Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-08-21

il;lQ accomplished Ills laSk, I messenger iron
Sumter arrived with the unwclcome intelli
gence that Rawdon had succeeded in passin!
i him and was pushing on rapidly for Ninet,
Six. The crisis had now come Greene mus
either hazard an assault upon the fort ere hi
works were in complete readiness, risk bat
tie with Rawdon, or retire over the Salud
and thus give confidence and strength to th'
tories and royalist army. His first determine
tion was to meet the relieving army unde
Rawdon, but everything depending on hi:
not giving the enemy, at this particular crisi:
of affairs in the South, victory, and seeing
that his force was much inferior to that o:
the British, he resolved to make an attack
upon the fort, and if not successful in rcdu.
cling it, to retire with his army towards North
Carolina before Rawdon came up.
The 18TH of June 1881, was the day chosen
for this assault But made, as it was, with
the besicgers' works incomplete, though the
men fought with desperate courage, the fort
was successfully defended, and Gen. Greene
ordered his troops to retire, after they had
suffered the loss of one hundred and eighty
five killed and wounded
Nothing WAS now left but retreat For
some twcnty-six days the bcseiging army had
been at work before the fort, and in three
days more, all their arrangements would
have been completed and the post fallen into
their hands. 1t was therefore deeply morti-
fying and dispiriting to be forced to retire,
Just as success was about crowning their
efforts. But far-secing, prudent, and looking
moro to future results than present triumphs,
Greene on the 10Th commenced retreating
towards the Saluda, which river he passed in
safety, and moved forward with all possible
dispatch for the Enoree. Before his rear
guard had left the south Of this river, the van
of Lord Rawdon's army appeared in pursuit.
But the British commander hesitated to make
an attack upon Grccre's cavalry, which was
under the command Of Lee and Cal -liL--h:-5-
ton, and was brave, wcll-disciplined ard
superior troop, and so permitted them to pass
the Enoree unmolestcd. While Lord Raw
don paused ut this point, undetermined which
course 10 pursue, Gen. Greene moved on to-
wards the Broad River, where he halted and
made his encampment.
Such was the aspect of affairs at the time
our story begins-a story of womans self
devotion and heroism. Near the place where
Gen Greene had halted with his weary and
disheartcncd troops, stood the unprctcndng
residence of country farmer, in moderate
circumstances His name was Gciger. He
was i true friend of the American cause, and
but for i'll health, that rendered linn unable
to endure the fatigues Of the camp, would
have been under arms in defence of his coun-
try The deep interest felt in the cause of
liberty by Gciger, made him ever on the alert
for Information touching the progress Of
affairs in his State, and the freedom with
which he expressed his opinions created him
hosts of enemies among the evil-minded to-
ries with whom he was surrounded. Geiger
had an only daughter, eighteen years of age.
who was imbucd with her fathers spirit.
"If Iwere only man." she would often
say, when intelligence came of British or
tory outrages, or when news was brought Of
some reverse to the American arms. elf |
were only Il MIN, that could fight for my
country"
On the third day of Gen. Grcenc's encamp-
mcnt near the residence of Geigcr, neigh
Dor dropped in.
"What news :" asked the farmer.
"Lord Rawdon has determined TO abandon
the fort at Ninety Six
"Arc you certain?"
"Yes, Gen. Greene received the information
this morning Rawdon has dispatched intel
ligence to Col. Stuart to advance with bis
regiment from Charleston TO Fridays Ferry
on the Congaree, where he will join lin i'm
mediately. He leaves Cruger at Ninety Six
who is to move, rs soon as possible, with lis
bloody tory recruits and their property, and
take route that will put the Edsto between
him and our forces Moving down the south.
crn bank of this river to Orangcburg, he will
thence make junction with Rawdon al
Fridays Ferry"
"Then they will divide their force" said
Gciger, eagerly.
"Ycs."
.And give Greene IN advantage by whicl
he will not be slow to profit. Crugcr vii
not be 4 day on the march before our Gene
raj will make his acquaintance
"No," replied the ncighbor. "If I hcart
Alright, it is Gen. Grccne's intention TO pur
sue Rawdon. and strike more decisive blow.
sWhy did he not encounter him at th'
Saludr, when the opportunity oilcrcd?''
"Gen. Sumter was not with him
"Nor is nc now.'
sAnd, fear, will not join him, as he 81
mach desires
"For what rcason?" inquired Gciger.
.IIc finds no one willing to become bcarc