Read Ebook: Whig Against Tory Or The Military Adventures of a Shoemaker a Tale of the Revolution by Unknown

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Ebook has 308 lines and 16936 words, and 7 pages

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION.

"Will you tell me a story this evening, father?" asked William P., a fine lad of twelve years of age, the son of General P., who had been a gallant officer in the revolutionary war.

"And what story shall I tell you, my son?" said the general.

"Something about the war, father."

"You are always for hearing about the war, William," said General P. "I have told you almost all the stories I recollect. And besides, William, if you love to hear about war so well, when you are young, you will wish to be a soldier, when you become a man."

"And would you not wish to have me a soldier, father, if war should come?--you was once a soldier, and I have heard people say, that you was very brave, and fought like a hero!"

"Well, well, William," said the general, "I must tell you one story more. Where are Henry and John? You may call them--they will like to hear the story too."

GEN. P. TELLS ABOUT THE EARLY LIFE OF ENOCH CROSBY.

"Southeast is a wild, rough, and romantic place. Its hills are high and steep. Several cataracts tumble over precipices, and fall upon the ear with deafening noise. Two rivers, called the Croton and the Mill river, wind through the place. Several large ponds enrich the scenery.

"In this rude, but yet delightful country, Enoch Crosby lived, till he was sixteen years old. He was a strong and active boy. He could climb the highest hills without fatigue, and walk on the brink of frightful precipices without fear. His playmates admired him for his courage. He always took the lead because they wished it--they loved him, because he was generous and noble.

"Enoch's father decided that his son must learn a trade. It was no hardship for him to work--this he had been accustomed to. In those times, people laboured harder than now-a-days. Industry was a virtue-- idleness a shame. And it was hard labour, and solid fare, that made the men of those times so much stronger, than those of the present generation.

"The morning, at length, came, when he was to go. His bundle of clothes was nicely put up by his mother; and his father added a few shillings to his pocket--and then came the blessing of his worthy parents, with their good advice, that he should behave well, and attend to the duties of his place.

"She could say no more--and Enoch could hear no more. Without even bidding them 'farewell'--for his heart was too full for that--he shouldered his little pack, and took his way down the lane, which led to the road he was to take.

"At a few rods distance, he stopped to take one more look of the old place, so dear to him. His mother was standing at the window. She had felt the full tenderness of a mother for him before--but his love of home--his pause--his gaze--his tears--now almost overwhelmed her.

"Enoch caught a glimpse of his mother, and saw her agony. He could trust himself no longer--and summoning his energies, hurried over the hills, which soon hid the scenes of his youth from his view.

GEN. P. TELLS ABOUT THE WAR, AND HOW ENOCH CROSBY ENLISTED AS A SOLDIER FOR ONE CAMPAIGN.

"Enoch proved a good apprentice. At first, the confinement was irksome. He had been used to the open air--to the active exercise of the field--to the free, healthful breeze of the mountain. It was tiresome to sit all day, in a confined shop. But he made himself contented, and, in a little time, found his employment quite pleasant."

"In 1771, the apprenticeship of Enoch ended. He was now twenty-one years old--a man grown--industrious--honest--and ready to begin business for himself.

"Old Mr. Crosby was a strong whig--a man of reading and information-- one who took a deep interest in the welfare of his country.

"About the time that Enoch first left home to learn his trade, the troubles of America began with England. The king and his ministers became jealous of the Americans. They thought them growing too fast-- 'They will soon,' said they, 'become proud, and wish to be free and independent--we must tax them--we must take away their money. This will keep them poor and humble.'

"Those things used often to be talked over, at old Mr. Crosby's. The neighbours would sometimes happen in there of a winter's evening to spend an hour, or two--the minister--the schoolmaster--and others--and although Southeast was a retired place, the conduct of the 'mother country,' as England was called, was pretty well understood there, and justly censured.

"Old Mr. Crosby, especially, condemned the conduct of England. He said, for one, he did not wish to be trampled on. 'They have no right to tax us,' said he,--'it is unjust--it is cruel--and, for myself, I am ready to say, I will not submit to it. And, mark my word, the time will come, when the people will defend themselves, and when that time comes, I hope,' said he--looking round upon his sons, especially upon Enoch--'I hope my boys will not shame their father--no, not they.'

"And, then, there were times, too, when he was seated on his bench, thinking over what he had heard; or sat listening to some customer of his master, who happened in, on a rainy day--and who had seen the last paper which gave an account of some new attempt to oppress the colonies--at such times, he would almost wish himself a soldier, and in the field fighting for his country. And then the hammer, it was observed, would come down upon his lapstone with double force, as if he were splitting the head of one of the enemy open, or his awl would go through the leather, as if he were plunging a bayonet into the belt of a soldier."

"Such were the workings of Enoch Crosby's mind--the work of preparation was going on there--the steam was gradually rising--and though he realized it not--he was fitting to become a zealous and active soldier, in his country's service.

"On the 5th of March, 1770, nearly a year before Enoch's time was out, the 'Boston Massacre' happened."

"Three days after, on the 5th of March, while the soldiers were under arms, some of them were insulted by the citizens, and one, it is said, was struck. This soldier was so angry, that he fired. Then, six others fired. Three citizens were killed, and five were wounded.

"All Boston was soon roused. The bells were rung. Many thousand people assembled, and they said that they would tear the soldiers to pieces, and I don't know but that they would have done so, if Gov. Hutchinson had not come out, and told the people, that he would inquire into the matter, and have the guilty punished. This pacified them."

"The next year--in January, I think it was--Enoch's time being out, he left his master, and went to live at Danbury, Connecticut, where he worked at his trade, as a journeyman, and here he continued for several years.

"During this time, the difficulties between England and America increased. The king and his ministers grew more haughty and oppressive. The Americans waxed more firm and confident. Several events tended to make the breach wider and wider. The British parliament taxed the Americans--next the people of Boston threw into the sea a large quantity of tea, belonging to people in England, because a tax was laid upon it. Then, by way of revenge for this, the parliament ordered that no vessel should enter Boston harbour, or leave it. And, finally, the king sent a large body of English soldiers to America, to watch the people here, and force them to submission.

"We will now pass on to the year 1775. In April of that year occurred the famous battle of Lexington. A party of British troops had been sent from Boston, to destroy some military stores, belonging to the Americans, at Concord, north of Boston. On their way thither, they came to Lexington; and here they fired upon a small company of Americans, and killed several.

"It was a cruel act--worthy only of savages. But it roused the Americans in that part of the country; and they immediately sent expresses--that is, men on horseback--to carry the tidings abroad.

"One of these expresses was directed to take his course for Danbury, and to speed his flight. On his arrival, he told the story.

"Not long after, the regiment to which Crosby belonged marched to the city of New-York. Here they were joined by other companies, and sailed up Hudson's river to assist in taking Canada from the British.

"A short time before this, Ticonderoga, a fortress on lake Champlain, had been surprised by Col. Ethan Allen and his troops, and to them it had surrendered. This was an important post. Great rejoicings took place among the Americans, when it was known that this fort had fallen into their hands.

"The troop to which Crosby was attached, passed this fort, and proceeded to St. Johns, a British fort 115 miles north of Ticonderoga.

"This fort it was determined to attack. The troops were therefore landed, and preparations were made. Their number was one thousand--all young men,--brave--ardent--resolute.

"Being formed in order of battle, the intrepid officers led them to the attack. As they advanced, the guns of the fort poured in upon them a tremendous fire. This they met manfully, and, though some fell, the others seemed the more determined. But, just as they were beginning the attack in good earnest, a concealed body of Indians rose upon them, and the appalling war whoop broke upon their ears."

"This savage yell they had never before heard--such a sight they had never before witnessed. For a moment, alarm spread through the ranks. But courage--action was now necessary. Death or victory was before them. The officers called them to rally--to stand their ground--and they did so. They opened a well directed fire upon their savage foes, and only a short time passed before the latter were glad to retreat.

"The savages having retired, the men were ordered to throw up a breast work, near the place, to shelter themselves from the guns of the fort. This was done expeditiously. Trees were felled, and drawn to the spot by some; while others were employed in throwing up earth.

"During these labours of the Americans, the enemy continued to annoy them, by throwing shells from the fort."

"Some years after the above affair, Crosby himself related the manner in which the soldiers contrived to escape unhurt. When a shell rose in the air, every one would stop working, and watch its course, to ascertain whether it would fall near him. If it appeared to approach so near, as to endanger any one, he would dodge behind something, till it had burst, or passed by."

"Some of the American soldiers at St. Johns, were too intent upon their labour, to pay much attention to the shells. Crosby was one. All on a sudden, a fellow-soldier near by called out in a tone of thunder, 'Crosby! look out! take care! take care!' Crosby looked up, and directly over him, a shell was descending."

"The American troops had not been long a this island, before many of them were taken sick and sent to the hospital. Crosby was of the number. But he had no idea of confinement. In a few days, he resolved to join the army again. To this the surgeon remonstrated. It might be his death he said; but the valiant soldier could not be persuaded, and again appeared at camp.

"Success now followed the American troops, and in November, Montreal was taken.

"The time, for which Crosby had enlisted, had now expired, and he concluded to return home. Accordingly, he embarked with several others, in a small schooner, for Crown Point, twelve miles north of Ticonderoga. Thence they came by land to this latter place; from which they proceeded home ward for some distance by water, and then by land. Their rout lay through a wilderness. It was now winter, and the cold was intense. Provisions were scarce. Comfortable lodgings were not to be found. Their prospects were often gloomy, and their distress indescribable.

"At length, however, they reached their respective homes. After a short stay with his friends, Crosby once more returned to Danbury, and again betook himself to the peaceful occupation of shoemaking."

GEN. P. TELLS HOW CROSBY AGAIN ENLISTED AS A SOLDIER, AND OF HIS SINGULAR ADVENTURES.

"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.

"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."

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