Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1844-11-23
Co Pa

there fore, must force them to surrender The
PREPARATION of bows and arrows with mssve
combustlble matter was Immediately COM
mcnced. Lieutenant Colonel Lee and every
officer of his corps daily experienced the most
cheering and gratifying proofs Of the hospi-
tality of the owner Of the beautiful mansion
doomed to be thus destroyed, whilst her po.
liteness, her tenderness and her active beneyo
lence extended to the lowest in the ranks.
The destruction of private property was at all
times peculiarly distressing to the two gallant
commanders, and these considerations gave
new edge 10 the bitterness of the scene. But
they we're ever ready to sacrifice their feelings
to their duty, and Lee forced himself to make
himself a respectful! communication to the lady
respecting her destined loss. When the in
tended measure was impaired to her, the COM
p!acent smile which settled on her features at
once dispelled the embarrassment Of the agta-
ted officer, while she declared that she joyful
ly gave her house to the good of her country,
and should delight to see it IN flames. Shortly
after, seeing accidentally, the bow and arrows
which had been prepared, she sent for Colonel
and its apparatus, which had been presented to
! her husband by friend from India. begged his
substitution ofthem as probably better ada pied
to the purpose than those provided-l.ee was
delighted with this oppor,une present, and
quickly prepared to end the scene. The lines
were all manuel, the force at the battery dou.
! bled, and DR.. Irwin was sent with last sum-
mons to surrender. Mcpherson listened pa
, tiently 10 his explanations, but remained inhcx.
, IDLY fixed in his determination of holding ont to
/ the last. IL was midday of the 10Th, and the
! scorchiug sun had prepared the shingles for the
lgration.-When Irwin returned, three
arrows were successively fired at different
! parts of the roof The first and third kndIed
, into blaze. Mcpherson ordered party to re
pnr to the loft Of the house and stop the confa
grafton by knocking of the shingles Bu
Capt. Finey's six FOUNDER completely raker
the lott. the soldiers were driven down, and the
brave Brton hung ont the white flag, and sur
rendered Internationally. The conqucrors an,
the conquered soon after appeared at Mrs
Notes, where, by invitation they partook to
gether ofa sumptuous dinner, in full view o
the smoking ruins-thc unaffected poliieness O
the patriotic lady soothing the angry feeling
which the contest had engendered, and obltcr
a'ng from the memory of the gallant whg
the recollection of the injuries she had unavoid
ably sustained at their hands When RnwdO'
finally effected the passage of the river, h
found ruined post, and paroled officers, tn
captors having divided their forces and move
off, Lee against Fort CRANKY, and Marion t
Georgetown.
We have seen in the possession of Georg
Bancroft, Esq, of Boston, splendid miniatur
Of Mrs. Mote. 1t is noble counlenance, ii
dicating strong intellect, and that lofty frank
ness and courtesy which were so remarkabl
displayed by her during that glorious heroic ag
of our country, when American ladies' were
once the prompters and eXcmplars of brillial
deeds Of chivalry.