Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-12-20


imbedded in one of his window shutters
which was lodged there on that fatal night
thrty-five years previous.
Among the many who visited this prison
forty years ago, ] one day observed tall,
thin, but respectable looking gentleman, on
whose head was a cooked hat-an article
not entirely discarded in those days-and a
few dozen snow-whiie hairs gathered behind
and tied with black ribbon. On his arm
hung-not badge, or a cane, nor a dagger :
hut handsome young lady, who learned
from him was his daughter, whom he had
brought two hundred miles to view the
place Of her fathers sufferngs He walked
erect. and had about him something of
military air. Being strangers | asked them
in; aud before we parted heard
THE HISTORY OF THE PRISONER.
When the Americans he began, had
possession Of Fort Washington, on the
North River--it being the only post they
held at the time on York Island--I belong
ed to company of light infantry, stationed
there on duty The American army having
reireated from N. York. Sir William Howe
determined to reduce that garrison to the
subsection Of the British if possible. Our
detachment at that time was short Of pro-
visions, and as General Washington was at
Fort Lee, il was difficult matter TO supply
ourselves from the distance without the haz-
ard Of inlercepton from the enemy. There
( lived on the turnpike, within mile Of our
post, a Mr J. B. This man kept store
well supplied with provisions and groceries,
and contriyed to keep himself neutral, SELL
ing TO both parties; but he was strongly sus-
pected Of favoring the British, by giving
them information, &c.
Some Of our officers resolved to satisfy
themselves and if they found their suspi-
cions Just, they thought il would be no harm
to make prize of his stores, especially as
the troops were much in need Of them
From prisoners, and clothes stripped from
the slain we had always a supply Of British
uniforms for officers and privates. Accord
ingly three Of our officers put on red coats
and walked TO friend BIS, where they soon
| found the color other uniforms was pass
port TO his best wines As the glass went
round his royal ideas began to shoot forth
in loyal toasts and sentiments. Our officers
being now sure Of their man, was one Of a
party who went with wagons, and every thing
necessary TO ease him OF his stores.
On the following evening, that matters
might pass quietly, we put on the British u
informs. Arriving at the house, we inform
ed Mr. B. that the army was in want Of all
his store, but we had no time TO make an
inventory, being afraid we might be inter-
cepted by the Americans but he must
make out his bill from memory, carry it TO
the commissary at N. York aud get his pa,.
The landlord looked rather serious at this
wholesale mode Of doing business, but, as
the wagons were loading up, he found re-
monstrance would be in vain. In less than
an hour his whole stock OF eatabes and
drinkables were on the road to Fort Wash
ington. BY the direction we took he sus-
pected the trick, and alarmed the oulposts
Of the British army. In fifteen minutes we
heard the sound OF their horses hoofs thun-
dering along behind us but they were too
late, and we got in safe. He got his revenge,
however; for in three days thereafter our
fortress was stormed, by Gen. Kniphausen
on the north, General Matthews and Lord
CORVALLIS on the east, and Lords Percy and
Sterling on the SOUTH So fierce and sue
cessful was the attack, that twenty-seven
hundred of US were taken prisoners, and
numbers of them, with myself, marched to
N. York and lodged in Crown street [now
Liberty street, sugar house.
1T is impossible he continued, 'to des-
cribe the horrors Of this prison. II was like
a healthy man being tied 10 putrid carcass
l made several attempts to escape, but al
ways failed, and at last began TO yield to de-
spair. caught the jail fever, aud was nigh
unto death. At this time | became ac-
quaiuted with young man among the pris-
oners, the Indebtedness of whose lot tended
by comparison to alleviate my own. He
was brave, intelligent and kind Many a
long and weary night he sat by the side OF
my bed Of straw, consoling my sorrows, and
beguiling the dreary hours with his interest
ing history. He was the only child of his
wealthy aud doting parents, and had receiv-
ed liberal education but despite their
cries aud tears, he run to the help of his
country agains, the mighty He had never
heard from his parents since the day he left
their roof They lay near his heart, but
there was ONE whose image was craven
there as with the point of diamond. He,
too, had the fever in his turn; and ! then,
as much as in me lay, paid back to him my
debt OF gratitude. MY friend he would
say to me, if you survive this deadly hole,
promise me you will 60 to the town Of H..
Tell my parents and Eliza, | persisted here
a captive, breathing the most iervent pray
ers for their happiness tried to cheer
him by hope, feeble as il was. Tell me
not, he would say, 'of the hopes Of re-un-
ion; there is only one world where the ties
Of affection will never break aud there,
through the merits of Him who was taken