Year: 1859

/
to do, will fight hard"


"That is true; we had better send suffi-
cient force to capture them all at once with
out running much risk; /; and them ii we should
capture the Commander himself, there will be
an end of it."


Joshua made no reply. Rawle continued:


:" Are there many OF the Kings loyal sub
jects in Philadelphia who would aid us in cap
turing these rebels and end this bloody re-
| bellion ~


eFriond, there are very many Of the Friends
of Peace who would do almost any thing to
stop this bloodshed and once more establish
peace and happiness in the land. They are
good loyal subjects but do not fight; they
will furnish thee with the comforts OF life but
will not shed blood"


"That is better than to be open enemies
against us. But how can they reconcile the
furnishing of information that will lead to
bloodshed, with their notions of peace, y
unused the Colonel. " But what need VIC care
SO long as they play into our hands"
| AT this juncture two or three soldiers en-
tered, one of whom proposed game OF chess,
which was soon agreed upon and the Colonel
and one of the newcomers were deeply alb
sorbed in the game. soldier entered and
presented Rawle with a note, which without
opening he quietly placed in his pocket, and
then resumed the game. Joshua sauntereo
about the camp listening to the conversation
of the soldiers and keeping an eye to every
thing he spent the greater part OF the day
Having heard the pass word given by his con-
ductor when he entered the camp, he had easy
access everywhere consequently he was
close observer OF the breast works, and the
disposition of the army generally. The rude
jests of the soldiers, as he passed from one
post to another, fell like the idle wind upon
his ear-he paid not the least attention to
any of them. Towards the close of the day
he took his departure from the camp and pur-
sued his journey towards Philadelphia unmo-
Tested. He arrived IL that city early in the
morning after a journey of twenty miles over
road that the frosts of winter had made ex-
tremely difficult to travel. The prestige of
the pass word given linn by Washington,
made him respected wherever he went and
he was not long in finding his way to the
Commanders apartment. Washington re-
ceived him with a cordial welcome, and with
an anxiety rarely witnessed in him inquired
what success had attended his journey to
Trenton. Joshua related the whole circum-
stance-told him the situation OF the army
and that Col. Rawle was determined to divide
his men and send large number of men to
| intercept the retreat OF the rebels and finally
CAPTURE Washington himself. The Comman-
der drank in every word the young Quaker
said and as each point in the resolution of the
enemy was related to him he formed plans to
counteract them. He saw at simple glance,
that Joshua Way was perfectly adapted to the
business he had chosen him for. He inquired
every particular concerning the intention Of
forces to cut off his retreat. 1t was master
stroke in the young Quaker to suggest the
propriety of sending sufficient force to cut
off our retreat. This will divide his attention
as well as the army, and then we can attack
the remaining force at Trenton by surprise,
| and no doubt defeat II, = lnuSOu washington,
AZ he counted the chances for and against him.
To merely enter the camp of the enemy and
spy into his position and report tho same at
headquarters, would amount to very little
towards defeating him. Washington soon
made arrangements for the attack and Joshua
was chosen TO play conspicuous part in the
great drama of war. He was to be Aid-de-
Camn to Wasbineton himself. and for that
purpose his broad -brimmed beaver and straight
coat were laid aside and the hunting shirt and
buckskin breeches of the rebel army, substi
tuted. Henceforth his quarters are the same
house with Washington, and they frequently
converse quite freely upon the coming expe-
dition. Baron steuben was sent for and the
plan Of operations disclosed to him who was
highly delighted with the prospect OF gaining
victory over an enemy that boosted 80 much
superiority over the Americans, and who
evinced so little mercy over fallen foe as the
British did. Perfect secrecy was agreed upon
between the trio-and no one was to be in
formed upon the project but themselyes-and
everything was prepared for the movement OF
the army. AT four O'Clock in tho afternoon,
the drums beat to arms amid terrible storm
OF wina ana sleet'


The Delaware was nlied with noating ice