The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-04-02
WOODSFIELD, OHIO, WEDNESDAY,, APRIL 2, 1851.

You are the man expected would vol
unteer for this service. Go, and God pro-
tect you! If they see you from the block
house, they will try to cover you with their
fire. Self-possesson is your only hope.
Now away, while the enemy are partially
Withdrawn.
But here Elizabeth stepped forward, and
addressing her brother, said
Silas, let me undertake this enterprise'
You? replied her brother, viewing her
with astonishment. Impossible! Do you
know the danger of the attempt?
Perfectly; she answered, You have no
men TO spare. Every one is needed in
the defence of the fort; and this is the only
service can render.
But a man would be more fleet. Eli
zabeth; and moro certain OF success; said
her brother.
Still you have no man to spare; and a
woman would not run the same danger in
passing through the enemy. Besides, if |
fall, shall not be so much missed, nor
your forces weakened
The colonel was affected to tears, and
embracing his sister, exclaimed
Then 90! Gods will be done, and may
He protect you!
dozen men now sprang forward,
prompted by the devotion of this heroic
woman; and Ashley Harper, more urgent
than the rest, insisted that it was his right,
as he was the first to propose. But Eli.
zabeth would hear no objections, and at
once began to make preparations for the
enterprise. Partially divesting herself of
her clothing, in order that her speed might
be the less impeded, she was let out at the
gate of the fort, followed by the prayers
and blessings Of those within; while from
one of the embrasures, the anxious eyes
Of Ashley Harper followed her, as she fled
like young roe through the lines of the
enemy. Now she falls! Twenty muskets
are raised by the savages to stop her pro-
gress; but cry of Squaw! squaw, saved
her. She reaches the block-house in safe.
ty, and is admitted!
period of awful suspense awaited
them in the fort. The men were anxious
for relief. the colonel was regretting that
he permitted his sister to 60, and Ashley
Harper was breathing prayers for her
safety.
In the block-house, the excitement was
equally as great, and astoni,hment was
expressed by every one at the intrepidity
of the maiden. Her brother there per-
suaded her to stay with him, offering 10
send one of his own men 10 the fort with
the powder. But she over-ruled his ar.
guments with the same logic she had used
with her brother Silas, and was at last per.
mitted to return. A keg of powder was
poured into table cloth, and she again
sailed forth to run the desperate gauntlet.
In the fort, every heart was beating with
the utmost anxiety; and, as the dusky foe
was seen gathering around, scarce ves-
tage Of hope was left for the safety Of the
heroic maiden. Still watched her lover
from the embrasure, and still prayed her
brother silently. Forward she sped on
her return with her precious burden, as
though her feet were winged, while the
enemy, at length suspicious of her errand
were pouring showers of lead at her,
Yet onward she came unharmed-appa.
rently unalarmed-preserved by an Om-
nipotent power; and at length reached the
gate OF the fort, which was thrown open
with eagerness to admit her. As it closed
with safety upon the little band within, it
was assaulted with a hundred bullets,
while the savages around made the air
peal with demoniac yells of disappoint-
ment and rage. The brother welcomed
her with tears. All pressed around her to
thank her for her bravery-all but Ashley
Harper; his heart was too full for express
sion.
The result Of this adventure was the
successful defence of the fort against the
besiegers. But ere the war Of the revolu-
ton was ended, Ashley Harper slept with
the dead heroes of our country, having
fallen at the battle Of Saunders creek, in
North Carolina, August l6, 1880.