The Ravalli Republican., 1898-01-19
RAlAPO PASS.

of Washington lay for six weeks at
Dabbs Ferry, on the Hudson. Every
day Sir Henry Clinton, who was in
command, of the British in New
York, had been expecting an attack,
and we now know Washington had
been preparing to move against the
city, but the failure Of Count de
Grasse, who was holding the French
fleet at the West Indies, to co, operate
with the troops on land had com
PEELED him to abandon the project,
and he had decided to move rapidly
to the south and attack CORVALLIS,
who was then in Virginia.
But he was very desirous that
Clinton should not suspect his plan,
for he might prevent the march OF
send e-entorcements to CORVALLIS,
and either action would hinder if it
did not defeat his project So the
American 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 Am
hoy, there stopped to build ovens
and boats and gavo out that they
were about to attack the posts on
Staten Island and thenmo against
the city. There were other means
that Washington used, however, to
produce tho same impression even
before his army left Dobbs Ferry,
and it is with one.of these that this
story has TO do, ...... ~
II want to see Dominic Mon
tagnier' said an orderly to a com
pany of men who were seated neal
tent in the camp at Dobbs Ferry.
"There he is over thero, replied
one Of the soldiers, pointing to {
young man not far away,
"Thut Dominic Montagnie!' sai(
the orderly. why, he's only ;
boy"
Boy, OF NOT, he's one of the
stanc,1est Wings in all this region
There ism t q better man in all the
Continental army" replied the sol
dier.
The orderly left, and as he ap
preached the young man shreWdly
scanned his face Evidently he wa
satisfied with what he saw, for h
at once addressed him:
SIS this Dominic Montagnie?'
"Yes, " replied the young preach
er, returning the look 10 the officer
"Well, General Washington wants
70 see you at once. "
"Wants to see mc2 What fori"
Il don't know Come with me ani
you will soon know.
Young Montagnio asked no further
questions, but arose and accompa
MED his guide to the quarters of th'
commander He had never Spoken
to him before, but he shared fully
in the feeling Of respect which al
the army had for their leader, ant
he was somewhat abashed when tn
general rose to receive him ant
could scarcely repl Y to'' the kim
words he spoke when he vas pre-
sented
"Yes, havo known of you, . salt
Washington, 'and from all | ca}
+oi, |
you. Is this truel"
Il try to do my best: general,
said Montagnie modestIy.
THAT'S right. Now, have
very important commission TO
you," And the general paused a MT
ment to note the effect OF his word:
but the young man only bowed an
He continued: II want to send som
dispatches by you to Molrlstow1
You will cross the river at King
Ferry, 60 up by Haverstraw an
through Ramapo pass
Montagnie looked up quickly !;
the words "Ramapo pass. Ye
he knew the place and too we'll
was narrow defile among the hi
of:MeW Jersey and already had bee
the'sGene of some of the most excl
ing events in the Revolution An
nbw the cowboys and skinuers heI
it, and if ho should once fall I'M
their hands he knew what Wou
occur
HBut, general, he venturel
stammer, "Ramupo pass is one
the headquarters Of the Tories, al
Ishall. surely be taken if | try to :
that way Why may | not go
the upper road2 ! am familiar wi
every foot Of the country "
Young man said Washingto
stamping his foot in real or preten
ed anger, your duty is not to TIL
but to obey"
The young preacher saw that
remonstranco would be in va1n, al,
although he could not understu
why he Should not be left to Sel<
his own route, especially since
was to go through a country
knew thoroughly, he only bow
his head and promised to do his be
when am to go1' he inquire
"Now-just as soon as you c