American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1825-06-10

ito execute project so tempting to the brave, b
considered himself and corps highly honored ant
hat he should consider himself reduced to morti
p Tying condition, If the resistance to the undertaking
81 compelled him to inform the general that he mus
recur to some other corps to provide agent to
d ecuse this necessary and bold enerprize
"He entreated the sergeant to ask himself VIVA
must be the sensations of his comrades, If soldier
iron some other corps should execute the enter
prize, when they should be told that the glory trans
Iferred 10 the regiment of which he was one, mig Ii
have been enjoyed by the legion, had NOT sergean
Champe shrunk from the overture made to him b,
his general, rather than reject scruples too narrow
and confined to be permitted to interfere with grant
and vrtuous deeds. The esprit du corps could mol
be resisted, and united to his nclination it subduet
his preludices and he declared his willingness to
conform to the wishes of the general relying, as
he confidently did, that his reputation would be pro
Itected by those who had induced him to undertake
the enterprise, should he be unfortunate in The at
tempt.
1 The instructions we're read to him, and every
distinct object presented plainly 10 his view, of which
he took notes so disguised to be understood only
10y himself. He was particularly cautioned TO use
the utmost crcumspection in delivering his letters,
and to take care to withhold from the two indvidu-
ais, addressed under feigned names, knowledge of
each other tor though both had long been in the
confidence OF the general, yet it was not known by
one that the other was so engaged.
" lie was further urged, TO bear in constant recol.
lection the solemn injunction poinledly expressed
in the instructions 10 Major Lee, of forbearing to
kill Arnold in any condition of things.
this part of the business being finished, the
majors and sergeant's elaboration were turned to
the manner OF the latters desertion for it was well
known to both, that to pass the numerous pattoles
| OF horse and foot crossing from the stationary
guards, was itself difficult, which was now rendered
more so by parties thrown occasionally beyond the
place called Liberty Pole, as we'll as by swarms OF
irregulars, induced sometimes to venture down 10
the very point of Paulus' Hook with The hope of
picking up booty. Evidently discernibIe as were
the difficulties in the way, no relief could be admin
stered by Major Lee, lest it might induce belief
that he was privy to the desertion, which opinion
getting to the enemy would involve The life Of
ChamPe. The sergeant was left to his own resour.
ces and to his own management, with the declared
determination that in his departure should be
discovered before morning, Lee would take care to
delay pursuit as long as was practicable.
Giving to the sergeant three guneas, and pre-
senting his best wishes, he recommended him to
start without delay, and enjoned him to commun-
cate his arrival in New York soon thereafter as
might be practicable. Champe pulling out his
watch compared it with the majors, reminding the
latter of the importance of holding back pursuit,
which he was convinced would take place in the
course of the night, and which might be fatal, as he
knew that he should be obliged to zigzag in order
| to avoid the patroles, which would consume time.
1t was now nearly eleven. The sergeant returned
to camp, and taking his cloak valice and orderly
book, he drew his horse from the picket, and mount
ing him put himself on fortune. lee charmed with
his expeditions contamination of the first part Of
the enterprise, retired TO rest. Useless attempt !!
the past scene could not be obliterated and, indeed
had that been practicable, the interruption which
ensued would have stopped repose.
/" Within half an hour Captain Carnes, officer of
the day, waited the major, and with considerable
emotion told him that one of the patroe had fallen
in with dragon, who, being challenged put spur
to his horse, and escaped, though instantly pursued
Lee complaining of the interruption, and pretend
ing 10 be extremely fatgued by his ride to and from
head quarters, answered if he did not understand
what had been said, which compelled the captain to
repeat it. Who can the fellow that was pursued be
inquired the major; adding, countryman, proba-
bly,. No, replied the captain, the patrole sufficiently
distinguished him to know that he was dragon !;
probably one from the army, if not certainly of
our own. This idea was ridculed from its impro-
liability, as during the whole war but single dra-
goon had deserted from the legion. This did not
convince Carnes, so much stress was it now the FASH
ion to lay on the deserton of Arnold, and the pro
bable effect OF his example. The captain withdrew
TO examine the squadron of horse, whom he had
ordered to assemble in pursuance of established
usage on similar occasions Very quickly he re
turned, stating that the scoundre was known, and
was no less person than the sergeant major, who
was gone oft with his horse, baggage, arms and or
derby book,-so presumed, as neither the one nor
the other could be found. Sensibly affected at the
supposed baseness of soldier extremely respected,
the captain added that he had ordered party to
make ready for pursuit, and begged the majors
written orders.
occasionally this discourse YVES interrupted, and
every idea suggested which the excellent character
of the sergeant warranted, to induce the suspicion
that he had not deserted, but had taken the liberty