Of conquest o’er unworthy foes?
Shall no fair maid with equal fire
Awake the flames of soft desire;
My bosom born, for transport, burn
And raise my thoughts from Delia’s urn?
“Fond Youth,” the God of Love replies,
“Your answer take from Sarah’s eyes.”
An incident in the lives of the secret service men is detailed in Major Tallmadge’s letter, dated Greenfield, Feb. 21, 1783, and addressed to General Washington. Major Tallmadge says:
I am happy in having occasion to congratulate your Excellency on the success which attended a part of my detachment yesterday in capturing one of the Enemy’s armed Vessels on the Sound. In my letter of the 20th ulto. I had the honor to inform your Excellency that an attempt had been made to board one of the Enemy’s Gallies; since which, for some reason, she has been hauled up at Huntington and her Crew has left her. The detection of many boats belonging to this shore, has induced the enemy to employ their armed vessels in the Trade. Several loads of fat Beaves have been taken from this shore under cover of their guns.
About ten days ago I was informed that one of the Enemies Privateers had landed a large quantity of English Goods near Stratford, and that she was soon to return and receive a cargo of Beef. As this vessel was one of the principal cruizers in the Sound, and had been largely used in trade, I tho’t it my duty if possible to prevent her doing further mischief, accordingly a detachment of forty five men from the Light Infantry of the Legion, under the orders of Lieuts. Rhea and Hanly, together with Capt. Brewster’s Boat Crew of Continental Troops, were held ready for service. Yesterday the enemies vessel was discovered near Stratford Point, where at 2 o’clock p. m. the troops were embarked in a fast sailing vessel prepared for that purpose, which was cammanded by Capt. Hubbel, and at 4 p. m. they came up with her, when she gave a discharge of her Cannon followed by her Swivles and Musquetry, (our troops being concealed) till both vessels met, when the troops rose, gave the Enemy one discharge of Musquetry, and boarded them with fixed bayonets. The Captain of the Privateer was killed and only three or four of his men were wounded, two of them supposed mortally wounded.[72] Tho Capt. Hubbel’s Vessel was much damaged in her hull, spars and Rigging, yet not a man on board was killed or wounded. Capt Brewster who Commanded the Troops, as well as the other officers and soldiers on board deserve commendation for the spirit and zeal with which their service has been performed. The Privateer is called the Three Brothers, was commanded by Capt. Johnstone, mounting eleven Carriage Guns, four swivels, twenty five stand of small arms and navigated by twenty one men. The Prize now lies at Black Rock under a Guard, and we shall be glad of your Excellency’s order of Condemnation upon her. As there has been a particular agreement between Captain Hubbell and myself respecting the proportion of the Prize to be drawn by the Vessel and the Troops, I shall thank your Excellency to leave the division to us. The Prisoners who are able to march (except two negroes left with Capt. Hubbel) are on their way to camp.