The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1851-09-16
THE DESERTER.
A Tradition ofthe War of American Inde-
pendence.
BY LAURIE TODD.

still entertained of successful termination of
tho struggle. 1t was customary for galleys and
other armed vessels, to keep guard in the chan
mel of the North River as far as from the out
works of New York as Ezabethtown Point in
one direction, and Kings Bridge in another
Ii CHANGED, upon certain day in the month OF
September, that two of these vessels lay at sin
gle anchor, about four miles from the village Of
Bergen, they had been stationed there ever
since the news of Andres capture reached us.
On the morning of the 25th of September, an
event occurred which relieved the crew for a
moment from the tedium of proftless watch.
! 1t was about nine o'cock in the morning, that
the lookout seaman called the attention of one
of the officers to what was passing on Shore
| The officer turned his glass in the specific
direction, and beheld. coming from Bergen,
single horseman; he rode as for life and death
his course was directed towards the river
nc was dressed in the well known uniform OF
Lees legion, one of the best equipped and most
efficient corps in the American service. His
valise being strapped at the crupper of his sad
die, and his sword by his side, 1t was evident
that some cause, more urgent than caprice,
drove him on. When first discovered, he was
in tho act of rounding a corner in the woods, so
as TO enter upon broad and straight road which
had been cut through their centre and leading
directly to the waters edge. The horseman
rode furiously on till he left the corner of the
wood about three hundred yards behind when
he suddenly pulled up. He then unbuckled
his valise and strapped it across his shoulder
unslung his sword, drew out the weapon and
cast the scabbord and belt from him, and cast
ing an anxious glance in the rear, seemed to
brace himself for some desperate hazard, nor
did many minutes elapse ere the cause of his
apparent anxiety became manifest. His prep
arations were, as yet, incomplete, when par
ty Of Dragons. twelve or fourteen in number,
made their appearance, rounding the same an
gle from which he had emerged. They were
too far distant to permit the sound of their vol
ces TO be heard, but nothing could be more re-
markable than the effect produced on all parties
by so sudden negotiation.
The fugitive plunged his spurs into the fianks
of the charger, and set off again at the top of
his speed. The troopers pressed their animals
to renewed exertions; they gained on him so
fast, that when he reached tho margin oi the
swamp, not moro than sixty or seventy yards
divided them,
And now, the seamen who had witnessed the
proceedings with feelings not unlike those
which are experienced by the spectators of a
coursing match, found themselves called upon
to play part in the strange drama. The fu-
gitve threw himself from his saddle rushed in
to the morass, and shouting aloud for help made
at once for the warer's edge. Dressed no |
was, he did not hesitate to plunge into the river,
and to strike out Justify for the anchorage. In !
word, he was a dsserter, and as both policy |
and justice required, il became necessary 10 af-
ford him every facility of escape. Accordingly |
both vessels opened fire of grape upon the
Dragons, and boat was pushed off which
soon picked up tho swimmer and conveyed him
safely or board the nearest galley.
Having given his name and assigned the
common reason for desertng. viz: bad treat
ment from the officers and that he was weary |
of so bad service, he expressed a wish to be
passed on to New York Immediately. He was
sent forward in row. boat, under an escort with |
a letter from the captain, testifying to the man.
ner Of his arrival.
The fugitive was conducted 10 head-quar
ters, where he was closely interrogated as to
tho disposition of the American army, and a
bove all, concerning the tempers of certain Of
fcers, of whose fidelity to the republican cause |
our chiefs had learned to think lightly. The |
new conner was honered with private intcr-
view, during which he underwent a long and |
rigid examination OF this examination moth
ing was known, except that the result was high |
ly favorable to the deserter. The General !
spoke of him in public as an intelligent and
prudent person, and made no secret of his wish
to enlist talents so valuable in the service of
his sovereign.
For while, the stranger resisted this prop
osition: he protessed to be tired of war, and
reminded Sir Henry, not unfairly. that from the
moment he assumed the Kings uniform, he put |
halter about his neck. But the opportunities
of those in power at length prevailed, and he
consented to accept the same rank in tho Roy
nl army, which he had borne in the army of the
States. He was accordingly attached to the
corps of which Arnold took the command, com
pocad ovolnsiyalv Of nativa A ofl |
whom were deserters, and being strongly rec
commended to Arnold, as well by his own per.
senal demeanor as by the commander in-c chief,
he became an orderly sergeant in that officers
family.
Time passed on and the melancholy news
arrived that neither entreaties nor threats of
retaliation, nor offers of exchange. had availed |
to save the life of Andre. He died traitors
death. Ii was hard case. Washington to
be sure, offered to exchange him for Arnold,
but this they could not do. There was general
lamentation, with longing desire for revenge, !
in the ranks, and partly with the view of indul- |
ging the bumor, and partly to effect diversion
in favor of Lord Cornwallis, then actively en-
gagged in the Carolinus, it was determined to
send Arnold's legion, together with few Brit
sh regulars, on an expedition to Virginia.
This resolution, which was como to at late hour
ofthe night, and was announced to the army
on the 18th of September, did not sail until late
late in October. They made good their land
ing on the shores of Chesapeake. | often
thought that the States had more friends than
foes among our officers.
Fortune so ordered that there was given to
me company in Arnold's legion, and that the
deserter John Champe, was attached to it.
found him to be remarkable intelligent person;
at times, indeed, he appeared SO singulary grave
and tacturn 40 that 4 could not avoid thinking
that he repented of tho steps he had taken.-
But as had treated him with uniform kindness
thought had at last succeeded in gaining
his confidence. However, whether my opinion
was well founded or not, | never had an op-
portunity to ascertain, for on the second night
of our Decentralization, Sergeant Champe dis
appeared. His arms and knapsack were found
but no one hao seen him quit the lines, and new
or again during tho war was so much as trace
q l. L.. -aA