Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1859-10-28
MISCEILANY
Heroic Women of the Revolution.
BY MRS. L. F. ELLET.
MARY ANNA GIBBEs.

When the news reached Charleston that
the British had encamped on Mr. Gibbes'
plantation, the authorities in that city dis
patched two galleys TO dislodge them These
vessels ascended the river in the night. and.
arriving opposite, opened heavy fire upon
the invaders epcampment. The men had
received strict injunctions not to fire upon
the house, for fear of injury to any of the
family. 1t could not, however, be known
to Mr.. Gibbes that such caution had been
given; and as soon as the Americans be-
can their fire, dreadiug some accident he
proposed to his wife that they should take
the children and seek a place of greater
safety. Their horses being in the enemy's
hands, they had no means of conveyance
but Mrs. Gibbes, with energies reused to
exertion by the danger, and anxious only
to secure shelter for her helpless charge,
set off TO walk with her children TO an ad-
loiring plantation situated in the interior.
A drizzling rain was falling, and the Weath-
er was extremely chilly. The fire was in
| cessant from the American guns, and sent
in order to avoid the house-in direc-
ton which was in range with the course of
the fugitives. The shot falling around
them, cut the bushes and struck the trees
TO every side. Exposed each moment to
this imminent danger, they continued their
fight with as much haste as possible for
about mile till beyond the reach of the
shot.
Having reached the houses occupied by
the negro laborers on the plantation, they
stopped for few moments to rest. Mrs.
Gibbes, wet, chilled, and exhausted by fa-
tigue and mental anxiety, felt her strength
utterly fail, and was obliged to wrap her
self in a blanket and lie down upon one of
the beds. 1t was at this time when the party
drew breath freely-wth thankiulness that
the fears Of death were oyer--that on re-
viewing the trembling group TO ascertain if
all had escaped uninjured, it was found that
little boy, John Fenwick, was missing
In the hurry and terror Of their flight, the
child had been forgotten and left behind
What was now to be done The servants
refused to risk their lives by returning for
him; and, in common humanity, Mr.. Glib
bes could not insist that any should under
take the desperate adventure The roar
of the distant guns was still heard, break
ing at short intervals the deep silence of
the night. The chilly rain was falling, and
the darkness was profound yet the thought
of abandoning the helpless boy to destruc-
ton was agony to the hearts of his relatives.
In this extremity the self. f.devotion of
young girl interposed TO save him. Mary
Anna, the eldest daughter of Mrs. Gibbes,
then only thirteen years of age, determined
TO venture back, in spite of the fearful per-
il. alone. The mother dared not oppose her
noble resolution, which seemed indeed an
aspiration from heaven, and she was per-
miited to 90. Fastening along the path
with all the speed of which she was capa-
| bic, she reached the house, still in the un-
disturbed possession of the enemy, and en-
treated permission from the sentigel to en-
ter, persisiing in spite of refusal, till by
earnest importantly of supplication, she
gained her object. Searching anxiously
| through the house, she found the child in
room IN the third story, and, lifting him
ioyfully in her arms, carried him down, and
fed with him to the spot where her anx-
ious parents were awaiting her return. The
shot still flew thickly around her, frequent
" throwing up the earth in her way; but,
protected by the Providence that watches
over innocence, she joined the rest OF the
family in safety. The boy saved on this
occasion by the intrepidity Of the young
girl was the late General Fcnwick, distin-
guished for his services in the last war with
Great Britain. "Fenwick place" still
called Head-quarters," was three miles
from 8 Peaceful Retreat
DiCEY LANGSToN.
The portion of South Carolina near the
frontier, wstered by the Pacolet, the Ty-
ger. and the Ennoree, comprising Spartan
4 5urp and Union Districts. witnessed many
deeds Of violence and blood, and many bold
achievements of the hardy partisans- 1t
c uld also boast its ful! coIa .,lement of wo-
men whose aid in various ways was of es-
sential service to the patriots SO preva-
lent was leyalism in the darkest Of those
days, so bitter wal the animosisy felt to-
wards the Wings, and so eager the deter