Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1897-08-26
RAMAPO PASS.

In the summer of 1881 the forces of
Washington lay six weeks at Dobbs
Ferry on the Hudson. Every day
Sir Henry Clinton, who was in COM
mand of the British in New York, had
been expecting an attack, and we now
know Washington had been preparing
30 move against the city, but the
failure of Count de Grasse, who was
holding the French feet at the West
Indies, to cooperate with the troops
on land, had compelled him to aban-
don the project, and he had decided
to move rapidly to the south and at
tack CORVALLIS, who was then in
Virginia.
But he was very DESTROYS that Gin
ton should not suspect his plan, for
he might prevent the march or send
reinforcements to CORVALLIS, and
either action would hinder, if it did
not defeat, his project. So the Ameri-
can commander bent all his energies
to deceive the British, and make them
think that New York was still the
place to be attacked. Indeed, we
know that even after the march was
begun the French troops, who went
by the way of Perth Amboy, there
stopped to build ovens and boats, and
gave out that they were about to at
tack the posts on Staten Island and
then move against the city. There
were other means that Washington
used, however, to produce the same
impression even before his army left
Dobbs Ferry, and it is with one of
these that this story has to do.
81 want to see Dominic Montagnie!"
said an orderly to a company of men
who were seated near tent in the
camp at Dobbs Ferry.
"There he is over there" replied
one of the soldiers, pointing to a
young man not far away.
"That Dominic Montagnie!" said
the orderly. "Why he's only boy"
''Boy or not, he's one of the stanch-
est Wings in all this region. There
isn't better man in all the Continen-
tai army" replied the soldier.
The orderly left, and as he APP
preached the young man shrewdly
scanned his face. Evidently he was
satisfied with what he saw, for he at
once addressed him:
'Is this Dominic Montagnie?"
eyes" replied the young preacher,
returning the look to the officer.
"Well, Gen. Washington wants to
see you at once"
"Wants to see me? What for?"
81 don't know. Come with me and
you will soon know"
Young Montagnie asked no further
questions, but arose and accompanied
his guide to the quarters of the COM
mander. He had never spoken to him
before, but he shared fully in the
feeling of respect which all the army
had for their leader, and he was some
what abashed when the General
rose to receive him, and could scarcely
reply to the kind words he spoke
when he was presented.
Eyes, have known of you," said
Washington, ''and from all can hear
am certain / can rely upon you. Is
this true?"
81 try to do my best, General"
said Montagnie modestly.
''That's right. Now, L have a very
important commission for you," and
the General paused n moment to note
the effect of his words, but the young
man only bowed, and he continued:
II want to send some dispatches by
You to Morristown. You will cross
the river at Kings Ferry, go up by
Haverstraw and through Ramapo
Pass"
Montagnie looked up quickly at
the words. tRamapo Pass" Yes,
he knew the place, and too well. 1t
was narrow defile among the hills of
New Jersey, and already had been the
scene of some of the most exciting
events in the Revolution. And now
the cowboys and SINNERS held it, and
If he should once fall into their hands
he knew what would occur.
"But, General" he ventured to
stammer, ''Ramapo Pass is one of the
headquarters of the Tories, and 1 shall
surely be taken if / try to go that way.
Why may not go by the upper road?
am familiar with every foot of the
country"
young man." said Washington,
stamping his foot in real or pretended
anger, ''your duty is not to talk but to
obey"
The young preacher saw that all re-
monstrance would be in vain, and al
though he could not understand why
he should not be left to select his own