The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1872-01-12
WI is G elIaneous.
For tile -Egis Dc MteMgencer.
THE FERRYMAN.
A Tale Of the Revolution.

Mr.. ED1roh::- This is Christmas night.
On this eve, ninety fiveyears ago, it is well
known that General Washington crossed the
angry floods of the broad Delaware, which
at that time was covered with immense
cakes of floating ice, which made the pas.
sage extremely hazardous. Added to this
the night was dark, gloomy and starless,
and peltlng storm of hail and snow de-
scended on the Father of his Country and
his brave band of gallant patriots, as they
crossed the angry floods to march for Tren-
ton, there to strike blow for freedom.
But there was man connected with this
important enterprise who appears to have
escaped the notice of the historian. This
man was named George Warner, and he was
reckoned to be the best waterman on the
Delaware. Washington being informed of
this, sent for young Warner and enquired
OF him IT be thought passage across the
Delaware for him and his troops, in its
present condition, practicable. The stall
wart terryman told him that he could col
lect corps of watermen, together with
boats, that could convey his troops across !;
and he further informed his beloved gene
raj that if he could do anything to aVenge
terrible wrong that had been done to
him and one dearer to him than life, that
he V ould most cheerfully do it, if it cost
him his life.
He told the General that marauding
party of cut-throat Hessians had a few days
before crossed the river in the night, being
led by notorious tory, and had abducted
his intended wife; that her name was Liz
zie Rodgers, and she was considered one of
the most beautiful as we'll as one of the
best young ladies Of Pennsylvania. She
and her widowed mother were alone when
the wicked transaction was perpetrated,
and that he understood she was now held
q close prisoner at the Hessian head-uuar-
tiers in Trenton.
The General calmly told him that if he
could set his division across the river it
might be that through the aid of Divine
Providence he would again see his loved
one. The athletic youth then left to make
his preparations for the perilous adventure.
This was Christmas morning; and such
was his energy that by shutdown he had
collected boats and corps of the best wa
termen that were to be found, and reported
to the General that everything was ready.
Discouraging as the prospect was, Wash
ington at once ordered his men to embark,
and gave explicit orders for them to obey
Mr.. Warner and go by his directi, y while
crossing. The young man gave the prop
err direction to his fellow craftsmen, and
these hardy, fearless sons of Neptune work.
ed with will, overcoming every obstacle
that the angry waves and floating ice put
in their way.
By o'clock, on the Goth, Washingtons
division had been safely set over, and were
formed and on their march for Trenton,
nine miles distant. And those glorious
patriots followed their beloved leader
through furious storm of hail and snow,
well knowing that they were going to at
tack twice their number of regular troops,
who we're well supplied with all the NUM-
tions ofwar. Trusting to the Great Jeho-
yah, and placing implicit faith in their be-
loved leader, those hardy sons of freedom
marched on their dreary path without a
murmur, to strike blow for the liberties
we now enjoy.
The young terryman was permitted, at
his urgent request, to accompany the ex-
petition. He kept near Washington, and
was one of the first men to enter Trenton,
where about 1900 Hessians and troop of
British horse were quartered. Col. Rail,
the Hessian commander and his officers,
held high wassail on that Christmas night,
and were still in their drunken revels, when
they were startled by the sound of musket-
ry, and rushed forth to find themselves
prisoners of war. Rail was killed in the
melee; the British horse escaped, together
with some Hessians, but 1000 were
ni.Je prisoners.
h''ug Warner now approached one of