The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1897-06-17
A BRITISH INCLUSION,
By E. A. WHEATLY.

At early morn, of day in Septem
b r, 1776, loug line of boats of boat
pnt off from the enemy's fleet, whic
for some days had been lying nearl
opposite Throg's Neck. on Long Is
land Sound, aud approached in a
imposing manner to the shore. Tn
CAV regimentals of the soldiers. an
tue glit.ering bayonets that thre5
back the suns rays in floods Of bril-
liant and dazzling light, with tn
sound of martial music, and the Occa
sional solemn booming of gnn, pre-
sented beautiful and inspiritins
scene. But to the residents of tn,
country. who were tre,nblingy watch
ing the Decentralization. the pagean
was only one of terror. as with heavy
hearts they watchedtbe invaders lant
upon their soil, their bosoms sunk il
hopeless despair, and long era o
oppression. suffering, and imprison-
ment was opened TO them. of which
this was the first scene In the drama.
In the house of James Ferris, /;
large land holder, and wealthy far
mer, residing on the Neck, cheer
full and happy family group were
gathered at the morning meal. But
as they arose from the table, the APP
! palling sight burst upon their view
and in An instant peace and content
ment were changed into dismay aud
terror Part of the troops had already
| landed, and their danger was immln
ent. Mr.. Ferris was aged and crippled
and thus escape to him was impossible
but bis SOD, Thomas FERRIS, young
man, he determined to save for future
service to his country. The trembling
hands of the whole family group,were
| Immediately engaged In preparing
him for departure; his clothes were
hastily tied up IN handkerchief. and
with his musket thrown over his
shoulder, he sprapg upon the horse
| ready saddled at the door, and gallop
ed off toward the head of the Neck
But he was observed by the British,
aud a party was sent to prevent his
escape. He succeeded. however, in
reaching the head of the Neck before
his enemies, but as he crossed the
bridge, a volley of musketry was dis
charged after him by the disappoint
| ed soldiery. Not bullet touched
him, however, and he hurried forward
to Join the American ranks.
The members of the family, whose
peace had been thus suddenly dis
turbed, meanwhile, remained in the
most keen anxiety as to the fate of the
fugitive The discharges which they
heard did not serve to allay their feaI
but the approach of the enemy to the
door. turned their thoughts to their
own danger. Mr.. Ferris had hoped
that his age, aod his inaction in the
contest, would preserve him from mo
lestation. But he was mistaken. He
was ruthlessly seized, and torn from
his family, despite their entreaties,
and sent to New York as a prisoner
MIR. Ferris was thrown into the old
sugar house prison, where, subjected
to evely exposure, half starved, and
| compelled to eat the unwholesome
food placed before him. But during
the term of confinement, Mrs. Ferris
who was a determined and resolute
woman, went into the city to procure
his liberation. She persevered, and
eventually procured his release. But
it was at an hour when disease had
wasted his strength. The devoted
wife bore him to her home, only to
see him die.
| Thomas Ferris, yonng and active
| now became one of the deadliest and
most dangerous enemies to the inva-
der. He was generally employed IL
| collecting information of the move
ments of the British forces, and this
duty brought him in connection with
| Luther kennicut. one of those per
sons employed by the commander in
chief to frequent the camp of the enc
my in the capacities of spies, and who
have been immortalized in the charac
ter of Harvey Birch.* They were
usually suspected to be refugees, go
ing about as peddlers, and Would pass
through the enemy's lines, and ever
penetrate into the very presence ot
the British leaders, with unsuspecteC
impunity, Young Ferris was of those
employed in receiving the intelligence
thus gained by Kennicut; and declar
ed after the war that many serious
consequences were averted from the
American army, by means of the
faithful services of the despised but
patriotic peddlers
In one of the many interviews be
tween Ferris and Kannicut, a bolC
plan was conceived by them for the
surprise and capture of one of the
principal British officers while in his
camp. Two other enterprising pa
triots were engaged in the attempt
On the evening fixed upon, Ferrl.
and his two companions, kennicnt ap
pointing to meet them on the Neck
cautiously approached the sentinels
Their manner of passing the guard
was ingenious and bold. 1t was done
by crawling along the shore through
the sedge, and by these slow and cri
tical means, they at last passed tn
sentinel, and soon joined Kennicut a
the place of meeting. Ferris, who wa
acquainted with the house, was t
conduct the party to the aoartment o
the officer, whom they were to seize
gag, and muffle, and escape with bin
from the Neck as expeditiously an,
silently as possible. After the com
pletion of all arrangements, KennicI
left them. Some little time after hi
departure, Ferris becoming yer
thirsty. incantiously ventured TO tn
well, near the house, for the purpos
of procuring water, when he was OF
served and recognized by one of tn
negro slaves belonging to the hous'
In few minutes after this inciden
Kennicut came to them hurriedly, AN
informed them that their presence o
the Neck was known, that the guar
was doubled all round the Neck. an
that a thorough search was ordere
10 be made for them. at the approac
of daylight They were now in CT
tical situation. To escape frol
the Neck in the same manner the