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
"On the 17th of October, the convention was completed. General Burgoyne
and the other Generals waited on the American General Gates; the troops
laid down their arms, and gave themselves up prisoners of war! And now
the good woman who had supplied us with water at the hazard of her life
received the reward of her services; each of us threw a handful of money
into her apron, and she got altogether about twenty guineas. At such a
moment as this how susceptible is the heart of feelings of gratitude!
"My husband sent a message to me, to come over to him with my two
children. I seated myself once more in my dear calash, and then rode
through the American camp. As I passed on, I observed, and this was a
great consolation to me, that no one eyed me with looks of resentment,
but that they all greeted us, and even showed compassion in their
countenances at the sight of a woman with small children. I was, I
confess, afraid to go over to the enemy, as it was quite a new situation
to me. When I drew near the tents, a handsome man approached and met me,
_took my children from the calash, and hugged and kissed them, which
almost affected me to tears_. 'You tremble,' said he, addressing himself
to me; 'be not afraid.' 'No,' I answered, 'you seem so kind and tender
to my children, it inspires me with courage.' He now led me to the tent
of General Gates, where I found Generals Burgoyne and Phillips, who were
on a friendly footing with the former. Burgoyne said to me, 'Never mind;
your sorrows have an end.' I answered him, 'that I should be
reprehensible to have any cares, as he had none; and I was pleased to
see him on such friendly footing with General Gates.' All the Generals
remained to dine with General Gates.
"The same gentleman who received me so kindly, now came and said to me,
'You will be very much embarrassed to eat with all these gentlemen;
_come with your children to my tent, where I will prepare for you a
frugal dinner, and give it with a free will_.' I said, '_You are
certainly a husband and a father, you have showed me so much kindness._'
I now found that he was GENERAL SCHUYLER. He treated me with excellent
smoked tongue, beefsteak, potatoes, and good bread and butter! Never
could I have wished to eat a better dinner; I was content; I saw all
around me were so likewise; and what was better than all, my husband was
out of danger.
"When we had dined, he told me his residence was at Albany, and that
General Burgoyne intended to honor him as his guest, and invited myself
and children to do so likewise. I asked my husband how I should act; he
told me to accept the invitation. As it was two days' journey there, he
advised me to go to a place which was about three hours' ride distant.
General Schuyler had the politeness to send with me a French officer, a
very agreeable man, who commanded the reconnoitering party of which I
have before spoken; and when he had escorted me to the house where I was
to remain, he turned back again.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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