Part 7

“On the 10th I was to see Culper Junior, at a house he appointed twelve miles west from here, and set out with all my letters to meet him, and just before I arrived at the appointed place I suddenly met a foraging party of 40 horse and 200 foot and about 100 wagons. Was much surprised but after answering a few questions passed them unmolested.

“But to my great mortification Culper Junior did not come that day. I waited all the next, and sent a person westward to several houses where I thought likely to find him, but could hear nothing of him. I am much concerned. Fear some accident hath befallen him, but yet wish to entertain a favorable thought that he may be sick. The wagons went from Smith Town yesterday loaded but am informed the troops all stayed behind waiting their return. We have 20 horse and 4 foot bilited about in houses, but no wagons have loaded here yet. They are exceedingly afraid and keep a very strict guard at the foot of Seaton’s Neck. Coll. Floyd, E. Jones above the Mill. J. Thompson, P. Lions. John Bayles is Head Quarters. Main guard in Kelly’s House. They are not expected to stay here more than 10 days, some say not longer than a week. The inhabitants of this Island at present live a miserable life, which you may readily judge when having the refuge of three kingdoms and thirteen States amongst them, plundering and repine increaseth at no small rate. I am tired of this business, it gives me a deal of trouble, expecially when disappointment happens. Could not consent to be any longer an assistant if I was not almost an enthusiast for our success. I am perfectly acquainted with a full year’s anxiety, which no one can scarcely have an idea of, but those that experience. Not long since, there was not the breadth of your finger betwixt me and death. But so long as I reside here my faithful endeavours shall never be wanting.”

In his next letter,(121) written with the stain and dated November 27, 1779, Townsend mentions that the British have procured from Philadelphia “several Reams of the paper made for the last emission struck by Congress.” “I have taken much pains to find out some of those concerned, but could not accomplish it,” he adds.

* * * * *

Woodhull, his hand still trembling from fear, sends off his 29th letter, dated November 29th. It reads:

“Your No. 22 with the enclosed for C. Junr. came to hand and observed the contents. Your No. 23, with the Blank I received this morning. It is now late in the evening and just received the dispaches have hardly time to write any thing as I would, as I greatly desire to send 725 off from this place of danger. I cannot tell the sheets that are written with the stain and agreeable to your desire have requested the same from C. Junr. This place is very distressed.... Their coming was like death to me at first but have no fears about me at present and soon intend to visit N. Y. There’s about 400 in the town and following the wagons. They take all the forage and oats. I forbear to write any particulars for want of time and to avoid danger. I expect the enemy will leave us about next Monday and have the pleasing hope they will not visit us any more this winter. I have directed 725 to come on the 12th December, say the 11th. Hope the way will then be clear and safe. I expected the express on Saturday last. Excuse me at this time I cannot serve you better. I am, &c.

“SAMUEL CULPER.”

In his letter of December 12th,(122) Woodhull encloses a blank from Culper Junior. They are to be together on the 25th (Christmas Day):

“Hope if the weather is favorable you will incline to come over, as we greatly desire to see you. We would gladly if possible meet you half way. I have the pleasure to inform you my fears are much abated since the troops have been with us. Their approach was like death to me. Did not know wheather to stand or fall. Had they been the Queens Rangers or Legion should have been with you before now. Were I now in the State of New Jersey[18] without fear of Law or Gospel, would certainly kill Col. Simcoe, for his usage to me.

“SAML. CULPER.”

From Setauket, before he returned from his Christmas meeting, Townsend wrote a long letter(123) to “Mr. John Bolton” entirely undisguised. And soon one came from General Washington, in which he says:

MORRISTOWN, 5th Feby. 1780.

“_Dr. Sir_, I have received two letters of yours from Wethersfield--one dated the 15th of Jan., the other without a date--By Colo. Blaine, who I expect will be the bearer of this, I send twenty guineas and a phial containing the stain and counterpart of the stain for C, Junr., which I wish may be got to him with as much safety and dispatch as the case will conveniently admit of. It is my further most earnest wish, that you would press him to open, if possible, a communication with me by a more direct route than the present.--His accounts are intelligent, clear, and satisfactory, consequently would be valuable, but owing to the circuitous route through which they are transmitted I can derive no immediate or important advantage from them, and (as I rely upon his intelligence) the only satisfaction I derive from it, is, that other accts. are either confirmed or corrected by his, after they have been some time received.

“I am sensible of the delicacy of his situation, and the necessity of caution--for these reasons it is I have hitherto forborn and am yet unwilling to mention, persons to him as the vehicles of conveyance lest they should not prove so trustworthy and prudent as we could wish, but if he cannot form the first link of the chain of communication himself and will let me know it, I think I can name one or two men to him who will receive and convey to me through others such intelligence as he may think important.”

Woodhull visited Townsend in New York toward the end of February. He was then probably trying to send his intelligence by the shorter route, as the next letter would indicate:

“32 729-215-fn-1780

“_Sir_, Late last night I returned from 727, where I had the pleasure of seeing C. Junr. and many other good friends--I have nothing to enclose you from C. Junr. He assuring me that Coll. Ramsay and some other gentlemen that left 727 on Wednesday last on their way to Head Quarters, was furnished with all the intelligence that he could informe. Yet requested I would write to accompany the newspapers. On Saturday last a packet arrived with the Decr. Mail, and by private letters and all that we can understand, indicates a continuance of the war. The spirits of the enemy on the same account are very high. The Loyalist, formerly the Oliver Cromwell, is about to sail in search of Genl. Clinton. Hope they are all safely landed in the Eternal Regions. A few days agone, a ship arrived from Jamaica, but nothing can be learnt more than what is published. There’s a large fleet with dry goods &c. daily expected from Europe, and a great number of Merchantmen from other quarters. Our prisoners on board of ships hath suffered much this winter, and to complete the total destruction of the sick, the hospital ship on Thursday last about 4 o’clock took fire in the Stern, said by means of a stove, and was immediately consumed. How many perished I cannot say. Reports are from 3 to 50. There’s a very great mortality amongst the enemies horses. There was no appearance of any movement that I could learn. I shall now mention the situation of several corps on Long Island and conclude. At Lloyd’s Neck Coll. Ludlow’s Regt. At Oyster Bay about 40 of German Huzzars. At Jericho the second Battallion of Skinner’s Brigade. The 17th Dragoons at Hempstead. Coll. Fannings Regt. at Jamaica. Gover Browns at the head of the Fly near Flushing. 54th Regt, at Newtown. One Regt of Hessians at Bushwick. 725 handed me two phials and 20 guineas which shall be immediately transmitted to C. Junr. I could wish to serve you better but it not being in my power at this time. Am in great haste, Yours Sincerely,

“SAML. CULPER.”

Another letter from Samuel Culper is dated March 13.(124) In a postscript to it he adds:

“I have just heard that the enemy hath made a demand from Smith Town of a thousand cords of wood and that all the wood lying near our harbor is to be cut for them--and two regts. is to be stationed in this Town. If it should take place it will I fear entirely ruin our correspondence. To prevent which I shall give you early intelligence of their motions from time to time, that you may be prepared to give them a fatal blow at the beginning, or we shall be totally ruined. 725 must come on the 25th instant. I am yours Sincerely,

“S. CULPER.”

The difficulty in finding the stain letter hid among many similar looking blank sheets of the same paper is mentioned in the next, which reads:

No. 3. 729-22-eo-1780.

_Sir._ Inclosed you have a blank--Something fearful not sending the right and have inclosed three--We seem to be very unfortunate in forwarding dispaches. Almost every appointment the weather is rough. I have no verbal accounts worthy of notice. I am a going to 727 tomorrow and shall return on fg, when shall hope to 691 you fully. In the Interum I am yours Sincerely to Serve,

SAML. CULPER.

A missing letter evidently unjustly complained of Townsend, for one, dated from Setauket April 23d, reads:

“In my No. 2, informed you of the neglect of 723. (Then entirely ignorant of his informing of you previous to that he should continue no longer) and resolved to visit him on the 19th past, and returned this day after making every effort possible with his utter denial--and found yours of the 10th instant waiting, mentioning an interview of us three on the 1st of May, which if possible shall be compleat. As I shall see you soon I forbear stating his reasons and the probability of its being no great damage, and the hope that I have you shall not be neglected. I shall now give you what intelligence can be obtained at this time. A person formerly an inhabitant of Cavarick, came through you about 20 days ago from Canada, since which an embarcation of four thousand men reports say will most certainly take place for that quarter unless your movements prevent. The Troops that sailed from 727 some time gone and destined for the southward, have left all their heavy baggage behind and are directed to return as soon as the subjection of South Carolina is completed. A vessel arrived a few days ago from Jamaica, the captain is an acquaintance of Culper, Jr. and told him that upwards of twenty sail of ships had been drove up on that Island and lost--that a Packet had arrived there left London the 12th of February, declaring that 25 sail of the Line, 150 Transports with 20 thousand on board had left Brest, their destination unknown. It is said with us that Washington hath pledged his honor to the army that a Naval force will be to their assistance by the 10th of June. Best judges say that their regular troops amount to no more than six thousand, and Militia and other vagabonds about 4 thousand, and only two or three small frigates. I am in past and at present much indisposed. Nothing more material to say. Hope to see you soon. I am &c.

“SAML. CULPER.”

It was necessary to search other letters to discover Townsend’s reason for withdrawing at this particular time. It will be recalled he had promised General Washington that he would endeavor to shorten the line of communication and for this purpose he had selected his cousin, James Townsend. When the messages were ready Townsend set off, and managed to get safely across the river. However, he did not return at the appointed time and for some days Culper’s iron nerves were shattered, fearing that the British had their secret and that his fate was sealed. But what had actually happened had a less serious termination. James Townsend, realizing the importance of the messages he was carrying and perhaps because it was a new experience for him, became bewildered and although uncertain of the house at which he was to stop called at one Deansonbury, where were two young people fond of questioning strangers. They at once permitted him to believe that they were Tories. His first idea was to assume intoxication but when he found them determined to make him talk he recalled Washington’s instructions to put on the airs of a Tory and before long he was able to convince them that he was one of the king’s most loyal subjects. John, the elder brother of the household in his affidavit declares he was hiding where he could hear without being seen, but that “he heard no more, his spirits rose, he flew into the room and took him prisoner.”[19] He was of course detained, but was fortunately a prisoner in the American Army. His pockets were searched and their contents forwarded to headquarters. There seemed to be nothing very remarkable among them. A poem of 20 lines spread over two sheets of paper and folded into sixteen must have seemed insignificant. The title “The Lady’s Dress” and the initials S. T. which had been altered to appear like S. B. were alike uninteresting. But to Washington it was different. These were the stain letters and upon applying the counterpart the message showed up between the widely spaced lines. Washington kept the original and it is now among the treasures in Washington. The release of James Townsend was difficult, even after the papers in the case had reached Headquarters, lest knowledge of his errand might betray the Culpers to the British spies in the American camp.

* * * * *

Woodhull’s No. 4, dated Setauket May 4, 1780, would indicate that they did not get together on May 1st. He says:

“I have had an interview with C. Junr. and am sorry to find he declines serving any longer, as hinted in my last. If any person can be pointed out by 711 at N. Y. who can be safely relyed on to supply C. Junr’s place, I will make myself known to him, and settle a plan for the purpose. C. Junr. will nevertheless afford every assistance in his power, and give verbal information as he can collect. I have recd 20 guines sometime ago, which you sent me and with them have been paying off the expenses already accrued, and find a ballance still due me. As soon as convenient could wish you to forward me an additional sum. I have for some time suspected that Daniel Diehel living with Hugh Wallace has been employed by 711--If this be the case would wish to be informed of it. I shall probably see Jno. Bolton this evening and therefore forbear, and shall refer you to him, and am yours, &c.

“SAML. CULPER.”

Following this came an order from Headquarters practically discharging the Culpers. It reads:

“_Head Quarters_, MORRIS TOWN, 19th May, 1780.

“_Dear Sir_: Your favr. of the 8th reached me a few days ago. As C. junior has totally declined and C. Senior seems to wish to do it, I think the intercourse may be dropped, more especially as from our present position the intelligence is so long getting to hand that it is of no use by the time it reaches me. I would however have you take an opportunity of informing the elder C. that we may have occasion for his services again in the course of the Summer, and that I shall be glad to employ him if it should become necessary and he is willing.

“I am endeavoring to open a communication with New York across Staten Island, but who are the agents in the City, I do not know. I am &c.

“GO. WASHINGTON.”

Woodhull was not pleased with General Washington’s letter, as his next to Major Tallmadge indicates:

“June 10, 1780.

“_Sir._ Yours of the 5th inst, together with 711, was handed me yesterday, and have observed the contents.--The letter, agreeable to your directions, returned to the bearer. I am happy to find that 711 is about to establish a more advantageous channel of intelligence than heretofore. I perceive that the former he intimates hath been but of little service. Sorry we have been at so much cost and trouble for little or no purpose. He also mentions of my backwardness to serve. He certainly hath been misinformed. You are sensible I have been indefaticable, and have done it from a principal of duty rather than from any mercenary end--and as hinted heretofore, if at any time theres need you may rely on my faithful endeavours. I perceive there’s no mention made of any money to discharge the remaining debts, which hath increased since I saw you, owing to your direction to continue the correspondence regular until I received your answer from 711. You speak with some assurance that the French is hourly expected to our assistance--hope they may not fail us--and that we may soon retrieve the sad misfortune of our Southern Garrison, which doleful fate the papers enclosed doth too fully relate, to which I must you refer. The enemy last Tuesday night, with all the force they could muster, landed in the Jerseys, in order to surprise G. W. and had not returned on Friday night. It is thought much blood hath been spilt. A great number of wounded men hath been sent in together with General Sterling who had his thigh broke. No particulars had transpired on Friday night, but our friends are in hopes they will be defeated. Ther’s a grand movement on foot in N.York. The troops are called from Lloyd’s Neck and is said from every other distant post, and an embargo laid on all ships and small Sloops. It is suspected they are a going to quit N.York, or are going to make some diversion up the river, or are afraid of the French. But I cannot but think the former is likely to take place. For I believe their whole design is to the Southward. Thus sir, what I have written is from such authority as you have heretofore depended on, and from such as I call the best--and is all worthy of notice at this time. Hoping it may duly come to hand, and find you in health and prosperity is the earnest desire of your ever affectionate Friend and Hum^l. Serv^t.

“SAMUEL CULPER.”

A few weeks’ suspension was sufficient to convince Headquarters that the services of the Culpers were indispensable. Messengers were rushed to Major Tallmadge to re-engage them, as the next communication shows:

“_Head Quarters_, BERGEN COUNTY, 11th July, 1780.

“_Dear Sir._ As we may every moment expect the arrival of the French Fleet a revival of the correspondence with the Culpers will be of very great importance. If the younger cannot be engaged again, you will endeavor to prevail upon the older to give you information of the movements and position of the enemy upon Long Island--as whether they are all confined to the port at Brooklyn or whether they have any detached posts and where, and what is their strength at those posts--in short desire him to inform you of whatever comes under his notice and what seems worthy of communication. You will transmit your letters to Genl. Howe, who will forward them to me. I am, &c.

“GO. WASHINGTON.

“P.S. Desire him to attend particularly to the provision which they are making of wood and forage--and whether they drive in any stock.”

It is regrettable that at this critical period several of the most important letters were not preserved or have been lost. But it is fortunate that enough remains to clearly indicate the purport of the missing documents. It was three days before the above letter from Headquarters in Bergen County reached Major Tallmadge at Cortlandt’s Manor. Then promptly on July 14th, 1780, he addressed General Washington, saying:

“Your Excellency’s favour of the 11th inst. has just come to hand; That the instructions therein contained may be faithfully executed, I shall set out tomorrow morning for Fairfield, where I will endeavour to put matters on such a footing, (which by omission have in some measure got deranged) as may answer your Excellency’s expectations. I would at the same time hint that by Cr’s last letter, we are something in arrears to him, and in order to enable him to prosecute the business, it may be necessary to afford him a small supply of money.”

Tallmadge succeeded in finding Caleb Brewster, who promptly started across the Sound with messages for Abraham Woodhull and Robert Townsend. None of them yet knew that the British reinforcements under Admiral Graves were at that moment arriving in New York. Brewster found Woodhull ill, but Austin Roe was located and hastened off on the best obtainable steed to New York City. Had he gone slower he might have been overtaken by a British spy who on that day traveled the same road, carrying from East Hampton the news that a French fleet was off Rhode Island. In New York Roe was kept waiting whilst Townsend collected the news. To him it seemed the most important yet transmitted. He was never more fearful of discovery. Efforts were being made to detain everyone who might carry any information. Fortunately he still had a limited supply of the stain but to conceal these apparently blank sheets in a package of heavy goods as was the usual method would delay by perhaps a day the delivery of the message to headquarters. A happy thought suggested itself to Townsend. Colonel Benjamin Floyd, a British subject, had recently been robbed of many articles and was now obliged to make new purchases. A letter directed to him would attract no suspicion and its contents would account for the messenger returning apparently empty handed. Here is his note, which of course was to be delivered to Woodhull and not to Floyd:

“NEW YORK, July 20th, 1780.

_Sir_, I recd your favor by [Mr. Roe, crossed out but still readable] and note the contents. The articles you want cannot be procured, as soon as they can will send them. I am, Your humble Servant,

SAMUEL CULPER.

Col. Floyd.”

[Illustration: CULPER SENIOR’S MOST URGENT MESSAGE.

_See page 83._ ]

As soon as the letters were ready Roe started back[20] and reached Woodhull in time to get the messages across the Sound that same evening. With them Woodhull sent what is probably the shortest and most exciting message he ever wrote. It reads:

“_Sir._ The enclosed requires your immediate departure this day by all means let not an hour pass: for this day must not be lost. You have news of the greatest consequence perhaps that ever happened to your country. John Bolton must order your returne when he thinks proper.

“S. C.”

Besides the stain letter Woodhull enclosed with the above one of his own, from information that Roe was able to communicate. It reads: