Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-09-11
INDIANA STATE SENTINEL.
The Traitor Boy.

AN INCIDENT" OF The
The writer has been indebted to his friends fol
many Of the incidents which he has given TO the pub
lie; and among those which have been kindly furn
ished him, the following. II cannot fail to ineres
the reader more accounts than one. To see ool
just able to WELD the rifle, engaging in the defence
Of his country during the American Revolution, was
no uncommon occurrence But If was a most extra
ordinary circumstance TO find one, not yet arrived al
the age of maturity, fighting the side of liberty
when bis parents and all his relations were zealou:
and active partizans the opposite side.
II may with truth be said that hundreds and thou
sands took side, during the American Revolution
from accident incidents while it is not denied that
the great mass of the people actuated by prin
ciple in their resistance to tyranny and oppression
But il would seem that Jordan Montjoy espoused the
of his country i'm the same manner that Sir
John Falstaff is alleged to have known Prince Hal
in his encounter with the robbers TWAS not reason
reflection which taught him that right and justice
were on the side he took for he was too young TO
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 by
instinct that liberty the and lawful inherit
ance of his countrymen and that duty required him
to forsake father and MOTHER and cleave unto with
ardent and Unsuitable feelings of love.
The parents of Jordan Montjoy were tories of the
deepest dye, and their house was place of common
rendezvous for the 6 bloody scout - when In Spar
tanburgh District All the meetings of the tories in
that part of the country 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 intercourse, or deemed il
prudent so to do under any circumstances, unless
with strong escort Jordan associated with none
but the friends Of his father; and seldom any oil
those who were opposed to him; yet he felt secret
p3rtiality for those whom 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 there
fore suffered to remain at home in peace and quie
tude. Their schemes and plans, however, were not
concealed from him, and he had free access to al
their deliberations and meetings.
1t was during Of these meetings of the bloody
scout" that he became cognizant of deep-laid
scheme to surprise and capture a company OF lib
crty men, " under the command of Captain Thomas
Farrow, of Laurens District. No sooner had he
heard Of all their arrangements than he mounted d
fleet horse, and put off posthaste to inform the
Wings of their danger and contemplated destruction
Captain Furrow Immediately determined TO take adj
vantage of the timely warning, and surprise the TO
ries by attack that night This he did successful
Iy, and turned the scale against the bloody scout
to the terror and confusion of their friends in the
neighbOrhood This traitorOus act of young Mont
JOY became known to the tories and they threatened
his death on sight In consequence OF their threats
and the high dspleasure of bis parents and relations
he had to leave home forever and take up his abode
In the American camp. He became in a short time
of the most active enterprising and daring par
tizans of whom the Wings could boast. He was al
ways sent out TO reconnoitre and spy out the move
ments Of the tories In of these adventures
his fathers house, he met company OF tories, un
der a noted leader by the name Of Gray. With the
speed of arrow he dashed by Gray, fired his piS-
tol in his face, and made his escape in safety.
For some time during the latter part of the Revo
luton, young Monijoy belonged to an American
garrison on the frontier of Georgia. On one coca
sion, while there, he volunteered TO go with small
detachment, in pursuit of some Indians, who haf
been stealing some horses in the neighborhood The
detachment was under the command Of a Lieutenant
who did not exercise that precaution which is abso
lutely necessary in the pursuit of Indians. The de
tachment was surprised and all killed except Mont
JOY and other MontjOy did notleave the grounC
until he had fired his rifle and two pistols, and seer
all his comrades, save one fall side by side. He eS
capped unhurt, although several balls had passed
through his coat and pantaloons.
On another occasion while in the same garrison
the Indians became troublesome that twas danger
Gus to venture out at all. 1t was at the hazard o
ones life to 90 10 the creek or branch within sigh
of the fort. There was an old lady in the garrison
who had horse about this time which she could ge
no one to ride TO water for her. After making ap
pcation to several, she asked Monijoy if he would
be so obliging to risk his life in riding her horse
to water Without any sort of hesitation, Jordan
complied with the old adys request took his pistols
mounted bis horse; and rode 10 the creek. While
the horse was drinking he discovered Indian slip
ping from the bushes nearest the fort, and before hi
could wheel, the savage had his bride rens in hi
grasp With the ouickness Of thought Jordan drew
his pistol and lodged the contents Of it in The bosom
OF his aSSailant. Such boldness and presence o
mind, such perfect command of HIMSELF under
circumstance so well calculated 10 try the nerve of
lad, acquired for him very deservedy high char
acteT among his associates in arms.
Many other incidents similar to the above, nigh
be related, it is said, Of this youthful hero of thu
Revelation.
Irishisms.