The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-06-16
[wiltten for the Rutland GLoBE.l
An Escape from the Hessian Light
Horse

the American revolution Is taken from q
manuscript which records the particulars
of the affai in the words Of the chief ac-
tor thoren-Mr. Zeb. Green. This manu-
script was written in the year ls46, by |
Joel Green, esq, of Whitehall, N. Y,
and for the same am indebted to one of |
his daughters, an estimable lady, living in |
Rutland. 1t bears many evidences of au-
thenticity, aud gives without doubt a per-
fectly credible version of the affair. To-
deed, the narrative has received full con-
firmation from the commander of the little
party of Americans whose fortunes II is
my purpose to make public.
Although the manuscript, as have said,
records the incident in Mr.. Green's own
words, it is hardly in form for publication,
and therefore deem it best TO tell the
story myself, and at the same time retain,
as far as possible, the language of the man
uscript.
During part of the winter of 17i6 u
the British army was stationed at Bound
Brook, small place on the Rartan river,
in New Jersey. Two miles back from the
river lay the American forces, their object
being to watch the movements of the enc.
my and, incidentally perhaps, to check any
minor forays which they might attempt TO
make. Certainly the Americans, who
were much the weaker party, could not
hazard general engagement. But how
ever this may have been, every source of
alarm was promptly and fully invest-
gated
Before sunrise, on a clear, cold and still
morning in the latter part of December,
commotion was heard in the direction of
the British camp. Lieutenant Everett, of
the American army, was ordered to take
few men, and ascertain if possible. the
cause of the tumult. Calling fer voun-
teers eight men responded Four of them,
including Mr.. Green, were hardly more
than boys, and the entire party were from
the highlands which surround the Wach
usett mountain in Massachusetts
Passing rapidly over the $50 niles II
, open country which iu,eivened between
the hostile camps, the little party founA
themselves within two or three hand d
yards of the river, along the banks of
| which lay the highway. A small elevation
J hid them from the euemys view. This
elevation they quickly assembled, and be-
low them, winding along the river road,
they saw forage train consisting OF thirty
or forty wagons, under the escort OF de-
? tachment of lIessian infantry, $50 to 200
strong. The Hessians, with their cooked
hats, short, red breeches and long stock
, ings, reminded the Americans of flock
of wild turkeys Lieutenant Everett soon
ordered retreat, and with the four Oldest
men, was quickly on the way back to
. camp. The others remained. laughing at
the grotesque appearance of sluggish Hes
] slams. They also fired several shots into
their close ranks, the firing being returned.
The Hessians now attempted to cut off
their retreat, and the young men turned to-
q | ----.i Gao. tlu
q their rear troop of twenty-five mounted
Hessians. Mr.. Green's companions imme.
diately fled in the direction of the Amer
. lean encampment, but, thinking that they
, could not reach the camp before being
overtaken, Mr.. Green determined to take
another course.
: Half mile away, in a direction nearly
at right angles with that taken by his fell
! lows, he saw piece of woodland with
, which he was somewhat familiar. Be.
tween him and the woods lay smooth, level
! helds, the fences at that season being most
,, ly neglected and down. He resolved TO
attempt to reach the woods, for once in
, them the horsemen could not follow. Half
dozen of the Hessians started in pursuit
OF him, while the others followed his COM
panions. The foremost of his pursuers, a
J lieutenant, armed with pistols, carbne
and broadsword, the last two depending
IRON his saddle, followed rapidly, and re-
peatedly, in broken English, shouted
"Stop Lay down your arm Good quar-
ter"
Slr. Green having heard much of the
suiierings of his countrymen in the British
prison ships, determined not to be taken
awe. lie bit off II cartridge and dropped
1t into his gun as he ran, intending to stop
and shoot his pursuer. Turning his head,
slightly, however, he saw the other horse
men only yard or two IN the rear, and
therefore abandoned the idea, and put
forth all his energies to reach the woods,
then near at hand
Directly across his path ran an old fence.
made of rails and brush. AS he ap-
preached this fence he noticed small tree
which had been felled upon it. The tree
was about knee high, and he resolved to
pass over the fence at this point. / will
now make literal quotation from the
manuscript
LAS | drew near to the fence turned nv
head to ascertain the position of my enemy.
He was leaning forward on his horse. with
his heavy broadsword brandished aloft.
almost over my head, and felt a chill run
down my back where | expected he would
cleaye me asunder But as | stepped from
| the ground on my rude stair, and thence to
the top of the fence, | heard the noise of
the descending weapon as it fell harmless a
small distance behind me; and now felt
that had escaped the greatest danger.
Between the top of the fence and the
ground / cooked my gun, and turning in
stantly on my heel, met my antagonist
face to facet That look shall never for
get. 1t seemed to say, 'One of us is a |
dead man; and / am confident should |
know that face if | met it in any country, |
at any distance of time.
"The moment was now precious, for
life or death hung on it, and, indeed, the |
whole operation at the fence was the work |
OF moment-or only a short work. |
When my pursuer found that his good |
sword had failed, he instantly let it fall,
and as ! turned saw him draw pistol