Litchfield enquirer., 1850-10-24

During the Revolutionary war there was
a bloody and mischievour tory named
Claudius Smith, who with considerable
company made frequent incursiOns into
the upper part of New Jersey. Smith 8
party or tories kept themselves among
the mountain Businesses around Ramapo
and Lieutenant Clarke was particularly
under their displeasure for TIE many
sharp chases he had given them. So
much was this the case, that he did not
dare ordinarily to sleep in his own house.
Often, when his enemies supposed him
in their power, and brake at midnight
into his house, he was elsewhere. One
night, from some information which he
supposed reliable, Clarke remained at
home, and in that situation was surprised
by his enemies. They ordered him to get
supper for them, and as resistance was use
less, he &C implied. They then ordered him
10 get them cider and various other articles
for taking with them. At last. being ready
10 start they insisted on Claske's going with
them short distance 10 point out path
which would lead them TO the mountain by
way which would no. only be shorter but
would lead them one side of THE settlement,
This was mere trick to get him away from
the house, and when he had pointed on; the
path, and had turned To 60 back TO his house
he was fred at by the miscreanis. Morally
wounded, the poor man ran rapidly back,
ami fell dead on his own door steps.
The remainder of this story was told by
Mr.. John jackson, who was mechanic,
and shortly after the Revolutionary var,
was assisting TO build the manufactures at
Ramapo, now owned by Mr.. Pierson. jack
son says that man was working with him
there, who was one of the party which pur-
sued Clarke's murderels the next morning,
aud this man gave him a particular des-
criptlon of the pursuit. They traced the
flying party without much difficulty. and
with a silence and Sagacity which would
have pleased an Indian. The murder was
so base and bloody, that each felt the desire
for quick vengeance. Al last they traced
the fugi.ives 10 what country people call
"cat swamp"--a wet, marshy piece OF
ground, densely covered with bushes and
trees. The leader, a man well skilled IN
this kind of warfare, whispered to bis men,
We shall find them in here" He dis
,ributed his men, and enjoined the most per-
feet silence. So we'll was he obeyed, and
with SO much stiffness was the approach
made, that Smiths party, a. that time seat
ed on log, and eating the provisions which
Clarke had given them, were NOT aware Of
their danger. The leader, in q whisper.
and by signs, instructed his men TO single
out his own mark, and to lei the fash OF his
gun be the signal for them to FIRE. The
first warning the tories had Of their danger
was the crack of the deadly rifles, and the
piercing cries of eSeral fatally wounded
Several fell dead, ana the rest fed, and
were cut of the reach of danger before their
pursuers could reload their guns.
Some years after the skeleton OF one man
was found short distance from the spot.
1t was supposed that having strength 10 60
only that distance, he had crePt into the
TOP of tree which had been blown down,
and had died there undiscovered. None VI
the bOdies were buried. They were suff.
cred to remain Just where they had fallen
and So intense was the hatred they excited
among the surrounding Inhabitants, that
they would not suffer the bodies to be buried.
The man who related this incident TO
Mr. jackson, told him that the place where
these men were shot was only short dis
lance from where they were then At work,
and promised to take him TO the spot during
the Moons spell. They accordingly went
there, and the bones were still lying on the
ground. At a short distance from the
place be also saw the skeleton OF the man
who had concealed himself in the tree top.
With bat little distu, bance, the unburied
bones of those who had murdered Clark, re-
manned just where vengeance was taken by
the relentless pursuers.