[Frederic Shonnard & W.W. Spooner (1900)] But the humdrum life of these two months at Peekskill was re-lieved by one sensational incident, for which the pages not only of history but of literature are the richer. Early in August a spy, Edmund Palmer by name, was detected furtively collecting informa-tion as to the forces and condition of the Peekskill post. Putnam granted him a court-martial trial, which resulted in his conviction and condemnation. Sir Henry Clinton, whom Howe had left in com-mand at New York, hastily sent up a ship of war, from which, upon its arrival at Verplanck's Point, a message was forwarded to Putnam under a flag of truce, claiming Palmer as a lieutenant in the British service, and intimating that reprisal would be made if harm befell him. Putnam returned the following characteristic reply: Headquarters, 7th August, 1777. Sir • Edmund Palmer, an officer in the enemy's service, was taken as a spy lurking with-in the American lines. He has heen tried as a spy, condemned as a spy, and shall be executed as a spy; and the flag is ordered to depart immediately. PTn\m P. S. — He has heen accordingly executed. Palmer was a Tory of Yorktown (this county)— one of the offensive class. He was well 'connected and had a wife and family. It is said he was taken into custody by a party of his patriot neighbors.