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


.sThe general wants to see you at
headquarters early in the morning, sir, :
announced the orderly. AS nearly as l
can recall. this message was delivered
one February afternoon, 1850.
Along with good sized but ragged
army Of my countrymen I spent that
winter with Washington at Morris
town. Back in those days Twas hardy
young chap of 23 and rather enjoyed
many of the experiences which older
men cursed. Two weeks before the time
T mention Z had returned from scout
ing trip which had taken me as far as
Albany, being picked for the work be-
cause knew well the town and its en-
virons from having been there, aboard
river craft, time and again, before red
coated forces were in America.
was astir early in the morning. AS
/ walked from my hut near the court
house toward his excellency $ headquar-
!. ters on the hill east and to the north of
where the main portion Of the army was
camped came to wonder in my mind
what might be the purpose of my sum-
mons, but then this had not been the
first occasion had been honored by be-
ing called into General Washington s
presence. .sSome detail Of my trip to
Albany. some question he has forgot
ten to ask. was my final conclusion,
which satisfied my mind and caused me
r \
to wonder no more.
It was bitter cold that day, and es-
pecially at the hour of 6. The snow,
which was not deep. crunched under
my heavy boots. and here and there as
/ left the road for side path. which
seemed smoother IN places, the ice over
the little depressions would break with
a jingle as my heels struck them. But
it was not long before I was safely with
in the fine old mansion. Bill, the gen
erals colored servant, met me and an
nounced that his master and lady were
at breakfast. The darky, after he had
shown me into the Office and had taken
my coat, left the room, but returned
presently with platter which contain
ed coffee. bread and hot beef. This was
welcome, for my breakfast of an hour
before had consisted Of piece of cold
pork and half baked slice of corn cake.
.sMars Ginerl hese'f be in t. see you
presen 'ly. sub, presently, an sends dis
wild is compl 'ments, suh, and, having
so spoken, he bowed himself out of the
room was left alone with my
thoughts, cheerful fire in the open
CRATE before me. but best Of al was
that meal
In those quiet few minutes my mind
wandered back over past events. / was
born at the manor of my father, Will
liam Rogers, just to the west of Green
wich village, and had spent happy
childhood there, despite the fact that
both my parents had died before I reach
ed my twelfth year. My father had for
a long time been engaged in trade with
the Indies and was part owner OF TWO
schooners, which carried on a profitable
trade. An older sister. Sarah, and my
self, Andrew. were the only children.
She was ten years my senior and had
married year or two before the Bog
ton tea affair one John Luddington.
a loyal Englishman. whom my father
had taken into his employ ON the lads
coming to America.
had no fault to find with Ludding-
ton on any score. but when the time
came to decide between loyalty to King
George or to the patriot cause we disa-
greed. He was a man Of very decided
British principles and even persuaded
my sister to the belief that Washing
ton. who had just taken command OF
the army in Boston, was rebel and
his followers the same Such ideas were
safe enough in New York, and l was
chided by many thoughtful old men for
nv opinions, but withal retained 8
strong love for the cause Of liberty and
secretly resolved that when | reached
my majority and grew from under the
thumb of Luddington would enllst
with the colonists, provided their strug-
gle did not in the meantime become
hopeless or they prove too strong tor
the British forces ere my services could
be offered. And so it was, when alone, |
studied military tactics and did also
fence with a young Frenchman who
knew his tricks we'll, hut was too much
given to drink for his own good. Then
also my horsemanship was not neglect
ed. for it might be that ride like the
one Paul Revere had taken would be
task set in my path, and hac hopes.
should it come, of doing it well.
My twenty-frst birthday came at
last, and for the sake of exciting no
suspicion on the part of Luddington |
remained quietly about the place and
made no boast that was three times
seven and could do my own will before
mis-.
Reports which came to the city dur
ing the spring of IT'S decided the mat
ter, and after making some excuse to
be absent for day or two made all
haste to reach Panlus Heock, and from
there went by bacl, roads and across
fields and through woods, sleeping two
nights in the open, and finally joined
Washington's S command at Rocky Hill
The army was being marched With
all haste to overtake the British, who
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