Legends of the Shawangunk2 JR.pdf - Friends of the Sabbath ...

The War With the Jerseymen. 35
in a piece of woods near the Major’s home. It was arranged that Peter Guimaer should go
to the house, and at a convenient opportunity enter and ascertain the situation of affairs.
If he judged the circumstances favorable for an attempt at recapture, Peter was to go into
the orchard and throw up an apple as a signal. The party on the hill soon had the
satisfaction of seeing Peter make the signal agreed upon. They rushed out of the woods
and into the house with such impetuosity as to overpower all opposition. The usurpers
were expelled, and the Major reinstated in his possessions.
The people of Orange county employed a spy to act in their interest, who was to
circulate among the Jersey claimants, acquaint himself with their plans, and send back
reports of their proceedings. The spy soon sent them word that a certain day the
Jerseymen intended to raid the disputed territory with a strong party, with the view of
dispossessing the occupants generally.
The day came at last; and with it came the sturdy yeomanry of Orange county—
fathers, brothers, sons, all—to the home of Hermanus Van Inwegen, armed, equipped,
and caparisoned for war. The preparations were barely completed when the van of the
Jersey company came in sight.
Major Swartwout gallantly led his little army out into the road, and formed the men in
line of battle.
Jacob Cuddeback said to Van Invegen, “We are old men; our lives are of less
consequence than those of our younger companions; let us take our paces the front of the
line.” This act of self-sacrifice was immediately carried into execution; even the younger
men evincing no dissatisfaction at the wise arrangement. The line was formed in double
column, with the two old men in front as a cover to those in rear, and the Major himself
at the head of his men; with this disposition of the force, they calmly awaited the onset
with breathless interest.
The Jerseymen came within gunshot and halted. Such a military array that with
which they were now confronted—at once so unexpected and so formidable—served to
weaken the ardor even of Jerseymen bent on conquest. Another incident, coming also
unawares, contributed to strike dismay still more deeply into the stern hearts of the
invaders.
Gerardus Swartwout, a young son of the Major; who was in the line behind the old
men, called out to his father in a voice loud enough to be heard by the invading party:—
“Is this all in fun, Father, or in sober earnest; are we to shoot to kill; or only aim to hit
them in their legs?”
“Shoot to kill,” shouted the Major in tones of thunder—“pepper every —— rascal of
them! Down with the ruthless invaders of our soil!”
This was more than the Jerseymen could stand. Their column began to waver; when
Van Inwegen called out to the Major to give the order to open the battle.
“Ready! take aim! fire!” roared the Major. The two old men in front raised their
weapons at the word of command; but before they could pull trig-