The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-04-02
THE HEROINE OF WHEELING.

Though we may sing of, and tell about
the hardy men who fought so bravely and
suffered so greatly to establish the princi-
ples of that government under which we
now exist, we must not forget the heroic
women who, as mothers and wives, sent
forth, with eager hearts and cheering
words, their sons and husbands, to the
bitter fields of strife, or as sisters aided to
clothe and equip their brothers. Their
aching hearts were silent, their burning
tears were brushed away, as with smiles
they embrace them at parting. and with
high words of trustiul faith, like the wo-
men Of Sparta, bade them turn not back
upon the conquering foe.
The records OF all ages bear no slight
testimony to the devoted courage of women
and were our own history more perfectly
known, instances of female courage would
be found to parallel the most wonderful
of ancient chronicles. We have now to
record an act performed by young wo-
man during our revolutionary struggle,
which, for nerve and desperatencss, is
scarcely 10 be matched.
In the year 1878, Wheeling, Virginia.
was besieged by large force Of British and
Indians. At this time, the Fort. with an
insufficient force, was under the command
OF Col. Silas Zane. brave and merito-
rious officer Distant from this, about
eighty yards, and outside the wall, was
situated black-house, in which was Col,
Ebenezer Zane, brother of Silas, and
the senior officer, with few men. There
were several women in the Fort, and "a
mong them at the time, was Elizabeth
Zane, sister Of the Colonel. She was
a young woman of extraordinary beauty,
having a tai! and finely. y.tormed figure,
with head like Juno; black eye, mild
and firm in its expressions; voice soft and
musical as Lutte; and with an expression
of countenance as bland as Italian skies,
though beneath it might slumber passions
as warm as the fires Of Vesuvius. ltmay
be supposed that many soldiers eye fol.
lowed her wistiully, as in days Of quiet
she roamed about the Fort, or strolled for
a walk in company with one of her broth
e... Many a proposal had been made in
vain. Officers of high rank had sued for
her, and many gallant enterprise was
undertaken in her name, but all to no ef-
feet. so far as winning her affections went.
She was not one of those light-witted wo-
men, 10 be caught by fine show and fine
professions. AS far as the heart went, she
placed no difference between high.nod-
ding plumes, and the last man in the ranks
the last man, not the least. She was
above that age whom young women are
most apt to be caught by fine compli-
ments, or dashing appearances; but plain
and direct in her manner, it was her study
to give no encouragement to the attentions
of her numerous suitors.
Yet, from this description, the reader
must not infer that she was not suscepti-
Bile to the softer passion Of love. Far
from it, for her troth was at that time
plighted; nor could the most ambitious
thought in the world have tempted her to
swerve from the sanctity of vows made to
the lover of her choice-made as all low
ers' oaths are, in the quiet evening hour,
and Witnessed by the moon, that lovers
planet, and "all the starry hosts ofheaven
Among the soldiers in the Fort, at this
time, none was greater favorite with off,
GERS and men than Ashley Harper. Bold,
adventurous and generous almost to a
fault. po, hazardous expedition was pro-
jected in which he was not always ready
10 volunteer; and many desperate ad-
venture, and many forlorn hope had
seen him face the savage foe with odds
against him; and while powder flashed and
bayonsts cleaned, he was sure to be found
il the hottest oi the fray. On two occa-
ssions, had he saved the life Of his superior
officer, when the tomahawk glittered with