Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-02-25


estng incidental sketch of this celebrated lady We
should be glad to transfer the entire article to col
umns-but want Of room will not permit that
pleasure We will, however, endeavor to give the
most interesting portions Of it, in a condensed FORM
Mrs Bailey, is doubtless well known to most of
readers, distinguished herself greatly in the days
of the Revolution, but particularly during the
last with England
At the time Of the burning of New London, during
the Revolutionary war, when Fort Griswod was Ia
ken by detachment Of the army of the traitor Arnold
and nearly the whole Of the garrison put the sword
among the desperately wounded was relative OF Mrs.
Bailey, believed to be uncle who had left a: home
infant, which his dying moments his soul yearn
ed 10 Mrs. Bailey who had come to aid the snf
fering heard his request, and went 10 distance of
three miles obtain the child, which she brought all
the way in her arms, and placed on the bosom OF its
/ father Such were the pictures frequently presented
To Mrs. Baey's eyes, and it is therefore matter of
astonishment that in her mind and heart was engen-
dered that bitterness Of feeling towards the British
which gave coloring to her whole life, and which
has been evinced in so decided a manner in those
deeds which have most contributed to her celebrity
In July, 1919, when the British fleet appeared of
/ New London, and demonstrators Of an intention To
land and attack that place, old Fort Griswold was
again tenanted by company of hastily gathered VOL
unteers and such arrangements made for its defence,
as time and circumstances would permit Ii was soon
ascertained that flannel wanted TO make cartrdg
es. As there no time To send TO New London for
it, an individual was despatched TO obtain all he could
in the neighborng village of Groton- But flannel
was to be found there. In his dspar, the messenger
called upon Mrs. Bailey and made known his wants.
I'She at proposed appealing individually to the
occupants of each house in the neighborhood, and
they found all ready TO give up what they had to spare
whether unfashoned or made into garments. Having
completed their respective visits Mrs. Bailey and her
colaborer met in the street, and she delivered to him
all that she had collected. But when added to
his II was found inadequate TO the occasion. Mrs.
Bailey, however, not TO be defeated in her object
She Immediately threv of her PetticOat from her on
person, where she stood In tie street, excaiming
she gave it to him." There, put that into the -
Engllshmen :" and the messenger started off imme-
diaIely to his comrades. The result is known" y
"Mrs. Bailey resides with the husband of her youth
full days, who was a participation with her OF the
scenes Of strife and that darkened her countrys
early history. He the slarer of her patriotic
ardor for her countrys welfare and they mutually
joce in its unparalleled prosperity. She is Post Mas
ter of Groton for life, and the duties of her Office will
be faithfully discharged.
The old lady is visited almost daily by the curious
from all quarters of the land and receives their visits
with uneserved cordiaity provided, of course, that
they of the true Democratic stamp, and have an
undertaking love of country at heart.
But woe to the sympathisers with her country $
enemies, and the opponents of Democratic truth, If
the voubilIfy of her ready tongue can procure that
woe. Talk to her of anything but her countrys veal
E or utter one sentence Of condemnation against any
Of those eminent statesmen Van Buren,, Jackson,
or President Polk, and you at once fire which
nothing but penltcnce your part can ever extin-
lguish. II may naturally be supposed that Mrs. Bal
ley has attracted the notice Of distinguished travellers,
all Of whom, when they can, avail themselves OF the
opportunity of paying their personal respects, and
hearing from her fervid lips, the recital of those
deeds which have made so ndelibe an impression on
her soul, and given such peculiar bias Of character.
haSb hui. the and hxvc
Presidents of the United States but for none does
she to cherish profound respect than for
Van Buren, and Jackson. The latter, especially, is
her beau ideal of the WARRIOR and STATESMAN and
his name finds, in her view, worthy associate in
the annals Of the world that alone of the immor-
0 tai WASHINGTON. She has Of course received from
visitors various tokens of remembrance but none OF
which does she seem TO value highly a small box
made of the oak of the Frigate Constitution, "Od
LonSdes, size loves to call that gallant ship, in
which box she keeps very safely deposited lock OF
hair from each of the heads of Jackson and Van Bu-
rem. These, she says "noney as too poor to buy"
a The lock from the head of Jackson, believe, she
was privegedto clip with her own hand, at tie time
when he made his Presidential tour of the Eastern
States. That from Mr.. Van Buren's head obtain
ed through the agency Of friend, but accompanied
, with note from Mr.. " B., which, by the sentiment
4 it conveyed, that columbia has daughter whom
he would more cheerfuly oblige," has inspired bel
IS with tie loftiest conceptions Of his gaaniry, in adj
dtOn 10 those winch she na0 before entertained OF nj:
, statesmanike qualities and patriotism.
Mrs Bailey is In many respects, physically wei
II as mentally, and patroticay, remarkable woman
On Sunday, October IL, 1916, she numbered EIGHTY
EIGHT years of age; and being yet in the possession
of the ordinary faculties Of the body, sight, hearing
memory uterance, and agility she is as the CIR
of eighteen. Her countenance and voice alone indi
cate the ravages of age. Time, as it marks its fur
rows on the mountains brow, has inscribed its wrin
kles hers-and in this respect you feel that she i
not exempt from the condition of most earthly things
but is 'passing away" All that emanates from he
feelings, however, indicates, now, the vigor
viyacity Of youth The JEST the song, the rPdrtee
L come with freshness and readiness from her lips
lg unsurpassed by any and if she be called Il
he strip 1t the high fantastic toe," she show you
~ Sam Patch like-"that some things be done a
IS well others'-on the sole condition that the tun
ig be yankee Doodle" or jefferson and Liberty
l. Notwithstanding her extreme old age she has
been subjected to the necessity of wearing glasses
t. and she can, now. in her youthful. days. rea
II the finest print. If any wished put her hearn
4 to the test let him but hisper word in her presenc
g against the fairifam of her revered Jackson or il
III favor of the British Crown, and he will longer
ed inclined to doubt.
nj One incident we mast mention, before we close
Illustrative of the quickness of her witt and the keen
ness of her feelings of satric bitterness toward tn
~ memory of the Traitor Arnold, whose name even sh
- holds I'm utter scorn and detestation.
Calling upon her a few days since we introduce
. her favorIte topic the prosperity Of our country an
the ample means of subsistence for citizens, Will
4 thousands in Europe staruing. This turned he
~ thoughts to the potatoe-rot," now so extenslvel
x prevalent, when, if struck by a and sudde
thought she raised herself to the full originality Of he
= tall aud muscular Frame (for she was very tall an
d -