But there were other spies and guides of the Neutral Ground, unknown to general fame, whose faithfulness was equally conspicuous and whose deeds were hardly less meritorious. Of one of them, Elisha Holmes, who was bom in Bedford and died there about 1838, a most interesting story is told. Holmes enjoyed the implicit conhdence of Washington, who caused him to take a command under Sir Henry Clinton and confided to him occasionally information about minor military movements, which Holmes communicated to the English in order to demonstrate the value of his services. His real business was to send word from New York of everything important that he should be able to find out. Shortly before Tarleton's raid on Ponndridge and Bedford (1779), Holmes sent certain intelligence to Major Tallmadge, the American commandant at Bedford, signed " E. H." The latter, being unfamiliar with the handwriting, forwarded the note to ^Yasllington, who indorsed on it the following comment, " Believe all that E. H. tells you. -- George Washington," and returned it. One of the consequences of Tarleton's raid was the capture of all the baggage and personal papers of the American officers at the two places attacked. Washington, when he heard of the fact, was so much concerned that he wrote as follows to Major Tallmadge: it is to The loss of your papers was a most unlucky accident, and shows how dangerous I beg you will take care to guard against post. . at an advance of any consequence papers keep re tu . in fu the like wlio lives The person who is most endangered by the acquisition of your letter is one H., to give not far from the Bowerv, on the Island of New York. I wish you would endeavor It he great is account his on him the speediest notice of what has happened.