Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-08-08
"A spy IN THE CAMP.
A TALE OF 1912.

u
In the war Of 1879, ,ils volunteers of
the State OF Pennsylvania promptly
cbeyed, the authorities, when a aarail was
made upon them for iheir services, 10
defend our shores from Invasion, The
same spirit illa, urged every true hearted
American 10 abandon his domeslc circle
and his daily business, and to grid on
The sword or shoulder The mnske,, still
anima,es the bos oms of the present gem
Grafton. Al The frs, lap of tue drum
thousands start up, Ready for any emer
gency, either 70 repel an aggression or
10 chastise. an insolent foe.
Many sacrifices, no doubt, would be
willingly made Of personal comfort aud
pecuniary profit; but in the hour Of need.
personal sacrifices weigh not lcatIisr
with the American. as. the past aud the
present strongly exemplify. 0
Among the many companies in this
city, whose services were accepted dn-
ringlhe last war, there was one compo
sed entirely of gentlemen aud merchants
Of Philadelphia, under The command Of
Charles Rosa 6ne spirited gentleman,
whose memory is cherished by large
circle of Lis former companions IN arms
and associates in busiacss. /, was "a
Z troop Of Horse, called the First City
Troop--a corps established during the
Revolution, and which still preserves
the flag horne triumphan,ly upon the
fields Of Princeton and Trenton, The
writer Of this sketch was a member OF
that troop for many years, and lie well
remembers The sensations of pride when
gazing upon That war worn trophy; and
so doubt the same sensations lhrob The
breasts of the youthful members, " hen
the sacred banner is uninrlel.
During The war, this fine corps, admi-
rably equipped and well mounted, acted
as vidclies between The Chesapeake Bay.
the scene Of strife, and the troops of
Camp du Pont, under The command OF
Gen. Cadwalladcr. They were posted
at the. head of the Elk, at place called
Mount Bull, very exposed situation,
within view Of the British feet, which
then infested .he waters Of the Chesa-
peake.
Upcn one occasion. on Saturday, af-
ter the troops had been mustered aud
gone through their dri.l--,he horses were
pickeied, and the regular order Of mih-
,ary duty was being performed siran-
ger the garb Of ccunIrymau was
scs,ed upon a rail, kicking his heels
against the fence, apparently q careless
spectator OF the various scenes before
him when, being observed by Ross, he
addressed hiE with, ..Who he was and
swha, he wantcd!' The stranger. with
arens.katle tone, and many express
slons peculiar 10 tie genuine Yankee,
not oftenscen SO far South, replied that
he lived hard by, at the mouth Of the
Susquehanna, and wanted TO see the sur
sgcon Of the troop, as he had black hoy
with him who he was fearful had the
small pox, and before lie took him
among his other hands, he wanted 10 be
certain oft. Capt. Ross, after scrulin-
Izing the man for moment or so, repll-
ed that There was no stlrgeon attached 70
his troop, but plenty Of first rate doctors,
whose patients were suffering in Phila-
kAc1fuih iOT Wdhts "a lAclEf ncIsiCcss duu
pointed out one Of these gentlemen, at
that momen. busily engaged in cleaning
his charger.
doctor, drop your curry.comb and
come here q moment- here's patient
for you.''
The doctor very promptly obeyed The
summons, and in company with Mr.. s
commenced professional exam
ination Of the black boy, which resulted
in very satisfactory declaration that
shcre was no symptom of the fatal. dis
case spoken of, il being common brash
owing to The season. The farmer APP
peared highly delighted, and rendered
all sorts OF remuneration in the shape
of ducks, chickens, geese, &C., i they
would only pay him visit. The sun
was al that moment sinking beneath the
horizon, and ihe long shadows indicated
the near approach Of night. After ga
zlng for moment at the waters Of the
pay, and his little punt or dug out--"See
here gentlemen. lis q long row to my
pace with the tide against mel sup
pose mustssay here till morning"
sa