The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-09-13
From the Ladies' Keepsake
REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURE

The leading events Of the War Of In
dependence are familiar to every Ameri.
can; but many incidents and adventure.
yet remain to be disclosed. There are
thoss yea living who remember the follow
aing story.
The American authorities found much
difficulty in disposing of their prisoners.
They had no posts regularly fitted for the
purpose; and they could suggest no better
means for securing them. than to place
s them under guard in a.hickly settled part
ot the country, .wherc the inhabitants were
most decidedly hostile to the English. The
town OF Lancaster, in Pennsylvania, was
one Of those selected for this purpose
The prisoners were confined in barracks,
enclosed with stooisade and vigilantly
gusrded. But in spite OF all precautions
they often disappeared in an unaccounia-
bic manner. and nothing was heard OF
theM Till they had resumed their place in
! ths British army. Many and various
were the conjectures as TO the means OF
their escape; The officers inquired and in
vesiigated in. vain; the country was ex-
plored to no purpose; the soldiers shook
taeir heads. and told Of fortune-tellers,
hseu seen ~ intervals; and sundry Of The
mora credulous could think Of nothing but
supernatural agency; but whether man or
spirit was The conspirator. the mystery was
0sbroken.
when shis became known to Washing.
= Ton, he seDt General Hazen 10 take this
ssres esponsible charge. This energetic officer,
sf.rr exhausting all resources. resorted 10
sfrstagem. lie was convinced that. as
the nearest British post was hundred
miles distant, the prisoners must be aided
by Amsrlcaps. but where the suspicion
! shauld fell, hs could not even conjecture;
tbs reproach Of Toryism being almost un.
known in that region. Having been train
ed 10 speet exigencies OF this kind, in a
distine euished career as Colonel in the Brit.
ish army. his plan was formed al once.
and communicated 10 an officer of his
own upoa whose talent he relied for its
r egsucc=sstul execution. This was Captain,
Lee. whose courage and ability fully JUS
TIFF d the selection.
The secret plan concerted between them
Vas this II was 10 be given out that Lee
swss sbsent on furlough or command. He,
sg,eaaiisne. was to assume the dress of a
British prisoner. and. having provided
himself with Information and story ol
his capture, was TO be thrown into the bar.
I racks. where he might gain the confidence
! Of the soldiers.- and join them in a plan
Of escape. How well Captain Lee sus
tanned ris part may be Inferred from the
fact that when he had disappeared and
placed himself among the prisoners, hi.
own officers and soldiers saw him every
day without the least suspicion. The per
son 10 whom am indebted for most o
these particulars was the lntendant of th,
prisoners, and familiar with Lee; bu
though compelled TO see him often in tn,
discharge Of his duty, he never penetrated
the disguise. Well it was for Lee that hi
disguise was so complete. Had his asso
ciafes suspected his purpose TO betra.
them, bis history would have been em
braced in The proverb. "dead men tell NJ
tales"
For many days hesremained in this sit
uafion. making no discoveries whatever
He thought he perceived. at diffsrenttimes
signs Of intelligence between the prison
.srs. and an old woman who was allowed
10 bring fruit for sale within the enclosure
z She was known to be deaf and half-wiited
and was therefore no object Of suspicion
1t Was known that her son had been dis