Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1843-06-28
From tho Olive Branch
;REYoLU TIoNARY ANECDoTE

MESszS EDIroRs: The following his
tory OF william Bancraft in revolution
airy ays,maf bo read by some with sat.
1siaction, and is worthy TO be kept in re.
memorance among the noble deeds Of
those times. Ii was related 10 nae some
years since by MIR Bancraft, a slight no
tlce OF which find in Gordan's History
oil the American Revolution.
when on tour TO the West, | met
with the subject of'this treatise at Utica,
IN I. The grateful remembrance OF
the soldiers of the Revolution, by our
country, became the subject Of CONVEX.
sation. Af;er there had been an inter
change Of opinion among US, Mr. Ban
craft observed that he had applied TO
Congress for pension, but owing to he
circumstance that his name was stricken
off the roll before he hau served nine
months, TO serve Gen. Washington in a
more hazardous relation, he could not
obtain 1t; though he'thought his circum.
stances and his claims for cor. sideration
were as great as any soldiers. He then
related the following history OF his
Rfe.--
-'1 was born in Woburn, north OF Bos.
ton. At the age Of fourteen was sent to
Boston and put behind The counter,I was
warmly attached to the Wing cause and
at the age OF sixteen was Obliged 80 leave
town. ! then enlisted in the army as a
soldier for three years. studiously en-.
oeaVored to understand my duty in my
new relation, and thought was a prof
Gent, at least,so much as other soldiers
tine day, Immediately after Washing
tons arrival at Brookline, was detach-
ed by the officer Of the day among the
guard. IL so happened, that | was PLACID
as sentinel before the General S quar-
ters at nine O'Clock. About ten o'clock,
the Generals carriage drove up, which
l knew as solder, but not as a sentinel.
hailed the driver
who comes there9
He answered, General Washington
who is Gen. Washington?
He replied, 'The Commander OF the
American Army
4 don't know him; advance and give
the co1ntersigu.'
The driver put his head within the
carriage, and then came and gave me
the counte rsign.
The countersign is right | replied
zen Washington can now pass
The next morning the officer of the
guard came 10 me and said Sen. Wash
lngton has commanded me to notify YOU
TO appear at his quarters precisely al
nine o'clock.
what does he want with me?'
do not know replied the officer.
D., In ODE Hence to this order, I went tc
h's quarters at the lime appointed; but
my friend was greatly harrasscd TO know
whether had discharged nv duty
Alright the night previous. rave the
alarm at he door and a servant appear.
ed.
Inform General Washington said |
that the person he ordered to his quar-
tiers at nine O'Clock is now at the door
The servant made the report, and i'm.
nedIately came and babe me come in
and conducted me to the Generals room
when entered he addressed me-
are YOU the sentinel who s'ood at nv
door al nine o'clock last nightr
duty - ~ my
wish all the army understood il rs
well as you do said the General. This
relieved The burden on my mind.
p. The Gen. then continued, Can vo,,
keep a secretP
Il can try
'Areyou willing 10 have your name
Struck from the roll Of the army, and en-
gage IN n secret service at the hazard Of
your life, for which promise YOU forty
dollars a month";
am willing 10 serve my country in
any way you may think best
Gall here precisely at seven O'Clock
this evening and | will give you farther
instruction.
then retired, and precisely at seven
O'Clock returned. The General present.
60 me with sealed letter without anv
suPerscription. lie asked ma If M
ever been on Roxbury Heights. told
N MN l hed,and at his request | described
the level ground on the top. lie gave
me the eountersign lest should not be
able 10 return before the sentineIs rs.
ceiVed as and on the way converse with
no one, and endeaVor not 10 pass anv
person q possible and if should observe
any person, who appeared to notice me
Particularly, not to 60 on the height m.
~ Out 9f his sight. Add when lad AZ.
'cended 10 the height, must look rouna
carefully AID u discovered ang ner.or
4 must keep az a distances from lin .nJ
soHer no one TO take me. Ifeverythioo
appeared 70 Do quist must 20 70 The
west side Of the plain, there should &C.
a nat rock which could raise with one
hahd and round stone about four Zee,
from q; must take the round stone and
place q under the edge Of the Cat roek
which would raise u HIGH enough IN -,