Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1890-10-09
HARVEY BIRCE.
The Mos, Famous spy of the Revolution.
Rnchpstnr InInn


Cooper's. Spy Is. undoubtedly the
ablest and most fascinating of all that
q eat American noveiist's works. His
historical novels are true to the incidents
of history, and his descriptions of American
scenery, American autumn, the American
Indian and American character are equal
" true.
1t will be remembered that it was Wash
ington policy to employ in the war of the
revolution certain persons IN secret service,
men OF the rarest capacity Disgusting them
selves and appearing IN various characters.
The most prominent of these was Harvey
Birch, vino was so successful IN gather
ing valuable materials for Washington, in
the character of Il royal spy, that great
efforts were made by the American troops
to capture him. So consummately did he
manage that he always had access to the
British lines, the British soldiers believing
him a spy in then service, when he was,
in reality, Il most artful American spy,
conveying to Washington some of the
most important plans and proposed move
ments of the enemy 1t was matter of
wonder to the British how Washington
always had such perfect knowledge of the
designs and plans of their campaigns.
which was furnished him by Harvey
Birch, whom the British regarded as in
their service. This man would sometimes
appear disguised rs woman then again.
as plain farmer, then as preacher and
then as a doctor But the character in
which he was best known, aud in which he
was most successful, was that OF peddler,
traversing what was called the neutral
ground, lying between tine two armies,
passing with impunity from one to the
o;her, with pack on his back, apparently
intent on selling his goods and nothinge else.
When detected, as he often was he adrolt-
ly escaped death, In some mysterious man
ner and as is believed by many historians,
through the secret influence OF Washing
ton himself
But when the war finally closed, he had
the reputation of having been spy
against his country, and was looked upon
with hatred by the people in the new gov
eminent, although, in fact, he was SIN
cere aud exceedingly useful patriot. 1t is
believed by many that 1t WIS Harvey
Birch, who successfully, and almost like a
phantom, called the attention OF the captors
of Andre. while they were en- gagged in a
game of cards in the ticket, and would
have tailed to discover him as he passed
them. had it not been for the singular
notice of his approach they received from
Birch.
Harvey Birch, though advanced III
years. was. with the American troops en-
gagged in the battle of Lundy's Lane, where
he was killed in the terrible charge upon
the British batteries, so wildly described
by Mr.. Proctor The following is Cooper :
/ !. d +l,., 4 /,
Near where young officer lay on the
battlefield, badly wounded, was the body
of an elderly man, ying ON his back, with
his face exposed TO the glazing light OF a
fuSee. his eyes closed, as If In slumber.
his lips, sunken with years, were slightly
moved from their natural position, but 1t
seemed more like a smile than convul-
sion which had caused the change. His
musket lay near him; his hands were press
ed upon his breast and one of them con-
tanned a substance that glittered like silver.
An officer stopped and removing the limbs.
perceived the place where the bullet had
found passage to his heart. The subject
Of his last care was a tin box; through
which the fatal lead HAD gone; aud the
diving moments of the old soldier must
| have passed in drawing it from his bosom.
The box was opened. and in it was found
paper which read as follows;
Circumstances Of political importance.
which involve the lives and fortunes ot
many. have hitherto kept secret what this
1 paper now reveals. Harvey Birch has for
Years been faithful and unrequited ser
vault of his country Though man does
not, may God reward him for his patriotic
conduct.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.