The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-03-29
WASlIlNGTON'S SPY.

4 .Th. general wants to see you at
ss,iauallcrs early in the morning. sir, :"
,,uouncrd the orderly. AS nearly as
4 xu recall. this message was delivered
.r February afternoon, 1880
,or. with good sized but ragged
.,uv Of my countrymen 1 spent that
r,uer with Washington at Norris
awn Back in those days was hardy
4 rouns chap of 23 and rather enjoyed
.auv Of the experiences which older
1en cursed. Two weeks before the time
mention | had returned from a scout
i ;,r TIN which had taken me as far as
Albany. being picked for the work be-
aa,e knew we'll the town and its en-
,;rons from having been there. aboard
rver craft. time and again. before red
,oated forces were in America.
was astir early in the morning. AS
4 lwa sed from my hut near the court
house toward his excellency's y headquar-
! .e.s Gil the hill east and to the north of
where the main portion of the army was
.ampal | came to wonder in my mind
] what might be the purpose of my sum-
mons, but then this had not been the
4 trt occasion had been honored by be-
4 ng called into General Washington 8
resence. "Some detail of my trip to
4 Albany. some question he has forgot
len to ask, was my final conclusion,
/ which satisfied my mind and caused me
10 wonder no more.
II was bitter cold that day, and es-
1 ycially at the hour of 6. The snow.
] which was not deep. crunched under
ny heavy boots. and here and there as
left the road for side path. which
semed smoother in places. the ice over
/ The little depressions would break with
4 jingle as my heels struck them. But
twas not long before l was safely with
1 10 the fine old mansion. Bill, the gen.
I uals colored servant, met me and an
rOunced that his master and lady were
i At breakfast. The darky, after he had
4 bOwn me into the Office and had taken
ny coat. left the room, but returned
PRESENTLY with platter which contain
] ID coffee, bread and hot beef This was
] selcomr. for my breakfast of an hour
before had consisted of piece of cold
4 pork and half baked slice of corn cake.
4 Mars Giner1 hese'f be in t. see you
1rsen'ly, sub, presently. an sends dis
nd is compliments, sub. !" and. having
10 spoken. he bowed himself out of the
3mom. was left alone with my
1SOughts a cheerful fire in the open
3pate before me. but best Of all was
4 hat meal
q In those quiet few minutes my mind
wandered back over past events. I was
hm at the manor Of my father. Will
liam Rogers. just to the west Of Green
Aslch village, and had spent a happy
5aldbood there. despite the fact that
10Th my parents had died before I reach
jMmy twelfth year. My father had for
long time been engaged in trade with
us Indies and was part owner Of two
Srhooners. which carried on a profitable
afade. An older sister. Sarah, and my
3sf. Andrew. were the only children.
ss was ten years my senior and had
3narried year or two before the Bos-
$a tea affair one John Lud6ington.
j, loyal Englishman. whom my father
3nd taken into his employ on the lads
a@nlng to America.
had no fault 70 and with Ludding-
8m on any score. but when the time
lame to decide between loyalty to King
sM@ge or to the patriot cause we disa-
$50 He was man Of very decided
8alnah principles and even persuaded
aay hster to the belief that Wasning-
A% who had just taken command Of
aes army in Boston. was q rebel and
|3As followers the same Such ideas were
ue enough in New York, and was
3alded by many thoughtful old men for
Ay opinions, but withal retained q
aong love for the cause Of liberty and
ss1etiy resolved that when I reached
IN! majority and grew from under the
3Samb of Luddington would enlist
33,.a the colonists. provided their strug-
~ ald not in the meantime become
4apeless or they prove too strong for
IL british forces ere my services could
II oaered. And so it was, when alone, I
Ssadled military tactics and did also
I've with young Frenchman who
'j.sw his tricks well. hut was too much
wen to drink for his own good. Then
so my horsemanship was not neglect
8. ior 1t might be that a ride like the
IN raul Revere had taken would be o
IN set in my path. and had hopes.
qld 1t come. of doing it well.
7hay twenty-first birthday came at
~. and for the sake of exciting no
pielon on the part Of Luddington
.uained quietly about the place and
3ssue no boast that was three times
~ .eo and could do my own will before
& aeports which came to the city dur
.ne spring of 1878 decided the mat
,s ana after making some excuse to
s~ent for day or two / made all
e 10 reach Paulus Heock, and from
3sns a. Went by bnck roads and across
.h, y, ana through woods. sleeping two
$sS,as: a,s In the open. and finally joined
~ TI'.'nston's command at Rocky Hill.
h0 army was being marched with
.,,a aaste to overtako the British. who
~. ;, ,n,nrrying from Philadelphia to
Aork. and fiEally. on the as.h of