The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-10-10
Revolutionary Anecdotc.


The following history of William Baacorlt in rev.
dictionary days, may be read by with satisfac,
ton, and is worthy to be kept in remembrance a.
mong the noble deeds of those times. 1t was rea.
ted years since by Mr.. Bancroft, slight no.
ticc Of which is Gorion's History of the American
Revolution
"Whcn tour TO the West, met with the sub
ject Of this treatise ut New York The grateful re.
membrance of the soldiers of the revelation by our
country, bee anne the subject Of conversation After
there had been interchange of opinion among us,
Mr. Bancroft observed that he had applied TO Con-
gress for pension, but owing TO the circumstance
that his stricken off the roll before he had
served nine months, 10 serve General Washington in
n more hazardous relation, he could not obtain it;
though he thought his circumstances and his claims
for consideration were great any soldiers. He
then related the following history of his life:
al was born in Woburn north o. Boston. At the
age of IA was sent to Boston and put behind the
counter. was warmly attached TO the wing cause,
and at the age of sixteen was obliged to leave town
then enlisted in the army as a soldier for three years
l sludously endeavored to understand my duty in my
relation, and thought proficient, at least, as
much ether soldiers. One day, Immediately
i
tached by the officer of the day, among the guard
1t so happened that was placed sentinel before
the Generals quarters at 0 o'clock. About 10 o.
clock the Generals carriage drove up which l. knew
soldier but not a sentinel. / hailed the dri-
YER
"Who comes lhere?"
lie answered, 'Geaeral Washington
"Who is General Washington"
He replied, "the Commander of the American Ar
my"
al don't know him; advance and give the counter.
sign"
The driver pu, his head within the carriage and
then came and gave me the countersign
"The countersgn is right" replied, General
Washington pass ~
The next morning the officer of the guard came 10
me and said, General Washington has commanded
me to notify you to appear at his quarters precisely
at o'clock"
"Whnt does he want of mei'
81 don't KNOW replied the officer.
In obedieuce to tins order, went 10 his quarters
at the time appointed; but my mind was greatly har
raised to know whether had discharged my duty
Alright the night previous. gave the alarm the
door and appeared,
''lnform General Washington" said ! 'ihat the
person whom he ordered his quarters at O'Clock,
is at the door,
The servant made the report, and Immediately
came and babe me come u, and conducted me to the
Generals room. When entered he addressed me,
care you the sentinel who stood at my door at
O'Clock, last night!" ...
eyes, sir, and 1 endcavored TO do my duty -
81 wish all the army understood it well as you
40 Al, coli, al,
my mind.
The General then continued, "Can you keep
cren"
81 can try
Are you willing 10 have your name struck from
the roll of the army, and engage in secret service
at the hazard OF your life, for which | prom
Use you forty dollars month";"
81 am willing to serve my country in any way you
think best.'
"Ca hero precisely at seven O'Clock this evening,
apd will give You further instruction.
i then RETIRED and precisely at O'Clock re-
returned. The General presented me with sealed
letter without any superscrpton. fie asked me if
had ever been on Hoxbury Heights. told him had.
and at his request described the level groond the
top. lie gave me the counteIsgn lest should not
lie able to return before the scntnels received it and
on the way converse with one, and il should OBJ
serve any person who appeared to notice me particu
lary not to go the height, until out of his sight
And when had assembled to the height, | must look
round carefully, and If discovered any person, l
must Keep distance from him and suffer one
to take If every thing appeared quiet, must
go to the West side of the plain, there should see
a fat rock which could raise by one hand, and a
round stone about four feet from it, must take the
round stone and place it under the edge of the fla,
rock which woud rnise it high enough 10 put my