Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1859-07-09
BURs UNDER THE SADDLE.
A SKETCH OF TIE REVOLUTION.


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During tho month of March 1777, tho Brit
ish army being at Philadelphia, and the Amer
lean forces at Valley Forge, the American
commander-in-chicf was desirous OF having
some information concerning tho state Of nf-
fairs in the city, and desired Capt Allen Nc
Lean to pick him out few trusty men for the
purpose. Mclean selected five out of his
own men, with Sergeant John Marks for lea
der, and sent the latter to head quarters for
instructions.
| Marks was young man to be entrusted
with important services, being only twenty
two years Of age; but Mclean had frequent
ly marked his conduct in camp and field, and
made himself well acquainted with his char
acter, and knew that he could have been thor
oughly relied on. Marks was q lank, bOny
fellow, with high cheek bones, square jaw,
and rather large mouth but he bad a fine
expressive eye, his features were exceedingly
noble, and his countcnancc entirely under his
control. With this he possessed great powers
Of mimicry, which he used to show off fire.
quently for the amusement Of his comrades,
and had q reputation for shrewdness. His
muscular system had not received its full de-
vclopmcnt; but habits had made him almost
as active as a panther. lie was fully instruct
cd by General Washington, as to the infor-
nation desired, and left camp ut dark, arriving
in o short time at Fort Remedy, on the Schuyl-
kill. At that point he struck across the coun-
try, and by means Of by-ways, with which he
was well acquainted, having been raised in the
ncighborhood, Cvaded the scouting parties OF
the enemy, and arrived at Mantua, soon after
dark. Here he posted his little troop in a
cedar hollow, overlooking the river, and in
the disguise Of . countryman, with sack OF
vegetables, which he had stolen from Q gar
den in the ncighborhoOd, rode into the city
lie not only escaped detection, but managed
to sell his vegetables to q member Of Howe's
stall, was taken to the Generals presence, and,
in return for false information in regard to
W aShington's movements, managed 10 learn
some facts Of importance. Promising to re.
turn in few days with vegetables, he was
enabled to leave the town 1eisurely, with a
passport In his pocket and sugar, coffee and
other articles Of like nature in his sack. He
joined his men, without suspicion, about
nightfall, and after dark the little party set
out on its return.
Now he'd Marks kept in the course by which
he came, 1t is possible he could have reached
the American lines in good time and safely
But it happened that about . milo from the
river, at point nearly opposite Spring Mill,
there lived farmer named M'Illvaine, who,
although Quaker and non-combatant was
we'll disposed to the American cause. MIL
vainc 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.
Tho house was halfmile or more out Of the
former route, but, lovcr-lkc the trooper took
his men in that direction. It was latc in the
night when he ncared the place-the moon
was down-yet It was probably some satisfac-
ton for the young man to look upon the bull
ding where he supposed his lGdy-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 light
from one Of the windows showed them to be
stirring. At the same moment horseman
rode, unexpectedly, from the shadow of a
small patch Of woods on theleft, and challeged
the new commers. The answer was pistol
shot from Marks, which tumblcd the challeng-
er from his horse. A general alarm at the
farmhouse succeeded, and was answered by q
bugle call Q short distance ahead. Marks
found that he had come upon . post Of the
enemy, and dashed on with his force At o
turn Of the road hundred yards further on,
they found small detachment formed across
their path. AS the Americans knew the road
foTkcd on the other side Of this force, and their
chances Of escape were good il they could
reach the left hand road, which was mere by
path, to DO ridden by only one horseman at q
time, they charged sword in hand.
Three ofthe troop managed to break through
and escaped, but Marks, and stout trooper
| hVy thn IF (toh1 IL
were intercepted, and obliged to cross sabres
with superior numbers, by this time they were
reinforced by others from the house; and
after short and severe contest, resulting in
the death of tho British trooper, tho two
Americans were taken prisoners, and carried
back to the house Of M'Ilvaine.
Marks was filled with chagrin, partly at his
folly in taking the most dangerous path, and
partly at his inability to carry to the coin.
mander.in.chief, the valuable information he
had picked up in the city. He veiled this
modification, however, in cool and careless
dcmeanor, and nreply to the lieutenant COM
manding the British detachment, said that he
had been out on foraging party, had lost his
way, and managed to get almost within sight
OF the city before he discovered his blunder.
Priscilla, who with the rest Of the family, was
awake and dressed, saw, but apparently did
not recognize Marks. After some moro Ques-
tions which were answered in what seemed to
be an open manner, the lieutenant directed the
Americans to be placed, securely bound and
guarded, in an upper room of the house, there
to remain until morning. By the way Of COM
fort no gave them the assurance that they
would both be hanged as spies.
Marks passed a slecplcss night; It was not
alone the prospect Of an ignominious death
which troubled him; but he had learned
enough in the city to know that a surprise
movement similar to that attempted on the
previous 4th Of December, against the Ameri-
can forces, was set down for the following day,
and was entirely unexpected. He resolved
various plans of escape in his mind, none Of
which appeared to be practicable, and finally
concluded to dismiss any premcditatiOn on the
matter, and he merely prepared to take ad-
vantage Of unexpected circumstances. As for
Gahl, he took matters like philosopher, and
snOred away all night In happy unconscious
ness Of his situation.
AT daylight the prisoners were brought
down and placed upon the poarch, while Lieut.
Draper and the men under his command took
breakfast In the house. The horses Of the
troopers with those Of Marks and Gahl also,
were saddled and hitched to tho fence, under
charge Of little Scotchman, named McPher.
sOn. Priscilla, accompanied by Lieut.. Draper,
came out the former bearing some food. Az
ter 1t was partAken Of Priscilla laid the dishes,
knives and forks upon bench on the porch,
and listened with apparent interest to the
questions nut bk khA 1i6,ikanant Thu 1aAter