Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1843-07-14
JOHN WISE
From the q I'VE Branch.
friend,

IOuI lHt ~ I've u uuCUs
REVOLUTIONARY ANECDOTE
MesSrs Editors: The 'olowIng his
tory OF William Bancratl IN revourroD-
AIRY days, may be read by some Wi h sat-
lsIactlon, and is worthy to be kept IN
remembrance among the noble deeds OF
those times. il was related ~ me some
wears since by Mr.. Bancralt, a snghl
notice Of which find in Gordon's HIslo
~ Of the American Revolution
When on tour To The Nest. | met
with the subject Of This treatise al UIca
N. Y The grateful remembranre oI
the soldiers OF The RevolulIon, by our
country, became The subject oil con'er-
salion. Alter there had been an inter-
change oil opinion among US. Mr. Ban
crall observed that he had applied Ia
Congress tor pension, bul owing TO the
circumstance that his name was stricken
of The roll before he had served nine
months. 10 serve Gen Washington IN a
more hazardous relation, he cou d moi
obtain It though he thought his cIrcum
Stances and MS claims Tor consideration
were as great as any soldiers. Hr
then related the following history ol his
ite:-
IT was born in Woburn, North OF Bos
ton Al The age OF fourteen was sent to
Boston and put behind lhs counrer, was
warmly attached 10 the whig cause, anO
at the age OF sixteen was oh lged TO leave
town, then ENLISTED IN the army as a
soldier tor three years. studlous y
endeavored 10 understand my duty n
my new relation and thought ! was u
proficient. Bt least, SO much as Other so
dlers, One day, immediately alter
Wsshlngton's arrIve al Broklln,
vas detached by the officer OF the day
among the guard. i so happened, Iha
was placed as senrine before the
Generals quarters al nne O'Clock A.
bou ten cock. the Generals carriage
drove up, which knew as soldier, bu
not as a sentinel. hailed The driver
who comes here2"
He answered. General Washington.
"Who Is General Washington2'
lie replied, The Commander Of The
American Army"
81 don't know him, advance and give
the counterslgn"
The driver put his head within the
carriage, and then came and gave mi
the cOuntersign.
"Tbe counrersrgn is right" replied
Gen Washington can now pass"
The next morning the officer Of th'
guard came to me and said, "Genera
Washing on has commanded me 10 noli
~ you to appear al his quarters precise
Iy at nine O'Clock
"What does he want with mc7"
"l do nol know" replied lhe offi i'er.
10 obedience to ms order. went II
his quarters al the time appointed; bu
my friend was greatly harrased to know
whether had discharged my duly
Alright the night previous. gave rh'
alarm at The door, and servant Ap
peared.
"lnform General Washington, said
'that the person he ordered to his quar-
lers al nine O'Clock s now at the door.
The servant made The report and m
medlstelv came and babe me come in
and conducted me to the Generals room
Whtn entered he addressed me-
"Are YOU the sentinel who stood at mN
door at nine o'clock last night"
"Ycs sir, and endeavored TO do my
duty"
~ wish all tho arry understood it Al
well us you do," SAID The General. Thi
relieved !hs burdsu on my mind
The Gen. then continued, "Can yol
keep a secrelY"
81 can ttv."
care you willing to have your name
struck from The roll Of the army, and er
gage in a secret service al he hazard o
your life. Tor which ! promise you forty
dollars a.monlhF'
~ am willing 10 serve my country il
any way you may think best"
"CaII here precisely al seven O'Clock
this evening and ! will give you arlhel
instruction" "
Ithen retired, and precisely a, seven
o'c ock | returned The Gen presented
me with sealed letter without anv su
prescription. He asked me # had ev
er been on Rvxbury Heights. told