Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-02-14
"silas Issme updertake this enterprise"

"YouvTeplied her brother, viewing her with
astonis6hent "Impossible! Do .saR Know
the danger of the attempt"
"Perfectly," she answered. "Yoashave no
men,to spare. Every one is;needed in defence
of the,for'; and this is the only service ican
render"
"But man would be more feet, Elizabeth,
and more certain of success" said her BROTH
er.
"Still you have no man to spare; and wo-
man would not run the same danger in passing
through the enemy, Besides, i'll fall, shall
not be SO much missed, nor your forces weak.
ened."
The Colonel was affected to tears, and, EN-.
bracing his sister, exclaimed
"Then go! Gods will be done, and may
He protect you'll! -,
A dozen men now spraug forward, prompted
by the devotion of this heroic woman; and Ash
ley Harper, more urgent than the rest, insisted
that it was his right, as he was the first to
propose. But Elizabeth would hear no OBJ
jections for the enterprise. Partially de-
vesting herself of her clothing, in order that her
speed might be less impcded, she'was let out
ut the gate of the ort,followed by the prayers
and blessings Of all within; while, from one of
the efilbrasnres, the anxious eyes of Ashley
Harper followed her, as she fled like a young
roe through the lines of the enemy: Now she
falls Twenty mhskets are raised BY the sava.
ges to stop her progress, but cry ef "Squaw
Squaww saved her.. She reaches the block
house in safety, and is admitted!
A period Of awful suspense awaited them in
the fort. The men were anxious for relief, the
colonel was regrettng that he permitted his sis.
ter to 60, and Ashley Harper was breathing
prayers for her safety.
In the blockshouse the excitement equally as
great, and astonishment was expressed BY every
one at;the intfepfdity Of the maiden. Her bro
ther there etideavored to stay with him, offering
to send one of his own men to the fort with the
powder. But She overru.ed his arguments
with the same logic she had used with her bro
ther Silas, and at last was permitted to return.
A keg of powder. was poured into a table-cloth
.snd she again sailed forth to run that dread
full gauntle..
In the fort, every heart was seating with the
utmost anxiety, aud us the dusky foe was seen
gathering around scarcely vestige ofhope was
left for the safety of the heroic maiden. Still
still prayed her brother silently. Forward she
sped on her return with her precious burthen,
as though her feet were winged, while.the enc.
my, at length suspicious of her errand, were
pouring showers of lead after her. Yet onward
she came unarmed- apparently unalarmed-
preserved by an Omnipotent power, and at
length reached the gate of the fort, which was
thrown open with eagerness to admit her. As
it closed in safety upon the little band within,
it was assaulted with hundred bullets, while
the savages around made the air peal with their
demoniac yells of disappointment and rage
The brother welcomed herwith tears. All
pressed around her.to thank her for her brave
ry, all but Ashley Harper his heart was too
full forexpression. The resnlt of this adventure
was the successful defence of the fort against
the besiegers But ere tire war the revolution
was ended, Ashley Harper slept with the dead
heroes of our country, having fallen at the
battle Of Saunders Greek, in North Carolina,
August I6, 1850. s2s