The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-08-24
RAMAPO PASS.


of Washington lay for six weeks at
Dobbs 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
Gfrasse, who was holding the French
fleet at the West Indies, to cooperate
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 or
send e-enforcements 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
boy, there stopped to build ovens
and boats and gave out that they
were about to attack 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.
"I want to see Dominic Mon
tagniel" said an orderly to COM
pany of men who were seated near
a tent in the camp at Dobbs Ferry.
'sThere he is over there, I" replied
one of the soldiers, pointing to a
young man not far away.
NThat Dominic Montagnie!' said
the orderly. why, he's only a
boy
ssBoy or not, he's one of the
stanchest Wings in all this region.
There isn't better man in all the
Continental army, replied the SOL
der.
The orderly left, and as he ap-
preached the young man shrewdly
scanned his face. Evidently he was
satisfied with what he saw, for he
at once addressed him:
SIS this Dominic Montagnie2'
"Yes, I" replied the young preach
er, returning the look TO the officer.
"Well, General Washington wants
to see you at once.
Wants to see met What fort"
"Idon't know. Come with me and
you will soon know"
Young Montagnie asked no further
questions, but arose and accompa-
MED his guide to the quarters of the
commander. 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
hewas somewhat abashed when the
general rose to receive him and
could scarcely reply to the kind
words he spoke when he was pre-
sented.
"Yes, I have known of you" said
Washington, land from all l can
hear am certain I can rely upon
you. Is this true9"
"I 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 mo-
ment 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 Mcrristown.
You will Cross the river at Kings
Ferry, go up by Haverstraw and
through Ramapo pass.
Montagnie looked up quickly at
the words "Ramapo 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 excit-
ing events in the Revolution. And
now the cowboys and skinners 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
shall surely be taken if I try to go
that way. Why may I not 60 by
the upper roada am familiar with
every foot of the country"
Young man." said Washington,
stamping his foot in real or pretend
ed anger, "your duty is not to talk,
but to obey"
The young preacher saw that all
remonstrance would be in vain, and,
although he could not understand
why he should not be left to select
his own route, especially since he
uas to on throuoh country he