The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1901-01-18
4 Revolutionary Spy.


ed TO be the original Of Harvey Birch, |
the hero of Cooper's famous novel, was
born at Harwich. Mass, Jan. 4. 1850.
When the Revolution was fairly be-
gun, the colony of New York organized a
provincial congress-" which was the
recognized government A committee OF
safety was appointed, consisting of John
Jay, Zethaniah Platt, William Duer and
John Sackett, whose duty it was to
counteract the plans and intrigues of the
Tories, who abounded and embraced
many men of high standing and influence.
Resolving to enter again the service OF
his country, Crosby shouldered his KNAPP
sack and took his way to the headQuRr-
tiers of the American army.
While on his lonely walk through
Westchester county he fell In with a
Tory, who supposed Crosby to be one al
so. on his way to join the British, and
the stranger cautioned him as to the dan
gers Of the way, las rebels were on the
alert" Crosby, with affected concern,
inquired what course would be best to
pursue and was advised to go with him
TO his home and go down to the British
with company then forming. Seeing
In this a very favorable opportunity to
strike blow for his country. he accepted
the invitation and was soon introduced
to a number of men who were bitterly
hostile TO the friends of liberty.
In three days he had made himself
master of all the information they could
communicate, and pretending to be impa-
tient to Join the enemy and despite many
warnings he took his leave and was soon
out of sight on the road to New York.
Hastening as quickly as possible to the
house of a Mr.. Young, a well known pa
triot, they went together to White Plains,
where the committee Of safety was then
sitting, and were soon in the presence Of
Judge John Jay and his associates. Cros-
by was instructed to go as guide to a
company OF rangers, and the result was
that the whole of the Tory gang were
arrested.
Judge Jay, seeing his peculiar ability,
urged him to serve his country as a Sc
cret agent, and to this he agreed, only
STIMULATING that in case Of his death they
should do justice to his memory. He re-
ceived a pass, which he was instructed
never to show except in case of dire
necessity. In any battle or skirmish he
was to run the risk Of being killed or
wounded, but it was expressly under
stood that If he was taken prisoner the
committee would furnish means for his
escape. His real adventures would make
a volume far larger than the famous nov
eli that purports to relate them.
Equipped with a peddler's pack con-
tanning G complete set of shOemaker's
tools he sailed out on his dangerous mis-
sion and soon found a company of Tories
about to join the British and resolved to
be one of them. Gaining the confidence
Of the leader, he was conducted to the
Of ha oh
in the interior of an immense haystack.
While the rest were asleep Crosby has
tened TO White Plains and, informing
the committee. returned Immediately be-
fore his comrades had learned of his alb
sence. The result was the capture of the
entire company, Crosby among the rest.
After examination the prisoners were re-
turned TO the church In Fishkill. which
was their temporary prison, but Crosby
was secretly informed that a certain win
dow was left unfastened. AS soon as
darkness came he awaited himself of his
information, Ieaped from the window.
and. although fired upon by the senti-
uels, he was again at large in a region
where he knew the roads perfectly.
Captain Townsend. who commanded
the company that captured him, was
much chagrined at his escape, as he was
very dangerous Tory. His next exploit
was the discovery of another company,
which was recruited by British officer
and had their rendezvous in the high
lands on the west of the Hudson river.
He soon found means to send word To the
committee, who quickly dispatched Cap
tain Townsend with his company of ran
gers. In the skirnish that ensued the
whole band was captured, and Captain
Townsend was overjoyed to find among
them the prisoner who had escaped him
at Fishkill. We'll met, old comrade,"
said Townsend, with a smile Of tri-
umph. You showed US n light pair OF
heels at Fishkin, but if 1 do not see
them made heavy this time may / never
be major"
Mr. Duer, one of the committee who
was present, inquired innocently, "Who
is hep "Enoch, the patriarch" return
ed Townsend, "who disappeared from
the church at Fishkin almost as mystic
riously as his ancient namesake did from
the earth"
Crosby and all the rest were taken to
Fishkill, but while the others were con-
fined in the church Crosby was taken to
Il house where Captain Townsend had
his quarters and who was fully determin
ed that he should not escape again and,
10 make sure, had him confined in
room strongly fastened, with a guard at
the door. The committee were at first in
doubt how to effect his escape, but finally
they procured quantity of laudanum,
md this having been mixed with suita-
bic quantity OF New England rum and
molasscs the guard was literally treated
with the mixture. Its effect was soon
apparent. the door was carefully unlock
ed, and Enoch Crosby was soon at large
with fresh instructions.
When morning came, and Captain
Townsend came early, eager to conduct
his prisoner to condign punishment, what
was his amazement to find the room
empty and the prisoner flown! The guard
was questioned; but, like the soldiers
who guarded st. Peter. they could tell
nothing" and finally, after long debate.
it was concluded that he must have
crawled up the chimney. His numerous
escapes finally made the Tories sus-
picious, and an attempt was made to as
sassinate him, which came near being
cuncacc fuI -EIxchonpa