Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1851-11-12
THE rRAIToR ROY.

following, II cannot fail to interest the
reader on more accounts than one. To
see hoy lust able to WELD his rifle, en-
gaging in defence of his country during
the American Revolution, was no uncom-
mon occurrence, But it was most ex-
traordinary circumstance to find one, not
yet arrived at the age of maturity, fight
ing on the side of liberty, when his pa
rents and all his relations were jealous
and active partisans on the opposite side.
1t may with truth be said that hun
dreds 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 actuated
by principle 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
1hn Falstaff is alleged to have known
| ! nee Hall, in his encounter with the
.bers. 1t was not reason or reflection
\ taught him that right and justice
We. 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 interest 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 inheritance of his countrymen, and
that duty required him to forsake father
and mother, and cleave unto it with ar
dent and Unsuitable feelings of love.
The parents of Montjoy were tories of
the deepest dye, and their house was a
place of common rendezvous for the
"bloody scout when in Spartanburg
District. All the meetings of the tories
in that part of the country were held
there, and their schemes of plan and MUIR
der and devastation were there formed
and concocted. No Wings ever visited
the house through social intercourse, or
deemed it prudent so to do under any cir
cumstances, unless with strong escort
Jordan associated with none but friends
of his father; and seldom saw any of
those who were opposed to him; yet he
felt secret Partially 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 company of elderly men,
under the command of Capt Thomas Far
row, of Daurens distict No sooner had
he heard of all their arrangements than
he mounted fleet horse, and put off
post-haste to inform the Wings of their
danger and contemplated destruction.
Captain Farrow Immediately determined
to take advantage, of the timely warning,
and surprise the tories by an attack that
night This he did successfully, and
turned the scale against the "bloody
scout" to the terror and confusion of
their friends in the neighborhood. The
traitorous act of Montjoy became known
to the tories, and they threatened his
death on sight, In consequence of their
threats and displeasurc of his parents and
relations, he had to leave home forever,
and take up his abode in the American
camp He become in short time one of
the most active, enterpriSing and daring
pertisans of whom the Wings could boast.
He was always sent out to reeonnotitrn
and spy out the move''.c.,,.,'' i,i' i"'n-
| In nnad"i r,'l'T ineC 'oi"P"t'y VI 'ol'CS,
under noted leader by the name of
GRAY. With the speed of an arrow he
dashed by Gray, fred his pistol in his
face, and made his escape in safety,
For cOme time during the latter part of
tho revolution, young Montjoy belonged
I,o an American garrison on the frontier
of Georgia. On one occasion, while there,
he volunteered to go with small detach-
ment in purs'it of some Indians, who
had been stealing some horses in the
neighborhood. lie detachment was nm
der the command OF Lieutenant, who
did not exercise that P,caution which is
absolutely necessary in t., pursuit of In
dams. The detachment %as surprised
and all killed except Months, and one
otlvi. Montjoy did not lave the
ground until he had fired hAri6c and
two pistols, and seen all his cGoradcs
save one, fall side by side. He eAaned
unhurt, although several balls had las.
sed through his coat and pantaloons. \
On another occasion while in the same(
garrison, the Indiant became so trouble
some that it was dangerous to venture
out at all, 1t was at the hazard of ones
life to go to the creek or branch within
sight of the fort. There was an old wo-
man who had horse about this time
which she could get no one to ride to
water for her. After making application
to several, she asked Montioy if he would
be SO obliging as to risk his life in riding
her horse to water, Without any sort Of
hesitation, Jordan complied with the old
lady's request, took his pistols, mounted
his h sc and rode to the creek. While |
the horse was drinking, he discovered an
Indian slipping from the bushes nearest
the fort and befort he could wheel, the