Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1849-03-23
ANNETTE MURRAY.
A REVOLUTIONARY INCIDENT


beautiful spot was the homestead which
was The dwelling place of Annette Murray.
Ii lay upon the banks of small stream
called Wood Creek, whose waters dis,
charge themselves into Lake Champain, a
little distance above Whitehall. The banks
here spread into wide meadows, and while
the more distant hills served TO diversity the
landscape, they were likewise a protection
against the chilling winds of Spring and Au-
tumn, SO that early and late, the fields of
Farmer Murray were the brightest green
and rankeSt heritage. The cottage, built af-
ter plan common in those days, was but
OF one story, with sloping root, but unlike
most of lis fellows, YVES painted white; and
the luXurlant NAPLES which shaded and en-
powered 1t, were Of the forest growth. The
province Of New York was not then, as
now, cultivated ill it "blooms like the rose"
with flowers of every hue, but yet the ear
" settlers had not forgotten their homes in
Old EnglanC, and here and there an occa-
slOnal hOneysuckle or rosebush testified 10
the cIlnglng Of the heart to early remem-
brances. One of the latter, magnificent
pink rose, might have been seen adjoining the
front of Mr.. Murray's house, and sooth to
say it would have been hard TO tell which
was the greatest ornament, the bright face
OF Annette Murray, peepng through the
easement, or The glowing rose. One there
was in the neghborhood, land when speak
of neighbors, | wish to be understood in
the older sense of the term, viz: all within
live miles, one there was, say, who would
have unhesiatlngly given the maiden the
preference. healthier or happier face than
Annetle's, is seldom seen. Hair that curl
ed like the tendris of Young vine blue
eyes, deep as the vault of heaven, and a
fairy foot and form, can it be wondered that
Hugh Robertson not only thong lit that An
nette the lairest damsel he had ever seen,
but that he had told her so, and had receiv-
ed a blushing acknowledgement of her ap.
probation of his merits. But The state of
the country was such as to forbid their
! speedy union. War had broken out, and
although the immediate vicinity was yet
| quiet, the march Of troops were daily ex>
| pecled. The farm of Mr.. Murray was
about mile and half from the village, and
! quite that distance from any neighbors, but
| he had not deemed it necessary TO remove
his family until the danger should be more
palpable.
| 1t was one of those delicious DAYS in the
beginning of October, which have acquired
| for themselves the name ofIndian Summer
when an advanced party of British might
have been seen cautiously vending their
| way towards Whitehall; but while several
miles distant, after a hurried consultation,
! the word was given for a short halt Their
advance was deferred until Just at night,
| when sezing few boats, which had un-
/ fortunately been left on the bank of the river
! they launched upon the little stream, and
succeeded, unseen, in effecting laading di-
! rectly below Mr.. Murray's house. The
/ house was Immediately surrounded, and 4
/ demand made for refreshments Ii may be
necessary, IN this place, to state The reason
4 OF Tins unweIcOme visit. \ large quantity
of ammunition and stores of various kinds
| had been collected at Whitehall, bat not so
privately, it appeared, as to be unknown to
a tory~in the vicinity, who Immediately
communicated his Information to British
olli-er, who decided 10 attempt seizure.
For this purpose he had landed as | have
stated, intending with the first dawn to at
tempt surprise, and in the meantime to
refresh himself with the good things of the
rebel Yankees" as the British indiscrimi.
nately styled the Americans. II would
have been useless in the present posture Of
affairs to have refused compliance, and &C,
cordingy, though it grieved his stUFdy re,
publicanism to The hearts core. Murray was
compelled to make ready such provisions
as he had on hand Escape with the lid
iags was carefully guarded against, and there
appeared no way of circumvea;ing the Wig
Hence Of the sentries. Total demolition o
his house would have been the conse
quence Of exasperating his unwelcomt
guests, and although he would not have hes
itatcd for that, had there been any chance
for serving his country. YET for the sake o
his family, he was 10th needlessly to exas
perate them. Most unwilingly then, III
, rendered his services in preparing the nc
l commodat;ons for the men. He had thre,
= fine horses, which the officers declared thei
intention of honoring him by taking, a
they had left their own behind them. An
nere was in the kitchen. busted in the du
ties OF this unwelconie call for hospitality
Annette was as useful as pretty, aud it wa