The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1849-08-03

Dicey LangstOn.

The following sketch Of the sublime he
.oism Of woman, is from Mrs Elle,'s ex
.ellent work entitled "The Women Of the
Revolution"
The portion Of South Carolina, near the
i,op,ier, watered by the Pacolet, the Tiger
and the Eunoree, comprising Spartanburg
ADD Union districts, witnessed many deeds OF
violence aud blood, and many bold achieve
nsuts of the hardy partisans. 1t could al
50 boast Of its full complement of women,
whose aid in various ways was OF essential
service to the patriots. So prevalent was
loyalism in the darkest Of those days, so
blfer was the animosity felt towards the
wings, and so eager the determination to
root them from the soil, that the very reck-
enness Of hate gave frequent opportunities
forthe betrayal of the plans Of their enc
mics. Often were the boastinCs of those
who plotted some midnight surprise, or
some enterprise that promised some rare
pillsge-uttered in the hearing of weak and
despised women--unexpectedly turned into
wonder at the secret agency that had dis
concerted them, or execraions upon their
owl, folly. The tradition Of the country
this kind Of service, very few instances Of
which were recorded in the military jour
mails.
The patriots were frequently indebted for
important information to one young elrl,
3 fifteen or sixteen years old, at the com
mencement Of the war. This was Dizzy,
tho daughter Of Solomon Laugston Of Lau-
rens District. He was in principle stout
liberty man. but incapacitated by age and
inGrmities, from taking an active part in
the contest. His was cevottd patriot,
and was ever found in the ncighborhood
aud could easily receive secret intelligence
from his sister. who was always on the
y alert Living surrounded byloyalistS, some
Of WON were her own relatives, Miss
Lang,ton found il easy TO make herself ac-
~, QpaiIeh with their movements and plans,
and billed not TO avail herself Of every OPP
iport,hi'y to do so, and immedstelyto com
" muuhate wha, she had Learned to the wings
j. on the other side Of the EnnoRe river. Al
, length suspicion of the active aid rendered
was excited among the tory'neighbors.-
Mr.. Langston was informed hat he woulC
be held Irresponsible thencsiorvard, with his
i properly. for the conduct Of Ms daughter
+ The young girl was reproved severely ant
Il comm aided TO desist from her patriotic
treache-y. For time she oteyed the pa
Of rental mlunction but having heard ny &C
tihent hat company OF loyalsts, who, OF
account OF their ruthless cruelty, had beer
called tie Bloody Scout" inent on their
work Of death, were about to visit the II" 81
der seilement,' where her brother AM
SOM, fri,nds were living, she determined a
nl no1n nj int Nod "
pedninn. She had none in whom TO con
il. ide, bu, was obliged TO leave her hom'
lg alon,, and by stealth, and at the dead hou
I'd of TIN night. Many miles were to be trav
ne ersedand the road through the woods, AM
Il accros marshes and creeks, where the con
X venierces of bridges and foot-logs wer,
" wanting. She walked rapidly on, needles
IN Of sliht difficulties bnt her heart almos
IT. failedher when she came 10 the banks q
u, the T,ger-a deep and rapid stream, whic!
-, there vas no possibility Of crossing, excer
y by Winding through the ford. This sh
not with ner, IN comparison TO the duty she
, owed her 'iiends and country. Her mo.
$ menfary hs,ation was but the shrinking
S oil nature ucm peril encountered in dark
, ness and alone, when the Imagination con.
lnres UP thousand ideas, each more start.
ling than the worst reality. Her strong
, heart battled aainst these. and she resolved
I to accomplished purpose or perish in the
attempt. Sheen'ered the water: but when
in The middle oithe ford. became bewildered
1 and knew notwhich direction 10 take
- The hoarse rushof the waters, which were
up to her neck-he blacl<ness of the nigh,
the utter solitie around hcr-the uucer-
talnty lest the ieyt step should eugulph
her past help, ctfused her: and losing in
n degree her selSAossession. she wandered
Tor some time in he channel without know.
ing whittier to tun her steps. But the en-.
9 ergy Of resolu,e will, under the care Of
: Providence sustained her. Having with
X difficulty reached he other side, she lost no
Z time IN Fastening q her broher-informe, !
him and his friens Of the preparations
made to surprise Ind destroy them, and
urged him to send Is men Instantly in diff.
'erent directions 10 arouse and warn the
neiChhorhood The soldiers had lust re.
y turned from fatiguig excursion, aud com.
=. planned that they we're faint for want Of
. food. The noble erl, not satisfied with
= what she had done win such risk TO herself,
was ready TO help then still further by pro.
viding refreshments lime ,,a,eIy. Though
wearIeh, wet, and shherinc with cold. she
. AT once set about her Preparations. A few
boards were taken from he roof of the house
fire was kindled wi,h,hem; AMI in few
minutes hoe. cake, patty baked was bro.
Ken into SHa, tlrus, into the sho,
pouches s-isioned- tho
little cd aiory
} 10 thei
! all Y