Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-07-06
The Silver Bullet.

X, bIfrOVDe W
ny were advancing from Canada to Albany. Tho
oo3c6 and design OF the enemy was to possess tbeo
serves OF Lake Champlain, with the whole of tho
hud5on and thereby to cut off all intercourse and
CCoulnuhlcatIon C between the Eastern and Southern
otates. For the purpose of watching the ,,ot;,
ana annoying the operations Of the hostile arIn;oS
Uehefal ashington had hired small bodies troo
TO De placed at Fishkil Red Hook. Grcenbusb op5
oseta other places on the east side of the river be-
tween Albany and New York. with strict ordors -
examine all strangers travelling up and down the riu
u, eitner 0y land water and if detected in
espionage or employed in communicating infrna
o. | 70 Tue british army, to be punished according
TO the rules of war;
About the 1st of Sentembor q aot:
hoftn"ardly, was hailed and stopped bv sentinel Of
"a Tue guard placed at Red Hook and commanded bv
Oapt John Mansfield, of Connecticut The man
oI %IH aoout cnrty years of age and clothed in the
naoiC OF a farmer He was conducted to the Guard
mouse; Captain Mansfield inquired of him his name.
1e pace OF ms residence well as that to which he
was gong, his business there &C. -
iI0 rePLed oy giving name and stated that he
'elohged to place above Red Hook, and was a far
lneF' That he was now his way to the next town =.
ABOVE, with view to purchase pair of oxen from
larIner OF his acquaintance He was asked wheth-
er G nc had ABOUT him any letter or communication
from Lord Howe or any other British Officer at N
York, addressed to Burgoyne or anv officer in tho
army to which he promptly answered in the negative
capt NJ then told him that such were the orders
OF his superior officer that it became his duty to
cumstances, to which he replied he had nc objections
Tss 81 fe ghsa Is @ o thsa hs coat ana esa
hispockes, fods lining, and every other part criti-
caIly hie this DOING one of the guard OBJ
served the prisoner to pass his hand with quick
motion from his vest pocket to his mouth.
Inc search however, continued and was finished
without any discovery which would justify the fur
ther detention of the prisoner. Capt. M. was then
informed OF the suspicious circumstances noticed by
the guard What was now to be done i? Strong sus.
piclon had attached itself to the stranger but no
positive proof had yet appeared against him.
An eXpedlent soon suggested itself to the ready
thoughts OF our shrewd Captain. He observed TO
the prisoner, We have detained you your Journey
for soae length Of time, and subjected you to pref
ty strict examination. feel bound by the rules Of
cvihty to treat you to bowl Of toddv before you
proceed on, and you shall be welcome The
pleased with the invitati0 and readily agreed to
accept it. The Captain took upon himself the office
OF bar keeper, and soon prepared the toddy. To
make dt genuine, and to answer the purpose for.
which he wanted it. be stirred in good dose Of tar
tar emctlc. Oar stranger being thirsty and some.
what fatgued by travelling drank yery freely of the
beverage, while the Captain and others present bare
ly tasted and passed it round.
a free conversation soon commenced between the
stranger and his new acquaintance. lie inquired ot
Capt. NJ. the number of men under his command
and at the different military stations above Red
HOOK, whether they were furnished with field pieces
Or any kind of cannon-what number of sentines
placed on the watch at time--how often and,
| "lIdI tIlIo VI tlc IllSuC tuCy "cEe IcIeFSu,
About twelve or fifteen minutes after the toddy
went round and went down, guest began to grow
pale and look wild. Something, said he, is the mat
ter with me-I feel very sick at my stomach all at
oncei He rose Immediately from his seat and went
out into the woodward, where quantity of chips
were lying, and soon began to vomit. He was care
fully watched by the guard, and was by them
to draw with his foot parcel of chips the mat
ter emitted from his stomach before he returned into
! the house. While he was rinsins his mouth IN the
house, Captain NJ, directed a search to be made
among the chips, where soon found silver ball
OF the size IF small rnusket bullet, made by two
pieces Of very thinly plated silver bent round and
lightly sordcred together.
! Enclosed IN this fatal bullet was found letter on
sheet of silk paper signed By Lord Howe address
ed to Gen. Burgoyne, giving information respecting
:. the situation of the royal feet and army at New
York, and requesting advice from the General by the
bearer, what progress he making with the army
under his command toward Albany, at which place he
hoped soon to meet him. The bearer of course, was
continued IN custody, and court martial speedily
formed, by whom, the clearest evidence of guilt
the unfortunate prisoner convicted, sentenced
and executed
I'VE REv. WM S. PLUMER D. D-A lady recently
returned from the North informs that this venera
j ic 6ilino of LARGE