu- cation and ordination here, while the Conferenlie looked on such a proposal as revolutionary and impious. Mr. Schoonmaker belonged to the former party, and Mr. Rysdyck to the latter. When the former was ordained in Poughkeepsie the church doors were closed against him, and the services were held under an apple- tree near by. It is related that on one occasion the Coetus party broke open the church door here with an ax, and that the heads of families sat during the service with clubs in their hands. Truly it was then a "church militant" in the fullest sense. These differences were finally adjusted at a meeting held in New York in June, 1772, although contention in the churches did not cease until 1778. On the 12th of May of that year a meeting was held in this church, when the two consistories were combined, one-half of each retiring, and the others re- maining as the official board of the united church. Dominie Rysdyck, in addition to his pastoral duties, was principal of a grammar school which had previ- ously been established here, and was the first academy in this county. He was considered the most learned theo- logian in the Dutch Church at that time, and was as familiar with Latin, Greek and Hebrew as with his native tongue. During the latter part of his ministration he preached alternately in Dutch and English, the services having previously been always con- ducted in Dutch. He died Nov. 20, 1790, and was buried atNewHacken- sack. His successor. Rev. Isaac Blau velt, who was born and educated in this country, was installed Oct. 26, 1783. He gave one-third of his time to the Middle Presbyterian Church, dividing the remainder between this and the Hopewell church. In 1790 he removed to Paramus, N. J. The next pastor was Rev. Nicholas Van Vranken, who was installed Nov. 23, 1791. He preached two Sabbaths each month here, and divided the other two between Hopewell and New Hacken- sack. He died May 20, 1804, after a brief illness, in the 42d year of his age. He was buried in the church- yard of this church, near the entrance, where his grave stone is still stand- ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 147 ing. During his miniRtration preach- ing in Dutch was discontinued. After his death the union of the three churches was dissolved, Fishkill becoming a separate charge, over which Rev. Cornelius D. Westbrook, D. D., was installed, March 9, 1806. His pastorate was a long one, lasting until July, 1830. During his ministry the church at the Landing wiis organ- ized. Dr. Westbrook preaching in this church morning and evening, and there in the afternoon. In October, 1830, Rev. George H. Fisher became pastor of this churcli, and remained here five years. He was followed by Rev. F. M. Kip, D. D., in August, 1836. Dr. Kip's pastorate was long and successful, extending over a third of a century. In September, 1866, the 150th anniversary of the organi- zation of the church was celebrated with appropriate services, in the pres- ence of a large concourse of the chil- dren and friends of the church, on which occasion Dr. Kip preached a historical discourse, from which we gather many of the facts in this sketch. Dr. Kip resigned the charge in May, 1870, and was followed by Rev. Peter E. Kipp, who was installed in Aiigust of the same year. On ac- count of impaired health, he resigned in January, 1875, and was succeeded by Rev. Asher Anderson, who was in- stalled in August following. After laboring here with great zeal and success about five years Mr. Anderson accepted a call to a church in Passaic, N. J., and Rev. M. B. Thomas was called to the charge, being installed in March, 1881. Mr. Thomas still holds the position, being the thirteenth pas- tor in regular succession since the organization of the church, 170 years ago. If we 30unt the two who jointly held the position during the contro- versy between the Coetus and Confer entie parties as one, there have been but twelve pastors since the church was founded, which would make them average over fourteen years each. [From the Fishkill Times. March 24, 1886.] The AVharton House, Fishkill, N. Y. The accompanying illustration* was engraved expressly for the Times from a photograph recently taken for us by Mr. C. A. Palmer, of Matteawan, and is an exact representation of the re- nowned "Wharton House" as it ap- pears at the present day. This ancient edifice stands on the easterly side of the old Post Road, about one mile south of the centre of this village, not far from the foot of the mountain which it faces. Like most of the houses in this region built a century or more ago, it was fronted toward the south, without regard to position or direction of the road which runs by it. It is not known when it was built, but from deeds in the posses- sion of Mr. J. J. Van Wyck of this village, we learn that the land on which it stands, which then included a tract of 959 acres, was purchased by Cornelius Van Wyck, of Hempstead, Long Island, from Catharine Brett, familiarly known in local history as "Madam Brett," on the 10th of April, 1733. In 1757 Mr. Van Wyck by will divided his land betw^een his sons, Cornelius and Richard. The portion where this old homestead stands fell to the share of Cornelius, while the portion nearer the village went to Richard. Cornelius, the second, in turn divided the property between his two sons, Cornelius C. and Isaac, the latter retaining the southerly part, * See page 00. 148 ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. containing the old mansion. His bro- ther ou his tract, soon after the close of the Revolutionary War, built the house now owned and occupied by Mr. George R. Shaw. The old house which is the subject of our sketch was undoubtedly erected by Corneli- us, the original settler, as in his wild he provides that his widow shall oc- cupy the west room and the small room back of it, with the furniture contained in both, during her life. That it was occupied as an official headquarters during the greater part of the Revohition, is a matter of his- tory on which there is no dispute. The name of "Wharton" is, however, entirely fictitious, and is derived from Cooper's story of "The Spy." No family of that name ever owned or occupied the premises. As stated above, Cornelius Van Wyck, the original settler, bequeathed it to his son Cornelius. From him it descended to his son Isaac, who was born, spent his life and died there, and bequeathed it to his son Isaac I., and he in turn to his son Sidney E. He died childless in 1883, and the old homestead passed into the hands of Mr. David Hustis, who owns it at the present time. Isaac I. Van Wyck be- queathed the southerly part of his farm to his son Joseph J., and on his death, in February of last year, it passed to his son Joseph J., who now holds it. Another and larger portion of the original purchase a little fur- ther down the valley, but adjoining the above, belongs to Mr. Jacob G. Van W^yck, another descendant of the fifth generation from the original set- tler, being a grandson of Mr. Corne- lius C. Van Wyck. Across the road from the old head- quarters was the camp of the troops. their barracks extending for a quarter of a mile to the foot of the mountain. On a knoll in the camp grounds stands the black walnut tree which, during the time the troops were quartered here, was used as a whipping-post where deserters and tories were pun- ished with the lash. This tree is fully six feet in diameter at the base, and the iron rings to which the cul- prits' hands wore tied have long been overgrown and hidden from sight. Directly in front of the old mansion across the little brook whose crystal waters come purling down from the mountain, is the old burying-ground where hundreds of brave men who, in the midst of privation and suflfering which we shudder to think of, gave their lives for their country, lie in unmarked and unhonored arraves. The Cold Spring Recorder says: A traveler, just at the close of the Rev- olution, was crossing the Fishkill mountains at the time when it took a hatful of Continental money to buy a breakfast. He had no money, but he had a copy of a famous little book, one of the earliest printed books in America, called "The New England Primer," which contained the shorter catechism of the Scotch Church. It was a little book, but it had pictures with rhymes, such as "In Adam's fall we sinned all." He counted out a numl)er of these pages after eating his breakfast, and handed them to the old lady who served him. She didn't know much about reading, but she took them, looked at them closely, spelled out a few pious words, and said: "That's right; I am so glad that Congress has at last got some money with a little religion on it." ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 149 From the Fishkill Weekly Times of Oct. 21, 1885. Fishkill in the Olden Time. Our friend Mr. John B. Jones, of New Hackensack, contributes to our Columns some interesting anecdotes of "ye olden time," which we pz'int below : Having heard from my grandmother a few incidents of the olden time, I thought perhaps they might be inter- e.sting to your readers. About the year 1760 Benjamin Roe bought of Samuel Verplanck a tract of land near Myers' Corner, now divi- ded into five farms. The country then was almost a wilderness, a few fami- lies of Indians living still in the neigh- borhood. Mr. Iloe built a residence, which is still standing, and is now owned and occupied b}"^ James H. Kent. One acre of land was paid for by Mrs. Roe knitting a pair of stock- ings fof Mrs. Verplanck. On one occasion a squaw, who had a wigwam near by, came to the house, having some young Indians with her. As there was a number of cats and kittens around, Mrs. Roe asked the children if they would like one. They said "Yes," and she gave one to them. They immediately took it to the wood- pile and cut off its head with an ax, and when their mother came out one of them held the kitten up by its hind legs and said, "Have some good braw to-morrovv." During the Revolutionary War the Roe family were loyal to the country, and one night a company of tories took possession of the house for the piirpose of plunder. They tied the old man to the bed, and made his daughter Ruth pilot them around the bouse. Mr. Roe had at that time a con siderable amount of silver money in the house, which he intended to pay on his farm, and it is supposed that some of the men were aware of that fact. While they were searching the house they examined the chest which contained it, but did not lind it, as the chest had a double bottom. The daughter, who was afterwards my grandmother, had a gold ring on her finger, which she slipped into her mouth. One of the men, taking hold of her hand, wanted to know what had become of the ring? She had silver buckles on her shoes, which they appropriated. One of the men said, "There used to be two watches hanging over that mantel-piece; what has become of them?" The watches belonged to the two sons, who were away at tliat time and had the walches with them. The men found a small amount of Continental money, which they took, saying it would be of no use to them, but they could give it to some of their friends. Grandmother thought she knew one of the men, althoiigh they wore masks, and she called him by name; but he said she was mistaken. However, some time after the war one of my grandmother's cousins was at a party on the other side of the river, and this man's sister was one of the company, having silver buckles on her shoes. This cousin said to her, "You have my cousin Ruth's liuckles on your shoes." The girl commenced crying, and said she "couldn't help what her brother had done." Grandmother said she kept the men as long as she could, hoping that some of the colored people would manage to get word to the soldiers who were quartered at that time near by, at the house then owned by a Mr. Schenck, 150 ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. now occupied by Mrs. P. Flagler. A short distance from Mr. Roe's house was a log-cabin occupied by their slaves, the man named Ish and his wife Nan. When Nan was asked why she did not put her husband out of the back window and send word to the soldiers, she said she was afraid they would kill Ish. In the year 1782 my grandfather Abraham Sleight married Ruth Roe in this house, the ceremony be.ing performed by the Rev. Isaac Rys- dyck. who came from Holland, and was at that time pastor of the Re- formed Dutch churches of Pough- keepsie, Fishkill, Hopovvell, and New Hackensack, preaching in the Dutch language. He served as such pastor for twenty-iive years until his dealh. and was buried under the pulpit of the church at New Hactkensack. J. B. Jones. From tlie Fislikill Weekly Times of Feb. -t, IKsn. Revolutionary lleiniuisoencos. Mr. Editor: You ask for incidents of Revolutionary times. I will give you some that I remember hearing when a boy, from the actors in those scenes. My grandfather, Abraham Sleight, was a soldier of the Revolu- tion. This is the only story of his that I now remember, perhaps be- cause it was the most striking one. He was once struck by a spent can- non ball. It hit him below the knee, but did not break his leg. He could show that he received the wound when facing the British, as the skin in front, below the knee, was calloused to the bone. He secured the ball and kept it as a relic of the times. I remember seeing it; it was about the size of a large orange. An old colored woman, living near the New Hackensack church, used to tell about seeing, when she was a girl, Gen. Burgoyne's army, after his surrender, pass along the road as pris- oners of war on their way south. She said they passed over the hill where Dr. Underbill now lives, and down by Fishkill village. An old man worked on the farm for my father who went by the name of Hush (pronounced Hoosh) Haines. He said his true name was Godfrey, but when he was a small boy his father one day sent him to a neigh- bor's to get some bush beans to plant. When he got there he had forgotten the name, but asked for "hush" beans. After that he was always called Hush Haines. At the time Burgoyne's army passed he was a young man, living with his father in the old stone house now occupied by Mrs. Charlock, on the Hopewell road. Uncle Hush, as we all called him, said that on that day he was away from home with his father's horses, and did not get home until in the night, and it was very dark. The wagon-house was opposite the house, close to the road. Going into the wagon-house to hang up his harness, he stumbled and fell over something, and reaching down to find out what it was, he passed his hand over the cold face of a dead man. Hush said he never was so frightened in his life. The harness did not get hung up, but he got out as rapidly as possible. He did not know that Bur- goyne's army had passed along the road that day. The next morning he heard that one of the soldiers had been accidentally killed and laid in the wagon-house as the army was passing. That winter the other stone house ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. 151 down at the end of the lane was the headquarters of Gen. Lafayette and stafi'. Hush said he had seen the French officers go out ou the swamp near the road, cut holes in the ice, run spears down in the mud, and pull out frogs on the spears. They pre- ferred frogs to quail or rabbits, which were plenty in the swamps at that time. Hush said the officers had great sport hunting for the frogs. It seems that eating frogs is not a new thing for Frenchmen. Uncle Hush used to tell one story with great gusto, in which he was the hero. He said the tories and cow- boys used to steal the farmers' cattle and horses, and run them into the British lines, down near AVhite Plains, in Westchester county. Col. Brinck- erhoft' then lived in the house now oc- cupied by Mr. Matthew V. B. Binncker- hoff. The Colonel had a valuable team of horses, and to prevent them from being stolen he kept them in the house cellar, at the north end of the house. In the day time the door was not fastened, bnt at night it was bolted and barred on the inside. The Colo- nel slept in a room directly over the horses, and kept his musket loaded and primed standing by his bed near the window, so that he could point the gun out and fire at a moment's warning. Hush had heard him say that he would give any man a hun- dred dollars that could steal the horses out of the cellar in the night. One hundred dollars was more mon- ey than Hash had ever seen in his life. He thought he Vv'ould take the chances for that hundred. One day he managed to get into the cellar and hide himself without being seen by any one. He laid low and kept still. It was a common thing at that time for old men to take their toddy for a "night-cap," in order to sleep well. Hush did not move until he was sure all in the house were sound asleep. He could tell by the snore over his head that the '-night-cap" was work- ing like a charm. He then knew jnst how to go to work to get the door open and not make any noise. Then he untied the horses and led them very carefully out through the yard and into the road. He then stopped and listened, but heard no sound. He was on good terms with the old dog, who would not bark at liim. He then mounted one of the horses, and, lead ing the other, soon had them in his father's stable. The next morning his father was out early, and going as iisual to the stable to see if his own horses were safe, saw the other horses and knew them. He came back to the house and went to the stairs and sang out: "Hush! do you know how Colonel Brinckerhoir's horses got in our stable?" "I put 'em in." "You did'?" "Yes, sir." "Come right down, then, and take them home in a hurry!" Hush said he got up, started down, but did not take the horses. When he got to the Colonel's house the Col- onel was out on the front stoop tear- I ing around in a great rage, and giv- ' ing orders to have the neighbors all notitied to start out in pursuit of the thief and horses. Hush modestly asked the Colonel what was the mat- ter? The answer was: "My horses have been stolen!" "Colonel, didn't you say if any one could get your horses out of that eel- 152 ADDITIONAL APPENDIX. lar you would give him a hundred dollars?" "Yes— what if I did?" "If you will give me that hundred dollars I will return the horses." "How can you do it?" "The horses are up in our stable." "Did you get them horses out last night?" "Yes, sir." "Well, now, Hush, you go home and bring tbe horses back." Hush said he took them home and tied them in the cellar. He never re- ceived the hundred dollars, but got a new suit of clothes. Edgak Sleight. predict; but if the growth of the na- tion in intelligence and virtue keeps pace with the advances of science and wealth, our favored land will soon occupy a proud position at the head of all the nations of the earth. Let every boy and girl who reads this little book, and learns something of the privations our fathers endured to give them the grand heritage they possess, resolve to do their part to preserve and promote our glorious institutions to THE END. Our Nation's Progress, A.bout one hundred and ten years have elapsed since the thirteen Amer- ican colonies commenced their strug- gle for national independence. Dur- ing this short period, compared with the usual life of nations, our country j has grown and increased at a rate never witnessed on this planet before. An energetic and enterprising people, possessing a land abounding in re sources, enjoying the blessing of peace at home and abroad, might well be expected to grow in greatness; yet our advancement has vastly exceeded the most sanguine expectations of the founders of our government, and astonished the other nations of tbe world. Our system of government, which wise men considered weak and lacking the elements of perpetuity, has stood the test of time and carried us safely and triumphantly through one of the greatest civil wars to which a nation was ever subjected. What the future of this land will be, the wildest dreamer cannot now Bartholdi's Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World, erected on Bedloe's Island, New York Harbor. ^ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 008 893 539 1 1