The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-03-19

>css the ha,lihood to undertake il. Not
wishing to force duty So critical and ha.
zarhous upon any Of his men, disri,itcd as
they were in consequence of their late re-
treat from the assault, upon Ninety Six, the
! General called for volunteers who were will
ling 10 undertake it. The call was for some
time answered only with mu,tcred gricvan.
ccs. Wcarird with long and forced march,
es in the van of a pursuing enemy and dis
conrag"d toy temporary reverse, each sol
der c!ung to the present momentary respite
iom hardship toll and carnage None
seemed willing to undertake the fearful re-
| sponsiblitv.
ed character appeared in the drama. A girl
in the carb of a peasant presented herself at
the camp and demanded an audience with
! the Gencral.--With II look Of pleasant sur
prise. the picket inquired.
"Wlat have you to do with the General I"
"l'l!at will tell him." was her answer.
"G""d = exclaimed the picket 50 he
summoned the corporal, who conducted her
to the officer OF the guard, who sen, word
to the officer OF the day WHO, after Il brief
parev: ga!lan,Iv conducted her in person to
the marquee of the General There was 4
| look Ct tinI,iitv, but not Of fear, on the face
OF that young creature, as she passed along
the streets Of the camp under the wondering,
gaze Of the idle so!Iiery, bu. her step was
firm, and her bearing unawcd. 1t was no
strange thing TO see Il wo,naH in the camp
but long before this visitor had reached
headquarters the circumstance of her inprr-
a,ive demand to see the General in person
had been whispered among the men, and
their curiosity was excited. 1t was hard Tor
them to conjecture what mischief might be
brewing under that simple and bomely
garh, and i, was at las; gravcly concluded
| that she mast be spy from the tory camp.
General Greene WAS in no envial,tc humor
at the moment Of her arrival in front Of his
marquee. The messages that he wished to
send to his two generals We're Of immense
Importance, and driven to vexaion by What
| he denominated the pu>ilanimonS spirit Of
his men, who, one and all had, by tacii
silence, refused to convey them, he was in
til" act Of writing I'm Order detailing mes
scnccrs to perform the duty, wien tn" un.
expected visitor WAS announced. No: par
taking of the fancies Of his men, the Grner-
| al ordered that she should be Immediately
brought into his presence, anl accordingly
! she was ushcrcd into the marquee. She
was now really embarrassed, but the Gcncr-
ais vcxa,ion had been changed to = goo,l
naured surprise by the unexpected visit,
and he addressed her with so much case
that in a moment her confidence was re-
stored, as she proceeded 10 make known the
object of the interview.
"Gcncral,' she said, ".hcy tell lis at the
farm that you want person TO carry mes
sage TO General Sumptrr."
81 do, indeed, my good girl, and will
pay handsomely any one who will perform
that service for me-"
Il will do it, if you please, General but
not for pay"
Yes"
Il reckon you know where he is, and I
am sure can find him." she added. with
Cut appearing to notice his looks of astonish
mcnt.
But do you know the danger of the un.
dertaking?" inquired the veteran. There
is not man in my whole army that is vii.
ling TO perform the required duty.
Il don't think it's because they're afraid
to. sir" she replied, dcIica,cIy. THE sol
diers are tired and worn out, and don't
blame them for wanting IL little rest. But
can do it, sir, and nobody will think of sus
pecting girl like me-"
You are Brave girl; who are your
parents? z" -
"My father is Hans Griger. Your camp
is on part Of our plantation" .
"Hans Griger! know him well ~ cx-
claimed the General. Gas true a friend Of
our cause as any man in America, as have
more than once had occasion to testify. If
he is willing, you shall have your wish, if it
were only as. an example and rcbuke to
the cowardly drones that arc swarming
around me-"
Il lave my fathers consent already" she
said. "ile told me might ask you. He
would have sent one Of my brothers, but the
only one large enough is soldier in Gencr-
al ,sumpisrs army.-so, il you please, I'LL
set out Immediately"
M. chiid,"' said the General, She task
istoo severe for you; Independent Of the
danger you must iucnrf why it is 'alAeast
| 81 'J..,s al s,Sc q