Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-09-19
THE TRAITOR BOY.


The writer has been indebted to his
friends for many of the incidents which
he has given TO the public; and among
those which have been kindly furnished
him, is the following. II cannot fail to
interest the reader on more accounts than
one. To see boy just able to WELD
the rifle, engaging IN the defence of his
country during the American Revolu-
ton, was no uncommon occurrence. But
it was most extraordinary circum-
stance TO find one, not yet arrived to the
age of maturity, fighting on the side OF
liberty, when his parents and al! his re-
lalions were jealous and active pa:tizalis
OH the opposite side.
1t may with truth be said that hund-
reds and thousands took side. during the
American Revolution, from accideG: G.
interest; while il is not denied ,ha, the
great mass of the people were actuated
by principle in resistance TO tyranny and
oppression. But it seems that Jordan
MonIoy espoused the cause of his coun-
try in the same manner that Sir John
Falstaff is alleged to have known Prince
Hal, in his encounter with the robbers.
II was not reason or reflection which
taught him that right and justice were on
the side he took, for he was too young
to reason or to 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 by instinct that liberty was
the true and lawful inheritance of his
country men, and that duty required him
to forsake father and mother, and cleave
unto il with the ardent and Unsuitable feel
ings Of Jove. #
The parents Of Jordan MonIoy were
tories of the deepest dye, aud their house
was the place of common rendezvous
for the "bloody scouts" when in Spar
t.nburgh District. All the meetings of
the tories in that part of the country
q. were held there, and their schemes and
plans of murder and devastation were
there formed and concocted. No wings
ever visited the house through social in
tercourse, or deemed it prudent SO to do
under any circumstances, unless with a
strong escort. Jordan associated with
none but the friends of his father, and
seldom saw any Of those who were op-
posed to him; yet he felt a secret partial
i,y for those whom he knew not, and
whose principles he never heard men,
toned, except with execration. He was
thought by his friends TO be too young
TO be of service to them, and was there
fore 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 delib-
erations and meetings.
II was during one of these meetings
of the sbloody scout" that he became
cognizant O! deep-laid scheme to sur
prise and capture company of ''liberty
men," under the command of Captain
Thomas Farrow, of Laurens District
No sooner had he heard Of all their ar
rangements than he mounted feet
horse, and pu. off post.haste to inform
the wings of their danger and contempla.
ted destruction. Capt. Farrow imme-
liately determined to take advantage of
the timely warning, and surprise the to-
ries by an attack that night. This he
did successfully, and turned the scale a.
gainst the "bloody scouts" to the terror
and confusion of their friends in the
neighborhood. This traitorous act of
young Monjoy became known TO the
tories. and they threatened his death on
sight. In consequence Of their threats
and the high displeasure of his parents
and relations, he had to leave home for.
ever, and take up his abode in the Amer
ican camp. He became in short time
one of the most active, enterprising and
Sang par,izans Of whom the wings
,io,s boast. He was always sent out
sonnoitre and spy out the move
sof the tories. In one Of these