Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1883-12-22
AT THE END OF A WAR.
Trick Played by tho British when The.
were Leaving this Country.

A never-to-be-fo forgotten incident oc-
CURED when the American column,
headed by General Washington and
Governor Clinton, approached the Bat
terry as the British army left it, at the |
close of the Revolutionary War. Lieu
tenant Clean had been ordered by Com.
modore Grinnel TO raise the American
standard on the staff where the English
ensign had been heretofore flying. The
evening before the British had unreeved
the halyards, broke off the stepping
cleats. and slushed the flagstaff. The
flagstaff stood on Fort George. at the
north end or hastion. close to the Bat
terry. Several men tried to climb the
stan, which was olippery 40 leo, but
in vain. A young sailor boy named Van
Arsdale made three attempts, got mp
about three feet and slipped down again.
Then several persons ran to Goelet's
hardware store on Hanover square and
got handsaw, hatchet, gimlet and nails.
One sawed lengths across a board, one
split the cleats and another berstlth
until there was plenty to use. The Sailor
boy tied the halyard around his waist,
filled his outside pockets full Of cleats-
and then began at the ground to nail
them in on the right and left Of the flag
staff. AS he ascended higher he nailed
the cleats on, and then, reaching the
top, he rove the halyards and descended.
The flag was Immediately run up, amid
salute Of thirteen guns and three thun-
dering cheers from the multitude assem-
bled. The time spent in preparing to
hoist the flag was a period Of intense
interest and suspense. The English
vessels were moving down the bay and
spreading their canvas to the wind, and
it was passionately desired to let them
see the American standard waving over
the city before they left. The sailor boy
was given a more substantial token OF
approval than mere applause, those
present, from General Washington down
to the plainest citizen, cheerfnlly con-
tributing to collection for his benefit.
The son of the sailor boy David Van
Arsdale is now a night inspector In the
Barge Office In New York.
Another incident, related by an eye
witness Of the scene, may serve to illus
trate the reluctance with which the
British quilted their hold Of the city
which they had SO long claimed as their
own. By the conditions agreed upon
| the city was TO be surrendered at noon,
but an impatient shopkeeper. in the
neiphborhood Of Chambers street an
ticipated the arrangement and hoisted
the American flag during the course 0!
the morning. Provost Marshal Gun
ningham hasteaed to the spot and con.
fronted the proprietor. Pull down
.ha, flag" he exclaimed, with an oath
..,he city belongs to the British til
noon" The man objected, hesisa.ed
AID was on the poin. OF yielding, wheI
the good woman Of the house came tc
the rescue. "The flag shall not come
down" said she Cunningham stornet
and swore, and finally attempted To tea
down the colors with his own hands; bu
the woman assa.led him 80 vigorousl,
With q broosns.ick, striking a clond o
pgvsier from his wig at every blow. iha
he vas forced at last 10 abandon the heie
and leave the American flag unmoiested
8 HE that does DO. know those thing