The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1844-12-07
From ths Lady's Book
Heroic Women Of America
THELADY AND THE ARROWS.

more celebrated Than Mrs. Jacob Motto, of
Carolina. The action by which she sacri
feed her own properly to the demands Of
PATRIOTISM, was so graceful, so generous
and fee, that IL has uccasoned her praises
10 be celebrated in all the histories Of the
tine. The incident took place in the year
1901, when General Greene aud the active
partisan officers. Lee. Marion and Sunp.
ter. were dispuiing with CORVALLIS and
Rawdon, the possession of the Caroinas'
The frs, battle 9, Camden had already been
fought, when the celebrated siege al Fort
Mo,ie took place.
rhe new mansion house Of Mrs. Motto,
situated on high and commanding HILL,
some distance above the junction OF Wateree
and Congeree. had been made the depot of
the convovs from Charleston to Camden.
From, CRANKY and Ninety Six. 1t was sur
rounded by deep ,ranch, which was de
Tended by strong and lofty parape,,erect
ed along lis inner margin. Captain Nc.
usually consisted of about one hundred and
ffy men, but which was now increased by
the accidental arrival of a detachment oi
dragons. This body, on its way TO Cam
den with the dispatches for Lord Rawdon,
had entered the For few hours before the
appearance of The American forces, led by
Marion and Lee, 10 besiege it. On another
hill, opposi!eto the north side Of the new
Mansion stood an old frame house,i which
Mrs. Note had formally resided, and TO
which she had been dismissed by Capt
cPherson.-Upon this heigh, Lee was
stationed with his corps, willis, Marion
occupied position on the eastern decNvity
of the ildge on which the fort stood. A
six FOUNDER, despatched by Green TO the
aid of Marion; was mounted on a battery
by that officer for The purpose of raking The
north side Of the enemy's parapot which
Lee was preparing TO attack. BY the 10Th
of May, the works were in state or such
fol wardness that il was determined 10 sum
mon the commGndanr On the same day
Rowden had evacuated Camden and pro.
ceeded 10 Nelson's Ferry, for the purpose
OF crossing the Sanlee and relieving For
Note. Green on the other hand, advanced
TO the Cougeree 10 cover the besiegers,
Under these circumstances, Mcpherson,
though destitute Of artillery, replied 10 the
summons lha, he should continue to resist
10 The last moment in his power. In 'he
evening, courier arrived from Greene,
informing Marion of Rawden's movements,
and urging upon him redoubled activity.
On the lth, The British general reached
tie country opposite Fort Note, and 3,
night encamped TO the highest ground in
his route, !ha, his fires might convey TO tie
besieged the certainty Of his approach.
The large mansion in the centre of the
trench left but small part of the ground with
IN the works uncovered; burning The house
therefore, must force them 10 surrender
The preparation of bows and arrows with
miesive combuslible matter was immediate
Lieutenan, Colonel Lee and every officer
Of his corps daily experienced the mos,
cheering and gratifying proofs of the hos
pilalily Of the owner Of The beautiful man
sion doomed TO be thus destroyed, whilst
her poileness, her tenderness and her ac |
tive beneyolence extended 10 The lowest iuI
the ranks.
The destruction Of private proveTly was
a, all times peculiarly distressing To the two
gallant commanders, and these considera
Ilons gave new edge TO the bitterness oil
the scene. But they were ever ready TO-
sacrifice their feelings TO their duty, and
Lee forced himsel to make himself re-
specIfnl communion to The lady respecting
her destined loss.-Wher The intended
measure was impaired to her, the compla
cent smile settled on her features a, once
dispelled the embarrassment OF the agi,aied.
ofRcer, while she declared that she ioy(ully
gave her house TO the good OF her country !.
and should delight to see it in flames
Shorty after, seeing accidenlly the bow
arrows which had been prepared, she SEN,
for Colonel Lee, and putting into his hands
nsplendid bow and lis apparatus, which had
been presented 10 her husband bv friend