The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-10-05

prdctdDllltY oil aDuucllllS lIie great Ameflc
leader from his winter quarters at Morrisiown
and each one eagerly pledged himself 10 the
enterprise So favorably did The harangue
of Hayner strike his reckless companions,
and SO perfectly feasible did they regard his
adventurous scheme, that they were at once
ripe for action.
In truth. the capture Of Washington might
not have been impracticable, if undertaken
with proper caution by the right sort of men,
His quarters at that time were in the house
now occupied by Judge Ford, lying about a
mile east of the American camp. and nearly
half a mile on the east ofNew York side OF
the village The town being Immediately be-
tween the camp and the Generals quarters
His house stood alone. not within hearing
distance of the nearest neigbbor, and could
be approached from the direction oil New
York under cover Of wood which extended
to within about hundred yards, OF the dwell
ling. Ordinarily two sentinels in front and
two in the rear paraded day and night, but
during the season of which we are speaking
and which was long remembered as the hard
winter the bitterness OF the cold and the i'm
mense falls of snow, frequently measuring
seven or eight feet in debth, compelled every
living thing TO seek shelter, and at the same
time induced a persuasion ofperiect security.
The sentineIs felt that there was but little
need Of holding their eyes waking, when The
very elements defended them and threw up
breastworks on all sides, against the invaders
o. their quarters At such times a mere
handful of enterprising and determined TEL
lows, would have found it no impracticable
undertaking TO seize the American General
and carry him over 10 New York. The ex
act situation Of things in the American army
YVES constantly reported by the refugees. in
the British camp, and il was upon information
thus obtained thai Hayner had based the
project which he had now announced TO his
comrades.
The daring enterprise being determined
upon, the necessary preparations were al
once commenced, and the mode ofproceedIng
discussed. The party, made up on the spot
consisted oil twelve. and Hayner was chosen
leader. A guide was now all that was nee
essary, and Bonilace offered 10 procure one
who was familiar with The routeto Morristown
The party then separated for their several
quarters. 10 meet the following evening for
further consultation.
Let US avail ourselves OF the interval 10
take a view o. the American forces in their
winter quarters at Morristown, at the time
10 which our story belongs.
will remember that Immediately back OF the
Court House abruptly rises quite lofty hill,
which ranges of 10 the west. and presents the
appearance ola mountain barrier The Anne
dcan encampment was upon the summit OF
this hill, and extended between two and Tire
miles weslward-some remains of which are
still found there. This winIer. as we have
already remarked, was distinguished as 'ihe
hard winter and the condition Of the troops
was truly piiiable. The journal OF on officer
who partook Of the suierings of that terrible
season, says q: I'VE find as yet no relief to
the suiierings and privations OF our army. Our
canvass covering affords but miserable sc
curity from storms OF rain and snow, and
great scarcity OF provisions prevails, AMI its
effects are felt even at head quarters Gen
eral Washington, in letter 10 private friend
says: We have had the patience of the
army put 10 The severest test. Sometimes il
has been or six days together without bread
a; other times, DIS many days without meat
and ONCE, two or three days without either
hardly thought il possible, at one period
that we should be able 10 keep it together,
nor could il have been done but for the great
exeriions oil the county magistrates Moth
ing else could have saved the army from dis
solution or starvation, as we were berelt Of
every hope from the commissaries, AT one
time the soldiers ate every kind OF horse
food except hay. As un army.
they bore it with the most heroic patience :;
but sulledngs like these, accompanied by the
want Of clothes, blankets, &C., will produce
| frequent deserlion in all armies; and so it
| happened with us, though it did not excite
| single mutiny'
Such was the condition ofour little army
at the time oil which we are writing and. so
far as human agency was concerned, all
| depended on the commander -in-ehiei. Had
| he fallen by death or as prisoner, at this
| time, the war of the revolution would have
ended in the overthrow of the American
arms,
We return 10 our Kidnapping party, whom
we parted with as we we're separating. after
their first evenings deliberations. and who,
in the mean time, have been strengthening
their iorce from twelve 10 thirty, all thorough
ly provided and thoroughly armed for the en-
terprise on hand. They are now at Eliza
| beth-town, where they have landed from
| Staten Island al early dusk on the evening
ola cloudy anddark day, They have along
night before them, bui they still need il all
for the distance to Morris,own and back
cannot be less than fhirty-eight miles. One
|
cause, and that is, the snow, which is falling
quite fast, prevents the clatter, Of their hor-
ses' feet, which would otherwise attract al
ienton and excite alarm and night OF dense
darkness drew its veil over them. Through
the willing agency OF certain tories, relays
were provided at convenient points along the
| road, 10 facilitate the return flight ofthe par
ty with their illustrious prize,
Confident ofsuccess, and with high spirits
they struck of towards the Short Hills, As
they passed through Elizabeihtown, they
paused lew moments 10 view the yet smok-
ing runins ofthe Presbyterian Church, which
within day or two had been fired by ma
iignant refugee named Re,fieId, in order that
he might revenge himself upon the pastor
and his people, for their Jealous and patriotic
devotion the American cause. Such was the
temper Of our foes, and particularly of our
own countrymen who sined with the British
in the revolution. that nothing, however ven
| |. 10 l..