From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library

Farm House to the White House, by William M. Thayer 160
"Men just dragged from the tender scenes of domestic life, and unaccustomed to the din of arms, totally
unacquainted with every kind of military skill, are timid, and ready to fly from their own shadows. Besides,
the sudden change in their manner of living brings on an unconquerable desire to return to their homes."
Establishing his headquarters at King's Bridge, Washington superintended the retreat from New York, which
was accomplished without the loss of anything except his heaviest cannon.
Colonel Humphreys wrote: "I had frequent opportunities that day of beholding Washington issuing orders,
encouraging the troops, flying on his horse covered with foam, wherever his presence was most necessary.
Without his extraordinary exertions the guards must have been inevitably lost, and it is possible the entire
corps would have been cut in pieces."
He made a noble stand at Harlem Heights for three weeks, where he had several encounters with the foe. In
one of these, two of his most brilliant officers were killed, Colonel Knowlton and Major Leith. Knowlton's
last words were, "Did we drive the enemy in?" Speaking of Colonel Knowlton reminds us of an incident.
Soon after the retreat from Brooklyn, Washington said to Knowlton:
"It is important for me to know the strength of the enemy on Long Island. Can you name a trusty man who
will find out?"
"I can," answered Knowlton. "If he will consent, he is just the man for such service."
"Send him to me immediately."
Within a short time Nathan Hale of Connecticut, one of the bravest and most promising young officers in the
army, presented himself to the general.
"Can you ascertain for me the number and strength of the British on Long Island?" asked Washington.
"I think I can," replied Hale; "I am willing to try."
"You understand that it will cost your life if the enemy capture you. It is serious business."
"I understand. I understood that when I entered the army," was young Hale's cool and heroic reply.
"Go, then, and quickly as possible obtain the information I so much need."
Hale went to Long Island in the capacity of a schoolmaster, obtained the information that Washington desired,
and on his return was discovered and arrested as a spy. Without trial or court-martial he was executed, in
extremely aggravating circumstances.
"A clergyman, whose attendance he desired, was refused him; a Bible, for a moment's devotion, was not
procured though he requested it. Letters which on the morning of his execution, he wrote to his mother and
sister, were destroyed; and this very extraordinary reason was given by the provost-martial, 'that the rebels
should not know that they had a man in the army who could die with so much firmness.' Unknown to all
around him, without a single friend to offer him the least consolation, as amiable and as worthy a young man
as America could boast was thus hung as a spy." His last words were:
"I lament only that I have but one life to give to the cause of liberty and the rights of man."
Soon after Washington withdrew his defeated army to Harlem Heights, he heard cannonading at the landing,