Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1858-08-26
Smterestiug Gale.
OUTLAW OF THE PINES.
S O Y

experienced their full share OF the mIserlcS
ofcivil war. During no period of the Rev.
olutionary contest did the enemy's troops
act mors cruelty or more unlike civilized
men. As they marched through the Jer-
seys, driving our poor rebel army before
them, they committed all kinds of outrages
on helpless women and old men; bnt this
conduct WAS destined to recoil upon the
heads of the foe. The people were reused
TO resist the invaders, and the militia was
organi ed throughout the State-silen ly
but surely. Our victories at Trenton and
Princeton were received as the signals for
action. As the enemy retired on Bruins
wich, they were followed by the exasperated
farmers, and harassed terribly. But at
the time when my story commences, the
red-coats were in quiet possession of New
Jersey, from Burlington to New York
General Washington had come over on
this side of the Delaware.
at was late in December The wealth
er was bitter cold, and the enemy seldom
stirred from their quarters to visit the in
terror of the State. This respite would
have been refreshing to the harassed far
mers, if the withdrawal of the regular troops
had not left free play for the more desper-
ale servants of King George, or others who
pretended 10 be such. One of these pre-
tenders was name Pagan. He was the
leader of about twenty ruffians as free from
my particle of human feeling as hlmself.-
There was no romance about the black
character of Pagan; he was perfect wretch !;
be robbed for gain, and murdered to con-
ceal the robbery. The hiding -placs of the
band was in the pine barrens of New Jer-
sey, and they thence received the name of
the pine robbers from the people Of tie
country. Their violence and cruelty to-
wards women and even children had made
them the terror of all classes. The Wings
charged Their doings ON the tories and refu-
gees; but the robbers were against both
parties. They plundered tory in the
name of the continentals, and were true to
the Crown when a whig chanced to be in
in their power.
"Well. I'm going to tell you about one
of their exploits. Not many miles from
Trenton, on the road to Bordentown, was
the farmhouse of Nathaniel Collins, a Qua
ker, but who was not strict enough for his
acct. He was disowned by them on account
of encouraging his two sons to join the
continental army, and for showing dispo-
sition to do the same himself. He was
about sixty years old at the time of which
speak, but still large, powerful man,
with the glow of health on his cheek and
intelligence in his eye. Though disowned
by the Quaker sect Nathaniel Collins re-
tanned their dress. manners, and habits
and always defended them from the attacks
of their enemies.
''One night, the old Quaker, his wife
Hannah, Cousin Rachel, and daughter Amy
were sitting up till very late hour. They
expected Natllan's sons home from The
Continental army. These sons had chosen
the night to cross the river, to avoid the
notice of the Hessians at Trenton. Well
the family waited till the clock struck one
but the sons did not appear, and Nathan
was getting impatient. At last footstep
were heard on the road.
"There they are at last" eagerly ex
claimed Amy. :,
~.Let me see,' said Nathan, as, with tn
placid manner characteristic of Friend, b
moved 10 window which commanded
view of the kitchen door, at which knock
ing had commenced. He could distinguish
six men, armed and equipped like militia
and another, whese pinioned arms proclaim
ed him prisoner. His sons were not 0
the party; and as the persons of the slran
gers were unknown, and the guise Of mil
itia-msn was often assumed by Pagan, ou
friend was not easy in his mind how Il
act.' His first idea was to feign deafness
ba& second knock, loud enough to wax