Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-03-06


a scouting party of the enemy made de-
scent upon the farm of Seth Wilson, and
under pretence OF his having made himself
eminently serviceable to the rebel cause,
and hence dangerously obnoxious to 'the
King" aud commander of his valiant for
ces, they captured the farmer, his mother,
sister, wife, and some four or five slaves,
whom, after pllaging and burning the
homestead, they carried off as trophies, TO
the headquarters of the commander-in-
chief, General Prescott.
AT the approach of this party of the enc
my, Black Jack gave the alarm, of which
however, Wilson could not avail himself
10 any great extent, and in hopes of escap-
ing any very serious injury, he made no
resistance against the approach or action of
the marauders. Black Jack, fearing seri-
Gus injury to himself, if captured, and trust
ing 10 the chances of being more beneficial
to his mistress and friends, by being at lib
erty, than by accompanying them in their
| bondage, he concealed himself near the
house until the enemy, having executed
his commission, fred the buildings and was
retiring. The faithful negro, as he saw his
weeping mistress borne of by the rude SOL
dprs, came from his concealment, and cry
ed out
"Nebber mind, missus, don't he afraid,
Pse nBt gwione TO desert YOU! Keep good
sperrits, massa Seth; I'll appear to you
atore long-iotch you all back from dem
cursed Britishers; dat's a fact, | will
| Shuah :"
A few balls whistled about the faithful
servants head and body, as he concluded
his speech and fed.
Wilson and his female companions, with
the slaves, were duly taken TO the head
quarters of General Prescott, ard no sooner
had the rustic loveliness of the young wild
ow caught his eye, than he decided the
fate OF her brother-he was at once destin-
ed to be sent to New York as dangerous
man-there 10 await the SOW process of
subduing the rebels at large and try and
condemn them in squad The ladies and
slaves were retained; the former being ten
dered the hospltaliies Of the British Cen
erals mansion-the property of an afiu-
ent family that had fled upon the approach
of the "King's English" The slaves were
retained as servants to his lordship aud lel-
low officers.
Twas q .G9, -y,ail.i that the women mpiored
! the British 10 permit them TO seek tneir
friends, or at least accompany the son, oto,
,her and husband, in their captivity. NO 4!
the General had other motives IN view !;
he sought by persuasive, honled words, to
win the widow to his purpose, and was 'he
more persevering as he found IN ner 'He
Greater obstinacy to listen to viper-lke pro-
tes,ations; and when at last, his patience
was exhausted. as well as his stock OF fine
saving, anger usurped other passions anI
he determined to effect by lear ana com
pulsion, that winch sofl, soothing WORD
had tailed to accomplish.
Some ten days of irksome and most un
hannv confinement at the British head
quarters had elapsed, and the spirits oil III
captured women began to droop benea'
the infections, no, only of the most unga
lort detention. but the hated importunltIf
Of Prescott and his "stali." They had a
most forgotten the poor slaves par''n
words. but he had not forgotten his prom
ise and no time was lost by the iai1h'
fellow in seeking means to perform so'i
ya,orous act that might convince his M
e tress of his affection and integrity II II q
not procure herself and friends freedom
Near bv, in the neighborhood OF Iio'
lands Ferry, a small body OF America
were eucamped, and under the comma
of one Col. Barton. Barton was a man
No. surpassing courage and great ardor IN |
-, cause of his country. To this camp, bIa
on Jack the slave, bent his hurried Steps
mt Among the Americans, was orolher
los lacks late master, young man ol inlrel
cir address and approved patriotism, as app,e
-; n have heeu a common trait in the ch
his acters OF the men of the Revolution
Ing To these gallant men did the slave &C
red mun;cate this last act of sacrilege and
pa preston, on the part OF the InvaderS-V
led, save the peaceful farmers roof to the IL;
.om ano carried off the unoilending occup'
lose of the homestead to captivity and the q
the ters of armed and ruthless invaders.
TO .sBy heaven =" said young Wilson,
i've had command of this company, ia hes
lost not to plan and execute ioray that sh
" "What" asked Col. Barton, who O
Bri- heard the exclamation.
q Is "Rescue my brothers wife and ire
und. or add my own dead body to the bI
men conouest." was the spirited reply.
1 the "Then follow me-" said the Col
,e lot sand these brave men, and before
4 on night, at farthest, we will not only II
and your friends, but seize their very ca
hero commander, and bear him off to an a
,ry- can camp or prison." =,
british A "hurra" graced thisspeech OF the
NV in onel, who charged the men to keep
4 Bri- be steady, firm, and rely uPon,. his
lewd ment aud the smile OF God and librr
de no cain a decisive victory over the III
word, foe.
s. wo. .Come here, my fine fellow" sa
Rhode Colonel, viewing the immense proP'
| Seth Of the burly slave, as he stood at re
er and full distance, awaiting recogn''ory 81
igence commission. ,;,r
The "What's your name, sir p coh''nu
heir to Colonel.
psband, "John, sir, dey alters call me
llow of Black Jack, SIR"
-: -, .sIuu nv 6ne fellow, how wot