The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1857-11-18
ylterestlng Skettbes
.rHEE sHavER BULLET.
A STORY OF A AREvoLuT1oNARf SPY

E
In the Summer and Autumn of 1777, while
Sir William Howe, with a feet and a part Of
the Royal Army, was lying at New York, Gen.
Burgoyne with his army was advancing from
Canada to Albany. The object and design OF
the enemy was to possess themselves of Lake
Champlain, with the whole of the Hudson and
thereby to cut off all communication between the
Eastern and Southern States. For the purpose
of watching the motions aad annoying the ope
rations ofthe hostile armies, General Washing
ton had shiredsmall bodies Of troo % to be placed
at FishkiIl, Red Hook, Greanbush and several
other places on the east side of the river be-
tween Albany and New York with strict ord
ers to take up and examine all strangers travel
ling up an downthe river, either by Land or
water, and ifdetected in espionage or employed
incommunicating Information between the Brit,
ish armies, to be punished according to the rules
ofWar.
-Aboutthe lst ofseptembsr pedestrian pas
sing northwardly was hailed and stopped by a
sentinel of the guard placed at Rcd Hook, and
commanded By Captain John Mansfield, ofGon-
nscticut The man was about thirty years of
ago and clothed in the habit OF farmer. He,
was taken to the guard house, Capt. Mansfield
inquired Of him his name, the place of his resi-
dence. as we'll as that to which he was going,
his business there, sc.
He replied by giving his name, and stated
thathe belonged to place above Red Hoolsand
was farmer; that he was row ON his way to
tle ncxt town above, with view to purchase
pair Of oxen from farmer ofhs acquaintance.
he was asked whether he had about him any
letter or communication from Lord Howe or
any other British officer at New York address
cd to Gen. Burgoyne or any other officer in the
army, to which he promptly answered in the
Negative.
Captain N. then told him that such were the
eyiers ofhis superior officer that it became his
dhtytcsearch the person oil every traveller un.
der similar circumstances, to which he replied
that be had neoTection to being searched
Captain M. then directed two or three Of the
guard to take off his coat and examine the pock-
cts. f,lds, lining and every other part critically
While this was doing, one of the guard observ-
Cd the prisoner to piss his hand with o quick
motion from his vest pocket to his mouth.
The search, however. continued, and was fin
ished without any discovery Which would just.
" the further detention Of tire prisoner. Cap
tain NJ. was then informed Of the suspicious cir
cumstauces noticed by the guard. What was
now to be done? Strong suspicion had attach
ID tselfto the stranger, but no positive pfoof
bad yet appeared az .inst him.
An expedient soon suggested itselfto the rea-
dy thoughts ofour Yankee captain. He obscr-
we'd TO the prisoner, 1--WE have detained you on
your journey for some length Of time, and sub.
jected yout q pretty strict examination.
abound by the rules efciyility to treat you to
sbowl Of toddy before you proceed, and il you
viii drink with Us you shall be made welcome.,'
The man was pleased with the invitatiea and
readily agreed 70 ,lccept it. The captain took
upon hinselfths Office oi bar keeper, and soon
prepared the toddy To make it genuine, and
p answer the purposs for which he wanted it,
NJ stiwsdia god dcso osemstic tartar. Our