The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1858-11-17

. I
During the month of March, 1778, the Brit
lsh army being at Philadelphia, and the Ame
rlcan forces at Valley Forge, the American
commander-in- chief was desirous of havin!
some information concerning the state of affair
In the city, and desired captain Allen NJ Lam
to pick him out few trusty men for the pur
pose. M'Lane selected FIVE of his own men
with sergeant John Marks for leader, and sen
the latter to headquarters to receive instruc
tions.
Marks was very young man to be entrus
ted with important services, being only twenty
two years of age; but M'Lane had frequently
marked his conduct in camp and field, hac
made himself well acquainted with his charac
ter. and knew that he could be thoroughly re-
he'd on. Marks was lank, bony fellow, with
high cheek bones. square jaw, and rather large
mouth; but he had a fine, expressive eye, his
features were exceedingly noble, and his coun
tenance entirely under his control. With this
he possessed great powers Of mimicry, which
he used to show off frequently for the amuse-
ment of his comrades, and had a reputation
for shrewdness. His muscular system had not
received its full Development; but his habits had
made him almost as active as a panther. He
was fully instructed by Gen. Washington, as
to the information desired, and left camp at
dark, arriving in short while at fort Kennedy
| on the Schuylkll. At that point he struck
across the country, and by means of by-ways,
with which he was well acquainted, having
been raised In the neighborhood, evaded the
scouting parties of the enemy, and arrived at
Mantun, before dark Here he posted his little
troop, in cedar hollow, overlooking the river;
while he, IN the disguise of countryman, with
sack of vegetables, which he had stolen from
garden in the neighborhood, rode into the
city: lie not only escaped detection, but man
aged to sell his vegetables to member of
Howe's staff was taken to the generals pres
ence, and in return for false information in re-
gard to Washington's movements, managed to
learn some facts of Importance. Promising to
return in few days, with more vegetables,
he was enable to leave the town lesurely, with
passport IN his pocket, and some sugar, coffee
and other articles of like nature in his sack.
lie joined his men without suspicion about
nightfall, and after dark the little party set out
on its return.
Now had Marks kept in the course by which
he came, it is possible he could have reached
the American lines in good time, and safely.
But it happened that about mile from the
rlver' at point nearly opposite Spring Mill,
there lived farmer by the name of M'IIvainc,
who although a quaker and non -combatant,
was well-disposed toward the American cause.
M llvaine had daughter, named Priscilla, a
young and handsome GIRL to whom Marks was
strongly attached, but who had never BETRAYED
any symptoms of affection in return. The
house vas half mile or more out of the for
mer route, but lover-like, the trooper took his
men in that direction. It was late in the night
when he neared the place-the moon was down
yet it was probably some satisfaction for the
young man to look upon the building where he
supposed his lady-love to be buried in repose
AS they silently and swiftly passed along,
the watch dog of the farm began to bark, the
inmates of the house were alarmed, and a
light at one of the windows showed them to be
stirring AT the same moment, horseman
rode unexpectedly from the shadows of a small
patch OF woods on the left, and challenged the
new corners. The answer was a pistol shot
from Marks, which tumbied the challenger
from his horse. A general alarm at the farm
house succeeded, and was answered by bugle
call short distance ahead Marks found that
he had come upon a post of the enemy, and
dashed on with his force At a turn of the
road hundred yards farther, they found a
small detachment formed across their path. AS
the Americans knew the road forked on the
other side OF this force, and their chances of
escape were good, if they could reach the left
hand road, which was mere by-path, to be
ridden by only one horseman at time, they
charged sword in hand.
Thrap of tba troo,, ,,,,,,,.oJ D.. l,,.] .1.-1
and escape, but Marks, and a stout trooper by
the name of Gahl, from Bucks county, were
and obliged to cross sabres with
the enemy. . 1t proved useless to contend with
superior numbers, by this time reinforced by
others from the farm house; and after short !
and severe contest, resulting in the death of
one of the British troops, the two Americans
were ia ken prisoners, and carried back to the
house of M'Ilvaine.
Marks was filled with chagrln, partly at his
folly in taking the most dangerous path, and
partly at his inability to convey to the comman-
1er-in chief, the valuable information he had
picked up in the city. He veled his mortif-
cation, however, in a cool and careless de-
neanor; and in reply to the lieutenant COM
handing the British detachment, said that he
lad been out on fol aging party, had lost his
way, and managed to get almost within sight
IF the city before he discovered his bunder.
Priscilla, who with the rest of the family, was
low awake and dressed, saw, but apparently
lid not recognize Marks. After some more
questions which were answered in what seemed
o be an open manner the lieutenant directed
he Americans to be placed, securely bound
md guarded, in an upper room of the house,
here to remain until morning. By the way of
omtort he gave them the assurance that they
would both be hanged as spies.
Marks and his companion passed seepless
light; it was not alone the prospect of an ig-
lominious death which troubled him; but he
lad learned enough in the city to know that a
urprise movement similar to that attempted on
he previous 4lh Of December. against the
American forces, Vas set down for the follow
NC day, and was aware that it was entirely
He revolved various plans of es-
ape in his mind, none of which appeared to
e practicable, and finally concluded to dismiss
ny premedtation on the matter, and be merely
prepared to take advantage of unexpected cif-
umstances. AS for Gail, he took matters like
philosopher, and snored away all night in
appy unconsciousness of his situation: