The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1849-08-09

! enlisted in the Revolutionary army a,
about tho age ofeigh,een in the early par,
Ut the contest, and was placed under the
command OF Benedict hrnold. Il was tho
most gloomy period Of the Revolution, when
General Washington, with his remnant oil
an army, was re,reatlng through tho Jcr-
seys, when Sir Henry Clinton was in pos
session of New York, aud Bargoyne Of II
condcroga. The British comman der had
formed plan Of establishing line of for
iificat'ons from Lake George 10 New York,
Tor the purpose ofcut'ing of The communi-
cation between the rebels Of the East aud
the South. A detachment Of about one
thousand British and tories under 81. I.e-
ger, was sent from Ticonderoga to carry
this plan into effect, who in conformity
with the true British policy Of the period,
wore reinforced by abou, the Same number
Of Indians, his Maicsiy's faithful allies. Ii
became mn object Of the utmost importance
to intercept this detachment and break up
the communication. The work was assign
cd by Washington 10 Arnold; but he could
spare for this important service no more
than about seven hundred men. was in
this detachment. One evening, after a TO-
iions march, we took up our quarters in
little iarning village, and shortly after the
halt, notorious spy was brought into camp.
His name was Cuyler, n tory and cow
boy, in the employ ment Of 81. Legcr. lie
was tried BY court martial, and rccollec.
we'll Tint tho famous General Hull, of Can
ada memory, then major, was on the
court martial. Proof was abundant, and
ne WINS sentenced TO death, and M time was
pressing, ne was ordered TO be executed in
the morning. CuyIcr was irnned, put in
az upper chamber. in the house where Ar
mold qnartcred, and was selected 10 guard
tho door. As the prisoners father lived
not tss distant, he requested TINT he might
he sent for; mud nt early dawn, tho Did man,
his wiic md another son were introduced
into the chamber. The meeting was q
most affcctionato one. Ia the mds, OF
their weeping, Arnold happened 10 pass
tho door, and herring the lame n,ation wen,
IN. The ngcd mother Immediately fell Al,
his feet. and begged the liic Of her SON
ale must die in one hour" said Arnold,
and left the room. Instead Of passing on,
Of the passage, he fingered a, tho door, and
after lingering for moment, he began 10
paco backward and forward ia tho passage
way, apparently 10 deep thought. He a.
gain went in, and again the mother en-
treated. sis there no way he can be spar.
ed? We will mako any sacrifice, perform
any service, only save my poor boy" Ar
mold hes'taied; on perceiving which, the
mother renewed her cnirealies, and was
seconded BY the father and brother. He
At length replied, "lie can be saved. bat
tho condition is, that he shall proceed i'm.
mediately TO the enc smpment Of ST. Legcr,
end inform him, that General Arnold is
cunning with mn army Of four thonsa nd men,
Sc, prepared 10 give immediate battle"
The prisoner protested the most cosdi,l
scquiescence. 'sBat you rascal, )" said Ar.
noId, II shsll not trust you. If your broth
es will consent to remain IN hostage, yo.,
may 60; but mark me. Tho continued, with
ssemsadous oash,) if yosr report doss not
ssndiSs. Leger upon bis hack. track, your
bsoshsrs lie issfoslsited." All acquiesced
10 this but The brother, who dsmurrsd 1t