The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-01-20
Incidents of the Revolution

"dS OOTu Ill NoDuTU, uOTtn Oh BOSTON,.
At the age of IA, was sent to Boston, and
put behind the counter. Iwas warmly at
tachcd to the Whig cause and at the age of
sixteen was obliged to leave town. then
enlisted in the army as a soldier for three
years. studiously endeavored to under
stand my duty In my relation, and thought
was proticient-at least, as much as other
soldiers. One day, immediately after Wash.
ington's arrival at Brooklyn, / was detached.
by the officer Of the day, among the guard,
1t 80 happened that was placed as a SEN
tinel before the generals quarters at nine
o'clock. About ten o'clock the generals
carriage drove up, which knew as SOL
dier, but not as sentinel. hailed the
driver
"Who comes there ?" aa....
lie answered, General Washington.
"Who Is General Washington p
He replied, "The command der of the
American army"
81 don't know him advance and give
the countersign."
The driver put. his head within the car
rage, anu lneu ChI1c eluu gave liz tHe
countcrsign.
''Thc countersign Is right" replied,
General Washington can now pass"
The next morning the officer Of the
guard came to me and SAID. General Wash.
ngt on has commanded INC to notify you to
O'clock"
"What does he want Of me2"
81 don't know" replied the officer.
In obedience to this order, I went TO his
quarters at the time appointed; but my
mind was greatly harassed to know whether
! had discharged my duty allght the night
previous. gave tho alarm at the door and
u servant appeared. |.s....
"Inform General Washington," said l.,
'that the person whom he ordered to his
quarters ut nine o'clock is now ut the
door"
The servant made the report. and imme-
diately bade me come III, and conducted
me to the generals room. When entered
he addressed me-
care you the sentinel who stood al my
~
"Yes, sir, asd eudeavored to do my
duty"
II wish all the army understood 1t as
well as you dc" said the general. This re-
lieved the burden on my mind.
The general then continued, "Can you
keep secrct2"
II can try"
'Are you willing to have your name
struck from the roll of the army, and en-
gage in secret service at the hazard of
your life, Tor which promise you forty
dollars q month";"
81 am willing TO serve my country In
any way you may think BEST
"Call here precisely at seven o'clock this
evening, and Twill give you further in
structious.
81 then retired, and precisely at
seven o'clock returned. The gen.
cral presented mo with sealed
ietter without any supercriplion. He
asked ne if had ever been on Roxbury
Heights l told him had, and at his re-
quest described the level ground on the
top. lie gave Inc the countersign, lest
ahould not be able to return before the sen.
tinels received 1t; directed me to converse
with no one on tho way, and If l. should
observe any person who appeared to notice
me particularly, not to- go on the height,
until out Of his sight. Aud when ! hao
assembled to the height, I must look round
carefully, and If discovered uny person
must keep at distance from him, anG
suffer no one to take me. If everything
appeared quiet, must 60 to the west sidt
Of the plain, where should see fiat rocl
which could raise by one hand, and rount
s,one abont four feet fipm 1t; must take
the round stone and place 1t under the edg'
Of the hatrock. which would raise 1t higf
y