Tales, Traditions and Romance of Border and Revolutionary TimesEllis, Edward Sylvester
History
Tales, Traditions and Romance of Border and Revolutionary Times
Ellis, Edward Sylvester
Frontier and pioneer life -- United States -- Anecdotes; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Anecdotes
Having ascertained from his brother the number of men who were to
conduct the prisoners to Savannah, at what time they intended to leave,
and also making such other inquiries as he deemed proper, Jasper bade
him adieu, and soon sought his comrade, Newton, whom he found anxiously
waiting his return.
"I have received information from my brother," he said, "that these
prisoners leave to-morrow morning at sunrise for Savannah, under a guard
of eight men, and accompanied by a Sergeant and a Corporal. The odds is
not so very great after all; and I think by a little stratagem and
boldness we can succeed in rescuing them. At all events, let us make the
trial."
But Jasper's friend was not so sure of success. Ten to two, and those
two unarmed, seemed to him too great odds to contend with, as having any
chance of succeeding. But when Jasper related to him that one of these
prisoners was a woman who had a young child, and that she was the wife
of one of the captured men, his heart was touched at the melancholy
spectacle, and he instantly coincided with his friend that they should
attempt their rescue. This being their conclusion, they conferred as to
the best means of accomplishing the desired object. This was soon
decided upon. They determined to linger around the fortifications until
they should see the prisoners, with their guard, set out for the place
of destination, and then follow their footsteps until a convenient
opportunity offered to put into force the execution of their design.
Accordingly, selecting a secure concealment near the lines to await the
approach of dawn, they threw themselves upon the ground, and being
somewhat fatigued, soon fell asleep. The day was just beginning to
emerge ere Jasper awoke, so sound had been his rest, and springing up,
he aroused his friend.
All was activity in the British camp. Men were hurrying to and fro,
preparing for the duties of the day. In fact, the whole camp seemed to
be astir to Jasper and his comrade, as they issued from their place of
concealment to watch the movements of the enemy.
They had not proceeded far before their attention was arrested by a file
of soldiers marching out into the inclosure and then coming to a halt,
as though waiting further orders. Presently a body of men, with their
arms pinioned, was marched directly to their front. Dividing their
force, the prisoners were placed in the center, with a portion of their
guard in front and rear. Every thing being now in readiness, the whole
party started off toward their destined point, leaving the village at
the southern extremity.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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