The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1848-10-06
From the Women of the American Revolution"
REBECQA MOTTE.

Love thy mother, little one!
From the Women of the American Revolution
REBECCA NOTE.
Fort Mote, the scene of the occurrence which
so strkngly displayed the patriotism of one of
South Cardinals daughters, stood on the South
side of the Congaree river. The height commands
a beautiful view, several miles in extent, of slopng
fields sprinkled with young pines, and green with
broom grass the or cotton crops of shelter
ed valleys and wooded hills, with the dark pine
ridge defined against the sky. The steep overooks
the swamp land through which the river flows and
that may be seen to great distance, winding, like
a bright thread, between the sOmbre forests.
After the abandonment of Camden to the Ameri-
cans Lord Rawdon, anxious to maintain his posst
directed his first eOrtto relieve Fort Motto, atthe
time invested by Marion and Lee. This fort, which
commanded the river, was the principal depot of
the conveys from Charleston to Camden and the
upper districts. 10 was occupied by a garrison
under the command of Capt MCPHERSON, of one
hundred and sixty-fve men, having been in-
creased by a small detachment of dragons from
Charleston, few hours before the appearance of
the Americans. The large new mansion house
belonging to Mrs. Motto, which had been selected
for the establishment of the post, was surrounded
by deep trench, along the interior margin of
which was raised strong and lofty parapet.s OppO-
site, and Northward, upon another hill, was an old
farmhouse, to which Mrs Motto had removed
when dismissed from her mansion. On this height
Id6ul6I1dLb COUI6I Lee -lldI lhkGu HOSltlOn WIFI
his force ;vwhile Marion occupied the Eastern de-
clivity Of the ridge on which the forL stood the
valley running between the TWO hills permitting the
Americans to approach it within four hundred
yards. M'Pherson was unprOvided with artillery,
but hoped to be relieved by the arrival of Lord
Rawdon to disodge the ASSISTANTS before they could
push their operations to maturity. He therefore
replied to the summons to surrender-which came
on the both May, about year after the victorious
British had taken possession of Charleston-that
he should hold out to the last moment of his power
The besiegers had carried on their approaches
rapidly, by relays Of working parties; and aware
of the advance of Rawdon with all his force, had
every motive for perseverance. In the night
courier arrived from General Greene, to advise
them of Rawdon's retreat from Camden, and urge
redoubled activity; and Marion persevered through
the hours of darkness In pressing the completion of
their works. The following night Lord Rawdon
encamped on the highest ground in the country
opposite Fort Motto; and the despairing garrison
saw with Joy the illumination of his fires, while
the Americans were convinced that no time was to
be lost
The large house in the centre of the encircling
trench left but a few yards of ground within the
British works uncovered burning the mansion,
therefore, must compel the surrender of the Sarri-
son. This expedient was reluctantly resolved upon
by Marion and Lee, who, unwilling under any
circumstances destroy private property, felt the
duty to be much more painful in the present case.
1t was the summer residence of the owner, whose
deceased husband had been firm friend to his
country, anil whose daughter Mrs. Pinckney) was
the wife of gallant officer, then prisoner in the
hands Of the British. Lee had made Mrs. Notes
dwelling his quarters, at her pressing invitation,
and with his officers had shared her liberal hospi
tality. Not satisfied with polite attention to the
officers, while they were entertained at her luxuri
GUS table, she had attended with active benevolence
TO the sick and wounded, soothed the infirm with
kind sympathy, and animated the Responding to
Tt
commanders determined on the sacrifice, and the
Lieutenant Colonel found himself compelled to in
form Mrs. Motto of the unavoidable necessity of
the destruction Of her property.
The smile with which the communication
received, gave instant relief TO the embarrassed
officer Mrs. Motto not only assented, but declared
that she was "gratifed with the opportunity of
contributing to the good Of her country and should
view the approaching scene with delight" Shortly
after seeing by accident the bow and arrows which
had been prepared to carry combustble matter, she
sent for Lee, and presented him with bow and its
apparatus, which had been imported from India,
requested his substitution Of them, better adapted
for the object than those provided.
Everything was now prepared for the concluding
scene The lines were manned, and an additional
force stationed at the battery, TO meet desperate
assault if such should be made. The American
entertainments being within arrow-shot, M'Pherson
was once more summoned, and again more conf
dentlV-iOr help was at hand-asserted his determl-
nation to resist TO the last.
The scorching rays of the noon-day sun had pre-
pared the single roof for the cOnhagration. The
return of the flag was Immediately followed by the
shooting of the arrows, to which balls of blazing
rosin and birthstone were attached. Smms tells US
the bow was put into the hands Of Nathan Savage,
a private in Maron's brigade. The first struck,
and fet fire also the second and third, in different
quarters of the roof Mcpherson Immediately or
dered men to repair to the loft Of the house, and
check the flames by knocking off the shingles but
they were soon driven down by the fire of the six
pounder and no other effort to stop the burning be-
ing practicable, the cOmmandant hung out the white
flag, and surrendered the garrison at discretion.
If ever a situation in real life afforded fit sub
ect for poetry, by filling the mind with sense Of
moral grandeur-it was that of Mrs. Motto cOntem-
plating the spectacle Of her home in flames, and re-
oicing in the triumph secured to her countrymen-
the benefit to her native land, by her surrender Of
her interest TO the public service. have stood
upon the spot, and felt that it was indeed classic
ground, and consecrated by memories which should
thrill the heart of every American. But the beauty
of such memories would be marred by the least at
tempt at ornament; and the simple narrative OF
that memorable occurrence has more effect to stir
the feelings than could tale arstically framed and
glowing with the richest hues of imagination.
After the captors had taken possession, M Pier
son and his officers accompanied them to Mrs.