Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-23

secret of his presence within the British lines
From friendship, or q strange devotion TO
Hippocra&ic oath, the doctor did not disclose
BisselS identity. When his patient recovered
and the first opportunity for escape presented
itself the English surgeon aided Bissel to win
his way through the lines. Within two days
following his escape Bissel was seated in the
headquarters at Newburgh drawing maps and
debating document filled with information
highly valuable to the American Army and
telling the story of his year and one month
within the British lines
On April a. 1888, Brig. Gen Creation and
q board of ofhcers met at New windsor to pass
upon the qualifications Of Churchill and Brown,
who had been nominated by their officers
deserving the Badge Of Military Merit The
findings of this court recommended to Wash
ington the fitness of these candidates, and on
Sunday, April n, the order was issued by
Washington for them to "call at headquarters
on the Sd of May when the necessary certih-
Gates and badges will be ready for them"
The only record Of the events at Newburgh
ON Nay 8, 1888, is q copy Of Churchills citation
in the hand of Jonathan Trumbun, and this
remains only because the first draft was for
some reason considered unsatisfactory and
another made and given to Churchill Bissels
citation dates from June 8, 1888, and was die
tated by Washington in his orderly book under
that day
Upon Sergt. Elijah Churchill Of the I'd Con-
tinental Dragons, the Badge Of Military Merit
was conferred for his "singularly meritorious
action unusual gailantry extra
ordinary fidelity and essential service" on the
occasion of two raids within the British lines.
In November Of 1850 he crossed Long Island
Sound in open boats from the Connecticut
shore with detachment Of SO men under the
command OF Maj. Benjamin Talmadge. Landing
on Long Island they discovered that they had
missed their bearings and had gone ashore
about IL miles below their objective, Fort
st. George
Hiding their boats in the hope that they
might be able to win back to this base and
escape before dawn, they commenced their
march within the British lines. A 12-mile
tramp over the rich lands and paved roads
OF Long Island today is far cry from the
march Of so men within the closely picketed
British lines on that November night
There is little Of the story of that night to
be read today A few lines and the rest Is
left to conjecture. Heroes do not sing their
own praises, nor do military documents often
loose any eloquence In the appreciation Of
actions performed in the line of duty. "In
the opinion Of his officers he acted conspic-
nous and singularly meritorious part ac-
quitting himself with great gallantry, frmness
and address" Briefly though the story is not
told in his officers citation, Sergt. Churchill
that night with is men went ahead Of the
main attack, surprised, took and destroyed Fort
st. George; assisted in the burning Of British
supply schooner anchored close to shore and
the capture Of so prisoners. He returned to
the American lines with all his men, and only
one of them wounded.
No unimportant details are recorded: there
h no chronicle Of the march within the British
lines, no story Of the battle. Magnincently
epic In its modesty, there is only the bare
statement that he had successfully completed
the duty he had been charged to perform.
Here was romance for patriots to sing Of
about their camp fires.
But Sergt. Churchill seems to have developed
talent for midnight raids within the eneny's
lines. His record forAy was directed against
Fort Slongo. On Long Island in October, 1881.
This time, again under the command Of Mai
Talmage, he preceded the main attack upon
the fort. As result Of the surprise and the