Windham County Democrat. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1836-1853, 1851-07-16

ded on a single incident which happened in the
summer of 49, -an incident coarse and ludicrous
in itself, but which has been more widely circu-
lated, and yet so much more frequently alluded to
than actually told that a simple detail of the fact
seems requisite. The squadron of Commodore
Decatur had been chased into New London har-
Dor by superior British fleet and an attack up
on the town momentarily expected. 1t was of
great importance that the fort on Groton Heights
should be Immediately prepared for vigorous de-
fence. Major Simon Smith with band OF Vol
unteers from New London, fastened to the rein
forcement Of the garrison, and preparations were
made to give the enemy warm reception, when
it was discovered that they were short of car
tridges. Wadding was wanted and messenger
was sent in haste through the village to procure
flannel. The inhabitants had mostly packed their
goods and were carrying them off TO places less
exposed. Mrs Bailey was sending away her eff
ccts and had only few necessary articles left
in the house. She was crossing the street TO
n neighbours door when the messenger, having
uavcrsed the village, asking in vain at every
house for flannel to make cartridges, accosted her
and made known his errand and his i'll Success
Without a moments deay-quick us thought
she slipped her hand into her pocket hole, loosen
ed her skirt, shook it off and lifting it up present
ed it to the messenger with right hearty laugh
it might do its work promptly and effcctualy
The bystanders were much AMUSED and raised
shout of admiration. The story was repeated
to the whole garrison, and the sacrificed skirt be-
ing unrolled and displayed was received with
loud accamations; the men rearing it upon their
pixies, declared that they would fight under it to
the last drop of their blood Had the British
actually made an attack at that time, it is quite
probable that the memorable garment would have
been run up the flag staff, and allowed TO throw
out its folds upon the wind as a banner.
This anecdote went forth into the newspapers,
and was soon spread throughout the Union. Mrs
Bailey was exalted to the pinnacle of notorie-
tv, as the greatest of female patriots. She was
toasted visited, caressed: letters, tokens, and
presents were sent her from all quarters. AT the
great military and naval ball, given in New Lon
don not long afterwards, Mrs Bailey appear
ed in antique costume, and was led out upon the
floor by the officer highest in rank that present
on the occasion. Since that period, strangers
stopping at New London have made it a point to
visit Mrs Bailey. Two Presidents of the United
States Monroe and jackson, in their respective
tours through the Northern States, after visiting
Groton Fort, went in stately procession to pay
their respects to her as the heroine of Groon.
The writer of this article first saw her when
she was upwards Of 40 years of age. She would
dance all about the room, singing national gees,
rail at the English and defenders Of the English
measures, and glorfy the democracy, the mason
ic fraternity, and General ,Jackson-her favorite
topics-wih zest and lghness of heart that
filled the behoders with Amusement. The walls
of her room were adorned, or rather disfgured
with grotesque assemblage of ballad engravings
and coarse caricatures, among which no less than
eight likenesses of her favorite hero were inter-
spersed This, she observed was none too much
of good thing. 1t is but justice to add, that she
exhibited the woodbines that shaded her large
Towering "Derangy," OHydrangea) with as much
exultation as Decaturs ship, or McDonough's
cock, or even Gen. Jackson's venerated counten-
ance. She related the story oe the flannel gar
mcnt in n lively sportive manner, observing (what
no one who knew her devotion TO the cause could
doubt that she would have given all the blankets
in her house with as much good will, had they
been in her reach, and adding in relation to the
skirt, at was right good article-none of your
scant-o-skirts, but over three yards wide, and
bound with good quality binding" This ampli,
tudc Of dimensions may be readily received, for
its owner was Of masculine proportions
This sketch would be incomplete, if we were
not to add that Mrs Bailey was a warm friend a
kind and obliging neighbor, and rreproachable as
a wife. Her husband, who died at the age of 90
August oath, 1913, was Just three weeks older
than herself They lived together about 60 years
but had no children. After the death of her COM
panion, Mrs Bailey lost much Of her usual cheer
fulness, and was no longer the gay excitable girl
of 49, that she had been at 20 and so years of
age. She had often declared her persuasion that
she should live to number hundred years, and
this perhaps might have been the case, had not
her eventful life been cut off in a manner so sud-
den and awful. Her natural vigor was abaed,
but she was neither sick nor helpless.
She was left sitting alone, after dinner, (Jan.
10, 1S51) in an arm chair, near a comfortable but
not large fire. A short time elapsed-a smell
Of fire was perceived by the inmates of the house
they flew to Mrs Baileys room, which they
found so full of smoke that at first nothing could
be discerned distinctly. The old lady was lying
on the floor burnt in most shocking manner, the
carpet and floor under her were nearly consumed
She was living, but expired in less than an hour
In what manner the accident happened cannot be
explained
Mrs Bailey had brother who followed the
seas, and died in youth away from home. IIel
nearest surviving relatives are the descendants Of
her unces, James and Edward Mills.
New London, Jan. 1851. f. NJ. c..
IIIsToRICAL ANECDOTE.--Mr John Marsh
in recent address, introduced the following pleas
ant historical oupc1otp A EttIa ho,,