The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1880-09-30
AN INCIDENT, OF THE REVOLUTION
The First Meeting Of Majer Ansss aaA Gener-

Commodore MarstOn, who is probably the old,
est living officer of the United States Navy, who
has largely assisted in the making Of its fame,
who is still younger than maay Of his associates
ry, and whose memory is as a store-house of
pleasant things, and of things of greatest inter
est to his oountrymen, relates the following in
cident of the Revolution:
While the American army under Washington
was at Cambridge, before Boston, a Young man
of much intelligence crossed the enemy's lines
and offered his services to Washington for en-
ployment. The latter was much struck with
the bearing of the young man, and asked him
in what line of duty he wished TO be employed,
much on military affairs, especially engineering,
and that if he was received into the army, he
would prefer being in the artillery.
Bnt General Washington informed him that
he had no guns, and, of course, had no position
of an artillerist to offer him. The young man
disappointed in his reception, which in every
other point was most cordial, at once told WASH
ingtOn that he was well acquainted with every
depot of arms of all kinds in Canada. and if he
would give him 900 picked men, he would soon
supply him with cannon. General Washington,
without hesitation, closed with him in his offer.
The 900 picked men, under an experienced Of
fcer, were given him, and the young man start
ed on his most important mission-and that mis-
sion was in every respect successful. The de-
pots were surprised, the guards overcome and
miles round was impressed into service, aAd in a
short time, all the cannon that were required
were on their way to the camp at Cambridge.
Having arrived in the centre of the State Of New
York in safety, he gave his military escort charge
Of his valuable munitions of war, with orders to
proceed with all dispatch to Cambridge, while
he gave spurs to his horse, that he might, rs
early as possible, report his success to Washing
ton. That night, at about IL o'clock, he found
himself in a dense woods, and unexpectedly
came to n log cabin, and, knocking at the door,
was answered by an hospitable farmer, Of whom
he asked for lodging and food fog himself and
horse. '.Foed,~ said the farmer, II can give
you, but i have hut one bed, which 10 for my
wife if, however, You are willing to lie down
before the fire, you are most welcome And he
accepted the good mans offer. Ii was not long
before another knock at the door was heard,
and another Young man appeared, asking accom-
for the night and the farmer assign
ed him a place alongside Of the other traveller.
The two were soon engaged in conversation, and
became much interested in each other, so that it
was near daylight before they fell asleep. The
rising sun, however, found them both in their |
saddles, and bidding each other friendly fare |
well they parted, NOT to meet again till 17e0 |
when they again came together, one as Major |
General Henry Knox, the great artillery officer |
,f the American army; the other ~ Major John |
Andre, the Adjutant General of the British ar |
my, who was about to be tried as q spy and, for |
being such. was hung October I'd, 1870.