The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-07-29
SlNGLR.HANDED CAPTURE.
A story OF the RevoIution.

6atHcS Ivy a kICt
independent people among the nations OF
the earth, the only resource and sole reli-
ance they depended on to cope with a
powerful antagonist on the ocean, that
claimed the proud title of mistress of the
Sea, were private armed vessels or :" Let
ters OF Marqse,' as they were then term
ed, Captain Curtis, of Salem was commits
stoned by Congress to cruise along the
coast OF Nova Scotia for the purpose of de-
! stroying the British fisheries. Captain
Curtis selected as his lieutenant Robert
Erskine, who, although but youth of
nineteen years, had already established a
reputation for cool, unfiinching courage
In the face Of danger; this quality, COM
oined with great physical strength, COM
mandlng statue and good judgment, fit
him Tor the important post he, notwith-
standing his youth. was called to fill. The
crew was composed OF hardy young fish
ermeD, filled with hatred and resentment
against the tyrant who sought to deprive
them of those inalienable rights elaine q
by the immortal Declaration of Inde-
pendence," and animated by love for ad-
venture, and inspired with devotion to
the sacred cause of liberty and the rights
of man. During the first two weeks moth
ing of Importance occurred to relieve the
mOnotony of the cruise. Young Erskine
became impatient, and knowing the facl
that they were in the vicinity of an i'm
portant English post called Annapolis
Royal, he urged Captain Curtis to allow
him to take boat and reconnoiter the
harbor. Curtis at first refused, knowing
well that in case of capture his men would
be treated as pirates and instantly executed;
but at last young Erskines importuni-
" prevailed, and the prudent old Captain
tain gave his unwilling con .ent. Erskine
departed in boat manned by twelve men,
two hours before day-break. Fortunately,
at the time dense fog prevailed. that
served them as cover, under which they
could approach the shore with little fear
of being discovered; so with stout arms
and courageous hearts, under the guidance
of their fearless young leader, they pulled
steadily for the hostile shore. After an
absence of several hours from the ship, the
day began to dawn and the fog 10 lift.
When, to the ss;onishment Of all hands,
they discovered that they had entered the
harbor. and found themselves right under
the guns of the fort, which had been con-
structed close to the waters edge, Erskine
ordered his men to lay upon their oars,
and atTer an..interval OF five minutes and no
alarm being given, he felt assured that they
had not been discovered; Il en-, turning
the boat head TO the beach, with the in
tention of landing, he ordered his men To
give way. They were about to comply
with his orders when he made the impOr-
tanU discovery that the sentry posted on
the beach was asleep. There he stood with
his head bowed down, u-ing his muskeI
for support, utterly unconscious OF the
presence of an enemy. lC was here that
young Erskine showed himself equal to
the emergency by displIy of coUlness,
courage and andacity; ordering his men
to remain perfectly quiet, he hastily di-
vested himself OF his garments, and q uiet-
ly dropping into the water. swan boldly
for the shore. His men watched their
Young leader IS he reached the shore and,
with cat-like tread, approached the slum-
oering sentry. Springing upon him
Erskine wrenched the musket from his
grasp, and presenting the muzzle to his
head, informed him that his life was the
forfeit if he made the slightest resistance OF
attempted 20 give an alarm.
The BOATS crew quickly effected land-
ing, Erskine resumed his dress, and the
frightened soldier consented 10 lead the N
to the Governors quarters. Erskine de.
tailed four men to remain with the boat
with orders, if discovered from the fort, to
push out into the pay and fire pistol as a
signal of alarm, then, taking the prisoner
as guide with the remainder of the crew
he quickly reached the Governors resi-.
dence, and boldly entered. Meeting az
aged negro servant he compelled him tC
SHOW the way TO his Excellency's chamber
and dispensing with the ceremony o.
knocking. he rudely opened the door anC
discovered my Lord taking his morning
nap. Placing pistol at his head, young
| Er. kline demanded an instant and uncon
ditional surrender. The Governor, com
pletely surprised and having no time al
lowed him for reflection, complied will
the demand, and reaching for his sword
handed it 10 his youthful captOr. He wa
then permitted to arise and compelled Il
sign a recapitulatiOn, surrendering thu
fort and garrison, in his night shirt
Erskine then allowed him to don his uni
form, and placing HIM between two men
he instructed them TO dispatch the prison
er instantly if any attempt was made a
recapture. He then paroled the garrison
and spiked the guns.
Captain Curtis became anxious regard
ing the fate of his boats crew and deepl.
regretted having allowed such reckles
yoIngster to leave the ship. Determines
If possible to learn their fate, he ran clos
lin shore and entered the harbor. Whil
peering through his glass, a sight met hi
uaze that caused him TO rub his eyes ant
look again; then, to his utter amaZement
he discovered flying from the color stat
of the fort the flag of the New England
States IA white field with pine tree il
the center). The prudent old Captain wal
cautious in approaching, suspecting 1t t
be a ruse of the enemy TO capture his yes
sci. Erskine pefceiving the timidity o
his commander, dispatched one Of his mel
in a small boat. Curtis thus reasSured
came to anchor and proceeded on shore
Erskine soon made known the state OF al
fairs to the Captain. There was ne tim
to be lost. The English Governor ant
sleepy sentry were sent Oh board the yes
sci. Curtis then compelled the parolle
prisoners to assist his men in transferring
Al the ammunition contained in the for
to his vessel This being accomplished
tue vessel was soon under weight with
fair wind bound for Boston, where sh
safely arrived, and when young Erskine'
achievement became known, the chuic
bells were rung in rejoicing. What mad
the affair of greater importance was til
fact that at the time there was grea
scarcity of ammunition in the America
army, and the event cheered the almo:
despondent hearts of those patriot
heroes who had pledged their lives, hor
or, and fortunes to maintain the icre
cause of lib riy. The English Govern
or's pame was Carlton he was clon
British nobility, and had been placed !
command where it was thought ne woui
incur no personal risk or be exposed I
dang r, and at the sane time be ere l,Ie
, with assisting 10 crush the 1anEee hes
, placed in Confinement and held as no
tage for Captain Potter. whom the Ens
: Iish Government had doomed to imprisol
ment during the war. E,eituall!
!, through the influence of Cartoons friend
: an exenanre WAS effected and brave ms