GEN. P. TELLS HOW CROSBY AGAIN ENLISTED AS A SOLDIER, AND OF HIS
SINGULAR ADVENTURES.
_Gen. P._ "Crosby was well contented, for a time, to pursue his
occupation. He had seen hard service, in the northern campaign, and
needed rest.
"During the following summer, however, his patriotic feelings began
again to stir within him. The war was going on, with redoubled fury.
The British had, in several instances, gained the advantage. The
Americans needed more soldiers, and it was thought that unless the
friends of liberty came forward--promptly came, the British arms might
succeed.
"It was not in such a man as Enoch Crosby, to seek ease, or shun
danger, in the hour of his country's trial. He saw others making
sacrifices--women as well as men--youth as well age--and he scorned to
have it said, that he could not make sacrifices, as well as others.
His musket was therefore taken down; and fitting on his knapsack, he
took up his march towards the head quarters of the American army on
the Hudson.
"In a few days, he reached the _neutral ground_ and"----
_William_. "Pray, father, may I interrupt you, to inquire what was
meant by the 'neutral ground?"
_Gen. P_. "I will explain it to you. At this time (Sept. 1776,) the
head quarters of the British army were in the city of New York. The
American army lay up the Hudson, fifty or sixty miles, either at, or
near, West Point.
"Between the two armies, therefore, was the county of West Chester,
the centre of which being occupied by neither, was called the 'neutral
ground.' But, in reality, it was far from being a neutral spot."
_William_. "Why not, father, if neither the British, nor the
Americans, occupied it?"
_Gen. P_. "Because, my son, it was here that a great number of tories
resided--the worst enemies which the Americans had to contend with."
_Henry_. "Worse than the British, father?"
_Gen. P_. "In several respects worse. The tories, in general, were
quite as unfriendly to American liberty, as the British themselves.
And, besides, living in the country, and being acquainted with it,
they could do even more injury than strangers.
"Many of this description of persons lived on the 'neutral ground;'
and, what was worse, they often pretended to be Whigs--and passed for
such--but in _secret_, did all in their power to injure their country.
"Crosby, as I told you, had reached a part of this ground, on his way
to the American camp. It was just at evening, that he fell in with a
stranger, who appeared to be passing in the same direction with
himself.
"'Good evening,' said the stranger--'which way are you travelling?--
below?'"
_William_. "Which way was that?"
_Gen. P_. "Towards New-York. The British were sometimes called the
'_lower party_'--the Americans the '_upper party_' because the latter
lay north of the former. The stranger meant to ascertain which party
Crosby was going to join."
_Henry_. "And did Crosby tell him?"
_Gen. P_. "No: he replied, that he was too much fatigued to go much
farther that evening, either above or below; but he believed he should
join himself to a bed, could he find one.
"'Well,' said the stranger, 'listen to me; it will soon be dark--go
with me--I live but a short distance from this--you shall be welcome.'
"Crosby thanked him, and said he would gladly accept his kind
invitation.
"'Allow me to ask,' said the soldier, 'your advice, as to the part
which a true friend of his country should take, in these times?'
"'Do I understand you?' inquired the stranger--his keen eye settling
on the steady countenance of Crosby--'do you wish to know, which party
a real patriot should join?'
"'I do,' said Crosby.
"'Well! you look like one to be trusted----'
"'I hope I am honest,' replied Crosby.
"'Why,' observed the stranger, 'one mus'n't say much about _oneself_,
in these days; but----but----some of my _neighbours_ would advise you
to join the _lower_ party.'
"'Why so?' asked Crosby.
"'Why, friend, they read, that we must submit to the powers that be;
and, besides, they think king George is a good friend to America,
notwithstanding all that is said against him.'
"'Could you introduce me to some of your neighbours of this way of
thinking?' asked Crosby.
"'With all my heart,' replied the stranger, 'I understand they are
about forming a company to go below, and I presume they would be glad
to have you join them.'
"'I do not doubt it,' observed Crosby.
"'Well, friend,' said the stranger, 'say nothing--rest yourself to
night; and, in the morning, I will put you in the way to join our--
_the_ company.'
"By this time, they had reached the stranger's dwelling. It was a farm
house, situated a short distance from the main road--retired, but
quite neat and comfortable in its appearance. Here the soldier was
made welcome by the host and his family. After a refreshing supper,
Crosby excused himself--was soon asleep--and 'slept well.'"
_John_. "Was that man a tory, father?"
_Henry_. "Why, John, you know he was. It is as clear as day."
_Gen. P_. "Yes, my son, he _was_ a tory--in heart a firm tory--but he
intended to be cautious. He intended to ascertain, if possible, which
side Crosby favoured, before he expressed his own views. But, when
Crosby asked to be introduced to some of his neighbours, he concluded
that if _urged_, he would go below--and after this was more
unreserved."
_William_. "Did Crosby tell him that he would go below?"
_Gen. P_. "No, no, he only asked to be introduced to some of the
tories."
_Henry_. "But did he not do wrong to conceal his opinions?"
_Gen. P_. "Certainly not. A person is not under obligation to tell all
about his opinions, to every one. When a man speaks, he should indeed
tell that which is true; but he is not bound, unless under certain
circumstances, to tell the _whole_ truth.
"Crosby, I said, slept well. In the morning, a better breakfast than
usual graced the farmer's table, and the keen appetite of the soldier,
after a good night's rest, did it honour.
"When breakfast was over, Crosby reminded his host of his last night's
promise to introduce him to some of his neighbours thereabouts--
particularly to those, who were about forming a company.
"'True,' said the farmer, 'I will accompany you. They will welcome
such a soldier-like looking lad as yourself. They like men of bone and
muscle.'
"In a walk of a few miles, they saw quite a number of the friends of
the royal cause. Crosby was introduced as one who was desirous of
serving his country, and as willing to hear what could be said, in
favour of joining their standard.
"They had much to say--many arguments to support their way of
thinking, and strongly did they urge Crosby to go with them. As he was
introduced by the farmer, who was known to be a true tory, they talked
without disguise--told their plans--spoke of the company which was
forming--and particularly of a meeting, which they were to hold a few
nights from that time; and now, said they, 'come and join us.'
"Crosby told them that he should think of their proposition, and
rather thought that he should contrive to pay them a visit at the
appointed time.
"Little did they think, what sort of a visit the soldier was planning.
"In the course of a couple of days, Crosby had gained all the
information he wished, and now determined to depart. He told the
farmer, therefore, on the morning of the third day, that it was not
worth while for him to wait longer--he had a strong wish to join the
army, and believed that he should go along.
"The farmer said some things, by way of persuading Crosby to wait a
day or two, when the company would meet, and then he could enlist and
go with them.
"To this Crosby replied, that unexpected delays might occur, and he
thought it would be better for him to proceed.--'But,' said he, as he
shook hands with the unsuspicious farmer, and bade him farewell, 'I
shall doubtless have the pleasure of seeing the company;' and added,
'It is my intention to _join_ them at----.'
"'Very well, very well!' interrupted the farmer,--his eye brightening
at his success, in having, as he thought, made Crosby a convert to the
royal cause.
"'I hope it will be well'--whispered Crosby to himself, as he walked
down the lane, which led to the road--'I will try to join them; but
may be in a manner not so agreeable to them.'
"On reaching the road, to avoid the mischief which might come upon
him, if he went directly north--he took the road leading to New-York.
But from this, soldier like, he soon filed off; and crossing a
thicket, shaped his course northerly towards the American camp.
"He was soon beyond harm, and now travelled at his ease. He had heard
of a Mr. Young, who lived at a distance, in a direction somewhat
different from that which he was taking; and as he was said to be a
true whig--he concluded to repair to him, and to concert measures to
take the company of tories, at the time of their meeting.
"With this resolution he again altered his course, so as to strike the
road leading to Mr. Young's. Unexpected difficulties, however, impeded
his course--hills, woods, streams, and before he reached the house, it
was near midnight.
"It so happened, fortunately, that Mr. Young was still up, although
his family had all retired. A light was still burning, and Crosby made
for the door, which led into the room where Mr. Young sat.
"He gave a gentle rap at the door, which was soon cautiously opened--
_cautiously_, because it was now late--and, in those times, no one
knew when he was safe. The light fell on Crosby's face, and the
searching eye of Mr. Young followed.
"'Sir,' said Crosby, in haste to make his excuse, 'I understand you
are a true friend to your country, and I have important--'
"'Come in, come in,' said Mr. Young--the expression of Crosby's face
carrying more conviction of honesty, than words could do--'come in--
you travel late--'
"'I have reason for it,' replied the now animated soldier--' I am told
you are a friend to the upper party--I have something to tell you
which may be important."
"'What is it,' asked Mr. Young.
"'Sir,' said Crosby--'do you know the character of the people who live
around you?'
"'I think I do,' said Mr. Young.
"'They are traitors,' said Crosby.
"'Many are--too many,' said Mr. Young--'but they pass for friends, and
it is difficult to discriminate--difficult to bring them to justice.'
"'Well!' said Crosby, 'I have the means of pointing them out. I have
been among them--I know them--I know their plans--and--'
"'Can you give me their names?' eagerly inquired Mr. Young--at the
same time rising from his seat.
"'I can do more,' rejoined Crosby--and then he went on to relate the
interviews which he had had--and about the contemplated meeting of the
company, two nights following--'and,' said the soldier, 'if you will
assist me, we will _join_ them, as I promised, and make them march to
the tune of good old 'yankee doodle,' instead of 'God save the king.'
"'With all my heart,' exclaimed Mr. Young--taking down his hat--'no
time is to be lost--the committee of safety are at White Plains--they
must know it to-night.'"
_William_. "'The committee of safety!' father, who were they?"
_Gen. P_. "Your inquiry is well suggested. The committee of safety
consisted of men of distinction friendly to the liberties of their
country. They were appointed in almost every district throughout the
land. It was their business to watch over the interest of the country
in their vicinity, to obtain information, and, when necessary, to
seize upon suspected persons."
_William_. "Who were the committee at White Plains?"
_Gen. P_. "The principal man was John Jay, who afterwards went
ambassador to England.
"Mr. Young and Crosby were soon on their way to White Plains, which
lay but a few miles distant. Crosby was not a little fatigued; but his
zeal was now all alive, and made him quite forget his weariness.
"It was near two o'clock, before they reached the quarters of Mr. Jay.
He was soon summoned, and listened with deep interest to the tale of
Crosby. It was important intelligence--precisely the information
desired, he said; and he promised, at early dawn, to call the
committee together, and consult what should be done.
"Mr. Young and Crosby now retired to a neighbouring inn. But the door
was fastened, and the landlord was fast locked in sleep. They rapped
at the door, and called, and, as you say, Master Henry, when you speak
Monsieur Tonson--
"'And loud indeed were they obliged to bawl,
Ere they could rouse the torpid lump of clay.'
"The door, however, was at length opened, and after receiving a growl
from the landlord, and a snarl from the landlady, that their rest
should be thus broken--they were shown to a bed room, where both in
the same bed soon forgot the toils of the night, in a refreshing
sleep.
"The committee were together at an early hour, as had been promised.
Again Crosby told over his story--and when he had finished,--'Are you
willing,' asked the committee, 'to accompany a body of horse to the
spot, and attempt to take the traitors?'
"'Sure I am,' said Crosby. 'I gave them encouragement that I would
'_join_' them, and well should I like to fulfil such an engagement.'
"'You shall have an opportunity,' said the committee. 'Hold yourself
in readiness, and may success crown the enterprise.'
"'At the appointed time, a company of troop well mounted, left White
Plains; and, under the pilotage of Crosby, directed their course
towards the spot. In the mean time, the company had assembled, and
now, amid the darkness of the night, were arranging their plans----"
* * * * *
"'What noise is that!' asked one--rising from his seat, and turning
his ear towards the quarter whence the sound came.
"'Nothing, I guess,' said a witty sort of fellow, in one corner of the
room, 'but my old horse, taking lessons at the post, before----'
"'Something more serious, perhaps,' said the farmer, with whom Enoch
Crosby had quartered, 'that yankee!'
"'Where is he?' asked a dark eyed, keen sighted tory, rising from his
seat--'I didn't much like his looks, the other day.'
"'Something serious abroad!'--exclaimed several at the same time
rising--'Captain! Captain!'
"'Go to the door,' thundered the Captain of the gang--'and
reconnoitre'--
"'You are prisoners!' exclaimed a voice which struck a panic through
the clan, as the door was opened--'surrender, or you are dead men!'
"'By whose authority is this?' asked the captain of the tories,
rushing to the door, with his sword drawn, followed by his clan, with
their guns uncharged.
"'We demand it in the name of the Continental Congress'--exclaimed he
of the whigs.
"'We surrender to nothing, but to superior strength,' said the tory
captain. 'Soldiers! come on.'
"'My brave comrades! advance,' exclaimed the leader of the patriots--
'death or victory--make ready!'--
"'It's of no use to contend,' said the farmer--'not a gun loaded,
captain!--we're betrayed!--a blight on that yankee!--'
"'Take aim!'--uttered the patriot leader.
"'Hold! hold!' exclaimed the captain of the tories--'it's needless to
shed blood--what are your terms?'"
[Illustration]
"'Immediate surrender!' replied the commander of the whigs.
"'Done'--rejoined the leader of the traitors--and now they were
marched out, and were tied together in pairs, and were conducted to
prison, some miles distant to the tune, of 'Rogue's march.'"
_William_. "Was Crosby seen by them?"
_Gen. P_. "Probably not. The darkness of the night would conceal him;
and it was needless to expose himself, as their betrayer. He was
suspected by some--especially by the farmer--who recollected a
significant look which Crosby gave him, when he left him."
_Henry_. "He was justly rewarded, was'n't he, father?"
_Gen. P_. "Justly, indeed!--and all the rest, who were designing to
sacrifice their country's liberty and honour."