WAR SI
1-Iis torie V
West Point bolds a peculiar place
in thc affection of the American peo
ple. One reason is that its name is
inseparable interwoven with thc mili
tary glory of the nation; West Point
and the army arc almost synonymous.
The association of the spot with the
names of our great military leaders
and heroes makes it a national shrine.
But, loni? before it became a school
for soldiers, West Point had illus
trious iraditions as a >pot of peculiar
sacredness to the American people.
Within its vicinity were enacted some
of the most celebrated events of the
Revolutionary War.
Thc history of West Point dates
back to 1723, when a tract ?if land,
comprising one thousand four hun
dred and sixty-three acres, was grant
ed Charles Congreve by thc English
Crown, upon the coudition that with
in three yearn bc or his heirs should
settle aud cultivate at least three
acres for every fifty described in thc
grant.
Early in the War of thc Revolution,
the value of -his spot was known bo th
to the Americans and the British.
It was regarded as tho most important
post in the colonies. Early in 1775,
Congress passed a resolution ordering
three forts to bc erected immediately
ia the Highlands. Here were stored,
as the safest place in tho colonies,
large quantities of cannon aud other
in litary supplies, as well as provis
ions.
Tha*. the British knew tho value of
this point is shown by the instruc
tions sent that same year by tho Prit
ish Government to its officers, to got
possion of tho Hudson and East
Rivers, and thus to cut off all com
munication between Now York sod
Albany aud the provinces to thc north.
Tho defenses of West Point and
the vicinity were strengthened from
time to time, but in 1777 Washington
felt great uneasiness, for ho suspect
ed that thc enemy were about to move
up the river. Despite all his precau
tions, in Ootobcr. of that year the
British uuder General Clinton took
all thc forts in the Highlands, de
stroying works and stores to the
value of a quarter of a million of dol
lars.
After an occupation of only twenty
days, the news of the surrender of
General Burgoyne caused them to re
turn to Now York. Washington now
ordered the utmost speed in refortify
ing tho Hudson. Fort after fort was
erected and strongly garrisoned. In
April, 1778, a great ohain was stretch
ed across the river from tho most
eastern part of West Point to Consti
tutional Island. The chain was placed
on a boom made of logs sixteen fee t
in length and pointed at the ends to
ofter little resistance to currents. The
whole chain weighed one hundred aud
eighty-six tons, and some of the links
weighed one hundred and thirty
pounds eaoh.
All this time, West Point was pri
vate property, though its owner was
petitioning Congress to purchase it.
General Knox, the Secretary of War,
in a report to Congress, dated July
thirty-first, 1786, stated that: -
"West Point is of the most decisive
importance to tho defense of Hudson
River, for tho following reasons: First,
the distance across the river is only
about fourteen hundred feet, a far
less distance than at any other point.
"Second, the peouliar bend, form
ing an almost-reentering angle.
''Third, the high bank on eaoh aide
of tho river, favorable for the con
struction of formidable batteries.
* 'Fourth, the demonstrated practi
cability of fixing across a chain or
chains at a spot where vessels, in
turning the point, invariably lose
their rapidity and force, by which a
chain at any other part of the river
would be likely tobe broken."
No action was taken upon tho mat
ter until in September, 1780, upon re
commendation of General Hamilton,
Secretary of the Treasury, Congress
purchased the traot for a permanent
military post for the sum of eleven
thousand and eighty-five dollars.
Additional purchases were made in
1824 and in 1829.
West Point and its dependencies
never again fell into the hands of the
British, though, through thc treach
ery of its commander, it waa onoe
very nearly delivered to the enemy.
Sir Henry Clinton felt that no price
would be too great io pay for West
Point and other forts in th- High
lands, with their garrisons, . assois
And stores. The capture of these
povata would open the Hudson to the
Br'tish, facilitate intercourse with
tb - forces io Canada, and ont off
oov....... iiicaiioa between the patriots
?f tht IIidd?e and tho Eastern States.
!Bnt Vf?*? Point was so well garrison
ed that, in order to caio tho prise, he
needed u--**. stu non fruin within tho,
Amelie an lines.
ORIES. ?
i
i
^est X^oint.
General Clinton at length found thc
ally he needed in General Benedict
Arnold, of the Continental Army.
Arnold had an enviable reputation for
bravery, ile had distinguished him
self at Like Champlain, at Quebec,
ami at .Saratoga, but ho had not re
ceived from Congress the reward he
expected. Arnold was extravagant
and, while military governor of Phil
adelphia, lie had been guilty of pecu
lations and had bren suspected of
treasonable connections. Tho patri
ots cf Pennsylvania had asked for his
removal, and on their charges he had
been tried and sentenced to be repri
manded by the commander-in-chief.
A moid brooded over his real and
fancied wrongs till he at length be
came bent on revenge. Alrcdy be ?
was in correspondence with thc Brit- J
ish, und was receiving money for thc ?
intelligence furnished them. Ile now |
begun to offer to deliver West Point j
to General Clinton in exchange for j
military advancement and a large sum '
of money. In order to carry, out thc
plan, Arnold made application for tho
command of West Poiut, giving as a
reason for his preference that his
wounds would not admit of active
service in the field. Washington t
who was friendly to Arnold, granted
the request, and, on August third,
1780, Arnold took command of West
l'oint and all its dependencies, from
Stony Poiut to Fishkill.
It was perhaps the gloomiest time
in our history. The army numbered
only three thousand men, and these
were in rags aud almost starving,
while General Clinton's force in and
about New York city amounted to
moro than twelve thousand. Not
only New York city, but tho Virginia
coast, most of Georgia, and the Caro
linas were held by the British. The
States were rent by factions. They
had almost no public credit. Alto
gether, the prospect was most dis
heartening. Washington himself con
fessed in r\ letter of May twenty-third,
1780, "I havo almost ceased to hope." i
j
Washington felt that a decisive j
blow must be strmk. He planned a
combined attack of tho Kreuch and
American forces upon New York.
The Frcnoh were to reach the city by
way of Long Island; thc Americans,
by crossing Kingsbridge, abovo New
York.
Ou September eighteenth, Wash
ington started for Hartford, where
ho was to hold a conference with
the Frenoh officers. Arnold felt that
the time was propitious for his treach
ery, and, on tho evening of tho eigh
teenth, he sent to General Clinton,
asking him to send John Andre to
treat with him about tho surrender of
West Point. Andre, who was adjutant
general, had long been aware of the
proposed treason. Indeed, the corre
spondence with General Clinton had
been conducted through him.
Andre left New York on the twen
tieth, in the sloop Vulture, having re
ceived from his chief strict orders not
to chango his dress, nor to receive
papers, nor in any way to act as a
spy. Ile did not meut Arnold on the
Vulture, as General Clinton had ex
pected, for Arnold chose a rendez
vous which involved less risk to him,
but moro to Andre. The plotters
met in a wood a little below Haver
straw. So long did the interview last,
for Arnold was greedy and demanded
a larger price than Andre was empow
ered to pay, that day began to break.
Arnold persuaded Andre to go with
him to a farmhouse a few miles dis
tant, and to romain there till the fol
lowing night, when he would be taken
to the Vulture. Andre did not know,
till it was too late to go back, that
this house was within American lines.
The plotting went on through tho
day. Arnold was to weaken tho gar
rison by dividing the troops into small
detachments and sending them to
various redoubts in thc neighborhood.
Under pr?teuse of neoded repaii, he
was to remove a portiou from the great
boom which was stretched across tho
river. The British, who were already
embarked on the Hudson, were to pro
ceed to West Point. Arnold was to seud
to Washington for aid, but was to sur
render his post before Washington
could arrive. The British fleet was
in command of Rodney, but Clinton
himself would intercept Washington
and his reinforcements and rut thom
off. Arnold would plead a weak gar
rison as au ozouse for his surrender,
and after a little he would join tho
British and reap tho reward cf his
treachery.
At sunrise, firing from one of the
forts drove the Vulture down the
river. Hope of escape by water was
now out off, and at nightfall Andre,
wearing citizen's dress, crossed the
river, and started OD horsoback for
White Plains. He bore a pass from
'Arnold, made out to Mr. John An
derson. In his stockings were several
. .. ...
papers describing the condition of
West Point, all in Arnold's writing.
All went well until thc following
morning, when Andre was stopped by
three patriots, named John Paulding,
Isaac Van Wart, and David Williams,
who demanded his business and des
tination.
Andre replied that ho was a British
officer upon urgent business. Then,
seeing his mistake, he said ho was on
business for General Arnold and then
showed his pass. The patriots were
not hatis?ed; they insisted upon
searching bim, when they found Ar
nold's papers. Andre offered his cap
tors large bribes for his freedom, but
tiiey took him to the nearest military
post and delivered him up.
Washington returned from Hart
foid on the evening of the twenty
fourth, earlier thau Arnold had ex
pected him. The general spent the
night al Fishkill, and carly thc next
morning sent word to Arnold thai bc
and his suite would breakfast wi'.h
him. Washington and Lafayette ve
maincd on the west side of the river
to examine some rec oubts, but the
aids-decamp went on to Arnold's
headquarters. Whil? at breakfast a
letter was handed Arnold. He ex
pected to read that thc British were
on their way up the river, hut found,
instead, that Andre was captured, and
that the papers found on him were
on their way to Washington.
Arnold excused himself, called his
wife from tho breakfast room, and
bade her a hurried farewell, then,
dashing dowu a steep path to the river,
now known as Traitor's Path, ho made
his escape to tho Vulture, which was
still awaiting Andre, and reached
New York that evening.
Andre was tried hy court-martial at
Washington's headquarters at Tappan,
and sentenced to be hanged as a spy.
Ho was executed on the second day
of October, calling on those present
to witness that he died like a brave
man.
The patriots who captured Andre
were rewarded hy Congress with
medals aod pensions. Monuments
have been e?;:cted iu honor of Pauld
ing and Va i Wart. But. for the hon
esty aud patriotism of these three
humble men, our history might read
differently.
West Poiut to-day attracts many
visitors. Besides being of historic
interest, it is the site of the United
States Military Academy. West Point
is fifty one miles from New York, situa
ted on a bold, sheltering plateau in the
midst of impressive sceuory. It is
reached by a steep and winding road
along tho river bank. Storm King,
Crow's Nest, and Break Neck Moun
tain are plainly visible.
Tho Military Academy, established
by an act of Congress in 1802, is situ
ated more than one hundred and fifty
feet abovo tho river. The remains of
Fort Putnam are still to seen, and
there are some links of the great chain.
Here is a mortar taken from the Brit
ish by Mad Anthony Wayne, and
smaller ones from Saratoga, as well as
guns taken in the war with Mixice.
By Adelaide L. Rouse, in Forward.
Railroad Men During the War.
While columns ' and pages have
been written about the deeds of hero
ism and daring of officers and soldiers
in tho eivil war, there is not a great
deal on reoord about the splendid ser
vice that was performed by the rail
road men almost from the begining to
the end of that remarkable struggle.
As a matter of faot, the story of the
part that the railroad men played
would fill many interesting volumes.
These observations are suggested by
au incident related by Mr: Edward
Thomas, of Sharon, well-known
throughout this section as an old-time
locomotive runner and master meehan
TSRED OUT.
There's many a farmer's wife sits on the
porch in the growing shadows of a sum
mer eveuing.knowing to the full what it
is to feel tired out ; as if there was not
another ounce of effort left in her. But
che knows how
sound her slum
ber will be and
how refreshed
the morning will
findl?,r. That's
the tiredness of
a healthy
woman. But
it's another
thing for the
sick woman to
feel tired out.
Rest only seems
to increase her
suffering. Just
as in profound
silence a discord
jars the ear
more forcibly, so
now that she
has stopped
moving about,
this tired woman feels more acutely the
aching back and throbbing nerves.
Sick women, hundreds of thousands of
them, have been made well by the use of
Dr. Pierce's Favorite Prescription. It
establishes regularity, dries weakening
draina, heals inflammation and ulcera
tion and cures female weakness.
"Words cannot tell what I suffered for thir
teen years with uterine trouble and dragging
down patna through my hips and back," writes
Mrs. John Diexaon, of Grenfell. AssinlboU DUu,
N. W. Ter. "I can't describe the mber" lt was
to be on my feet long at a time. X coa* not eat
nor sleep. Often I wished to die. Tb* v I saw
Dr. Pierce's medicines, advertised and thought I
would try tbs tn. Had not taken one bottle tut
X was feeling well. After I had taken fire bottles
of 'Favorite Prescription' and one of 'Ooldea
Medical Discovery ' I waa like a new woman.
Gould eat and sleep and do oil my own work.*
The Common Sense Medical Adviser,
I ia sent fire* on receipt of stamps to pay
expense of mailing only. Sena ax one
? cent stamps for the book in paper covers,
or xx stamps for the volume bound in
cloth. Address Dr. Fierce, Buffalo, N.v
ic of rare abilities. Mr. Thomas is a
Welshman, and came to the United
States about 1852. He worked for
awhile on the Atlantio Coast Line
and other roads; but for nearly forty
years was connected in various capaci
ties with the road from Chester to
Lenoir, now known as the Carolina
and North-Western; but when he first
became connected with it was known
as the King's Mountain railroad. He
was the first superintendent after the
change of gauge. Mr. Thomas was in
Yorkville last Friday evening attend*
ing a meeting of the Masonic Lodge,
and somehow some of his friends got
him to talking about thc war. Ile was
in thc Confederate service as an engi
neer, and although his first and most
important duty was to pull trains of
soldiers, when not so engaged, he was
employed in carrying cotton to tue
co.-st and exchanging it with the
blockade runners for bacon, Hour, arms
and ammunition, at first from New
York and later from England. He
was his own conductor, and frequent
ly reported directly to General Leo
himself. Ile ran into Petersburg
just about the time the Yankees were
investing the city, and fearing prob
able capture, he was anxious to get
away with his engine. "I went to
General Lee," said Mr. Thomas,
'.and told him I wanted to take my
engine out. He wanted to know
whether the Yankees had not destroy
ed the bridge. I told him I had
walked over it during the day and
found it all right. Ile then asked me
whether they had shot at me, and I
told him yes; but being a small man,
they bad not hit me. The old gen
eral smiled at this and wanted to
know whether I was not afraid I would
be hurt in crossing the bridge, if the
Yankees should weaken it from be
low. I told him that wartime was
no time to think of getting hurt; but
if anything should happen, I would
not fall any further than the bottom
of the river. This seemed to please
him aud he told me he would give me
a pass if I would take ono of his big
guns with me. I said all light, that if
I went through the gun would go with
me. The gun was loaded ott a car,
and the next night I started out slip
ping along as noiselessly as possible
without any lights. As I approached
the bridge, lights suddenly flashed
from a large house on the side of thc
railroad, and a moment or two after
ward big shells came screeching ovei
me. My fireman was almost frighten
ed to death, and I did not like it much
either. On the other side of the
river waa a big cut, and when I got
into that I stopped, thinking they
would not reach me; but after a iittie
the mortar shells commenced drop
ping around me and I saw I would
have to get out of that. I opened the
the throttle as far as it would go, and
away I went with the shells, buzzing all
around me. But they did not hit OB,
and after a time I got down to Rich
mond, hauled my engine through the
streets with a team of mules, got it
on another track and used it for a long
time afterward. That, I reokon, was
about one of the narrowest escapes I
had during th? war."
In the Nation's Dark Days.
America, we hope, will never again
know a civil war, but it is well for
tho young people of to-day to under
stand how terrible was the great war
when State fought against State,
neighbor against neighbor, brother
against brother, and father against
soo. Mr. John Uri Lloyd tells, in
Frank Leslie's Monthly, the story of
a Kentucky village in war time.
When men saw life's duty differ
ently, and one man believed in the
Union and another in State's rights,
neither raised a hand to prevent the
other from j Dining tho cause that his
conscience told bim was right.
A man called at the little house of
his neighbor, kissed thc children, and
shook hands with the parents.
"I may not see you again," he said.
"To-night I go to i. ".: Morgan."
The host went to his little ward
robe, took from it his greatcoat, thrust
a pistol in the pooket, and threw it
over the arm of his guest. Both were
poor men and winter approached.
The visitor tried to return the coat,
but the other said:
"No, you take the coat. Your path
is to be one of privation; besides I'll
not need it. To-morrow morning I
start North to enlist. My government
has overcoats t:> spare, and* pistols,
too. You who go South may nod
neither. God bless you, friend; may
w*6 return to meei again.
CASTOR IA
For Infants and Children.
The Kind You Have Always Bought
Bears the
Signature of
Tlie Torrent Harrow !
^^^^
Torrent Harrows and Turn Flows to go at a sacrifice for the
next sixty days.
From now until January 1st, 1903, we will sell our entire stonie of Har
rows and Turn Plows at greatly redneed prices. These Goods have advanced
about ten per oent, but those Harrows and Plows were bought at tho old price,
and we must sell !^em to make room for other goods.
Oar Torrent Harrow is ahead of anything ever sold here for putting in
small grain, and the celebrated Steel Beam Syracuse Plow has no equal for
pulverizing and mixing the soil, if you need one or both of the implements
you oannot afford to miss this opportunity to get one.
We are in the Hardware business to fay, and can sell yon loaded and
enipt" ohells, Shot and Powder, Caps, Cartridges, and Guns from the oheapost
to tue highest.
Our stock of Nails, Barb Wire, Mule and Horse Shoes is complete.
Builders Supplies a specialty. The only complete line of Grates in town.
We have any kind of Grate you want. Tours for trade,
BROCK HARDWARE COMPANY,
8ucctattora to Brock Brothers.
W>>o
i O LIX"
Prescriptions?
WE invite the privilege. We use the beat quality of every drug ; we
exercise the most exacting care with every part of the work. We produce
medicine that brings the best possible results. We charge only a living
profit above the cost ol materials.
Let Us Pill Your Prescriptions.
EVANS i PHARMACY,
^ _ ANDERSON, S. CV.
MAKE YOUR WIFE HAPPY ?
WHEN you Bell % our Cotton put aside & little, drop in and see us. and
let us fix up ? 8?ITE OF FURNITURE, or Bet of DINING CHAIRS,
or LOUNGE, or a nice ROCKING CHAIR, for you to maka a nico pr?tent
to your wife.
PEOPLES FURNITURE CO.
B6F COFFINS and CASKETS. Up-to-Date Funeral Oar.
Everything in the Furniture line,
vdu. Give us a cali. '
The Kind Ton Have Always Bought* and which has beca
in use for over SO years, has horne the signature of
and has been made under his per.
?JW? fljf, sonal supervision since its infancy"
f'CCrCcA4^ Allow no one to deceive you in thu!
Ali Counterfeits, Imitations and"JUBt-as-good?'arebinj
^Experiments that trifle with and endanger the health of
Infants and Children--Experience against Experiment,
What is CASTORIA
to
?astoria is a harmless substitute for Castor Oil, Pare,
goric, Drops and Soothing Syrups. It is Pleasant, it
contains neither Opium, Morphine nor other Narcotic
substance. Its ago is its guarantee. It destroys Worms -
and allays Feverishness. It cures Diarrhoea and Wind
?Colic. It relieves Teething Troubles, cures Constipation
and Flatulency. It assimilates the Food, regulates tho
Stomach and Bowels, giving healthy and natural sleep.
The Children's Panacea-The Mother's Friend*
GENUINE CASTORIA ALWAYS
Bears the Signature of
The KM You Have Always Bought
In Use For Over 30 Years.
THC oKNTAun COMPANY, rr MURRAY CTISET. NSW YORK o mr.
LARGE AMD FAT.
One at 15c. Two for 25c.
This is Mackerel.
Cheaper than bacon. qg*
C. FRANK BOLT,
THE CA8HN CROfER
D. S. VANDIVER.
V. P. VANDIVER.
VANDIVER BROS.,
GENERAL MERCHANTS,
ANDERSON, 8. C., October 8, 1902.
We propose pulling trade our way this Fall, and have made prices OD
good, reliable, honest Goods th-it will certainly bring it.
s /- We have the strongest li?-? of Men's, Women's a id Childr-m's SH0E3
we have ever shown, and have them marked down so low that er?ry pair ia s
great value. We have another big lot of Sample Shoes that we throw OD
the market at factory prices. Come quick while we hava your size.
We are money-savers on GROCERIES. Bes: Patent Fl mr 04.50 per
barrel. Best Half Patent Flour 94.00. Extra Good Flour 83.75.
COFFEE, 8UGAR, LARD, BACON, BRAN, CORN and OAT8
always in stock, just a little cheaper tnau the market prices.
Wo are strictly in for bueiaees and want your trude. Try us and you
will stick to us. Your truly,
VANDIVER BROS.
JUST RECEIVED,
TWO CARS OF BUGGIES,
ALL. PRICES, from a 835.00 Top Buggy up to the finest Rabber Tired job
-ALSO, -
A LOT OF WAGONS,
That we want to sell at ouce. We keep a large stock of
Georgia Home Made Harness Cheap.
The finest, light draft
Mower
In the world. Come and see it.
Yours in earnest,
VANDIVER BROS & MAJOR.
Have tJ ust JEieoei ved
Two Gare Tine Tennessee Valley
Red Gob Corn.
PERFECTLY SOUND*
Yon run no risk in feeding thfo to yonr stoat..
Will also make* the very finest meal.
Come quick beforeit is al! gone.
O. ?;?ND?R80N
A LONG LOOK AHEAD
A man Chinks it is when the matter of bf?
insurance suggests itself-but entminst*0*',
oes of lat? have shown how life hangs by *j
thread when war, flood, hurricane and fl? ]
suddenly overtakes yoo, and tho only **f J
to be sure that your madly ls protected o
case of calamity overtaking you is to a
sore in a solid Company like
The Mutual Benefit Life Ins. Cfc
Drop in and see us about it.
aiv ra. raA?TO?a<>gr?
STATS AGBHT*
Peoples' Bank Building, AJSflQEB&ON S. C