Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1865-11-03
THE spy.
Assory of she Revolution.
BY EsPERANzA.


80 st .fg-
Night closed upon the American en-
campment A solemn, stiffness dwelt
around. No sound of mirth or jolity was
heard, for the patriots of America, the con-
querors of Burgoyne and Corvallis
without food and without shelter, looked
forward to that gloomy period, as not far
distant, when they should be compelled
to submit to the power of the oppressor.
It was the night of the 25th Of Decem-
ber---just eighty-one years ago-that a
young officer, of commanding figure, was
seem, slowly approaching the camp of his
general He soon arrived at log hut
but the headquarters of Washington-and
was Immediately admitted into his pres
ence. After the usual salutations, they
began business, which, however, was car
ried on In such tone as rendered it i'm
possible to be overheard, except when car
ried away by the feelings of the moment,
they so far forgot themselves as to disre-
gard this precaution. fiGg 01s
"a spyp' exclaimed the young man.
'tCan an officer descend to the perform
ance of such duty" E
"Do you love your country 2" was the
calm reply of Washington.
"God knows | do. Twill do anything
with my honor. Butto enter an enemy's
camp as spy-to be discovered-to suf-
fer an ignominious death on the scaffold
lfear not death, have courted it in bat
tie, but if Ifall, l must fall with honor
As a spy shall only be remembered with
Indignation and contempt"
This is true" replied the general; 81
will force no man to undertake such du-
ty against his will. But this is the hour
Of our country's peril. A moment may
decide her destiny, You are an officer,
and therefore ought not to be required to
undertake this Office; but you alone are
qualified, and on your decision the fate of
your country may depend. Reflect; and
if the cause is worth the sacrifice of your
life, depart, and take such precautions as
You may deem necessary"
He bowed, and left the apartment.
The officer stood transfixed. When
having slowly recoyered-he returned to
his quarters, his cheek was flushed, his
step was hasty, and he wss, evidently In
great agitation of mind. On reaching his
tent, be threw himself on his bed, and
gave way 10 the torrent Of his emotions,
but, comforting himself with the consol-
ing reflection that it was for his country
be risked his life, and that in the camp Of
of the enemy, as well as on the field of
battle, an Almighty God was his protec-
tor, he took such precautions as were nee
essary for his success, and, with one com
panion, Immediately proceeded on his
perilous duty, using great circumspection
toprevent his person from being discover
ed by the scouts of the enemy who occu-
pied the road.
They had not proceeded more than a
mile before the sky became overcast, the
wind arose in It's strength, and blew with
such force that nothing could be heard
but the groaning of the forests, as their
huge trunks bent to the blast From a
storm it soon became hurricane. Vast
branches were torn from the trees, and
hurled into the air, the giant oaks, with a
crash, were thrown to the ground, the
thunder roared, the lightning cleaned,
and nature seemed as if in the throes of
death.
Steadily they proceeded on their way,
congratulating themselves upon the up
roar of the elements, as most likely to fa-
vor their purpose. Mile after mile did
they traverse the country, and they began
to fear that they had lost the road, when
on turning corner, they found them
selves directly before large watch-fre
Many men were hanging around. Some
were sleeping, others talking--but all too
busy to notice our heroes. Fortunately |
for them the sentineps back was turned at !
the time, and before he again performed |
his round, they had concealed themselves |
in shallow trench, dug for agricultural |
purposes, which ran nearly parallel with |
the encampment. Here the officer whom
we viii call Alfred Post, directed his COM
panion to remain concealed, and gather |
what information he could, while he re-
sorted to the other side for similar pur-
pose; but charging him by no means to
leave the place till his retnrn. Having
given these orders, he proceeded up the
trench upon his hands and knees; now,
upon the approach of the sentinel, lying
quite still-now proceeding stealthily up
on his way, In this manner he performed 4
the circuit of the camp, noting the posi-
ton and strength of each regiment, as
nearly as he could determine. Having
this important Information, he returned to
his comrade, desiring him to hasten, with
all speed, to deliver it to Washington,
while he intended to penetrate into the
camp ITSELF if possible, and gain more ac7
curate information The storm which had /
absted, now wholly ceased, but
still the heavens were concealed under a
bhick mass Of clouds. While in the trench,
ne accldently overheard the watchword,
he hoped that, with this and the darkness
Of the night, ne might with safety pass the {
outPosts and penetrate into the camp; ]
and he, therefore, immediately proceeded lc
10 the execution of his project. He reach t
ID the sentinel, gave the word and was t