New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1853-07-26
THE HEROINE OF THE SALUDA.


THE HEROINE OF THE SALUDA.
BY T. X. W,
In the District Of Fairfield South Carolina
there lived, during the American revolution,
an honest old German farmer, who, amidst all
the infections of tory atmosphere, remained
true to the cause OF the land of his adoption, an
earnest, ardent, uncompromising advocate Of
independence, and although not under arms, a
valuable auxiliary in the struggle for American
nationality. His name was Hans Griger and
although himself an emigrant, he had reared
around him family of sons and daughters Of
American soil, all of whom partook of the old
man political sentiments In fact, his b use
hold presented what in those days might be re-
garded almost as anomaly, an entire family
of true-blue wings. But with all his zeal and
whole e-heartedness, Hans was constrained to 10
what he did with great caution and secrecy, for
he lived among those who would catch at any
disloyalty to the king as a pretext for violence
and outrage The safety, not only of his proper
ty, but OF his person and the persons Of those
WHO relied on him for protection, were at stake
There were tory eyes upon him, and the vindic-
tive hatred Of that class Of spirits towards any,
thing like rebellion, is too well known TO doubt
the result OF any appearance of disloyalty on
the part of the quiet old farmer So he kept his
own counsel, and when urged by them to take
account OF old age, and the duties devolving
upon him in the care of his young, but upgrow-
ing family. But on the other hand, he lost no
opportunity of conveying useful information to
| the commanding officers of the patriot forces,
which, from time to time, entered the district
in opposition to the invaders of the province
Emily Griger was the eldest child of this faith
ful, but unobtrusive old patriot At that time
eighteen years of age, she had been reared in
rl,A, 1,,,,,
and German economy. She could bake tbs
| bread brew the malt, wash the clothes, milk
the cows, or, if need be, drive the oxen upon the
| plantation Of her father. Yet, with all these
solid accomplishments, those of n more delicate
and efteminate nature were not forgotten and
in her character were blended with the useful
| the most virtuous and gentle attributes of her
sex. She possessed a tender heart and clear
judgment; Il lively sense alike of her duties to
| her God, her country and her fellow -mortals
exhibiting character at once firm, free and
| amiable,
| At the time of which l write, an organized
band Of tories, sustained by few British
i troops, had completely swept over the neigh
boring district of Niuety-Six, and fortified
| themselves in the village of that name, from
which scouts were continually securing the
whole province, carrying with them the brand
of an incendiary and the dagger of the assassin
the whole being under the command of that in
| famous and notorious tory, John Cruger, a ma
tive of the city of New York at that time hold
| ing Il commission of Lieutenant Colonel from the
enemies of his native land
| Toreduee this horde of villains and drive them
/ from their stronghold, the American General
Greene, was dispatched, but with force made
quate to the task. lie had laid siege TO thC
fortress of Nnety-Six, but finding it stronger
than had been supposed, was compelled to sub
init to the delay necessary to the erection o
| counterworks, and finally began the assault
But as the details of this stern encounter are
familiar in history, ! shall not dwell upon them
suffice it to say that, when the tory commander
| was on the point Of surrender, information wa.
conveyed to him that Lord Rawdon, having
heard of his critical situation, was at that mo
ment near at hand with sufficient force for hi
Succor. The effect of this information, while i
inspired the garrison with renewed energy, wa
most disastrous upon the besierers, and Genera
Greene found himself compelled to raise the sieg,
and withdraw his little force. He hastily cross
ed the Sauda river, and retreated in the diree
ton of the Ennoree, leaving the tories still mas
ters of the district. Lord Rawdon, after reach
ing the fortress of Ninety Six, and finding a.
safe, set out in pursuit of General Greene, bu
eventually deemed it prudent to give up til
chase and turn his attention to the oceupatio
of Fridays ferry at CRANKY, and the concentra
tlon OF strong 1orce at that place, WIN I'll
ultimate view of sweeping the entire continer
tai power from the province. 10 prevent til
plan, General Greene determined TO lntercel
the expected reinforeements OF the british com
manuer, anu accordingly haitea on the bahks {
the Saluda, in the immediate vicinity OF our ol
I friend Hans Griger.
10 "GcollPlisu us ~ eaosioa,s ',a :,
uehelai ureene o,a aon,,' ns,;a al g Sna,',a,
strucuons 10 oehtraLs .I. 'aiion anu suripegi
VINO were tneh wiz ,ne, ~
securing ,he country sohewlieEe ere pe.Meeh VI VI
Edsto anu Sahtee rivers out 'he precise pos
tion OF either was unkno"n' anu us the ehtif
district was oVefruh WIN Preoatory parties
lhe enemy, 'he cohseynnee u nle;sase W ei'ii,
was Ifust ol great uiincul!y anu aahger,
lact' tne a..enipt was GohslueIeu iatal 10 az az
one VINO s1ouiu possess 'ne haruii,oou 10 unue'
lahe H. hot wishing 10 ioroe outy 50 critic
''i0, ilazaruous upon any VI ms h,eu, uispiti.'
~ .hey were, III ohseluei.oc u tneir ~ ~.
,tcnt rom the assault upon Hlne'y DIN, :.
4 "eher'i caiieu lol noioh'veie I "io Neie VIM