Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1861-10-25
Misttllamtnus.
Old Puts GalloWs.

among which an aged hickory Is consplcu-
Gus.
1t still bears the name of Z" Old Put 5
Gallows,n from the fact that many tory
spy, skinner and thieving cowboy had
swung from its branches when Putnam
commanded on the lines.
la the early part of August, III,
General Tryon was at the British outpost
near Kings bridge. 1t will be remember
ed that he was royal Governor Of New
I ork at the commencement of the Reyo-
lution and Colonel of the British regu-
lars After the war broke out he was
placed in active service, and raised 90 a
Generals rank, with power to recruit and
equip tory corps or brigade from the
Americans who still remained loyal to the
crown and the government.
For long time it had been a favorite
project with Putnam that an attempt
should be made to rccapturc the city of
New York. From all accounts it appears
that Washington did not dislike the plan,
but with prudent caution did not wish to
hazard, at that time, the risk of a defeat,
Putnam however, made several fcints and
false movements at his outposts to alarm
Sir Henry Clinton, in which he succeeded
and thus kept the British troops within
the city for its protection, that otherwise,
aided by the fleet, would have been ravag-
ing the adjacent shores of other Statcs,-
1t became necessary to Sir Henry Clinton
that he should know the position and sit
lation Of Putnams troops more accurate
y; also cndcayor if possible, to ascertain
what parties in the city gave Putnam such
accurate knowledge of his plans.
Tryon was busily engaged in raising his
. new levieS,' when Sir Henry sent for
him.
" General T'ryon,' said he, | must
know the position of Putnam'S troops aud
their numbers including his fresh batal-
lions of militia. You ought to find some
Ionc-a native who has enlisted in your
corps. who will 20 into the Highlands and
obtain it for Us. The reward shall be lib
cral, and, II successful, the person shall
be advanced a grade.
:" | think have such man, Sir Hen
ry-a sergeant in DcLaycc's Regiment.
He enlisted only week ago, and is intel
ieent and ambitious He has friends on
the other side that do not know that he
has joined yet
Tho very man. Go and send him.
General lyon was absent about two
hours for he had sent to Harlem where the
sergeant was stationed, undergoing drill
with Others of the new leyies under
their officers.
q. have seen the man, and had LONG
conversation with him, said Tryon, when
he entered. He is willing to undertake
it on one condition, and that is only con
dition of pride
Mat is it ~
That he shall receive Lieutenant's :
commission at once. He will then depart
the instant you require, and is confident
of success
- Do you know him to be a person i'll
whom reliance could be placed ?'
From all can learn, and from my
own Judgment, should not doubt it in
the least
Then let the commission be made out
aud send him with it to me. If | have
the same opinion of him | will sign it,
The young sergeant soon made his APP
pearancc. lie was not more than three
and twenty years of age, of good person.
al appearance, with cunning twinkle
about his small black eye, denotins no
want of confidence in his own good opin-
ion. Sir Henry was SO well pleased with
him that Instructions were soon complete !;
and receiving his new commission, the
new lieutenant babe the British comman-
der adeu, to feturn in u lew days with
with the desired information. On reach
ing quarters, he changed his military APP
parcl for plain countryman's suit, rip
ped the lining off his cooked hat, under
which he placed the commission, which he
carefully reviewed, saying to himself:
Il think when Miss Rosa Milford sees
my commission as an officer i'll his Majcs-
tvs service, she will no longer refuse the
hand OF Nathan Palmer.
The next morning ho left the further
British outposts at Kings bridge, ON
horseback, where Gen. Tryon had accom-
panied him, to pursue his expedition, 1t
was beautiful m rning, and he locked
forward with all the anticipationS OF
pleasure, and hope cleaned warmly III his
breast. lie passed the q" neutral ground =
without molestation, and advanced INTO
what was called the American district
without being troubled BY any of the
occasional traveller on the road, al
though every one was armed and carried
a muskct. Now and then he met an
American yeoman or farmer with whom
he was acquainted that knew not of his
detection, for he was born in that section
of the country, and residents within n
wide circle were then considered neigh
bors. Late in the afternoon he came in
sight of the regular outposts, when he
turned off the main road by narrow one
that led to mill and dwelling on small
but rapid stream. Let us look for II mo-
ment into the dwelling and notice its in
mates. One was girl of about eighteen,
fine rustic beauty, engaged in some tri-
fling house work, but mainly listening to
the conversation Of liyoly-looking. brown
complexioned young man in halt.milltary
qarb, 1t was evident that what he said
pleased her, for she looked at him from
time to time as he fondly smiled on her.
These two were Rosa Milford the millers
daughter, and William Townley, neigh