Whig Against Tory | Page 6

signifies the island of
nuts."
John, "Did the people find walnuts there, father?"
Gen. P. "Some kind of nuts doubtless, my son; but whether walnuts, or
hazel nuts, or some other kind, I am unable to say."
Henry. "Pray, John, don't ask so many foolish questions, I want to hear
the story."
Gen. P. "But you would wish your brother to know the reason of things,
would you not, master Henry? It was quite a proper question, and one it
seems none of us can answer. We must examine the point some time,
and let master John know.
"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.
"'What!' exclaimed Capt. Benedict, when he saw him, 'have you got
back, Crosby? I never expected to see you again. You look too ill to be
here. You would make a better scare-crow than soldier, I fancy, just
now.'
"'Well, captain! said Crosby, 'if I'm a scare-crow, I can frighten the
enemy, if I cannot fight them--so I shall be of some service.'"
John. "Well, father, did they hang up Crosby for a scare-crow?"
Henry. "Why, you simpleton, John, don't you know better?"
Gen. P. "Crosby was quite ill, but his resolution made him forget how
feeble he was. He was a scare-crow to the enemy in a different way

from that which Capt. Benedict meant. A battle soon came on, and
before night Enoch Crosby was marching into the enemy's fort to the
tune of Yankee Doodle, to assist in taking care of the prisoners."
John. "But, I thought he was too ill to fight."
Gen. P. "A soldier, at such a time, and such a soldier as Crosby, would
be likely to forget his weakness. He went bravely through the day; and
from that time rapidly regained his health.
"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."
CHAPTER III.
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