Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-03-26

niies ggcre every where IN the asccndnns. The
srmy OF Greeue was IN Nouh Carolinu, oceupi-
ed in watching CORVALLIS. Lord Rsudcn held
Camden with strong force. An The ofher i'm.
poriani posts were in The hands of the Brsish.-
Marion. for the first time dishcsrt.ned. talkea Of
retiring b, hind the mouniams. Armed bodies or
Tories, in the mean iime. travcred the country.
plundering at sill, and huneing. wi,h0ut even he
form Of trial. those Of theiT unlouunate prison
ers they had found in arms.
Mr Mowbray had long contemplated rising
~ iavor Of his county agmn, and no time seem
ed TO hm 90 proper as the present, when ell Nh-
ers were becoming hisheanened. His daughter
he knew to Be IN safety with her aunt, who bad
always maintained siSiei neutrality: 50 there
was nothing 70 withhold him longer from bis pur-
pose. He had accordingly secretly exerted him.
seliio raise troop umong the young men Of his
neighborboo3, and bis recrUitne had been al
tended with such success, that their rising only
waited the removal ofa large body Of armed To-
des who had lately infested the vicinity. On
The first signal from Mr. Mowbay, hey we're 10
rendezvous at the Hall.
Mowbmy Hall was one oflhose fine old man
siOns few Of which lnger in South Carolina,
fast fading monuments Of the departing splendors
of her old provincial nobility, The building
stood atihe head Ofa long avenue Of trees, and
was large double house, with On immense hall
in the centre. The oulhouses had suffered cor
siderable since the war began, and many Of the
fields lay bare and unculliyaed; but the mansion
itself was sill in remarkably fine state of pres
erya,ion, and the architectural boast Of the coun-
try.
Ii was fine clear morning when Mr. Nov.
bray stood on the steps of his house. to welcome
the recruits who, in obedience TO bis long expec.
ted signal, were on that day to repair to the rem
devious. His feelings, as one stout yeoman af.
Ter another rode up, were those Of exutation,
dashed a lirle perhaps with regret for having
ever despaired Of his country.
"Ilow fortunate that Capt. Ball. with his To-
ries, has moved up the riyer," said his leuten-
ant, who stood beside him. ave shall have
time TO discipline our men, and rally greater
number TO our ranks. Our twenty tall fellows,
though brave enough, could scarcely make head
against his hundred troopers. We have good
week before u.s."
"Very Irue; and VIC have assurances Of nearly
thirty more, provided wcdspay ourbanner Three
days ofquietis all ask. Then hope, we shall
be able TO give good account Of ourselves even
/ if Balls Tories return" said Mr.. Mowbray.
''lf we are gone when he comes back, nv
dear sir, he will wreak his vengeance, | fear, on
our homes" said the other with something Of
sigh.
/ 81 hope you do not think ofdrawing back, ;" re-
piled Mr.. Mowbray. "ln this cause man must
be willing to sacrifice father and mother, house
and land, good repute, and all he holds dear in
the world. God help u.s."
al am with you I'LL d9alh," said the lieutenant
thinking at that moment how much more his su-
perior had 10 lose than himself; and affected by
such heroic and self-sacrfcing patriotism.
At this instant horseman was seen galloping
/ furously down the avenue, and as he came on
ward, he waved his cap as ifdcsrous 10 call their
attention 10 something in the road which he had
left. Mr.. Mowbray looked in thar direction, but
a clump ofwoodland shut out the highway from
sight; however, after moments delay, the voice
of one of the recruits called his attention to what
seemed a cloud Of dust rising above the tree tops.
Almost at the same instant number of troopers
appeared at the head Of the avenue. The ap-
preaching horseman now had reached the lawn.
'We are betrayed" he cried, almost exhaust.
ed. BALLS Tories are behind, and have chas-
ed me for Two miles. To arms-to arms!"
/ The time was short 10 allow Of barricading the
house; but the great hall was speedily turned into
a lorticalion. The doors at either end were clio
sed, barred, and further defended by chairs and
tables piled against them; while the entrances in
to the parlors were closed elftctually in the same
way. The great window at the head ofthe stair
case, and the one al the other extremity of the
upper hall were guarded by a proper force
/ These dispositions had scarcely been completed
when the Tories galloped up 10 the lawn, on
which they dismounted with loud shouts, and be-
gan instant preparations for the attack.
4 When Mr.. Mowbray's scanty troop was mus
tered, il was found 10 contain but ten exclusive
/ of himself, for nearly half of the expected re-
cruits had not vet had time to arrive. 1t was ev.
ident there had been treachcry somewhere among
them; for none but those who had enlisted knew
! of this rendezvous, and the sudden disappearance
of the enemy two days before, it was now appar.
ent, had been a feint. However nothing re.
mained but to sell their lives as dearly as possl.
BILE.
Mr. Mowbray walked around among his men
and he himself saw that every thing was ready.
He exhorted them, in few words, to do their
duty manfuy. His short harrangue was brought
10 speedy conclusion by loud cheer on the
part of the assaians, and by a shower Of bullets
aimed at the hall window, as they advanced 10
the attack.
| "Flre cooly-anu waste no ShoH ne salo,
sterny, himself handling musket.
Four men fell at that first discharge; and, mad
with rage and shame, the assailants strove to
climb up the pilasters of the hall door: but they
were beaten thence by the butts of the defenders
muskets. The men, however, who achieved
this were severely wounded by the rifles
of the Tories, who, keeping watch aimed where
ever a head appeared. An effortwas now made
10 break in the hall door. Anaxe was brought,
and, after several blows, one of the heavy panels
gave way. But the moment the wood fell crash
ing in, volley poured through the aperture
drove back the assailants, who thus foiled at
every nnint. retreated To the cover oflhe outhou-