The Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1850-1852, 1852-08-05
THE SILVER BULLET.
An INCIDENT OF TIE REVOLUTION,


Capt. Joseph Mansfield, who died in
Liichfield, CT, in 1922, WAS the hero of
the following revolution Incident
In the summer and autumn Of l777,
while Sir William Howe, with a fee,
and part OF the royal army, we're laying
at New York, General Burgoyne with
his army were advancing from Canada
towards Albany.
The object and design Of the enemy
were 10 possess themselves Of Lake
Champlain with the whole Of the Hud.
con, and thereby TO cut of all inter-
course and communication between the
Eastern and Southern States. For the
purpose VI watching the motions and an.
noying the operations Of hostile rmies,
Gen. Washington had directed small
bodies Of troops TO be stationed nj Fish.
kill. Kedhook. Greenbssh, and several
other places on the east side between
New York and Albany, with strict or
ders TO take up and examine all stran-
gers travelling up and down the river
either by land or water, and if detect
ed in espionage, or employed in com.
municating information between the
British armies to be punished according
10 the rules Of war.
About the first Of September, a pc
des'rian passing northwardly was hailed
and stopped by a sentinel Of the guard
stationed at Redhook, and commanded
by Capt. Joseph Mansfield, of Connect.
icut. The man WAS about thirty years
Of age, and clothed in the habit Of fat
mer. He was conducted to the guard
house. Capt. NJ. inquired Of him his
name--ihe place Of his residence, as
we'll as that TO which he was going, his
business there, &c. lie replied by Civ.
ing name, and stated that he belonged
10 "a place below Redhoot, and was
farmcr-,hat lie was on his way to the
next town above, with view TO pur-
chase a pair Of oxen from farmer of
his acquaintance living there. lie was
asked whether he had about him any
letter or other communication from
Lord Howe, or any British officer at
New York. addressed TO Gen. Burgoyne
or any other officer in his army. To
which he answered in the negative.
Capt. M. then told him that such were
the Osders ot his superior officer that it
became his daty TO search the person Of
every traveller under similar circum.
stanees TO which be replied tha, be had
no objections to being searched. ,
Capt. II. then directed two or three
Of the guard TO lake off his coat, exam.
ine ths pQSksis, folds, lining and every
csAss esrt very critically. While this
w.s dclag oua Of The guards observed
the prsscner TO pass his hand with a
quick motion from his vest pocket to bis
woash, and BY the motion Of Lis chin
seemed TO be swsllo~ing something that
went down AIsiber hard, rs he after-
ward, expressed h,mself. The search,
however, continued and MAS finished,
Without any discovery which would JUS
thy the further detention al the man.--
Capt. N. was iben informed Of The sus-
Picious circumstances noticed by the
guard
What WAS now 10 he done' Strong
suspicion had attached itself 10 the strAn.
ger, bat no Po.i,'ve proof had yet sp-
pesrcd ssains, him. An expedient soon
suggested hself 10 the ready thoughts Of
our iapkea Captain. lie observed to
the piisoner--- ....
We have detained you on your jour
ney for some lenSth Of time. and sub
jse, you 10 pretty severe examination.
I fee, bound by the rules OF civiliiy
to treat you to bowl Of teddy before
you agsir proceed on your journey. and
II you viii drink with Us you shalt Le
made welcome.
p The ipan WAS pleased with the invi-
iaiien, and readily agreed TO accep, il.
The csp,sin ,ook upon himself the Of.
iics Of bsr.keeper and seon prepared The
ioddy. To make !, genuine, aud to an
sxer the purrose fof which be waaiea