Smyrna times., 1857-11-04
An Interesting Story.
EXPLOITS OF A WOMAN CAPTAIN
CAPTAIN MOLLY, THE STORY OF A BRAVE
WOMAN, BY THRACE TALMoN.


CAPTAIN MOLLY, THE Story OF A BRAVE
WOMAN, BY THRAcE TALMoN.
1t was sultry morning in the last of June.
The inhabitants were all astir with the know
ledge that the two armies were in their midst,
and by the probability that battle would ensue.
The American army was disposed by Wash
ington in such an dacent position as to be able
to harass the enemy in the rear, and take ad-
vantage of the first movement. Early in the
morning notice was given that the van of the
enemy was in motion.
The actien commenced in full view of the
house of Hollis and Molly. Hollis at once put
on his military suit. The spirit which anima-
ted every true American was newly aroused by
this spectacle, and he was impatient to mingle
in the strife.
Giving his wife parting caress he quickly
left the house. Molly soon saw him performing
the duty of cannonier, and she watched his mo-
tiOns with the deepest interest. The day be-
came intensely warm; Molly thought, Hollis
will suffer thirst. ! will carry him pitcher of
water from the cold spring." The housekeeper
tried TO dssuade her from the purpose.
IL shall go. How good the water will taste
to him, struggling so hard in this heat !"
He was loading and discharging the cannon
with admirable GOODNESS, while the enemy's
balls whizzed about his head. He had never
before looked so glorious 10 Molly, save when
he was about to sacrifice his pine tree, the OBJ
ject of savage ire. At the cold spring, few
yards from the house, she 6lled her pitcher
with water, and recollectng Hollis liking for
spearmint, she broke off few leaves fer hirt.
lie blessed her in low voice, as he received
her Offering. Molly ran back, regardless of the
many eyes which had been attracted by her
white muslin dress amid the bloody strife
Once more she filed the pitcher to carry to
Hollis, when she saw him fall, killed by shot
from the enemy.
"Take that cannon away said Gen. Wayne
to one of the soldiers; we cannot fll the post
by as brave a man as has been killed.
"No," returned Molly with face like death,
yet calm in it's inspiration of bravery heighten-
edto heroism, the cannon shall not be removed
for want Of some one to serve it; since my
brave husband is no more, will exert myself
to the utmost to aveDge his DEATH"
t"There !" she exclaimed, after the first fire,
stake that, ye renorseless Englishmen! and
wait for the next
At every shot she dealt destruction.
&Whom have we here" asked Washington,
-ttracted to the spot by the singular spectacle.
An angel of the hosts of Michael. The
power Of hell would drop before her!' replied
Gen. Wayne.
Molly now determined on a coup de mGitre.
Accordingly she reloaded the cannon with dou-
bic the ordinary quota-thcn charged. A ter
ribIe crash succeeded. The cannon was broken
into fragments! Three British soldiers were
killed, an officer of high rank mortally wound
ed, many of those standing about were thrown
down, and general confusion prevailed. Molly,
thrown several feet into the air, fell to the
ground with violence. But she soon ralied.-
The soldiers loudly applauded her; but she i'm.
mediately withdrew to her home, followed by
two soldiers bearing the body of her husband.
The next morning she was visited by Generals
Washington, Lafayette, and Wayne. -.s +.
Washington expressed his appreciation of her
action of the day previous, adding, /" / here con.
fer upon you the rank of captain, as testimo
NAL of my regard for your services"
Lafayette begged to salute her, as in hil
country they sa!uted the noble ladies they
wished to honor. and pressed q. kiss on her brow
A few calm words from Washington, and the
visitors departed. After this the people Of
Monmouth called our heroine Captain Molly.
The mother Of Molly was found, on cold