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WHIG AGAINST TORY:

OR, THE

MILITARY ADVENTURES OF A SHOEMAKER.

A TALE OF THE REVOLUTION.

FOR CHILDREN.


1851.



CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION

CHAP. I. Gen P. tells about the early life of Enoch Crosby.

CHAP. II. Gen. P. tells about the war, and how Crosby enlisted as a
soldier for one campaign.

CHAP. III. Gen. P. tells how Crosby again enlisted as a soldier, and
of his singular adventures.

CHAP. IV. Gen. P. tells how Crosby enlisted in the service of the
Committee of Safety, and how he was taken prisoner.

CHAP. V. Gen. P. tells about how Crosby's visit to a mountain cave--
how he was again taken prisoner--and the manner in which he escaped.

CHAP. VII. Gen. P. tells about the farther adventures of Crosby--how
he was obliged to show his secret pass--how he resided at a
Dutchman's--how afterwards he was cruelly beaten and wounded.--
Conclusion.



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."

(_Enter William, Henry and John_.)

_Henry_. "Father! William says you are going to tell us a story about
the war! what----"

[Illustration]

_John_. "Shall you tell us about some battle, where you fought?"

_Gen. P_. "Sit down, my children, sit down. Did I ever tell you about
_Enoch Crosby_?"

_William_. "_Enoch Crosby_? why, I never heard of such a man."

_Henry_. "Nor did I."

_Gen. P_. "I suppose not; but he was a brave man, and did that for his
country, which is worthy to be told."

_John_. "Was he a general, father?"

_Gen. P_. "No; he was a _spy_."

_William_. "A spy! a spy! father, I thought a spy was an odious
character?"

_Gen. P_. "Well, a real spy is generally so considered. I think it
would be more appropriate to say, that he was an _informer_. During
the war, many Americans were employed to obtain information about the
enemy. They were often soldiers, and received pay, as did the
soldiers, and sometimes obtained information, which was very
important, especially about the _tories_, or such Americans as
favoured the British cause."

_Henry_. "Is that the meaning of the word tory?"

_Gen. P_. "Yes; tories were Americans, who wished that the British
aims might succeed, and the king of England might still be king of the
colonies. Those who wished differently, and who fought against the
British, were called _whigs_."

_John_. "Was Crosby a whig?"

_Gen. P_. "Yes; no man could be more devoted to the liberty of his
country."

_William_. "Whence were the names whig and tory derived?"

_Gen. P_. "Do you wish to know the _original meaning_ of the words, my
son?"

_William_. "Yes, sir."

_Gen. P_. "The word _tory_, the learned Webster says, was derived from
the Irish, in which language it signifies a _robber. Tor_, in that
language, means a _bush_; and hence _tory_, a robber, or bushman;
because robbers often secrete themselves in the bushes. The meaning of
the word _whig_, I am unable to tell you. Its origin is uncertain. It
was applied, as I told you, to those who fought for the liberty of
America."

_William_. "If the word tory means a robber, it was very properly
applied to those, who wished to _rob_ the people of America of their
rights--don't you think so, father?"

_Gen. P_. "Exactly so, William--a very just remark."

_John_. "Father! I thought you was going to tell about Enoch Crosby?--"

_Gen. P_. "True, master John, we will begin."



CHAPTER I.


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

_Gen. P_. "Enoch Crosby was born in Massachusetts, in 1750. When he
was only three years old, his father took him, and the rest of his
family, into the state of New-York to live. He was a farmer, and had
bought a farm in Southeast, a town which borders on the state of
Connecticut.

"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.

"When Enoch was, sixteen years of age, misfortune came upon his
father. The family had lived comfortably. They were prosperous
farmers--but _now_, a blast came--I know not the cause--but it came,
and they were poor.

"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.

"Enoch loved labour, and was willing to learn a trade. But it was hard
parting with friends, when the day arrived, that he was to go from
home. It was settled that he should be a _shoemaker_, and should learn
the trade of a man in a neighbouring town.

"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.

"And, said his tender mother--a tear starting from her eye, which she
wiped away with the corner of her lindsey-woolsey, while she spake--
'your _Bible_, Enoch, you will find in your bundle--don't forget
_that_--and you must pray for us--my son--'

"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.

[Illustration]

"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.

"In after years--many years after--even when he became an old man, he
would speak of this scene, with deep feeling. He could never forget
it. He said he felt for a time alone in the world--cut off from all he
held dear. I do not wonder," said Gen. P. "that he felt much, for well
do _I_ remember the pain I felt, _the first time leaving home_."



CHAPTER II.


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

_Gen. P_. "Before night, Enoch reached his new home. His countenance
had somewhat brightened; yet his heart felt sad, for some days.

"On the following morning, his master introduced him into the shop. He
had a seat assigned him provided with awls, thread, wax, and the more
solid, but equally needful companion, a _lapstone_.

"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."

_John_. "Didn't he want to see his mother?"

_Gen. P_. "Doubtless he did. He would not be likely to forget her; and
I hope he did not neglect her good advice. And, when permission was
given him, he went home to visit his friends, and always with delight.

"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.'

"Enoch thought much of his father. He was a grave man--one who sat
steady in his chair when he talked--and talked so slowly, and so
emphatic, as always to be heard. Enoch, though a boy, listened--he was
_then_ interested--and as he grew older and was at home occasionally,
on a visit, and these subjects were discussed--he took a still deeper
interest, and would sometimes even mingle in the animated talk, round
the fire side of his father.

"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."

[Illustration]

"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."

_Henry_. "The 'Boston Massacre!' father--pray, what was that?"

_Gen. P_. "William! you know the story, I trust--can you tell it to
your brother?"

_William_. "I have read about it; but I don't know well how to tell
it. Will you tell it, father?"

_Gen. P_. "Tell it as well as you are able, my son. It is by practice
that we learn to do things well."

_William_. "One evening some British soldiers were near a ropewalk in
Boston. A man, who worked in the ropewalk, said something to them
which they did not like, and they beat him.

"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."

_Gen. P_. "Well done--quite well done, master William. You now know,
Henry, what is meant by the 'Boston Massacre.'"

_Henry_. "It was a bloody affair, I think."

_Gen. P_. "Bloody indeed!--inhuman and highly provoking. The news of
it spread--spread rapidly, in every direction. The country was filled
with alarm. War was seen to be almost certain; such an insult--such a
crime could not be forgotten. Even at Phillipstown, where Crosby was
at his trade, the story was told. It roused _his_ spirit. He thought
of what his father had said. And he was even now desirous to enlist as
a soldier, to avenge the slaughtered Americans.

"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.

"Things now became quite unsettled. The Americans felt injured--they
were provoked--nothing was before them but war or slavery. This latter
they could not bear. They scorned to be slaves. Besides, they saw no
reason why they should be slaves. They knew war was a great evil. But
it was better than slavery. And now they began to talk about it; and
to act in view of it. In almost every town--especially in New
England--the young men were enrolled; that is, were formed into
companies, and were daily exercised, in order to make them good
soldiers. These were called '_minute men_'."

_Henry_. "Why were they called '_minute men_,' father?"

_Gen. P_. "Because they stood ready to march at a _minutes_ warning,
should occasion require."

_John_. "Was Enoch Crosby a minute man?"

_Gen. P_. "No; he was not; but he stood ready to enlist, at any time
when his services were needed.

"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.

"It produced alarm--and well it might