Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1851-02-24
THE HEROINE OF WHEELING.

Though We may sing of and tell about
the hardy and irae men who fought 80
bravely and suffered SO greatly 10 estab-
5 lish the principles ef that Government un-
der which we now exist we must not for
get those heroic women who, as mothers
and wives, sent fourth their cheering words
their sons and husbands to the battle fields
of strife, or as sisters aided to cloths and
equip their brothers. Their aching hearts
were silent, their burning tears were
washed away, as with smiles they embra.
ced them at parting, and with high words
of trustful faith, like the women Of Sparta,
bade them turA no back on the coneuering
foe. The records Of adj ages bear no
slight testimony to the devoted courage of
women, and were our history more per.
fectly known, instances of female courage
would be found to parallel the most won.
derful of ancient chronicles. We have
now to record all act performed by young
woman during our revolutionary struggle,
which for nerve and desperateness, is
scarcely 10 be aaatebed.
In The year l77s, Wheeling Virginia,
was besieged by large force of British
and Indians. At this time the fort, with
an insufficient force, was under the CON-
mand of Col. Silas Zane, brave and mer.
iiorious officer. Distant from this about
slightly yards, and outside the walls, was
situated block house, ia which was Col.
Ebenezer Zane, a brother of Silas, and the
senior officer, with few men. There
were several women in the fort, and among
them at the time was Elizabeth Zane, q
sister Of the Colonel. She was young
woman Of extraordinary beauty, having a
talf and finely formed 6gure. with head
like Juno; a black eye, mild and firm in
Its expression; and voice soft and musical
as flute; and with an expression of coun-
tenancs as bland as an Italian sky, though
beneath it might slumber passion as warm
as the fires of Vesuvius. It may be sup
posed that many soldiers eye followed
her wishfuiiy, as in days Of quiet she
roamed about the Fort, or stroiled for a
walk with one of her brothers, Many a
proposal had been made for her in vain.
Officers Of high rank had sued for her, and
many gallant enterprise had been under.
taken in her Hame, but all to no effect so
far as winning her affections went. She
was not one of those light witted women,
70 be- caught by fine show and tine profes-
sions. As far as her heart went she placed
uodiGersnee between high.nodding plumes
and che last man in the rank-the last mar
not5 the least. She was about that agt
when young women are most apt TO bs
caught by fine compliments or dashing ap
pearances; but plain and direct in hel
manner, 1t was her study to give no en-
enlargement to the attention of her nu.
:. uperous suitors. Yet from this descrip
ton the reader must not infer that she was
4 not susceptible to the soft passion Of love
Far from II, for her troth was at that tims
plighted; NOR could fhe most ambition.
ihsught 10 the world have tempted her te
swsrye GoH the sanetity of vows made t.
the lover !efshsr choice-made, as all low
ers' oaths are, in the quiet evening hour
and witnessed by the moon, that lovers
planet sail the starry hosts of heaven. F."
Among the soldiers in the Fort at th'
ftiIns. none was greater fayorite with tn
Officers and men than Ashley Harper
Bold adventurous and generous almost i
iaffanit, no hazardous expedition was pre-
jectsd in which he was not always.read
volunteer; and many a desperate ad
venture, and many forlorn hope had ses
him face the savage foe with odds agains
him; and while powder flashed and baye