The Litchfield County post. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1826-1829, 1828-09-04

twenty seven, (and is now seventy nlne,)
years old. The author of the Spy I'M
masqued gives him the following character
-" Active, athletic, and Injured to hard
ships, he determined not to indulge in in
glorious ease, while his brave countrymen
we're in arms in defence oftheir rights and
liberties, and while persons of every age,
sex and condition, were cheerfully submit
ting to unexampled privations, for the sake
of political freedom. He therefore resum-
ed his knapsack, shouldered his musket, &
once more bidding adieu to the rural
scenes of Kent, (then in Duchess, now in
Putnam CO. he bent his course toward the
head quarters of the American Army"
On his way thither he accidentally fell in
with Tory land knowing there were num-
bers of that class ready to join the enemy
and sacrifice their country, he conceived
the plan ofpenetrating their designs. Ac-
cordingly putting on the mask of friend to
the British, he accompanies the Tory and
is introduced to the secret meetings of d
company forming to join the foes of Amer
lea. After ascertaining their plan of ope-
rations, he found an opportunity Of making
their plots known to the friends of liberty,
and the whole company were surrounded
in their place of rendezvoux and made pri-
soners.
He managed the affair with SO much skill
and adroitness, that on being introduced to
the committee of safety of Westminster CO.
of which the now venerable John Jay was
chairman, Crosby was prevailed on to en-
tor fhn nf
ofjoining it as private soldier.
Accordingly being equipped as country
shoemaker, with his pack OF his back, he
travelled the country seeking for work land
prying into the designs of the enemy. He
soon joined another company Of tories, land
having given information of their place of
rendezvoux and of the time which they
would march and join the British they were
surrounded at night by Townsend's Rang
ers and himself and the rest captured.-
They were conducted to Fishkill and i'm
prisoned, but the committee Of safety, who
were alone in che secret, suffered Crosby
to escape.
He was next employed to cross Hudson
River into Orange co. and penetrate the
designs of the Tories in that part of the
country. After while he ascertained that
there was British officer secretly recruit
ing company for the service ofthe enemy
and that he was conce aled in den in the
highlands near Cornwall; where he was
visited and supplied by certain tories. AZ
ter considerable difficulties, our hero was
successful in ingratiating himself into the
good will of these tories, was introduced to
the British Officer, and joined his compa-
ny.
A night was fixed for general muster in
the barn of a farmer, located in the mount
aims, previous to marching. The attend
ance was punctual and full, and Crosby, a.
mong the rest, answered to his name, and
was read to march. But before the hour
arrived for their departure, the barn was
surrounded by Townsend's Rangers, and
every individual taken prisoner. Crosby
had been successful in communicating pre-
else information to the friends ofliberty, 81
Townsend's Rangers, which were famous
at that time for their bravery and quick
movements, had been ordered to cross the
river and ferret out this den oftories. Mai
Townsend recognised Crosby who had be-
fore been his prisoner and escaped, but not
being in the secret, he was determined he
should not again elude his vigilance, and
therefore shackled him with irons, and u.s.
ed him roughly. The prisoners we're con-
Quoted to Newburgb, taken across the riv-
er, into Duchess county and there impris-
oned. Crosby was separated from the rest
and strongly guarded. But by means of
opium, administered by female, the guard
were put to sleep, and the prisoner escap-
ed.
He was then directed to retire to the ia
mily ola Dutchman on Whappenger's Ri
yer, work at his trade, and wait for furth-
or orders under an assumed name. When
he afterwards had a conference with the
Committee of safety at Fishkill, he was d.
rected to 60 to a place little to the N. E.
called Hopewell, "there to enquire for DR..
Miller, who kept small retail druggist
shop, where one of the Committee would
meet him in the afternoon
He accordingly repaired to the place APP
pointed and was informed by sprightly
smiling female, that the Doctor was absent
She added, if you wish any article from
the shop sir, / think can wait upon you
| r.