The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1867-05-23
A Revolutionary Adventure.

A Revolutionary Adventure.
History is filled with deeds of the
men of the revolution, nor are the
patriotic women forgotten in the
burning words of the annalist of rs,
but where is the historian who tells
of the boys of that gloomy period
Who writes their Biographies?
There were boys in the Revolution
boys of noble patriotism and
dauntless spirit-boys who would
not become traitors although the
rack and gibbet confronted them
boys who toiled with an endurance
and boldness unequaled in the an
mails Of nation, for the independ
ence of the "Old Thirteen" and had
they now just desert, the brightest
star in the American constellation,
and the widest stripe in broad can
vass would be dedicated to the boys
of '76.
Let us relate an instance.
It was in 1777. Philadelphia
was in the hands of Howe and his
inhuman, soldiery, who. on the field
of Brandywine, gave the American
people an evidence of British hui
manity. The inhabitants Of Della
ware and Pennsylvania were at the
mercy of their foes. Bands of Hes
sian dragons secured the vicinity
of Philadelphia for miles around,
and committed acts that would dis
grace a vandal.
On the evening Of g delightful
summer day, group Of boys, rang
ing i'll age from twelve to seventeen
years, were gathered together on the
steps of teiantless store house, in
the village Of Newark, Delaware.
The town seemed lonely, and, with
the exception of the youthful band
already told, not human being met
the eye. All the men capable of
bearing arms, had left their homes
to join the army of Washington on
the banks of the Schuylkill. A
youth of sixteen years, mounted on
barrel, was giving an account OF
the disastrous battle of Brandywine
james wilson, the narrator, was q
bold boy, enthusiastic in his love Of
the American cause, and possessed
of no little intelligence. His blue
eye and flaXen hair gave him an eff
Terminate appearance, but beneath
that home spun jacket throbbed a
heart that never quailed in danger.
nor shrunk before an obstacle. His
father was the commander of the
Delaware regular troops, and his
mother was dead. The boy con-
cluded his narration, and was deeply
lamenting that he could not join the
army.
Il am not old enough" said he,
''but had l musket / would not
stand idle here, with my hands hang
ing useless at my side"
care there no guns Of any de-
scription in the village?' p inquired a
listening youth.
" None. / have spent nearly a
week trying to find one, but my eff
forts have been of no avail.
strongly suspect that old tory Liv-
ingston has several in his house, but
as he permits no one to trespass on
his land, am unable to say posi-
lively"
why not take a party and search
| his dWellinU % asked Frank Howard
she has no one there but his cow
ardly son George, and l can thrash
him as easily as that swapping his
fingers to imply the readiness with
which he could trounce old Living
ston's son.
James Wilson's eyes sparkled with
| Joy. eff any three boys in this com
pany will help me, I will search old
Livingston's house tonight. All
who are willing to go step forward
three PAGES.
Every boy in the crowd, without
a moments hesitation stepped ea-
gerly forward
The boys eyes flashed like stars
"Now by the dead of Bunker Hill, ]
will search old Livingston's, though
death stand in my path
With a firm tread and the utmos!
silence, the young heroes took THEN
march for old Squire Livingston's
Livingston had been long suspect
ed Of harboring British spies, and
some of his former laborors had re-
ported that he had kept up regular
correspondence with the British
commander. At all events he was
generally regarded by the genuine
Wings as dangerous man, a nd was
therefore avoided.
At the time James Wilson and his
little band left the deserted store
house in the village of Newark, dusk
had given place to the dark shades
of night. The moon was shining
brightly in the clouds and every OBJ
iect was perfectly distinguishable
The boys walked forward maintain
ing a solemn silence. Atlength they
gained the back Of the creek, ane
slowly following the winding of th'
path soon came in sight of the objec
of their destination. AS they cam,
to a little log bridge which crossed
a little shallow rivulet leading into
the White Clay Creek, James Will
son ordered them to halt.
"Let Frank Howard and mysel
rcconnoitre the premises first, to Sc.
whether any danger may be appre
hended. All the rest stand here til
we return. Make no noise, anC
keep up constant watch. .
James and Frank silently do