Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-01-23
4 SKETCH OF THE PAST

We like to treasure up all the historical le-
gepds Of our Revolutionary Struggle. They
are sketches OF the past which grow more val
liable as wear after year passes By, and the in |
cidents theT refer to become moro and more
deeply cnveloped in the haze and mystery OF
tradition. Tie one which follows is full Of in
terest. and furnishes an instance Of courage,
as striking as any connected with. the part ta-
ken by South Carolina in the events of these
troublesome times.
The patriotic enthusiasm which prevailed
among the people during the siege of Augusta
and Cambridge, prompted to numerous acts Of
personal risk and sacrifice. This spirit, en-
couraged by the successes of Sumpter and
others over the British arms, was earnestly
fostered by General Green, whose directions
marked at least the outline of every nnderta-
king In the efforts made to strike q blow at
the invaders power, the sons Of the Martin
family were among the most distinguished for
active service rendered, and for injuries sus-
tained at the enemy's hands. The wives Of
the two eldest, during their absence, remained
at home with their mother-in-aw. One even
ing intelligence came to them that courier,
upper stations, was to pass that night along
the road, guarded by two British officers
They determined to waylay the party, and, at
tho risk of their lives, TO obtain possession OF
the papers.
For this purpose the two young women dis
guised themselves in their husbands clothes,
and being we'll provided with arms, took their
station at point on the road which they knew
the escort must pass. 1t was already late, and
they had not waited long before the tramp oi
horses was heard in the distance. 1t may be
imagined with what anxious expectation The
heroines awaited she approach of the critica
moment on which so much depended. The
forest Solitude around them, the silence Of th'
night, and the darkness, must have added Il
The terrors conjured up by busy fancy. Pres
emily the courier appeared, with bis attendan
guards As they came close to the spot, tn
disguised women leaped from their covert i
the bushes, presented their pistols at the OH
GERS, and demanded the instant surrender c
the party and their dispatches. The me
were completely taken by surprise. and thei
alarm at the sudden attack yielded promI
submission The seeming soldiers put thel
fon their parole, and having taken possesslo
of the papers, hastened home by short ct
through the woods. No time was lost in ser
ding the important documents by trusty me-
scnger TO Gen. Green. The adventure had
singular termination. The paroled officer
thus thwarted in their mission, returned b
the road they had taken, and stopping at Il
house of Mrs. Martin, asked accommodates
as weary travellers, for the night. The no
tess inquired the reason Of their returning
soon after they had passed. They replied /
showing their paroles, saying they had be,
taken prisoners by two rebellads. The ladi
rallied them upon their want of intrepidit
s.IIad you no arms2p was asked. The Office
answered that they had arms, but were allow
no time to use their We apons. They depart
next morning, hayins; -" :. SUSPICION that tA
p"ea 'neir capture to the very women who
Hospitality they had claimed