The native American., 1838-05-12


duced to a mortifyng condition, if the resistance
to the undertaking compelled him to inform the
general that he must recur to some other corps to
i provide an agent to execute this necessary and
/ bold enterprise.
i He entreated the sergeant to ask himself what
must be the sensations Of his comrades, if sol
dier from some other corps should execute the en-
terprise; when they should be told that the glory
transferred to the regiment of which he was one
might have been enjoyed by the legion, had not
S,rgeant Champe shrunk from the overures
| made to him by his general, rather than reject
/ scrupes too narrow and confined to be permitted
10 interfere with grand and virtuous deeds The
esprit du corps could not be resisted, and, united
| to his inclination, it subdued his prejudices, and
| he declared his willingness to conform to the
wishes of the general; relying, as he confidently
ibid, that his reputation would be protected by
4 those who had induced him to undertake the en-
terprise, should he be unfortunate i'm the attempt
The instructions were read to him, and every
distinct object presented plainly to his view, OF
which he took notes so disguised as to be under
stood only by himself He was particularly eau
toned to use the utmost circumspection in de-
llivering his letters, and to take care to withhold
| from the two individuals addressed under feigned
names, knowledge of each other;' for although
both had long been in the confidence Of the ge-
| neral, yet it was not known by one that the other
was SO engaged.
| He was further urged to bear in constant re-
collection the solemn injunctlons so pointedy eX-
pressed in the instructions to Major Lee, of for
bearing to kill Arnold in any condition of things.
This part of the business being finished the
major and sergeant's deliberations were turned to
| the manner of the latter's desertion; for it was
well known to both, that to pass the numerous
patrols Of horse and foot crossing from the sta
tionary guards was itself difficult, which was now
rendered more so by parties thrown occasionally
beyond the place called Liberty Pole, as well as
by swarms of regulars, induced sometimes to
venture down to the very point at Paulus Hook,
with the hope of picking up booty. Evidently
discernible as were the difficulties in the way, no
relief could be administered by Major Lee, lest it
might induce belief that he was prvy to the
desertion, which opinion getting to the enemy
would involve the life Of Champe. The sergeant
was left to his own resources and to his own
management, with the declared determination,
that in case his departure should be discovered
before morning, Lee would take care to delay
pursuit as long was practicable.
! Giving to the sergeant three guineas, and pre-
senting his best wishes he recommended him to
start without delay, and enjoined him to commu-
nicate his arrival in New York as soon thereaf-
Il
his watch, compared it with the majors, remind
ling the latter Of the importance Of holding back
pursuit, which he was convinced would take
Fl place in the course of the night and which NIGH
be fatal, as he knew that he should be obliged to
zigzag in order to avoid the patrols, which would
consume time. 1t was now nearly eleven. The
sergeant returned to camp, and, taking his cloak,
valse and orderly book, he drew his horse from
the picket, and, mounting him, put himself upon
fortune. Lee, charmed with his expeditions con
summation of the first part of the enterprise, re-
tired 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 upon the major, and, with con-
siderable emotion, told him that one of the patrol
had fallen in with dragoon, who, being chal-
lenged, put spur to his horse, and escaped,
though instantly pursued Lee, complaining OF
the interruption, and pretending to be extremely
fatigued by his ride to and from headquarters,
! answered as 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 patrol sufci-
emily distinguished him as to know that he was a
dragoon; probably, from the army; if not, GER
! talnly one OF our own. This idea was rldlculed,
from its improbabity, as during the whole war
but single dragroon had deserted from the le-
gion. This did not convince Carnes, so much
stress was it now the fashion 10 lay on the deser-
ton of Arnold, and the probable effect of his ex-
ample. The captain Withdrew to examine the
squadron of horse, whom he had ordered to as
semble in pursuance of established usage on SINH
lar occasions. Very quickly he returned, stating
that the scoundrel was known, and was no less a
person than the sergeant major, who had gone off
with his horse, baggage, arms, and orderly book;
so presumed, as neither the one nor the other
could be found. Sensiby affected at the suppos-
ed baseness of soldier extremely respected, the
I captain added that he had ordered party to make
ready for pursuit, and begged the majors written
orders.
Occasionally this discourse was 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 to leave camp with view to personal
pleasure; an example, said Lee, too often set by
The officers themselves, destructive as it was of
discipline, opposed as it was to orders, and dis
astrous as it might prove to the corps in the
4 course Of service.
=.