Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-02-25

| DER black shoes. White bayQnet and
body belts; black stock and tie for the
hair, and a black cooked hat bound
with white tape. The commissioned
officers to wear the same except knee
breeches with gilt buttons at ne
| bottom and black boots to the knee
They mus have been a fine sight in.
deed, as they stepped out-and stir.
ring one, too, for they represented the
very flower of the entire army the
most perfect in physique, the best.
| drilled, and above all, the finest in
character.
| 1t seems unbelievable that this last
and browning glory was ture in ap.
pearance; that treachery lurked in the
noble ranks and that deadly conspir-
acy hid behind the handsome exteriors
OF men whom the great commander
thought were his loyal protectors and
10 whose care he was entrusting his
life. Yet 1t was so-and only the
vigilance and loyalty of others whom
he had not 80 trusted, one of them be-
Ing humble woman, saved him from
being the victim Of the traitors.
Toward the middle of June, 1776, at
time when the British were anxious
to get possession Of New York City
and the Hudson river, in order to
establish communication between
Canada and the seaboard, incidentally
separating New England from the rest
OF the country and SO weakening the
colonies, some members Of the gener-
airs guard were suspected of being in
conspiracy to assassinate him.
Along with some forty regular SOL
diers, Drummer Green, Fifer Johnson,
and Private Barnes, of the guard, were
arrested. Prominent in the guard was
merry, dark-complexioned Irishman,
private named John Hickey. He
was a general favorite and enjoyed
the special confidence of General
Washington. His loyalty was never
questioned for moment, yet he was
the arbitrator Of them all, and even
then was plotting against the life of
his chieftain and friend.
Hickey was very popular and was on
friendly terms with every one, and
particularly with Washington's house
keeper, whom he approached with his
treacherous plan. She craftily pre-.
tended to be sympathetic with him,
and offered her aid. Washington was
very fond Of green peas, and it was
arranged that she should prepare the
dish, Into which Hickey would then
mix some deadly poison. On Saturday,
June 18th, the peas were cooked, but
Washington was duly warned by the
faithful housekeeper, and the debonair
Hickey was caught in the very act of
putting in the poison.
Hickey was convicted and hanged.
Drummer Green was also found to
have been in an active plot against
the generals life, it having been his
appointed task to stab him; he too
died a traitors death.
In an order issued subsequently to
his first one, the cammander-in.chief
mad said that all the members of the
guard should be native-born Ameri-
cans. to lessen the danger Of Just such
treachery as this; and it is further
sorry fact that the first man in the
continental army to hang as traitor
was one of the generals life-guard-
the men of all others believed to be
most patriotic and faithful to duty.
However this dark chapter forum
ately was early concluded After the
removal OF this small but dangerous
element, the guard entered upon long
career Of devotion, marked by such
bravery and loyalty as was to be ex-
pected of soldiers holding so grave
and sacred trust While now and
then a man had to be executed or
severely punished for pillaging or dis
loyalty, for the most part the guard
linked names to insure the generals
safety Constant watchfulness sur
rounded him. More than one brave
deed was performed, and more than
one dark plot against his life was
frustrated.
Late in 1882, when the commander
ln-chlef was in winter quarters at
NeWburgh, plot was brought to light
A bold move to kidnap Washington
was attempted by the enemy, in col
fusion with man named Ettrick, who
was supposed by the general to be
loyal. Ettrick, who lived not far away,
was to invite Washington to dinner,
and as soon as he fancied himself Sc
cure in the house of friend, he was
to be hurried to a boat, manned by
strong English rowers, who could
easily reach the British ships before
the general would be missed. Again,
however, 1t was woman who gave
SAAS " "a AAAAAG' i1IIltCh uduSul6T over
heard her fathers plan, and going at
once to General Washington begged
him not to accept the invitation.
Washington did accept the invita-
ton, but detachment of his life-guard
him, remaining outside
the house. The dinner was still in
progress when Ettrick heard the
guard, and thinking it was the men
who were to effect the kidnapping of
the general, leaned over, put his hand
on Washington's shoulder and said:
believe. general, that you are my
prisoner"
Il believe not, sir, but you are
mine!" retorted the commander, as
the guard closed around the traitor.
The grief Of Ettrick's daughter at
her fathers arrest moved Washington
to spare the mans life, but he was
banished from the country and made
to move at once to Nova Scotia.
Curiously enough there is very little
mention, either in the histories or in |
the records themselves, Of Washing
tons life-guard, The personnel of the
corps is obtainable, in its change from
year to year, and it includes such