Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1910-10-28
General Howe S Aid
A Story Of the American
Revolution
By ARCHIBALD SPOFFORD
Copyright, 1910, by American Press
Association.

occupying small tort lying between
Orange and Elizabeth. The fort was
much in the way of the Americans.
rendering the communications between
their different leaders difficult. A
force WAS sent to capture it. but the
stronghold was well stocked with am
munition and provisions, so that it
would likely be able to hold out for a
long while against an attacking party.
The Americans. not knowing of Il weak
spot where an entrance could be
forced. dared not try to storm it.
The commander of the patriots sur
rounded the fort on the north, south
and west sides. leaving communication
for the enemy open on the east. One
morning the garrison saw an officer II,
the British uniform galloping over the
fields from the point that had not
been closed. He rode through fire
from the American guns, but he was
within range of only a few of them.
and none of their shots took effect He
made his entrance into the fort and
was received with acclamations by the
garrison. all being interested to know
why he had risked his life to join
them. No one knew him, but he in
troduced himself as an aid to General
Howe at New York.
major" he said to the commanding
officer, 1.-The general is extremely anX-
ious that this post be held. He has
directed me to inspect it, its garrison.
ammunition provisions, etc, and report
to him exactly what you require to
make a successful defense. AS soon
as l gain the required information
shall return, and anything you need
will be dispatched Immediately"
"But how did it happen that the reb-
els let you get in hereY" asked the ma
jor.
"That is their affair. Who has blum
dered at leaving open a passageway |
don't know. l expected to be obliged
to pass their lines under cover of the
night; but. finding an opening, l con-
cluded to run for It, l expect to be
obliged to return in an entirely differ
ent manner"
The officer was shown the magazine.
the ordnance and the storehouse where
the provisions were kept and given a
statement of the amount of supplies
on hand. He insisted that it be writ
ten on tissue paper and rolled in a lit
tie ball incased in wax in order that
he might swallow it if in danger of
being captured by the enemy. After
inspecting the interior he went out to
look at the defenses. To the surprise
of every one. he began to mount the
parapet
"What are you doing?" cried the
commanding officer. do you wish to
be picked off by rebel sharpshooter?
kill a squared on our ramparts, to say
nothing of man"
Major" replied the officer, 81 have
been sent here to learn about this post
in order that you may be supplied with
all that is required to defend it. VIII
you kindly inform me how | am to
know what force you need unless l
see the approaches?'
But you will be killed"
'That. sir. is what soldier is for
to be killed. He is to obey orders, and
the matter Of danger is not to concern
him. l must see the lay of the land
surrounding you. That | cannot do
without exposing myself"
With that General Howe's aid as
cended to the parapet He had scarce
ly shown himself when bullet sang
by his ear. He paid no attention to it,
walking slowly around the Enclosure,
every now and again a bullet being
| fired at him. One knocked off an epau-
let another pierced his hat. The men
down in the Enclosure looked at him
with wonder.
"The bravest man 1 ever saw" ex-
claimed one.
"Foolhardy" cried another.
Hell not escape much longerw ex-
claimed a third.
The officer stopped at an angle which
seemed to have arrested his attention
STOPPING down as if to get clearer
view of it, From it the ground slOped
' gently toward the enemy, but between
it and them was clump of trees
Then he arose. took out his handker-
chief and blew his nose. The next
! UlOuneul he came uOMu lIOlll the para
pet.
IF there is anything about this
fort" said the major commanding
unknown to you | should like to
know what 1t is. But you have taken
fearful chance for your life, and
only wonderfully good fortune enable:
you to return with the information"
Il have still another gantlet tC
rum" was the reply. ito get through
the rebel lines with the information
That. however. does not trouble me
My general gave me my orders and II
Is my duty to obey them. II fai
there are others to repeat the process
till some one shall make known your
requirements"
That night General Howe's aid sal
lied forth declaring that he would
steal through the enemy's lines. In
the early morning just before dawT
the patriots made a dash for the fort