The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-04-26
AN INCIDENT OF REvOLUTIoN.ARY
HISTORY.

A correspondent of the Southern Christian Ad-
vocate relates the following interesting incident in
South Carolina Revolutionary History The he
rome, Mrs Trammel, died several years since, in
Alabama:
Mrs Tramme was old enough to have been famil-
lar with many of the bloody events which occurred
near the close of the Revolutionary war, in the
immediate neghborhood of her home, which was
near Kings Mountain, in South Carolina. Her
husband, Thomas TrammeL had unhestatingy
identified his fortunes with those of the Liberty
Party" and being good shot and Of unfinching
courage, he was a terror to all the friends OF the
King as far as his name was known.
At the time Of which we write, that section Of
country was oyerrun by band of Tories, encamp-
ed in large numbers at Kings Mountain under
General Ferguson. There vas in this command
noted Tory, by the name of John Towns, who had
long been the neighbor and professed friend OF
Trammel At this time, Towns was sergeant,
and constantly upon the scout for tho purpose of
capturing men, horses, etc. Young 1rammel
could nutAeel much afraid somehow OF Towns. He
thought, surely he will not injure me but in this
he was mistaken as he afterwards had occasion
painfully to learn He had besn for some time
hiding and keeping out of the way as best he
could until one night he ventured to sleep in his
own house. just before day he was aroused by
the heavy tramp of horses, and on rising be found
the house surrounded by troop, which proved to
be Sergeant Towns and his band. Trammel was
at once seized and bound and carried out into the
yard for execution. Towns produced his authori-
ty, executed in due form, and fourshing it over
Trammels head, pompousy offered to free him if
he would take the oath Of allegiance to the King,
and take up arms against his own countrymen.
This proposition Trammel met with merited scorn,
and sail in reply, 'You carry me bound to the
Kings army, but you can never make me fight
against my countrymen."
u. !: Al Ill
get hold Of some Of Trammel's horses, knowing
that he owned some very fine ones which were hid
out, and they knew not how to find them without
using him guide
| So very anxious were they to get them, that
they proposed to release Trammel upon condition
that he would 90 and drive them up. He went
and found them, but rode and drove them another
way.
Having waited until all hopes of his return bad
vanished, eating, drinking, and pillaging every
thing they could turn to account, and feeling no
little chagrin at their disappointment, Sergeant
Towns called on Mrs Trammel for some clothing
for his men, or goods out of which to make some
She replied, "Sir, you have already stripped me Of
all. l have nothing more for you, except your
nephew there" pointing to his sisters son, an or
phan boy, whom they in charity had taken some
time before to keep from suffering, she has few
cl,thes which / have made for him; you can take
them if you will" But they did not suit.
About this time his eyes rested upon a strong
box which sat near the fireplace, and he said,
"What have you in that box ?" She replied, in.
dignantly, "Sir, it is none of your business" F"
"Wen," said he ''it is my business, and LII see
what it contains "No sir" said she, "you shall
not look into that box" and seizing heavy iron
poker she placed herself between Towns and the
box, and planted herself firmly, resolved to defend
her little treasure. The box contained few quilts
and counterpanes, the work of her own hands.
Towns advanced and drew his sword to intimidate
her. but she maintained her position without NOV
ing muscle He presented his sword and sneer-
ingly said, "Now, would you hit fellow 2" She
said, "Do you advance step further, and you will
see" He locked her in the eye end saw plainly
what her determination was, and retired and left
her in possession Of her little treasure.