The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-10-01
ON SPECIAL DUTY.
An Episode of the Siege of Boston.
BY CYRUS II. sToWELL.


In accordance with these directions
I was rowed quietly across the bay
about 7 o'clock, making o wide circuit
of the Battery. The night was cold
and cloudy, and there was not much
danger of being seen. Although mid.
winter there was no snow on the
ground. A landing was made without
difficulty Oh the. beach near Milk
street, and, leaving orders for the boat
to wait, started quickly up towards
the centre of the town. I did not ex-
pect any trouble in the first part OF
my duty. Many people were about,
the men being dressed just as 1 was,
for, of course, I did not wear my uni
form, and the streets were dark in
spite of the lamps put up by the Sc
lectmel at long intervals. 1 was
armed only with my sword and dag
ger, and these would cause no COM
meut, because it was a common Gus.
tom to wear ornamental rapiers, al
though few of them would be service
able in combat.
On turning into Marlborough street
l came upon the old Province House,
the residence of General Gage, the
governor. Here, almost two months
later, an event happened that caused
o laugh to 60 through the entire
American army when it became known.
The soldiers celebrated Feb. %, 1776,
in honor of General Washington, it
being his first birthday anniversary
while with the army. The men were
greatly amused to hear that the Brit.
ish had unintentionally done the
same. This celebration was in the
form of grand ball, the most impor-
tant and last of the season in the
Province House, called the Queens
ball.
[ kept to the right, by the Old South
Meeting House, and then crossed over
and went up School street to Trea-
mount. Here I found the Perkins
house without trouble and, going eau
tiously to the rear, knocked on the
door. It was opened by a middle
aged man, who said softly before had
time to speak: "Oh, it's you, captain,
is it, Come in here. Don't make
any noise" Isteppedinside the porch,
and he left me, but soon came back
with u small! paper packet. "Here
are the papers," he said in whisper;
"now got out Of Boston as soon as
you cam "But I was told to look
around little," I answered. eff you
stay here after 10 you will be captured,
for General Gage has issued orders
for the arrest of anyone found in the
streets after 10 o'clock without pass
from him." said the man, whom I now
know was Samuel Perkins. Cali
right" I replied, "Pll get away by
that time. Good night" "Good
night and good luck to you," he whis-
pered back, and then, after putting
the papers in an inside pocket, I left
him and went out on the street.
After thinking the matter over I
had come to the conclusion that the
best place to overLear conversation
relating to the condition of the town
would be in the riding school the Brit
ish officers had established in the Old
South Meeting House. So, when T
reached this place, I entered boldly
with the other spectators and went
upstairs to the balcony. Seeing q
vacant seat behind several officers, I
sat down there without disturbing
them. They were W itching the riders
below, who were then racing their
horses around the floor and jumping
them over bar fixed just in front of
the pulpit and discussing the merits
of various men. This did not interest
me, but I listened more attentively
when one asked, ''Are you going to
the performance in Faneuil hall next
Monday, Frank?" "What's thatp"
''Why, General Burgoyne's play, The
Blockade of Boston, All the officers
in the town will be there, and MIST of
those at the works in Charlestown
will come over" This bit of informa-
ion was of use to the American cause
when made it known. General Sui
ivan had planned a raid on Charles
own several days before 7 left the
camp, but the ice on the river was not
lard enough to allow the men to cross
IN it, and so the plan was given up.
Taking advantage of the thick ice and
he absence of he officers in Boston
IN the night of the play, January 8,
lie sent over Major Knowlton, who
commanded the rail fence on the day
If the battle on Breeds Hill, and the
major burned several buildings, in
'luding bakehouse, and captured q
lumber Of prisoners, This raid
'aused general alarm in Boston and
broke up the play in Faneuil hall.
A short time before 10 the specta-
ors began to leave the church. AS
he officers in front of me arose, one
If them turned around and gave a
start. Without looking
straight at him, I could see that he
voc ouaip0 ma CT o,,>Iv, o-I Ill.,