Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1856-09-19
THRILLING ADVENTURE OF LIEU
TENANT SLOCUM.

TENANT |SLOCUM.
From Mrs Elett's "Women of the
Revolution" we draw the following in
.teresting sketch: When Lord CORVALLIS
set out from Wilmington with the avow>
ed purpose Of conquering Virginia, be-
eucaDped, on the march from Halifax,
on the Neuse, in what is now WAYNE
county North Carolina. His head quar-
ters were at SPringbank, while Colonel
Tarleton, with his renowned legion, en-
camped on the plantation of Lieuten-
ant Slocum. This consisted of level and
extensive fields, which, at that season,
presented most inviting view of rich
yerdure from the mansion -house. Lord
CORVALLIS himself. gave it the name of
" Pleasant Green,'' which it ever after
wards retained The owner Of this fine
estate held subaltern's commission in
the State line under Colonel Washing
ton, and was in command of troop of
light horse, raised in his own neighbor-
hood, whose duty it was to act AS ran-
gers. securing the country for many
mile around, watching the movements
Of the enemy, and furnishing the loyal
lists when detected in their vocation OF
pillage' and murder. These excursions
had been frequent for two, or three years
past, and were often OF several weeks du-
ration. At the present time. Slocum
had returned to the vicinity, and had
been sent with twelve or fifteen recruits
to act as scouts in the neighborhood of
the British general. The morning OF
the day ON which Tarleton took posses
sion of his plantation, he was, near
Springbank, and reconuoitered the en-
campment Of CORVALLIS, which he sup>
posed to be his whole force. He then,
with his party, pursued his way slowly
back in the direction of his own house,
little dreaming that his beautiful and,
peaceful home, where, some time before,
be had left his wife and child, was then
in the possession of the terrible Tar!e-
ton.
|. During these frequent exclusions Of
the rangers, and the necessary absence
Of her husband, the superintendence of
the plantation had always devolved up
on Mrs. Slocum. She depended for
protection. upon her slaves, whose fdel-
isy she had proved. and upon her own
fearless and intrepid spirit. The scene
of the occupation of her house, and Tarle-
toms residence with her, are drawn from
her own relation.
1t was about 10 o'clock, on beautiful
spring morning that splendid dressed
officer, accompanied by two aids, and
followedla short distance by a guard Of
some twenty troopers, dashed up to the
piazza in front of the ancient. looking
mansion. Mrs. Slocum was sitting there,
with her child aud anear relative, a Young
lady who afterward became the wife Of
Major Williams. A few house servants
were also on the piazza.
The officer raised his cap. and bowing
o'his horses neck; addressed the lady
with the question:
" Have l the pleasure Of seeing the
mistress OF this house and plantation"
It belongs 70 my husband"
g Is he at home
He is not"
."Is he a rebel'
'"No. sir. Heis In the army OF his
country, fighting against our invaders /;
therefore, not rebel ?'
1T is not a little singular that. although
the people-of that period gloried in their
rebellion, they always took offence at be-
ing called rebels. .ssz
IL fear. Madam" said sthe officer.
"that We differ in opinion. A friend. TO
his country will. be q friend to the king.
our msster.'H
ss"SlaHes only, acknowledge master
ip this country 4. replied the lady -.
s A, deep flush crossed the shorid cheeks
Of arleton, for he was the speaker, and
turning 10 one Of his aids, he ordered
him. TO pitch the tents. and form the en-
campment in the orchard and field on
the right. To the other aids his orders
were to- detach q quarter guard and sta.
tion, piquets on the road. Then, bow.
ling very low, lie added g Madam, The
EserviceSof bis Majesty requires the tenn,
porary occupation 81 your property and
| If il viii not be too great inconEeniencs
1 will talra t,r, ,s,.s ..,..,-4,-.