Chapter VII

Grief For The Young Patriot

From Enoch Hale's diary, parts of which were
first published by his famous grandson, Edward
Everett Hale, we learn how the news reached the
Hale family. Enoch writes as follows:

"September 30. Afternoon. Ride to Rev. Strong's
[his uncle] Salmon Brook [Connecticut]. Hear a rumor that
Capt. Hale, belonging to the east side of Connecticut River
near Colchester, who was educated at College, was sentenced
to hang in the enemy's lines at New York, being taken as
a spy, or reconnoitering their camp. Hope it is without
foundation. Something troubled at it. Sleep not very
well.... October 15. Get a pass to ride to New
York.... Accounts from my brother Captain are indeed
melancholy! That about the second week of September,
he went to Stamford, crossed to Long Island (Dr.
Waldo writes) and had finished his plans, but before he
could get off, was betrayed, taken, and hanged without
ceremony.... Some entertain hopes that all this is not
true, but it is a gloomy, dejected hope. Time may determine.
Conclude to go to the camp next week."

He afterwards wrote that Webb, one of Washington's
staff, brought word to Washington that

[[91]]

p090 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p091w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p092

v?