The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1845-01-09

80 fS'~o "A0 NV 0tSttA - ~AAA30
es IN the course of our Revolutionary war by
their sacrifice of self-inierest TO The public
welfare, none is more celebrated than Mrs.
Jacob Note. of Carolina. The action by
which she sacrificed her property TO the
demands Of patpiotism, was SO graceful, SO
generous, and free, that it has occasioned her
praises to be celebrated in all the histories
of The time. The incident took place in the
year 1871, when General Green, and the &c
live partisan officers, Lee, Marion, and Stump
ter, were disputing with CORVALLIS and Raw
don the possession Of the CaroliBas. The
first battle of Camden had already been
fought, when the celebrated seige of Fort
Motto took place.
The new mansion house of Mrs. Moise,
situated on a high commanding hill, some dis
lance above the junction ofthe Wateree and
Congaree, had been 2ade the principal de-
pot of the conveys from Charleston TO Cam
den, Fort CRANKY, and Ninety-six. 1t was
surrounded by a deep trench, which was de-
Tended by a strong and lofty parapot, erect
ed along lis inner maFgiu. Captain Nc
Pherson commanded The garrison, whichusn-
ally consisted of about one hundred and IF
|ty men, but which was now increased hy the
accidental arrival of a detachment oil Outrageous
This body, on its way 10 Camden, with des-
patches for Lord Rawdon, had enlered The
fort a few hours before the appearance ofihe
American forces, led by Marion and Lee, TO-
besiege it. On another hill, opposite 10 the
north side oftlIe new mansion, stood an old
farm house, in which Mrs. Motto had formers
y resided, and 10 which she had been dis
missed by Capt. Mcpherson. Upon this
height Lee was Stationed with his corps,
whilst Marion occupied a position on the cast
ern d~ecliviiy of the ridge on which the fort
stood. A six FOUNDER, despatched by Greene
to the aid of Marion, was mounted on a bat
terry by that officer for the purpose of raking
the north side of the enemy's parapet, which
Lee was preparing TO attack. By the 10Th
OF May, the works were in a. stale of such
forwardness that it was determined 10 sum-
mon the commanddnt. On The same day,
Rawdon had evacuated Camden and proceed
ed to Nelson's ferry, for the purpose OF cross
ing the Santee and relieving Fort Moue.-
Greene, on the oihef hand, advanced ia lie
Congaree 10 cover the besiegers. Under
these circumstances, Mcpherson, though
destitute OF artillery, replied 70 The summons
that he should continue to resist TO the last
moment in his power. In the evening, a
courier arrived from Greene, informing Ma
RON of Rawdon's movements, and urging
upon him redoubled activity. On the llfh,
the British general reached the country OPP
pesae Fort Motto, and at night encafnped an
the highest ground in his route, that his fires
might convey 10 the besieged the certainty
of his approach. The large mansion in the
centre Of the trench, left but a small part of
Tie ground within the works uncovered;
burning the house, therefore, must force
them TO a surrender.
The preparation Of bows and arrows with
missive combustible matter was Immediately
commenced. Lieut.. Colonel Lee and every
officer of his corps daily experienced the
most cheering and or atifyiLg proofs Of The
hospitality of the owner Of the beautifulman-
sion doomed 10 be thus DESTROYED, whilst her
politeness, her tenderness, and her active
benevolence extended 10 the lowest in the
ranks. The destruction of private properly
was at all times peculiarly distressing to The
two gallant commanders, aud these consider
ations gave a new edge TO the bitterness of
The scene. But they were ever ready tosac-
riicc their feelings to their duty, and Lee
forced himselflo make a respectful COMMUNE
cation TO the lady respecting her destined
loss. When the intended measure was i'm
parted 70 her, the complacent smile which
settled on her features at once dispellcd The
embarrassment of the agifated officer, while
she declared that she %joyfllly gave her house
10 the good of her county, and should de-
light to sec it in flames. Shortly aficr, see
ing accidentally the bows and arrows which
had been prepared, she %sentfor Col. Lee, and
putting into his hands a splendid bow and APP
paratus, which had been presented TO her
husband by a friend from India, begged his
substitution of them as probably better adap-
ted to the purpose than those provided. Lee
was delighted with this opportune present,
and quickly prepared TO end The scene. The
lines were all manned, The iofce at The bat
terry doubled, and Doctor Irwin was sentwitil
a last ummons to surrender. Mcpherson
listened patiently to his explanations, bat re-
NAMED infexibly fixed in his determination
of holding out 10 the last. 1t was now mid
day of the 18th, and the scorching sun had
prepared the shingles for the conflagraiion.
4 When Irwin returned, three arrows were sue
!; cessively fred at different paris of The roof.
The first and third kindled into a blaze
Mcpherson ordered a party 10 repair 10 the
loft of the house and stop the conflagraiion
ly knocking off the shingles. But Captain
Finley's six FOUNDER completely raked the
loft, the soldiers were driven down, and the
brave Bnton hung out the white flag, and
surrendered Internationally. The conquer
; eTs and the conquered soon after appeared
at Mrs. Notes, where, by invitation, they