The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1905-09-22


by the guns of a British man of
war. heavily manned, wa s
anchored sloop, laden with pro-
visions. Captain Hale asked and
obtained permission to attempt
the capture of the sloOp.
Silently at midnight, with a
few chosen spirits, in whale
boat, he proceeded to steal his
way to the side of the provision
ship.
The sentinels on board were
surprised before they could give
the alarm. Then they were Sc.
cured below the matches. The
anchor was weighed, and just as
day was breaking, she sailed into
Coventies slip with Captain Hale
at the helm.
WASHINGTON DESIRES INFoR-
NATION OF THE ENEMY
HALE VOLUNTEERS AS
SPY.
After his capture of the pro-
Wis on vessel. Hale performed his
duties with faithfulness, but did
nothing to particularly distin-
guiShed himself.
On August 2Sth, 1916, occurred
the disastrous battle of Long Is
land, a conflict in which the
American forces suffered a crush
ing defeat. and which resulted in
Washington being compelled to
withdraw his forces from the
city of New York, knowing that
with the forces at his disposal, he
could not successfully resist the
powerful English army under
Lord Howe, now approaching the
city. Accordingly he removed
his stores to the various forts
above the city and prepared to
evacuate.
The patriot army was filed
with gloom. The men were de
serting by scores. They were
unpaid, they lacked clothing and
fully one fourth were sick aud I'M,
fit for duty. The British soldiers
were veterans and they were
flushed with their recent victory.
They were splendidly equipped,
strong in numbers and com.
manded by able generals, and
backed up by a powerful naval
force.
Washington was perplexed.
What was to be done? Should
New York be held or should it
not? To decide these questions
he called council of war, Sep
TENDER 18th. 1916. The council
resolved to remain and defend the
city. Another council on the
10Th, however, determined to
abandon the city and take post
on Harlem Heights. Several
English war vessels passed up the
Hudson, their movements being
most perplexing, and the designs
of the enemy could not be guessed.
1t being at this point of vital
Importance to Washington to
gain some idea of Howe's move
ments, he called for volunteers
to penetrate the enemy's lines in
the dangerous capacity of spy
to obtain the desired information.
Captain Hale volunteered for
the dangerous mission. 81 wish
to be useful, said he, and every
kind of service necessary for the
public good becomes honorable by
being necessary"
He went to the house of Robert
Murray, on Murray Hill, New
York, (where Washington had
his headquarters on September
IA, 1776,) to receive his orders.
His movements after leaving
his own army are not definitely
known. Disgusting himself as a
pedler, he entered the British
lines on Long Island, and moved
without suspicion among he
enemy. After finding out all
that he desired, he regained the
point on Long Island where he
had first landed. He had gained
much information and had in his
possession number of valuable
drawings.
He felt secure in his simple
disguise and fearlessly entered a
tavern which he knew to be fire.
quented by Royalists. AS he did
so he saw man leave without a
word. The mans face seemed
familiar to him, but he thought
no more of the matter at the time.
While waiting for his boat he was
captured by a squad of British
marines and conveyed on board
of a British guardship. The man
who had left the tavern so sud
denly was a Tory cousin, who was
indebted to Hale for many an
act of kindness. He was brought
before General Howe, at the
Beekman House, September 81,
1776.
HIS SENTENCE -BRUTALITY OF
THE ENEMY.