The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1911-01-05
General Howe'sAid
A Saosy a the American
Rsvolunoa
b. ARCHIBALD SPOFFORD
copyrAgAl. iaA. ~ American Frsss
Assoc iutton

tAe Americans weee watching tore,
occupying . small tort lying between
Orange and Elizabe The fort wa.
much In the way Of the Americans
rendering the communica lions betwees
their different leaders dlmcult.
force was sent to capture II. but tn
stronghold was well stocked with am
nnnition and provisions. 20 that 4
would likely be able to hold out for I
long while against an attacking party
The Americans, not knowing of Il weak
spot where an entra nee could b<
forced. dared not try TO storm II.
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 in
the British uniform galIoping over the
fields from the point that had not
been closed He rode through fire
tom the American gus. but he was
within range of only few OF them.
and none of their shots took effect. He
made his entrance into the fort and
was received with accla nations by the
garrison. all being interested to know
Why he had rtsksd his life to Join
them. No one know him. but he In
uoduced himself as an aid to General
Howe at New York. ~
Major" he said to the commanding
omcer. 1.-The general II extremely anx.
ious that this post be held. He has
directed me to Inspect 1t, its garrison.
ammunition.. provisions, etc., and report
b him exactly what you require to
make q successful defense. As soon
10 l gain the required Information I
shall return. and anything you need
viii be dispatched Immediately"
But how did It happen that the reb-
els let you get In herer' asked the ma
for. .
THAT 10 their affair. Who has blum.
dered at leaving open q passageway l
don't know. l expected 10 be obliged
to pass their lines under cover Of the
night; but. finding an opening. con-
cluded to run for 1t. l expect to be
obliged to return in an entirely differ.
ent manner" ~ s'r.%' -..'>'.
The officer was shown the magazine.
tho ordinances and the st0Fehouse where
he provisions were Kept and given .
statement of The amount .of supplies
On hand. He ,tnsisted that 4. be writ
tsn on tissue paper and rolled in 4 lit
lie ball incased In wax In order that
be might swallow 1t II In danger Of
being captured BY the enemy. After
Inspecting the Interior be went ont 10
jook 1t the sdefeoses. To the surprise
q every one. he began TO mount tho
parapet. % ~ ~
what are you doing?" cried the
commanding officer. do you wish to
b picked of by rebel sharpshooter1
These men. are all hunters and could
kill squared on our ramparts, to say
Dothing Of a man" a.. .@lfs
Major" replied the officer. Il have
been sent here to learn about this post
In order that you may be supplied with
Ill that is required to defend it. Will
you kindly inform me how am to
know what force you need unless /
see the approaches%
But you will be killed"
THAT, sir. is what a soldier Is for
b be killed. he is to obey orders. and
the matter Of danger IL not to concern
him. must see the lay Of the land
surrounding you. That I cannot do
without exposing mvself"
With that General Howes aid as.
esnded to the parapet. he had scarce
y shown himself when z bullet sang
By bis ear. He paid no attention to II,
waking slowly around the Enclosure,
every now and again q bullet being
1red at him. One knocked OF IN eDau.
1t; another pisece1 his hat. The men
Gown In the tneBossrs hooked At him
With wonder. H.
THE bravest man I ever saw e.
claimed one.
"Foolhardyg cried another.
Hell not escape much longerr' e.
claimed third.
The officer stopped at an angle which
seemed to have arrested his attention.
STOPPING down az II to get clearer
view of 1t. From 1t the ground sloped
gently toward the enemy, but between
It and them was 4 clump of trees.
Then he arose. took out bis handker.
chief and blew his nose. The next
moment he came down from the para
pct.
If there 10 anything about this
fort" said the major comma nding,
unknown to you should like tc
know what it is. But You have taken
q fearful chance for your life and
only wonderfully good fortune enables
you to return With tho informatio0."
~ have still another gantlet Ia
run" was the reply. TO ct through
ths rsbel lines with the Information,
That, however. does not trouble me
Ny general gave me my orders, and Il
3 my dnty to obey them. If fai
tAsrs are others to repeat the process
TN some one shall make known your
requirements. y.
That night General Howe's aid sal
lid forth. declaring that be woald