Connecticut, a detachment of the army of the traitor Arnold, under whose
personal direction that feat of vandalism was performed, was directed to
attack and carry Fort Griswold at Groton, on the opposite side of the
river. It was then under the command of Colonel Ledyard, a brave and
meritorious officer, whose memory will live in the warm affections of
his country, as that of one of the early martyrs to her liberty, whilst
the granite pile which now lifts its summit above the spot where he was
sacrificed, shall long remain to bear the record of his death. The fort
was, in truth, little more than an embankment of earth, thrown up as a
breast-work for the handful of troops it surrounded, and with a strong
log-house in the center. The force which attacked it was altogether
superior to that of its defenders, even when the difference in their
position is taken into view. The case was so hopeless, that the
slightest share of prudence would have suggested retreat. But the chafed
and gallant spirits of Ledyard and his men would not permit them to
retire before a marauding enemy, however powerful, without making at
least one effort to beat him back. With a boldness and heroism scarcely
ever surpassed, they stood their ground, until overwhelming numbers of
the enemy were in the fort, and engaged hand to hand with its heroic
defenders. Fierce and terrible, for a few moments, was the encounter,
and it was not until the last ray of hope was gone, and nothing but a
useless effusion of blood would have resulted from further resistance,
that they at length yielded. In doing so, however, they were inclined to
believe that the gallantry displayed by their little band, would at
least shelter them from indignity. Ledyard had turned the handle of his
sword to the commander of the assailants, and in answer to the question,
'who commands this fort,' replied, 'I did, sir, but you do now,' when he
was pierced to the heart with his own weapon, and by the dastardly hand
in which he had just placed it. An almost indiscriminate butchery now
commenced; many falling instantly dead and some being desperately
wounded. The fort was then entirely at the disposal of the enemy. The
barbarity, however, did not end there. When it was found that several of
the prisoners were still alive, the British soldiers piled their mangled
bodies in an old cart and started it down the steep and rugged hill,
towards the river, in order that they might be there drowned. But
stumps and stones obstructed the passage of the cart; and when the enemy
had retreated--for the aroused inhabitants of that region soon compelled
them to the step--the friends of the wounded came to their aid and thus
several lives were saved."[44]
[44] Democratic Review, vol. 20, pp. 93-4.
One of the "ministering angels" who came the next morning to the aid of
the thirty-five wounded men, who lay all night freezing in their own
blood, was Miss Mary Ledyard, a near relative of the Colonel. "She
brought warm chocolate, wine, and other refreshments, and while Dr.
Downer of Preston was dressing their wounds, she went from one to
another, administering her cordials, and breathing into their ears
gentle words of sympathy and encouragement. In these labors of kindness
she was assisted by another relative of the lamented Colonel
Ledyard--Mrs. John Ledyard--who had also brought her household stores to
refresh the sufferers, and lavished on them the most soothing personal
attentions. The soldiers who recovered from their wounds, were
accustomed, to the day of their death, to speak of these ladies in terms
of fervent gratitude and praise."[45]
[45] Mrs. Ellet.
SENECA HEROINES.
They fought like brave _men_, long and well.
HALLECK.
In the celebrated battle between the French and Indians, which occurred
near Victor, in the western part of New York, in 1687, five Seneca women
took an active part in the bloody conflict. Mr. Hosmer, the poet,
alludes to the circumstance in one of his celebrated "Lectures on the
Iroquois," from the manuscript of which we have been permitted to copy,
as follows:
"The memory of illustrious women who have watched in defence of altar
and hearth, the deeds of the sterner sex, has been enshrined in song,
and honored by the Historic Muse. Joan of Arc, and the dark-eyed maid of
Saragossa in all coming time will be chivalric watch-words of France and
Spain, but not less worthy of record, and poetic embalmment, were the
_five_[46] devoted heroines who followed their red lords to the
battle-field near ancient Ganagarro, and fought with unflinching
resolution by their sides. Children of such wives could not be
otherwise than valiant. Bring back your shield, or be brought upon it,
was the Spartan mother's stern injunction to her son: but roused to a
higher pitch of courage, the wild daughters of the Genesee stood in the
perilous pass, and in the defence of their forest homes, turned not back
from the spear, 'the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.'"
[46] _Vide_ Doc. His, Vol. 1. p. 256.
MARTHA BRATTON.
Not to the ensanguined field of death alone
Is valor limited.
SMOLLET.
Our country first, their glory and their pride.
J. T. FIELDS.
Martha Bratton was the wife of William Bratton a native of Pennsylvania.
She was born in Rowan county, North Carolina. They settled near York
ville, in South Carolina, where she died in 1816. Two or three anecdotes
will suffice to illustrate her character.
In June, 1780, a party of British and tory marauders, were attacked by a
company of whigs under Colonel Bratton, at Mobley Meeting House, in
Fairfield district, South Carolina, and defeated. Advertised of this
disaster, Colonel Turnbull, commander of a detachment of British troops
at Rocky Mount, Chester county, ordered Captain Huck to proceed with his
cavalry to the frontier of the province, collecting all the royal army
on his march, and if possible to subdue the rebels. An engagement soon
took place between Captain Huck and Colonel Bratton; but before the
battle, the Colonel's wife had an opportunity to display her character
in a truly heroic manner. The evening preceding, Huck arrived at the
Colonel's house, and entering in an uncivil manner, demanded of his wife
where her husband was. She boldly replied "He is in Sumter's army!" Huck
then tried to persuade her to induce her husband to join the British,
and even went so far as to promise him a commission, in case he would do
so. But neither persuasion nor argument availed any thing. With the
firmness of a true patriot, she assured him that she would rather see
him--faithful to his country--perish in Sumter's army, than clothed with
any power or graced with any honor royalty could bestow! At this point,
a soldier, exasperated at her bold and fearless manner, seized a reaping
hook that hung in the piazza and threatened to kill her if she did not
give particular and full information in regard to her husband. But with
the weapon still at her throat, she promptly refused; and, but for the
interference of the officer second in command, she would have lost her
life.
Huck now ordered her to prepare supper for himself and the whole band.
With this request she complied, and then retired to an upper apartment
with her children. Supper over, Huck posted his sentinels along the road
and went with his officers to another house, half a mile off, to pass
the night.
Convinced that the royalists would seek revenge for their late defeat at
Mobley's Meeting House, and naturally fearing that his own family might
be among the victims, Colonel Bratton had that day marched from
Mecklenburg county, North Carolina, with seventy-five men. Late in the
evening he drew near his house, and learning that the enemy were there,
and ascertaining their number, he made speedy preparations for an
attack. The guard of the royalists was neglected, and he found no
trouble in reconnoitering the encampment. All things ready, the attack
was made before Huck had finished his morning nap. He awoke only to
attempt to rally his men and then lie down again to sleep for ever! The
tories seeing their leader fall, fled, or made the attempt. Some _did_
escape, others were killed, others taken prisoners. The firing ceased
about day light, when Mrs. Bratton made her appearance. She received the
wounded on both sides, and showed them impartial attention, setting
herself to work immediately, dressing their wounds and trying to relieve
their pains. She who was so brave in the hour of danger, was no less
humane in a time of suffering.[47]
[47] The following toast was drunk at Brattonsville, York district, on
the twelfth of July, 1839, at a celebration of Huck's Defeat.
"The memory of Mrs. Martha Bratton.--In the hands of an infuriated
monster, with the instrument of death around her neck, she nobly refused
to betray her husband; in the hour of victory she remembered mercy, and
as a guardian angel, interposed in behalf of her inhuman enemies.
Throughout the Revolution she encouraged the whigs to fight on to the
last; to hope on to the end. Honor and gratitude to the woman and
heroine, who proved herself so faithful a wife--so firm a friend to
liberty!"
Prior to the fall of Charleston at a period when ammunition was very
scarce, Governor Rutledge intrusted to her a small stock of powder. This
fact some tory ascertained, and communicated to the British at a station
not far off. A detachment was forthwith sent out to secure the treasure,
of which movement Mrs. Bratton received early intimation. Resolving that
the red coats should not have the prize, she laid a train of powder from
the depot to the spot she chose to occupy; and when they came in sight,
she blew it up. "Who has dared to do this atrocious act? Speak quickly,
that they may meet the punishment they deserve," was the demand of the
officer in command. "Know then, 'twas _I_," was the dauntless reply of
Mrs. Bratton, "and let the consequences be what they will," she added,
"I glory in having frustrated the mischief contemplated by the merciless
enemies of my country."
A POOR WOMAN'S OFFERING.
The world is but a word;
Were it all yours, to give it in a breath,
How quickly were it gone!
SHAKSPEARE.
The following anecdote was related, a few years ago, by the Rev. W. S.
Plumer, while addressing the Virginia Baptist Education Society. We
regret that he did not give the name of the good woman who possessed
such commendable zeal for the missionary cause.
"A poor woman had attended a missionary meeting a few years since. Her
heart was moved with pity. She looked around on her house and furniture
to see what she could spare for the mission. She could think of nothing
that would be of any use. At length she thought of her five children,
three daughters and two sons. She entered her closet, and consecrated
them to the mission. Two of her daughters are now in heathen lands, and
the other is preparing to go. Of her sons, one is on his way to India,
and the other is preparing for the ministry, and inquiring on the
subject of a missionary life."
THE MOTHER OF PRESIDENT JACKSON.
How often has the thought
Of my mourn'd mother brought
Peace to my troubled spirit, and new power
The tempter to repel.
Mother, thou knowest well
That thou has bless'd me since my natal hour.
PIERPONT.
The mother of General Jackson had three children. Their names were Hugh,
Robert and Andrew. The last was the youngest and lost his father when an
infant. Like the mother of Washington, she was a very pious woman, and
strove to glorify God as much in the rearing of her children as in the
performance of any other duty. She taught Andrew the leading doctrines
of the Bible, in the form of question and answer, from the Westminster
catechism; and those lessons he never forgot. In conversation with him
some years since, says a writer, "General Jackson spoke of his mother in
a manner that convinced me that she never ceased to exert a secret power
over him, until his heart was brought into reconciliation with God."
This change, however, he did not experience till very late in
life--after he had retired from the Presidency. He united with the
Presbyterian church near the close of the year 1839, then in his
seventy-third year. Just before his death, which occurred in June, 1845,
he said to a clergyman, "My lamp of life is nearly out, and the last
glimmer is come. I am ready to depart when called. The Bible is true....
Upon that sacred volume I rest my hope of eternal salvation, through the
merits and blood of our blessed Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ."
If departed spirits, the saintly and ascended, are permitted to look
from their high habitation, upon the scenes of earth, with what holy
transport must the mother of Andrew Jackson have beheld the death-bed
triumph of her son. The lad whom she early sent to an academy at the
Waxhaw meeting-house, hoping to fit him for the ministry, had become a
man, and led the hosts of the land through many a scene of conflict and
on to a glorious and decisive victory; had filled the highest office in
the world, and was now an old man, able, in his last earthly hour, _by
the grace of God attending her early, pious instruction_, to challenge
death for his sting and to shout "victory" over his opening grave.
THE YOUNG HEROINE OF FORT HENRY.
Judge me not ungentle,
Of manner's rude, and insolent of speech,
If, when the public safety is in question,
My zeal flows warm and eager from my tongue.
ROWE'S JANE SHORE.
The siege of Fort Henry, at the mouth of Wheeling creek, in Ohio county,
Virginia, occurred in September, 1777. Of the historical _fact_ most
people are aware; yet but few, comparatively, knew how much the little
band in the garrison, who held out against thirty or forty times their
number of savage assailants, were indebted, for their success, to the
courage and self-devotion of a single female.
The Indians kept up a brisk firing from about sunrise till past noon,
when they ceased and retired a short distance to the foot of a hill.
During the forenoon the little company in the fort had not been idle.
Among their number were a few sharp shooters, who had burnt most of the
powder on hand to the best advantage. Almost every charge had taken
effect; and probably the savages began to see that they were losing
numbers at fearful odds, and had doubtless retired for consultation. But
they had less occasion for anxiety, just at that time, than the men,
women and children in the garrison. As already hinted, the stock of
powder was nearly exhausted. There was a keg in a house ten or twelve
rods from the gate of the fort, and as soon as the hostilities of the
Indians were suspended, the question arose, who shall attempt to seize
this prize? Strange to say, every soldier proffered his services, and
there was an ardent contention among them for the honor. In the weak
state of the garrison, Colonel Shepard, the commander, deemed it
advisable that only one person should be spared; and in the midst of the
confusion, before any one could be designated, a girl named Elizabeth
Zane,[48] interrupted the debate, saying that her life was not so
important, at that time, as any one of the soldier's, and claiming the
privilege of performing the contested service. The Colonel would not, at
first, listen to her proposal; but she was so resolute, so persevering
in her plea, and her argument was so powerful, that he finally suffered
the gate to be opened, and she passed out. The Indians saw her before
she reached her brother's house, where the keg was deposited; but, for
some unknown cause, they did not molest her, until she re-appeared with
the article under her arm. Probably divining the nature of her burden,
they discharged a volley as she was running towards the gate; but the
whizzing balls only gave agility to her feet, and herself and the prize
were quickly safe within the gate. The result was that the soldiers
inspired with enthusiasm by this heroic adventure, fought with renewed
courage, and, before the keg of powder was exhausted, the enemy raised
the siege.
[48] We learn, from Withers, that Miss Zane has since had two husbands.
The name of the second was Clarke, a resident of Ohio. She was living,
not long since, near St. Clairsville.
A BENEVOLENT WIDOW
Charity ever
Finds in the act reward.
BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER.
Several years ago, a poor widow had placed a smoked herring,--the last
morsel of food she had in the house--on the table for herself and
children, when a stranger entered and solicited food, saying that he had
had nothing to eat for twenty-four hours. The widow unhesitatingly
offered to share the herring with him, remarking, at the same time, "We
shall not be forsaken, or suffer deeper for an act of charity."
[Illustration: THE WIDOW AND HER SON.]
As the stranger drew near the table and saw the scantiness of the fare,
he asked, "And is this all your store? Do you offer a share to one you
do not know? Then I never saw charity before. But, madam, do you not
wrong your children by giving a part of your morsel to a stranger?"
"Ah," said she, with tears in her eyes, "I have a boy, a darling son,
somewhere on the face of the wide world, unless Heaven has taken him
away; and I only act towards you as I would that others should act
towards him. God, who sent manna from heaven, can provide for us as he
did for Israel; and how should I this night offend him, if my son
should be a wanderer, destitute as you, and he should have provided for
him a home, even as poor as this, were I to turn you unrelieved away!"
The stranger whom she thus addressed, was the long absent son to whom
she referred; and when she stopped speaking, he sprang from his feet,
clasped her in his arms, and exclaimed, "God, indeed, has provided just
such a home for your wandering son, _and has given him wealth to reward
the goodness of his benefactress_. My mother! O, my mother!"[49]
[49] Abridged from Cyclopedia of Moral and Religious Anecdotes.
ANNE FITZHUGH.
Who shall find a valiant woman?
The price of her is as things brought from afar.
PROVERBS.
'T is the last
Duty that I can pay to my dear lord.
FLETCHER.
The wife of Colonel William Fitzhugh, of Maryland, while he was absent
at one time during the Revolution, was surprised by the news that a
party of British soldiers was approaching her house. She instantly
collected her slaves; furnished them with such weapons of defence as
were at hand; took a quantity of cartridges in her apron, and, herself
forming the van, urged her sable subalterns on to meet the foe. Not
looking for resistance, the advancing party, on beholding the amazon
with her sooty invincibles, hastily turned on their heels and fled.
[Illustration: THE HEROIC MOTHER.]
On a subsequent occasion, a detachment of soldiers marched at midnight
to Colonel Fitzhugh's house, which was half a mile from the shore, and
near the mouth of the Patuxent river, and knocked at the door. The
Colonel demanding who was there, and receiving for reply that the
visitants were "friends to King George," told the unwelcome intruders
that he was blind and unable to wait upon them, but that his wife would
admit them forthwith. Lighting a candle and merely putting on her
slippers, she descended, awoke her sons, put pistols in their hands,
and, pointing to the back door, told them to flee. She then let the
soldiers in at the front door. They inquired for Colonel Fitzhugh, and
said he must come down stairs at once and go as a prisoner to New York.
She accordingly dressed her husband--forgetting meanwhile, to do as much
for herself--and when he had descended, he assured the soldiers that his
blindness, and the infirmities of age unfitted him to take care of
himself, and that it could hardly be desirable for them to take in
charge so decrepit and inoffensive a person. They thought otherwise; and
his wife, seeing he must go, took his arm and said she would go too. The
officer told her she would be exposed and must suffer, but she persisted
in accompanying him, saying that he could not take care of himself, nor,
if he could, would she permit a separation.
It was a cold and rainy night, and with the mere protection of a cloak,
which the officer took down and threw over her shoulders before leaving
the house, she sallied forth with the party. While on the way to their
boat, the report of a gun was heard, which the soldiers supposed was the
signal of a rebel gathering. They hastened to the boat, where a parole
was written out with trembling hand, and placed in the old gentleman's
possession. Without even a benediction, he was left on shore with his
faithful and fearless companion, who thought but little of her wet feet
as she stood and saw the cowardly detachment of British soldiers push
off and row away with all their might for safety.
ESTHER GASTON.
True fortitude is seen in great exploits
That justice warrants and that wisdom guides.
ADDISON.
The good alone are great.
BEATTIE.
On the morning of July thirtieth, 1770, Esther Gaston, afterwards the
wife of Alexander Walker, hearing the firing at the battle of Rocky
Mount, took with her a sister-in-law, and, well mounted, pushed on
towards the scene of conflict. They soon met two or three cowardly men,
hastening from the field of action. Esther hailed and rebuked them, and
finding entreaties would not cause them to retrace their steps, she
seized the gun from the hands of one of them, exclaiming, "Give _us_
your guns, then, and we will stand in your places." The cowards,
abashed, now wheeled, and, in company with the females, hurried on to
face the cannon's mouth.
While the strife was still raging, Esther and her companion busied
themselves in dressing the wounded and quenching the thirst of the
dying. Even their helpless enemies shared in their humane services.
During the battle of Hanging Rock, which occurred the next week, Esther
might be seen at Waxhaw church, which was converted for the time into a
hospital, administering to the wants of the wounded.
As kind as patriotic, with her hands filled with soothing cordials, she
was seen, through all her life, knocking at the door of suffering
humanity.
REMARKABLE PRESENCE OF MIND AND SELF-POSSESSION.
Were I the monarch of the earth,
And master of the swelling sea,
I would not estimate their worth,
Dear woman, half the price of thee.
GEO. P. MORRIS.
Mr. Ralph Izard, a true "liberty man," resided, during the struggle for
Independence, near Dorchester, in South Carolina. He was for awhile
aid-de-camp to the commander of the Light Troops, and was an especial
object of British hatred. On one occasion, while at home, he came very
near falling into the hands of the enemy. A number of British soldiers
surrounded his house, and on discovering them he hid himself in the
clothes-press. They were confident he was in the house, and having
instituted a thorough but ineffectual search, threatened to burn the
building, unless his wife would point out his place of concealment. She
adroitly evaded answering directly all queries respecting his quarters.
They next robbed his wardrobe; seized all the better articles they could
find in the house, and even tried to force off her finger-rings. She
still remained composed and courageous, yet courteous and urbane,
knowing that much, every thing, in fact, depended on her self-control.
Her calmness and apparent unconcern led the marauders to conclude that
they had been misled in supposing Mr. Izard was in the house; and at
length they departed. He then sprang from his covert, and, rushing out
by a back door, crossed the Ashley river and notified the Americans on
the opposite side, of the state of things.
Meantime, the ruffians returned to the house, and, strange to say, went
directly to the clothes-press. Again disappointed, they retired; but
they were soon met by a body of cavalry, handsomely whipped, and all the
fine articles belonging to Mr. Izard's wardrobe and house were
restored.
THE WIFE OF GOVERNOR GRISWOLD.
Happy the man, and happy sure he was,
So wedded.
HURDIS.