The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-01-08
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A Victim of Old Puts aallows.
AN INCIDENT OF THE EVOLUTIONARY
Wan

AN INCIDENT OF THE REVOLUTIONARY
WAR.
Near Peekskill, ,sanot far from the
main rond, stands clump of forest,
trees, among which on aged hickory is
somewhat conspicuous.
II bore for long time, and still bears,
I2believe, the name Of "Old Puts gal
lows" from the fac, tina, many a Tory
Spy, skinner, and .hieving COW boy had
swung from its branches when Put .
iisi commanded on the lines.
Inthe early part Of August, l777.
Gene nerai ryon Wns at the British out
s posts near fKIineeekri de. II will he re-
ttaiT he was The royal Ge;py.
4 esioftsof aW x ork OF the comm mei,ea+
q ,psnt of The ReYalu,ion, and o full col.
ssonelt at !, The: British rssE:ulars. Atier
the swar broke out, he was placed on
active service, and raised TO generals
\ rank, with power .o'recroit and equip a
Tory corps or brigade from the Anne.
ricans who yet remained loyal TO the
crown and government Of Britain.
For long time it had been favo-
rite project with Putnam that an ut.
temp, should be made 10 re.capture
sassSfhe city Of New York, and from all
accounts it appears that Washington
did not dislike the plan, but with pru-
den, caution did mol wish TO hazard al
that time the risk Of defeat. Put
nam, however, made severul feinis aud
false movements ut his ou,.pos,s to alarm
Sir Henry Clinton; in which he sue
ceeded, and thus kept the British troops
within the city for its protection, tha,
otherwise, aided by the feet, would
have been ravaging the adjacent shores
OF other States. 1t became necessary
10 Sir Henry Clinton that he should
know the position aud condition of Put.
nan's troops more accurately, also en-.
deavor il possible TO ascertain what,
parties in the city gave Putnam such
accurate knowledge Of his, Cinton's
plans.
Tryon was busy raising his 'ncw
lcvies, )" and for him Sir Henry sent.
General Tryon," he said, 81 must,
know the position Of Pu,nam's troops
and their number, including his fresh
ba,talions Of militia. You ought to
find some one..-a native--lhat has en-.
listed in your corps that will 20 into
ahe Highlands and obtain i, for us. The
reward shall be liberal, and il success.
ful, the person shall be advanced a
grade"
81 think | have such man, Sir Hen.
ry--a sergeant in De Lancy's regi.
ancnt. He enlisted only week ago
and is intelligent and ambitious. He
has friends on the other side that do not
&aow he has joined us yet"
"The very man. Go and send him" I"
General Tryon was absent about two
hours, for he had seat TO Harlem, where
ahe sergeant was stationed, undergoing
a drill with others oflhe new levies un.
der their officers.
"i've soen the man and had long
conversation with him." said Tryon,
when he entered. "He is willing to
undertake it on one condition. and that
is only condition of PRIDE"
'What is it then?
"That he shall receive lieutenant s
commission at once. He then will de.
par. the instant you require, and conf.
dent Of SUCCESS"
"Do you know him to be worthy Of
reliance"
"From all ihn, can learn, and from
my own judgment | should not doub,
Il IN the least"
Then let his commission he made
out and send him with tito me. II |
have the same opinion Of him will sign
1t.
The young sergeant soon made his
appearance. He was not more than
,hrce aud twenty years Of age, of good
| personal, appearance, md a cunning
,wink!e about his sWnll black eye, de.
np,ing no wan,of confidence in his own
good opinion. Sir Henry was SO well
pleased with bim lint his jps,raclions