The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1854-12-22
AN INCIDENT OF THE REyoLU
ssa s t TION.


lThe following history of William Ban
croft, 10 the days Of the Revolution may
be read BY some with satisfaction, and is
worthy 10 be kept in EehiembeSence .,
inoug the noble deeds Of those .imes.---
!, Yves related many years since by MI,
Bancroft, 0 Sigh, notice Of which is in
Gordon's History Of the Reyoluiion:l j
When on tour TO the West, mel
with the subject OF this treaties at New
York. The grateful remembrance oithe
soldiers OF the Revelation by out country
became rle subject Of conversations
Alter there had been an interchange Of
opinion among US, Mr.. Bsncrof, observ.
I'd that he had applied TO Congress for a
pension, but owing TO the ciseumsiance
that hisname was stricken of the roll be-
fore he had served nine months, TO serve
General Washington in more hszafd,
ous relation, no could not obtain il;
though he thought his circumstances aud
hir claim for consideration were rs great
as my soldiers. He then related the
following history ofhIs life:
81 was born at Woburn, north Of Bos>
ton. ! enlisted in the army asu soldier
for three years. Istudioualy ondeavor-
ed 10 understand NY duty in my relation.
and thought was profcien,--at least
as much so as other soldiers. One day,
Immediately Afler Washirgton's arrival
nt Brooklyu,l was de,ached.hy The officer
Of the day, among the guard. II SO hap>
pened that was placed as a sentinel be.
fore The Genera's quarters al 8 o'clock.
About 10 O'Clock the Generals curriuge
drove up, which ] knew as soldier, but
not as sentinel. hailed the diver
"Who comes ihere?" M
lie answered, General Washington"
"'Vho is General Washington"
He replied, "The Commander Of the
American Army
II Tdon't 'tknow him.-Adytnco and give
the counier-sign.'' Z
The driver put his head within the
carriage, aud then came back and gave
the counter-sign.
.The counlersign is righI,"l replied;
"General Washington can now pass"
The next morning the officer Of the
day came to me and said, General Wash
inglon has commanded me TO notify you
topppcnr at this quarters precisely at 2
o'clock" "@,s2R III
sWha, fIoesdle wnni If meal' y
~ dnnt know" rep,iod the e1cfficer.
In obedience to his order, went to
his qnarters at The time appointed; but
my mind was greatly harrassed 10 know
whether l had discharged my duty a.
right The nigh. previous. | gave the
alarm a, tie door, aud servant ap-
peared. '7
The servan, made the report, and r-
mediately bade me come in, and con-
Quoted me TO the Generals room. When
|, entered he addressed me: , g
"Are yon the sentinel lhst stood aimy
door al 9o'clock las, nighif" ).
eyes, sir;--and lsendeaycred to- do my
duty"
II wish all my army understood il ss
wen as you Dc" said ihe General. This
relieved the burden OF my mind.
The General then continued, "can you
keep secret"
.,Tcan try"
'.Are you willing 10 have your name
struck from the roll ofthe army, and en-.
gage in secret service al the hazard Of
your life, for which promise you forty
dollars monthly
Il am wiling 10 serve my country in
any way you may think best. y
s.Call here a, precisely 7 o'clock This
evening, and will give you further in-
slruciion. Il
I.hen retired, and precisely at Z O'Clock
returned. The General presented me
with sealed letter, without any supsrs
scription. He asked me if ! had ever
been on Roxburs Heights. Told him
i had, and al his request ! described the
level ground on the top. He gave me
The couniar-sign loasll should not be
able 10 reiuru before the seniinels te-
ceived il; directed me 10 converse with
no one on the way, and il | should oh.
serve ans person on The road who appear
ed 10 notice me particularly, MOTTO 90 on
10 the Heights until he was out Of sight
And when had ssccnded The Heights,
linus. look around carefully, and IL II
discovered any person mus. keep al
q distance from him, and suffer no one
to luke me. If everything appeared
quiet, | must go to the west Of the plain.
where | should see fiat rock. ehich !
could raise with one hand and round
s,ons about feur feet from il. / mus,
take the round stone and plGce il under
the edge Of The fat rock, which would
raise il enough TO pu. my hand under.
s.You must thcn feel under The rock, y
said the General, sslill you fbd a second
hollow; ;if there ia a letter in il, bring III
10 me, and pu. this in the same place"
Having received my instructions, ]
made my way for the Height, aud moth,
inq occurred worthy Of note, except that
/ found the rock and the stone described,
and in the hollow sealed letter, without
any superscrip,ion. l then adjusted the |
:. - ~. ..,l ho atr ne ma fnund IL |