The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1875-08-12

taking the prisoner as guide with the
remainder of the crew, he quickly reach
| ed the Governors residence. and bold
/ " entered. Meeting an aged negro
servant he compelled him to show the
way to his Excellency's chamber, and
dispensing with the ceremony OF knock
ing, he rudely opened the door and dis
| covered my Lord taking his morning
nap. Placing a pistol at his head,
young Erskine demanded an instant and
unconditional surrender The Cover
nor, completely surprised and having
no time allowed him for reflection, COM
piled with the demand, and reaching
for his sword, handed it to his youthful
captor He was then permitted to arise
and compelled to sign recapitulation,
surrendering the fort and garrison, in
his night shirt. Erskine then allowed
him to don his uniform, and placing
him between two men, he Instructed
them to dispatch the prisoner instantly
if any attempt was made at recapture.
He then paroled the garrison and spik-
ed the guns.
Captain Curtis became anxious re-
garding the fate of his boats crew
and deeply regretted having allowed
such a reckless youngster to leave the
ship. Determined if possible to learn
their fate, he ran close in shore and en-
tered the harbor. While peering through
his glass, a sight met his gaze that caus-
ed him 70 rub his eyes and look again;
then, to his utter amazement, he dis
covered flying from the color staff of the
fort the flag of the New England States
Ga white field with pine tree in the
center). The prudent old Captain was
cautious in approaching, suspecting it
10 be a ruse of the enemy to capture his
vessel. Erskine perceiving the timidity
of his commander, dispatched one OF
his men in small boat. Curtis til us
treasured, came to anchor and proceed
ed on shore. Erskine soon made known
the state of affairs to the Captain. There
was no time to be lost. The English
Governor and sleepy sentry were sent
on board the vessel. Curtis then COM
PEELED the parolled prisoners to assist
his men i'll transferring al the ammuni
ton contained in the fort TO his vessel.
This being accomplished, the vessel was
soon under weigh with fair wind
bound for Boston, where she safely az
rived, and when young Erskine' s achieve
ment became known, the church bells
were rlng in rejoicing. What made
the affair of greater importance was the
fact that at the time there was q great
scarcity of ammunition in the American
army, and the event cheered the almost
Respondent hearts of those patriotic
heroes who had pledged their lives, hon
or, and fortunes to maintain the sacred
cause of liberty. The English Cover
nor's name was Carlton; he was coin
of British mobility, and had been placed
in command where it was thought he
| would incur no personal risk or be eX
posed to danger, and at the same time
be credited with assisting to crush the
Yankee Rebels. Congress ordered that
he should be placed in confinement and
held as hostage for Captain Potter,
whom the English Government had
doomed to imprisonment during the war.
Eventually, through the influence of
Cartoons friends, an exchange was eff
| fected and "a brave man was, with 100
compatriots, restored to liberty and the
service of his country.