American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1827-02-27
From the Nelo Fork Times.

NioI' FAoiS, a. klseh Ot 1o. van w art 10 MT.
1 browere, under theimpression that David Williams
was deceased. ! now place at your disposal an ac-
count as given by David Williams, The other sur
yIvor, who, to use his own words, has been stkiL-
lea three times" from which, ii you think il advise.
able you can publish some extracts, or the whole,
as you think proper.
II was not procured for publication, yet sir. as
the generous veteran has given his consent, can
hardly refrain from ring it for insertion in your
paper. Your. respectfully.
Jan. 3lst, 1897.
=. ..s As to The narrative you request,
cannot materially add TO the already given
by my cOmrade and cousin, Col. Van Wart.
can tell II little more fully, and you spress
wish TO know it, will give it mnutely. The fol,
lowing is correct account:
The transactions are as fresh in my recoec-
ton at this day they were the hour that unio,,u
nate and elegant man upon the scsfod to render
up his life in expiaoD to the injured laws OF
infant country. 1t is great error, which find
most people have adopted that Paudlng, Van Wart
and myself, were OF the regular army-such is not
the iact. We were neither OF as enlisted soldiers,
but had at oil times volunteered and at different
times were engaged in skirmishes-pltched battles
we're not much in fashion at that day--and our glo
rious commander understood and valued too much
the interest Of his country to risk his small army
against the united forces Of British and tories
Thus at all times from the year 75 to the year 80
wr were kind OF standing corps OF yoluneers.-
4 When an alarm was given, we went At the time
referred to by Col. Van Wsrt, We were out Of
business" and having heard that tories, refugees,
BIC. frequently passed to the enemy with cattle,
left our homes OF our own accord, which was TWEEN
" miles from Tarytown, between two and three
O'Clock in the afternoon, with guns. seven Of US
in company, to wit, John Paulding, Isaac Van
Wart, John Yerks, William Williams William
Pauding, (brother to John,) James Romer, and
my self. And let it be expressly understood that
this expedition was Of our own panning and that
we at that time under the command oi no per-
s9n whatever. We travelled together as tar as
John Anderson's, fifteen miles from where start
cd at which place arrived at about nine or ten
O'Clock in the evening--that night we slept IN his
hay barrack. In the morning we LEFT our lodging
and procee eded towards Tsryytown AT Davis Hill,
Psuld,ng Vsn Wart, and myself, agreed to 60 near
Tarrytown, and lie in wait while the other four stad
at Davis Hill to watch, as the road parts at that
place. We therefore proceeded, and at the
!" White Wood Tree" half mile north OF Tarry-
a town. we stopped, and having previously procured
j, pack OF cards. we went into the bushes abou,
twenty rods from the said "tree," and commenc-
cd playing cards. While playing. number o
people pasxed whom we knew and oil course did
not molest. | should think i, not more than
three quarters of an hour alter We had seated our
selves and though, search fruitless. before we
heard a horse pass the small bridge about fifteen
Il rods from where we were. at brisk pace. Either
! y Paudinp or Van Wsrt, I do not recollect which
:, said /" here comes trader Upon this sprana
e up and resumed our arms and stopped hint
L was Andre on horseback. He accosted US in this
n way, My lads, hope you belong to our party
We asked which psrtyp'' He said the lower
n party.'' We said We do" He then said, " am
n British officer, have been in the country on par
,icuar business, and would not wish to be detained
= = a moment; and token to let you know that
d am gentleman here is my gold watch which hs
showed, and an elegant one it was We then told
af him we were Americans. He replied, God bies
y nv soul, man must do any thing now.n days
7 FL then pulled out pass from Arnold We toll
Of him that would enable him TO pass, as he was
i prisoner and must dismount. We then took hin
,e down in the bushes, about 20 rods, and was tn
nne appointed 10 search, while the other two tool
care the one OF his horse, and the other az guard
| commenced my search by taking on his hat, mex
his coat and vest, and then his small clothes, ant
= found nothing. To all Of this he quietly submit
ted. then told him he must sit down and wou
take off his boots. pulled of his boot, and as i
came of, Pauldng said " here 'tis." do not re
collect that at this time, he changed countenance
all, or showed the least symptoms oi iear-his Who'll
conduct was that OF gentleman. tie then said
now you've got all" We then told him TO drcs
and go with us-he did--we took him across th
road towards Davis hill-wc had gone something
like ten rods, when asked him where he go
those papers he said he got them at Lines bridge
Of q man." We asked him who the man was
He said he did not know. He then made US offers
he told us if we would let him 60, he would Civ
vs. one thousand guineas, his horse, saddle and brl
N. Our answer is known, He then told US. h
would give US ten thousand guneas, and as man.
dry goods as we would name, and to make 1t sur
we might deposi'e him as hostage in any piac
we pleased, until the goods and gold were delivers