The Minnesotian. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1851-1852, 1851-10-29
THE TRAITOR BOY.
An Incident of the Revolution.

The writer has been indebted TO his
friends for many of the incidents which
he has given to the public; and among
those which have been kindly furnished
him, is the following. 1t cannot fail to in
terest the reader on more accounts than
one. To see boy just able to WELD his
rifle, engaging in the defence of his coun-
try during the American Revolution, was
no uncommon occurrence. But it was a
most extraordinary circumstance to find
one, not yet arrived at the age of maturi-
ty fighting on the side of liberty, when
his parents and all his relations were
jealous and active partisans on the op-
posite side.
1t may with truth be said that hun
drcds and thousands took side, during the
American Revolution, from accident or
incident while it is not denied that the
great mass of the people were actuatcd by
princi pie in their resistance to tyranny
and oppression. But it would seem that
Jordan Montjoy espoused the cause Of his
| country in the same manner that Sir ohm
Fa!staff is alleged to have known Prince
Hal, in his encounter with the robbers
1t was not reason or reflection which
taught him that right and Justice were on
the side he took, for he was too young to
reason or have reflection on the matter
Nor was he governed in his choice by in
terest, for this would have prompted him
to have taken the side of his father and
relations. He must then have known
that liberty was the true and lawful i'll
heritance ofhis countrymen, and that duty
required him to forsake his father and
mother, and cleave unto it with ardent
and Unsuitable feelings of love.
The parents Of Jordan Montioy were
tories of the deepest dye, and their house
was place of common rendezvous for the
6 bloody scout" when in Spartanburgh
District. All the meetings of the tories
in that part Of the country were held there
and devastation were there formed and
concocted. No wings ever visited the
house through social intercourse, or deem
cd it prudent SO to do under any circum-
stances, unless with a strong escort. Jor-
dan associated with none but the friends
of his father; and seldom saw any Of
those who were opposed 10 him; yet he
felt a.secret partiality for those he knew
not, and whose principles he never heard
mentioned, except with execration -
He was thought by his friends to be too
young to be of service to them, and was
therefore suffered TO remain at home in
peace and quietude. Their schemes and
plans, however, were not concealed from
him, and he had free access to all their
deliberations and meetings.
1t was during one of these meetings Of
the "bloody scout that he became cog
infant of deep-laid scheme to surprise
and capture The company of" liberty men, -
under the command of Capt. Thomas Far
row, of Daurens district. No sooner had
he heard Of their arrangements than he
mounted fleet horse, and put of post
haste to inform the Wings Of their danger
and contemplated destruction. Captain
Farrow Immediately determined to take
advantage of the timely warning, and sur
prise the tories by an attack that night.
This he did successfully and turned the
scale against the g bloody SCOUT to the
terror and confusion of their friends in
the neighborhood. This traitorous act
Of young Montjoy became known 10 the
tories, and they threatened his death on
sight. In consequence of their threats
and the disp!easurc of his parents and
relations, he had to leave home forever
and take up his abode in the American
camp. He became in short time one OF
the most active, entcrprising and daring
partizans of whom the Wings could boast.
He was always sent out to rcconnoitre
and spy out the movements of the tories.
In one of these adventures near his fa-
ther's house, he met a company Of tories,
under noted leader by the name Of Gray,
With the speed of an arrow he dashed
by Gray, fired his pistol in his face, and
made his escape in safety.
For some time during the latter part Of
the Revolution, young Montjoy belonged
to an American garrison on the frontier OF
Georgia. On one occasion while there,
he volunteered to go with small detach-
ment, in pursuit of some Indians, who
had been stealing some horses in the
ncighborhood. The detachment was un-
der the command Of Lieutenant, who
did not exercise that precaution which is
absolutely necessary in the pursuit of In
dians. The detachment was surprised
and all killed except Montjoy and ono
other. Montjoy did not leave the ground
until he had fired his rifle and two pistols,
and seen all his comrades, save one, fall
by his side. He escaped unhurt, although
several balls had passed through his coat
and pantaloons.
On another occasion while in the same
garrison, the Indians became so trouble
some that it was dangerous to venture
out at all. 1t was at the hazard Of ones
life to 90 to the creek or branch within
sight OF the fort. There was an old lady
in the garrison who had horse about this
time which she could get no one to ride
to water for her. Alter making applica-