Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-09-12


of country farmer, in moderate clrcum
stances, whose name was Geiger. He wa:
true friend of the American cause, and
but for i'll health that rendered him unable
to endure the fatigues of the camp, would
/ have been under arms in defence of his
country. Geigcr had an only daughter who
was imbued with her fathers spirit.
If | were only a man 7 she would often
say when intelligence came of u British or
tory outrage, if were only man that
could fight for my country
On the third day of Gen. Green's en-
campment near the residence of Geiger, a
neighbor dropped in.
What news [! asked the farmer.
Lord Rawdon has determined 10 abandon
the fort at Ninety-Six.'
Are YOU certain 2
Yes. Gen Green received information
this morning.. Rawdon leave Cruger at
Nins;y.Si who Is i, raoss as soon as pos
sible with his bloody recruits and their pro-
perry, to take route that will put the Ed
isto between him and our forces Moving
down the Southern bank of this river to
Oraugeburg he will thence make juno
ton with Rawdon, at Fridays Ferry
Then they will divide their force, said
Geiger, eagerly
Yes
And give Green an advantage by which
he would no, be slow to profit. Cruger will
not be day on the march before our Gen
eral will make his Acquaintance
No. replied the neighbor. If heard
Alright, it is Gen. Green's intention to pur-
sue Rawdon, and strike more decisive
blow
Why did not he encounter him al the
saluda, when the opportunity offered?
Gen. Sumpter was not with him!
Nor is he now
And, fear, will not join him, as he 50
much DESIRES
For what reason p inquired Geiger.
He finds no one willing to become bear
err of dispatches. The country between
Sumpier's station. on the Waterce, is fall
of the enemy-who will, TO certainty,
murder any man who undertakes the Journ-
ey. | wonld not go OH the Journey for my
weight in gold
And can no man be found to risk his
life for his country, even on so perilous !
seryice! said The farmer in tone of sur
prise not unmingled with modification.
None. The effort to each Sumpter
would be frniiless. The braYest man will
hesitate to throw his life away
God protects those who devote them
selves to the good of their county, said
Geiger. III could bear the fatigue of the
Journey, would not shrink from the service
AN Instant
You would commit an act of folly.'
'No-of true devotion 10 my country,
replied the farmer warmly But he add
ed, in 4 saddeued voice, what boots il that
| am willing for the task. These feeble
limbs refuse to beas me on the journey
Emily Geger, the daughter, heard all this
with feelings of intense interest aud as
she had often said before, so she SAID now,
in the silence of her spirit 'Oh, that
were mani But she was simple young
and tender girl, and her patriotic heart
could only throb with noble feelings, while
her bands were not able to strike blow
fo- their country
II were only manl' murmured The
young girl, again and again. as she mpsed
on what she had heard, long after the neigh
Dor had departed.
In. the meantime, Gen. Green, who had
heard through messengers from Col. Lee,
of The prop,,sed abandonment of the Nine
ty-Six, and the division of the British and
tory forces, was making preparations to re-
trace his steps, and strike, if possible, u
decisive blow against Lord Rawdon. In
order to make certain Of victory, it was ne
cessary to inform Sampter of his designs,
and al Tort io{., at
lacking tie enemy. But, thus far, no one
offered 10 perform the dangerous service
o. the morning of the day upon which
the ariGy WIS to. commence retracIng its
steps, Gen. Green sat in his tent lost IN
deep thought. Since taking the command
OF the Southern army, he had been strug-
giing at every disadvantage, with apoweriIl
enemy, and many citizens OF the country
were lost TO every feeling of true patriot
ism; and now, having weakened that enc
my, he le.i eager to strike a blow that would
destroy him; but with the force he could
( command, 1t was yet a doubtful question
whether an engagement would result in vic
tory to the American arms. If he could
effect a Junction with Sumpter before Lord
Rawdon reached Fridays Ferry, On the
NN4i iiC hau great upPSo u StNSSSs.
But the great difficulty was To get 4 messen-
ger 10 SuInpter, who was distant between
one aud two hundred miles. While the
General was bordering these things, an of
iicer entered and said
country girl is before the tent, and
wishes 10 speak with YOU
I, Tell her to come in replied the Gen.
eral
The officer then Withdrew, and in few
moments re-appeared IN company with a
young girl, dressed in closely fitting habit
carrying small whip in her hand. She
curtsied respectfully as she entered.
The General arose as the maiden stepped
inside OF iils tent, and returned her saluta-
ton.
Gen. Grecnr inquired the fair stranger.
The officer bowed.
have been toid,' said the visitor, the
color deepening in her face, that you are in
want of bearer of dispatches to General
Sumpter' ieas
| am replied the General, : hut find