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

h'' lht'c i\cH uuIinS tbc American ICEO-
lulion, an honest old German farmer, who
amidst all the infections of tory atmos-
pherc, remained true to cause of the aui Of
his adoption, IN earnest. ardent, uncuin-
promising advocate Of independence. and al
though not under arms, Il valuable auxiliary
! in the struggle for American natio, allv-
His name WAS Hans Griger, anl although
himself IN cmiyrant he had rared around
linn IL family Of sons and daughters of Amr-
, rican soil, al of whom rarlook OF the old
mans political sentiments. In fact, his
household presented what in those DAYS
All entire family Of true blue vikings. Bu,
with all this zeal aud whole hcarlcIncss.
Hans was constrained to do what he
did with great caution and secrecy, for he
lived among those who would catch at any
disloval,y t" the king as Il prctcXt for vol
Icncc and outrage. The safety, not only
Of his property, 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 til" vn,lirtive hatred Of
that class of spirits towards ANYTHING like
rebellion, is too well known 10 doubt the
re ul, 0: any appearance ,f di>loyal,y on
tie part Of the quiet cid farmer. So he
KEEP, his own counsel, and when urged hy
them 10 take part in the royal cause, he en-
cuscd himself, on account of old age, and
the duties dcv"lving upon him in the career
OF his Young but growing family. But on
the other hand he lost no opportunity of
conveying useful information to the COM
manding officers Of the pa:rio, forces, which
from time 10 time, entered the district in
opposition to the invaders Of, the province.
Emily Griger was the eldest child of this
faithful, but unob;rusive old patriot. A,
that time eighteen Years Of age, she had been
reared in all the peculiar virtues of German
houscwif'ry, and German economy. She
could bake the bread, brew the malt, wash
The clothes, milk the cows, or, if need he.
drive the oxen upon the plantation Of her
father. Yet, with all these solid accomplish
mcn,s, those Of Il more delicate and cf,m-
mate nature were not forgotten; and in
her character were blended with tie useful
the most vituons aud gentle attributes of her
sex. She possessed Il tender heart and
clear Judgement a lively sense alike Of
her duties TO her God, her country and her
fellow mortals, exhibiting character at
once firm, free and admirable.
At the time of which write. an oreani-
zed band of tories sustained ly u few Brit
ioh troops had completely swept the neigh
boring districts OF Ninety Six, and fortified
themselves in a village Of that name, from
which scouts were continually securing the
whole province, carrying with them the
brand of IN inccndiary and the dagger OF
The assassin the whole, beirg under the
command Of the Infamous and notorious
tory John Crnyer, n native Of the city of
New York, at that time holL commission
of Lieutenant Colonel from the enemies Of
his nat i've land
TO reduce this horde of williams drive
them from thier stronghold, the American
General, Greene was dispatched but with
force inadequate to the task. He had
laid seige TO the fortress Of Ninety Six, but
finding j: stronger than had been supposed.
WAS compelled to submit to the delay nee.
c>sary 10 the erection of counterworks, and
finally began the assault But tho details
Of this stern encounter are familiar in histu-
ry, shall not dwell upon them; suffice it
to say that, when the tory commander was
on the point Of surrendering information
was conveyed to him that Lord Rawdon,
having heard Of his critical situation, was at
that moment near at hand with a sufficient
force for his succor. The effect Of this in.
formation, while it inspired the garrison with
renewed energy. was most disastrous upon
the besiegcrs, and Gen. Greene found him
lsself compelled to raise the siege and with
draw his little force. lie hastily crossed the
Salnda river, and retreated in the direction
ofthe Enoree, leaving the tories still mas
tcrs of the District. Lord Rawdon, after
reaching the fortress Of Ninety Six, and
finding all safe, set ont in pursuit of Gene
raj Greene, but eventually deemed it pru.
dent to give up the chase. and turn his at
tention to the occupation of Fridays ferry
at CRANKY, and the concentration .ofa strong
force at that place, with the ultimate view
OF sweeping the entire continental power
from the province. To prevent this plan,
General Greene determined to intercept the
expected reinforcements ofthe British com
mnhdder, and accordingly halted on the
banks Of the Shluda, IN the immediate vi
IScinity Of our old friend Hans Grioer,