The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-10-12
From the Siag Si1g Rspublicaa.
Iutionary Incidents.

Ahoiuohtbs
Who Saved the Country What Led 10 the
Cdpture of Andre-Moses SherWood and
Jack Peterson Merit Monument as muck
as Williams, Pauldiag, aud Van Vert
A Shot from the Vuiture Lodged m da
OAK Tree on Teller's Point, notc in ke
Possession Of The Writer, &c.
Every writer upon American history,
when he arrives at the account Of the CAP
ture of Andre, lays down the thread Of his
narrative TO expatiate on the patriotism of
that noble little band, who, regardless of
golden promises, retained the unfortunate
spy, aud saved their country from impend-
ing ruin.
We do not desire to undervalue their pa
triotism and services, although we have
sometimes asked ourselves the questions
for what purpose were these three men sta
toned upon the roadside 2 Did they go
forth from their homes in the morning with
a desire or an intention of saving their
country? Had they any authority to stop
travellers on the high roads Ii they had
been patriots, would they not have joined
the Continental army, instead of lounging
upon the roadsides
stances which led to the capture of Andre
that has been omitted in previous details of
this momentous event. Who has ever
heard of Moses Sherwood and Jack Peter
son, who had as much to do with this cir
cumstance as Williams, Paulding, and Van
Vert, whose names have become as familiar
as household words? Jack Peterson Was
truly a patriot. lie was n mulatto, and
served in the Continental Army. At one
time he was captured and sent to New York
as a prisoner, where, with other Americans,
he suffered in the notorious {. Prison Ship"
until, by skillful strategem, he effected
his escape. One dark night he managed to
tie a bundle of clothes to his head, and by
stealth crept to the chains, which held the
ship to the anchor. He slipped quietly aud
unob5erved down into the water, and soon
reached Carlos Hook, by swimming. lie
travelled cautiously by night, and after many
privations, sufferings, and hair-breadth es.
capes, reached his home on the banks of the
Croton river. The above incident islgiven
on the authority of Captain Potter, former
resident of Sing Sing, who is a nephew of
Moses Sherwood, referred to in the follow
ing sketch of Jack Peterson, which was
published a few years ago in the Westches-
ter Herald, by Caleb Roscoe, who was ever
on the alert for facts aud incidents which
illustrate or develop the history Of the
American Revolution.
1t will be seen by this sketch, which is
worthy of republication hundred times,
that Jack served in the army of his country
until he was honorably discharged, and that
il was pure patriotism that led Peterson and
Sherwood to attack the enemy of superior
| numbers and power. IL was not three TO
one, but two against many! It was this
| boldness and patriotism that thwarted Andre
! in his design to embark upon the Vuitws
with his death-warrant of American liberty.
| In all future time let the name Of Peter.
son and Sherwood be shouted In the same
sentence with those of Williams, Pauiding,
/ and Van Vert.
For many years after this great event
Peterson was accustomed to point out to hi:
sons and others one Of the cannon ball:
| lodged in an oak tree, on Teller's Point
which was fired from the Vulfure on thi:
occasion. few years ago this tree, being
very much decayed. was cut down, the bal
removed and kept by Wm. Underhill, o.
Tellers Point, who not long since presented
il to the writer of the present article.
JACK PETERSON.
John Peterson, cOlOred man, (mulattO,
departed this life October 2, at his late resi-
dence in the village OF Peekskill, aged one
hundred aud three years. Peterson Wa
brought up in the family of job Sherwood
of thls county, whose son, Isaac Sherwood
had entered the Continental Army as
First Lieutenant ia the regiment command
ed by Colonel Philip Van Cortlandt, at th,
commencement OF the war OF the Revolu
ton; aud Peterson, who was about the sam,
age as the Lieutenant, having become de
votelly attached to him, begged the privi
lege OF accompanying him into the service
which request was granted by the Lienten
ant, and Peterson enlisted as a private il
the same regiment to which be was attached
This regiment was in the memorable bat
tie of Saltwater, in Saratoga County, at tn
time General Burgoyne surrendered hi
whole army to the American forces unde
the command of General Gates. Lieutenan
Sherwood, who always sought the post c
danger, received a mortal wound, and fe
in the arms of Peterson, for he always mad
il point TO he near the Lieutenant in tn
: hour of danger.
Peterson watched over this brave Office
with untiring perseverance,, night and day
: until he expired, and after his death he fo
(To BE CoSTISUED).