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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF

"Our army had blockaded Boston: we labored incessantly through the night of the 16th June,

CAPTAIN SAMUEL COOPER. 75, to fortify our position on the summit which

BY A CITIZEN OF FREDERICK COUNTY, MARYLAND. Terrible was the gleam of his steel: 'twas like the green meteor of death setting in the heath of Malmor when the tra veller is asleep, and the broad moon is darkened in the Heavens.

Ossian.

completely commanded the city; and it was not until four next morning that one of the enemy's ships first perceived our operations, and played on us with their artillery. The three English generals saw that all their efforts to dislodge us from our strong position would be vain, unless by a geneOn the evening of the 28th of June last, I visit-ral assault. Our lines were manned with yeoinaned Captain SAMUEL COOPER, of Georgetown, ry, many of whom had never been in battle. PutD. C., that I might ascertain the events of his nam commanded in chief, assisted by Starke and military life. The venerable man was seated in other brave spirits. A few minutes before the conhis portico, from which we saw old Potomac test began, Warren appeared in all the pride of rolling his waters far as the eye could reach, in- youth and courage. I remember distinctly his sensibly leading the imagination to the tomb of countenance, (which strikingly resembled that of Washington, and in quick succession reviving the late Mr. Wirt,) glowing with patriotism and all the prominent events of his day. The capitol ardor-his hair fell in curls down his shoulders— of our country, too, and the proud monuments of his presence inspired the troops wherever he was national glory, were immediately before us, which seen. The sun had risen resplendently, indicative we could not behold without recurring with sor- of our fortunes on that remarkable day. We saw row and indignation to the disastrous events of from the top of the hill the British shipping and 1814, when a vandal foe laid them in ruins. The barges in the harbor-thousands of anxious specrays of the setting sun gilded the horizon with a tators filling the windows, balconies, and roofs of beautiful lustre—the lofty oaks, which surrounded houses of my native city--the enemy preparing his house, were covered with the richest foliage for the conflict-all was big with the fate of the the feathered songsters poured forth their sweetest two nations. About one o'clock, P. M., they music-and when I was told, that this was alike landed at Moreton's Point, without meeting rethe birthday of the aged patriot, and the anniversary sistance, ten companies of grenadiers, ten of light of the battle of Monmouth, where he had fought infantry, and a quantity of artillery, commanded for our country, my curiosity was much excited by Generals Howe and Pigot. On surveying our to learn his history. He seemed at first rather to intrenchment, the British General halted, and sent shrink from the narration of the stirring scenes for a reinforcement. They advanced in two coof his adventurous career: his modesty recoiled lumns. At this moment Charlestown was in one from the task. At length I saw his eye kindling, sheet of flame. The enemy gradually advanced his mental powers were quickly excited, and he up the hill now covered with their troops-their thus began. "Often like the evening sun comes colors flying-music mingling with the roar of the memory of former days on my soul. I was their artillery-soldiers well dressed-officers disborn June 28th, 1755, in Boston, and was enrolled tinguished by their splendid costume-whilst we in Col. Knox's regiment of artillery, May 2d, waited in profound silence for their near approach: 1775. I saw the blood of my neighbors flow at our starspangled banner spread out to the uncloudLexington, on the 19th of the preceding month, ed sun-no signs of fear in any countenance-all, and had frequently heard the great orator, Dr. cool and determined, were awaiting the signal. On Warren, thunder in the 'Old South,' against the our first fire, hundreds of the enemy lay dead before oppressions of England, even when the British us; their ranks were broken, and they retired in soldiers menaced him with instant death in the disorder to their place of landing: their officers holy place. Sir, (said he, rising from his seat, in were seen running in every direction, inspiriting a sort of ecstasy,) I yet hear his unrivalled elo- their soldiers for another attack. The second quence-his pathetic tones-I see the people elec- charge was to them more disastrous than the first. trified and borne off to the aid of their country, Again the survivors fled to their old position. An despising the horrors of war--by the all-powerful universal shout of joy along our line, enlivened oratory of this second Demosthenes. I had pre- with the favorite air of Yankee Doodle, apprized viously, in 1774, borne a very prominent part in the enemy that our arms were nerved by a supethe destruction of three hundred and forty-two rior power in our country's cause. But for Sir chests of tea, in Boston harbor. And although Henry Clinton, who beheld the scene from Coppe's this expedition was fraught with the best effects Hill, the British army had never rallied. He fled to the whole country, yet was it as nothing when to its succor. That enterprising officer cheercompared with the battle of Bunker Hill, which ed the drooping spirits of his troops, and himwas not surpassed in bravery or good fortune, self led the third and last charge. He attacked either in ancient or modern times. our redoubt at three several points. We now

suffered from the artillery of the ships, which noted army-but, sir, it was a splendid affair: twenonly kept off our reinforcements by the isthmus of ty-three officers and eight hundred and eighty-six Charlestown, but even uncovered and swept the soldiers were made prisoners of war! Not a man interior of our trench, which was assaulted in front of our troops was killed; and but two wounded. at the same instant: our ammunition was exhaust- We retreated from Trenton only to engage the ed-no hopes of succor-no bayonets to our guns- British near Princeton, on the 3d of January, the redoubt filled with the enemy-a retreat was 1777, where our loss was inconsiderable when now ordered. We were forced to pass along compared to that of the enemy, although we all the isthmus of Charlestown, and here we suffered lamented the fall of Gen. Mercer, of Fredericksconsiderably from a British ship of war and two burg, Virginia, who had seen good service at floating batteries. Here Warren fell, close by my Culloden, and also in the French war in this side. I saw him standing alone in advance of his country, where his intimacy with our beloved troops, rallying them by his own glorious exam-chief began. It was not until September 11th of ple. His voice was heard above the storm of bat- this year, I had the pleasure of again encountering tle. He reminded them of the mottoes inscribed the foe at Chad's Ford, on the Brandywine. The on their ensigns, on one side of which were writen day was enlivened by the martial appearance of these words; 'An appeal to heaven;' and on the the chivalric Lafayette, who rode along our line other Qui transtulit sustinet; meaning that with Washington just before the action comthe same Providence which had brought their an- menced. True we were compelled to quit the cestors through innumerable perils to a place of field, but be assured the battle was warm and sansafety, would also support their descendants. Im-guinary. Philadelphia passed into the hands of agine my feelings when I beheld his noble form the enemy-Congress removed hastily to Lancascovered with blood—what indignation swelled my ter-the whole country was dismayed-but the bosom as I beheld Charlestown a heap of smoking general-in-chief on the morning of the 4th of ruins whole families destroyed-more than a October, at Germantown, again taught the British thousand corpses exposed to the sun-the groans of a lesson which they never forgot. My own comthe dying mingled with the shout of victory-give mander, Knox, displayed on this occasion the but a faint view of the horrors of war!" "True," most entire coolness and intrepidity, combined replied I," but the contest was a holy one. You with the most profound skill and science. Nowere fighting for liberty." "Yes," he rejoined, thing but the lightness of our artillery prevented with enthusiasm; "the battle of Bunker Hill in our demolishing Chew's house, from whence our some degree resembled the thunders and lightnings brave comrades were mowed down with a most deof the mount where the law was delivered to Mo-structive fire. Notwithstanding the thick fog of ses. The way was opened for the national glory of the Jewish and the American people, and the fire of liberty glowed in our bosoms, like the flaming bush which burnt, but was not consumed." The patriarch now resumed his seat. "Did you retire from the camp after this memorable conflict?" "By no means. Washington, on the day after this battle, had been appointed by Congress general-in-chief of all our armies; he arrived at head-quarters at Cambridge on the 3d July, and it was determined on the 9th, in a council of war, that Boston should be closely besieged I remain- Early on the ensuing morning the good old man ed here during the whole time, and on the morning renewed his narration:-"The winter of 1777-78, of the 17th March, 1776, saw their fleet filled at Valley Forge, was the most dreary I ever saw. with troops under sail for some other position. Washington's head quarters were very near the I was actively engaged at White Plains, New Schuylkill, while the several divisions of our army York, in October, 1776, where Washington gave were stationed at proper positions: ours was in the proof of that intrepidity of character and military centre. The enemy occupied Philadelphia. While science, which he had displayed on the banks of they were enjoying at their ease the luxuries of the Monongahela on the 9th of July, 1755. Sub-life, we were exposed to cold, nakedness and fasequently to this period, during the fall and win- mine. Deep snows, bleak winds, combined with ter of 1776, fortune seemed to have deserted our the almost entire want of clothing, brought on us standard; but I never once despaired. On the a train of evils and of trials which I cannot de25th of December, we passed the Delaware to scribe. Beyond all this, a deep laid and abominable surprise the enemy in Trenton: the weather was plot was devised by Conway, Gates, and other disexcessively cold-the river filled with ice-wind affected generals, to deprive the commander-inhigh-a powerful foe to be attacked by a dispirit-chief of his hard-earned fame. The fate of our

the morning, and the derangement of the plan of battle from unforeseen causes, the English army would have been captured, had not Cornwallis, at the crisis of the contest hearing the noise of our artillery and small arms, arrived with fresh troops from Philadelphia. So changeable is the fortune of war, that the affairs of nations often hang on the events of a moment! The campaign closed, and we withdrew into winter-quarters at Valley Forge, on the 22d December; and with your permission, (bowing politely,) I will retire for the evening."

country now hung suspended on a single hair. | this brave and chivalric officer, then in the twenNever shall I forget the awful scene! Washing- ty-ninth year of his age. His person was of the ton, conscious of his own integrity, stood like a rock, firm and immovable. I could see that his countenance was occasionally lighted up with a glow of deep-toned indignation, and that he struggled hard in his own virtuous bosom, to repress his injured spirit. The conspiracy was not entirely crushed until the last of March, 1778. Suddenly the cloud vanished-the sun shone forth with the most gorgeous splendor-and he stood like Mount Atlas,

'While storms and tempests thunder on his brow, And oceans break their billows at his feet.'

middle size, well proportioned-his bearing noble-his manners polished in the highest degreehis countenance indicating deep thought and extensive literary acquirements. Occasionally a cloud of melancholy obscured for a season the sunshine of his soul. His parents were natives of Geneva, who emigrated to London, where their highly gifted son was born. He was bred to the mercantile business, and when about twenty years of age became deeply smitten with the charms of a young lady residing in the same street with himself, to whom he often addressed the sweetest effusions of his muse. His affection was reciprocated, but their union was prevented by her parents. Chagrined beyond measure he joined the royal army, then coming to this country-occupied a high place in the esteem of Sir Henry Clintonwas a commissioner with Col. Hyde at Amboy, on the 12th of April, 1779, to effect an exchange of prisoners with the American commissioners, Davies and Harrison-and signed the articles of capitulation as aid-de-camp of the British commander, when Fort Lafayette capitulated on the 1st of June of the same year. He had formerly fallen into our hands as a prisoner of war, and with Capt. Gordon and other officers, was detained for some time in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he was almost incessantly occupied in the perusal of

"We remained at this position until the 18th of June, when our army was put in motion, in order to pursue Sir Henry Clinton, who had evacuated Philadelphia on the preceding day, and was now making his way through Jersey to New York. All was now life and joy: our officers and soldiers greeted each other with the kindest salutations, at the prospect of again entering the field of glory. I saw our chief mounted on his war horse, elegantly caparisoned, surrounded by his staff his eye lighted with fire—his countenance full of animation-the army catching from his bosom the spirit of liberty. Never; no, never, sir, did I behold so joyous a day as when we were in pursuit of the enemy on this occasion. Great skill was displayed by the respective commanders books. of both armies on the memorable 28th of June, 1778, when the battle of Monmouth was fought. The unfortunate mismanagement of Gen. Lee deranged in some degree our plan of battle-but the result was clearly favorable to the Americans. Three hundred of the British were slain, a like number wounded, and one hundred prisoners were taken. We slept on our arms with the hope of renewing the conflict at the dawn of day, but Sir Henry Clinton had eluded our vigilance at midnight, and was now in full retreat. From this time I had not the good fortune to encounter the enemy in the open field, but was actively engaged in the partizan warfare, in which detached portions of our army so often participated."

It happened that at this part of his narrative, I inquired if he knew any thing of the history of the unfortunate Major Andre.

"I am intimately acquainted with all its details, and witnessed the last thrilling scene of his earthly career. He arrived at Tappan on Thursday, September 28th, 1780, under the care of the late Col. Talmadge, for many years a representative in Congress from Connecticut, to whose especial superintendence he had been entrusted by Washington at West Point, whither he had been taken after his capture, on the preceding Saturday, near Tarrytown, on the opposite bank of the Hudson. Here I first saw

Here, as everywhere else, he won the affections of the citizens of that borough, who heard with undissembled grief of his subsequent deplorable end. I now regretted his present misfortune the more, because he was the victim of Arnold, the most perfidious of all traitors, who had now left him to expire on that gibbet where he himself should have died a thousand deaths. Every heart bled for the forlorn stranger, and Washington was melted into tears. On Friday the court convened, and I saw Andre escorted from the guard house, dressed in full regimentals, and heard him candidly and fearlessly acknowledge before that tribunal all the circumstances necessary to establish his guilt. On his return from the court, on this day, he wrote to Sir Henry Clinton, at New York, a most touching letter, in which he reminds his late chief of his perilous situation, and recommends to his especial care a widowed mother and three orphan sisters. Home, with all its enjoyments, was now unspeakably dear to his affections. He beheld, in his mind's eye, over the broad Atlantic, the forms of those who were dear to him by every tie of humanity, and anticipated their unspeakable sorrow when the intelligence of his ignominious death should be announced. Sir Henry Clinton was almost frantic when he found that all his efforts to obtain the release of Andre were unavailing. On Saturday, General Greene, president of the court, held a VOL. IV-66

er.

long conference with General Robinson of the | by two of our officers; one was a Mr. Samuel English army, at Dobb's Ferry, in which this Hughes of Baltimore, if my memory does not deinteresting case was canvassed at large. No ceive me; the name of the other I have forgotten. effort was left untried on the part of the Bri-Andre walked between them, dressed in full unitish commissioner to maintain the position that form. How wonderful and mysterious are the the laws of war did not condemn the prison-dispensations of Providence! A few years before, Greene argued that he had been convicted, and these very officers were prisoners of war in by a court properly constituted, as a spy, aid- Quebec, where Andre was town major; and they ing Arnold in the perpetration of an act of trea- had been treated by him with kindness and huson of the deepest dye, and that however much his manity-now they were compelled, by the inuntimely fate was to be deplored, still it was irre-flexible code of military law, to aid in taking away vocable. Washington so instructed him prior to the life of their amiable and hapless friend! I this interview. During this day I visited him, in kept very near his person until the scene was company with other officers. Our sympathies finally closed. He seemed elevated above his misincreased, as the fatal hour was hastening on fortunes. Not a feature of his countenance changed. when his earthly career was to end forever. He He smiled as he bowed gracefully to many of our was, however, tranquil, and occasionally cheer-officers, with whom he was acquainted. His step, ful. He seemed at first to be buoyed up with firm and soldierlike; his bearing, lofty and firm;— the hope that he would be exchanged for Arnold, and while the assembled throng was dissolved in and such also was the ardent desire of every officer grief, no tear coursed down his cheek. When he asand soldier in our army. It being ascertained, cended the cart, Maj. Jos. Pattingall read the death however, that Sir Henry Clinton had rejected warrant. The executioner appeared to do his office, every proposition which could lead to the surren-but Andre ordered him to retire. When the rope der of Arnold, the order for his execution, at five, was adjusted about his neck, with his own hand, P. M., on Sunday, October 1st, 1780, was issued without any assistance, I distinctly heard him say, in the morning orders of that day, but the pro-In a few minutes I shall know more than any of tracted discussion between Generals Greene and Robinson, prevented its consummation until twelve o'clock, M., of Monday. During the Sabbath he dictated and sent to Washington the most touching letter ever written by man, imploring him merely to soften his last moments by assuring him that he should "not die on a gibbet." Never before was the illustrious chief of our army placed in a more trying situation. It was universally reported and believed in camp at the time, that he shed tears, on signing the death-warrant of the brave but unfortunate captive. The stern, unbending laws of war, pointed to an ignominious death only, and he possessed no power to change those laws. Monday morning the sun rose clear; all were busy in preparing for the tragic scene before us; large detachments of troops under arms; nearly all the general and field officers, except the commander-in-chief and his suite, were mounted on horseback, in their appropriate costume; an immense concourse of citizens thronged every "No, sir," he replied. "On the contrary, Champe avenue; melancholy sat on each countenance;-did not leave us until the night of the 20th of the scene was awful! Sometime before he left his quarters, I went in company with Captain Lecraft, of New-York, to bid him farewell. He was in the act of shaving himself, standing before a glass as we entered the door. Seeing that we paused, he turned round and pleasantly observed, 'Come in, gentlemen; you perceive I am now in the suds--but I shall soon be relieved from this predicament.' Soon after he bade adieu to all immediately around him, in the most affecting man

ner.

He was escorted from the door to the place ofexecution, (about three quarters of a mile distant,)

you.' After he had bandaged his eyes with a white handkerchief, Col. Scammel said, 'You can now speak, if you wish.' Raising the handker chief, he replied, with a firm voice, 'I pray you to bear me witness that I die like a brave man.' After the body was interred, and his clothes delivered to his servant, to carry to New York, the dead march was played, and we retired to quarters, overwhelmed with the sad scenes of this memorable day. I have been told that a monument was long ago erected to his memory, in Westminster Abbey, and that his ashes were disinterred in 1821, by Mr. Buchanan, British consul at New York, and removed to England, at the suggestion of the late Duke of York."

"Is it true, sir, as related by Lee, in his incomparable narrative of the enterprise of John Champe of Loudoun county, Virginia, that he deserted prior to the execution, in order to seize Arnold and bring him alive to camp?"

October, and was then sent to discover how far the suspicions of Washington were well founded, as to some of his chief officers, whom he had been induced to believe were concerned in the treason of Arnold. The agent mentioned by Lee, to whom Champe was introduced in the city of New York, and whose information was conveyed by him in cypher to the American general, was Sam Francis, a negro man, who kept a tavern in that city for some time prior to the battle of Long Island, and who remained there during the whole period of seven years, while the city was held by

"I was also engaged in defence of Mud Island, where our privations and exposures were truly great and hazardous.

"Such, sir, is an outline of my services to America, for almost nine years; and if I have contributed to establish the liberties of my country, and the constitution under which we enjoy our invaluable rights and privileges, it shall solace me in the decline of life; and when the God of battles shall summon me from earth, I shall bow submissively to his covereign will, and say, 'Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, mine eyes have seen thy salvation.''

the enemy. Washington's head quarters were at | in its proper place, that I witnessed the conven one time at Sam's house, prior to the evacuation tion of officers at Newburgh, on the fifteenth of of New York by the Americans, in August, 1776. | March, 1783, when Washington delivered his adHe formed for his colored host an inviolable friend- dress, in order to counteract the effects of the celeship. The house abounded in good cheer. Fran- brated anonymous letter of John Armstrong, a cis was uniformly polite and prompt-very obser- composition not surpassed in splendor of style or vant of passing events-thoughtful and taciturn bitterness of spirit, by the best efforts of Junius as Champe himself-kept his day book and leger himself. The object was to prevent the army with his own hand-was a genuine patriot, as from sheathing their swords, until Congress had well as an admirer of the American chief. There settled all arrearages of pay and compensation: is no doubt in my mind that Washington himself and this bold and reckless measure, which aimed gave Sam the key to the cyphered letter, and that to undo all the work of our revolution and estabhe had received advices through this channel, of lish a military despotism, unless the demand was the movements of the enemy, long before Champe's gratified, was crushed by the superior energy and adventure. Sir Henry Clinton and his principal decision of the commander-in-chief. officers lodged at his tavern during all their residence in New York, occupying the very rooms where Washington and his staff had often slept. Sam became as intimate with them as he had previously been with our chief. They little supposed that Sam was in correspondence with the head of the American army, nor did he give them the opportunity of suspecting that he was noting their conversations at his table, or searching with inquisitive eye the workings of their minds, frequently displayed in their thoughtful visage. Never did he once betray the confidence reposed in him, or mislead his friend during this eventful and interesting period of our history. I was present in New York at Francis' tavern, on the 4th of December, 1783, and saw Washington once more greet his faithful confidante. An affecting scene now occurred. The warrior was about to separate from his companions in arms. His chief officers advanced to receive his last embrace and final blessing. My own faithful commander, Knox, under whose banner I had often met the enemy, first grasped his hand: both were overwhelmed with strong emotion: these stern chieftains, unmoved amidst the shock of battle and the groans of the dying, were now subdued by the tide of grief rushing on their souls. No word was uttered to break the profound silence of this majestic scene. Walking to White Hall, attended by a numerous concourse of admiring and weeping spectators, he entered a barge, which was to transport him to Paulus Hook. It was manned by twelve seamen dressed in white. I yet see the noble form of that immortal man, as he stood erect in the barge and waved his hat in bidding adieu to the multitude thronging the shore. Surely no man ever served under such a commander!"

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LAMENT OF AN OLD BACHELOR.

Indulgent Muse! I woo thee still;

Thy breathings nerve my fragile ear;
They, soft as sound from murm'ring rill,
Dissolve each frozen tear.

I woo thee for thyself alone ;

No dreams of earthly fame I know;
Yet sing, oh! sing, in mellow tone,
My tale of earthly wo.

Alas! by fancy's flick'ring light,

In youth I've soared on wings of fame,
But shuddered, each returning night,
To find myself the same.

And now, the dreams of fancy gone,

By friend and foe, and love forgot,
I'm left to weep my fate alone,

In this poor shattered cot.

No cherub lisps a father's name;

No fair one smiles to find me near;
No anguished heart is here to claim
The tribute of a tear.

The friends my early childhood knew,
As leaves returned to parent sod,
Have paid the debt to nature due,
And gone unto their God.

for

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