The union Democrat., 1870-08-20

SidcS VI WIG IL requested. NY ueaT ndudHi
l-and he bowed his head nearer to the lady
as it in private conference-ssa portion OF on
troops are yet in the city. and they can onl
escape by the Blocmingdale road. You ma
prevent the march of the enemy across th
island.n
i Tell your General, young man. that
shall offer General Howe all the civilities i
my power !"
Thanks, Mrs. Murray-thanksl |" an
the aid rode rapidly away.
/ Not more than FIVE minutes had elapse
from the time the officer departed, when th
sound of martial music, with notes Of victory
filled the air, and proclaimed the movement
of advancing troops. Mrs. Murray wen
down to the road, and, with two or three al
tendants, awaited their coming.
i Indeed, it was brilliant spectacle Al
advance corps Of cavalry, in scarlet uniforms
came gallantly mp the hill, their trumpet
and kettle drums in front, "discoursing mos
eloquent music !" next followed compan,
of grenadiers, and then large number of Of
fcers in rich uniform. The foremost Office
on horseback was Sir William Howe, con
mander-in-chief of the British forces. Ii
frame of body and stature, Si- William
equaled Washington, both being above th
ordinary hight. Here the comparison stops
The contenance Of the British General, 8
say historians, was harsh, dark and forbid
ding, now and then lighted up by smil
which seemed more disagreeable than pre-
possessing. Onward came the cavalcade. IN
til they reached the gate at which Mrs. Mur
ray was standing, upon whom oil eyes wer
turned.
"Wlll thee not otop and refresh thyselvc
for season at my mension? Thee must b
fa.igued !" she said, addressing herself tt
Sir William Howe aud the officers immedi
ately about him.
"Really, Clinton. think we may as wei
accept this good lady's offer for few mo
meuts. The troops have had hot work 81
far, and general rest will not be amiss
Madam, we accept your kind offer with
pleasure, the more so as it shows you to be ,
loyal friend of His Majesty, whom now
humbly represent, as Commander-in-Chie O
his forces in North America"
II arm alike the friend Of King George
and of Congress, of William Howe anc
George Washington. 1t becomes me not,
poor, weak thing of Gods making, to dislike
sny of His creatures"
| Sir William Howe bowed; he was tot
polite to argue political matters with tn,
good Quakeress. He rode into the opeI
park, after commanding general halt of tel
minutes for the refreshment of the troops
followed by Sir Henry Clinton, Genera
Knyphausen, Commander of the Hessians
Lord Percy, Generals Leslie and Grant, ant
his staff, where they dismounted and follow
led Mrs. Murray to the mansion.
| Refreshments of cake, wine and cold meat
were ordered out upon the lawn in profusion
of which the officers partook freely and ira
dition says that Sir Henry Clinton, who wa
o great bon vivant, remarked to his superior
officer in an undertone, ''that if the cellars o
the mansion contained any large quantity o
such Madeira, ne should like to be billete(
there for the campaign !"
| in the meantime Mrs. Murray had direct
ed Cato, the black servant, privately to 90 t
the top of the mansion, and the instant h,
saw large body of troops pass a certain
point Oil the Bloomingdale road to give he
the information by signal. may as we'll re
mark that from the hill the road could nos b,
perceived, but from the cupola of the dwell
| ing it was very easily seen.
| Nearer an hour than the ten minutes Sir Viii
| liam Howe gave orders for the halt of hi
troops had passed away, yet still before tht
mansion he fingered with his officers. Mrs
Murray had entertained them not cnly with
refreshments, but her conversation. Tht
younger portion Of the officers had entered
the orchards and amused themselves will
| picking peaches and other fruit, with which
the trees were bending, ripened under tht
sun of an early Autumn, aod thus time haC
| slipped awav unawares.
At length Cato made the requisite signal
and Mrs. Murray, turning to the British com
mander. said: .Wiit thee and thy officer.
step with me to the portico OF the mansion
have sight for thee all.''
This was uttered in so quiet and grave q
tone that merriment at their triumph over thu
"rebels' instantly ceased, the glasses were
put down, and Sir William Howe and hi.
Generals followed the Quakeress as requested
Leading them to the end of the portico, she
stopped down, and, lifting the sheet, uncov
cred the body of the roor Continental Ensign
Handsome even in death were the feature.
OF the youth. His fair, curling hair blew
lightly over his marble cheek in the sof
breeze. The buff lining of his uniform wa.
deeply streaked with his life blood. which
had gathered in clotted pool upon the mat
tress. The sight was indeed one to avaker
emotions in the sternest breast.
"Who among ye will answer to God ani
this bows mother for this bloody deed p, sale
Mrs. Murray, raising her eyes calmly to The
group of officers.
ITO horse, gentlemen Madam, such ar.
the fortunes of war. Thanks for your court
esy. Farewell! 70
This was the only response of Sir William
Howe. What more could he say? In few
moments the blast of trumpets and the SOUND
OF drums and fifes told that the troops were
on their march to triumph and victory-for 3
season. Thank God, it was only for sea
son.
The main facts of this sketch are true
Mrs. MURRAY. the patriotic Quakeress, by de
tanning Sir William Howe, saved a large bo
dy OF American troops, near upon 5000, un
der the command of Putnam, who would have
been penned up in the city with his men il
the British army had crossed the island an
hour sooner. Might not the loss of 5000
troops to Washington at that time have been
sufficient to change ou- whole destinies, as re-
CARDS republic? 1t is grave thought.
AT any rate, all honor to Mrs. Murray, the
Quaker lady of the olden time
The Natchez challenges the Lee to single
dash trial trip up the Alabama for SlOO, 600.
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