Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-11-18
HEROIC GWOMEHOF THE REVOLUTION,
BY MRS. f. F. ELLET.
DICEY LANGSTON.

neSSeu many ueeuS OF violence dnd Olood,
and many bold achievements of the hardy
partisans. 1t could also boast its full
complement of women whose aid in va
rious ways was of essential service to the .
patriots. So prevalent was loyalism in /
the darkest of those days, SO bitter was
the animosity felt towards the Wings,
and 50 eager the determination to root
them from the soil, that the very reckless
ness Of hate gave frequent opportunities
for the betrayal of the plans of their enc
mics. Often were the boastings of those
who plotted some midnight surprise or
some enterprise that promised rare pill
age-uttered in tue hearing of weak de-
spised women-unexpeetedly turned into
wonder at the secret agency that had dis
contented them, or execrations upon their
own folly. The tradition of the country
teens with accounts of female enterprise
in this kind of service, very few instances
of which were recorded in the military
journals.
These patriots were frequently indebt-
ed for important information to one young
girl, fifteen or sixteen years old at the
commencement of the war. This was
Dicey the daughter of Solomon Langs-
ton, of Laurens district. He was in prin-
ciple a stout liberty man but incapacitat-
ed by age and infrmities from taking any
active part in the contest. His son was
a devoted patriot. and was ever found in
the field where his services were most
needed. He had his home in the neigh
burhood, and could easily receive intelli-
gence from his sister, who was always on
the alert. Living surrounded by loyal
lists, some of whom were her own relatives,
Miss Langston found it easy to make her
self acquainted with their movements and
plans, and Immediately to communicate
what she learned to the Wings on the
other side eff the Ennoree River. At
length, suspicion of the active aid she rem
dered was excited among the Tory neigh
0orhood Mr.. Langston was informed
that he would be held responsible thence
forward, with his property, for the con-
duct of his daughter. The young girl
was reproved severely, and commanded
to desist from her patriotic treachery.
For time she obeyed the parentalinjunc-
ton but having heard by accident that
q company of loyalists, who, on account
Of their ruthless cruelty, had been com
monty called the [" Bloody Scout" inten
on their work of death, were about tC
visit the " Elder settlement" where hel
brother and some friends were living
she determined at all hazards to war;
them of the intended expedition. Sh,
had none in whom to confde but wa
obliged to leave her home alone by stealtl
and at the dead hour of night. Man,
miles were to be traversed, and the roat
lay through woods, and crossed marshe
and creeks, where the conveniences G
bridges and foot-logs were wanting
She walked rapidly on, needless of sligh
difficulties, but her heart almost faile
her when she came to the bank of tn
Tiger, a deep and rapid stream, whic
there was no possibility Of crossing exceE
by wading through the ford. This sh
knew to be deep at ordinary times, an
it had doubtless been rendered NOR
dangerous by the rains that had latel
fallen. But the though hit Of persons
danger weighed not with her in compar
son to the duty she owed her friends an
country. Her momentary hesitation wa
but the shrinking of nature from per
encountered in darkness and alone, whe
the imagination conjures up a thousan
appalling ideas, each more startling tha
the worst reality. Her strong heart ba
tied against these, and she resolved
accomplish her purpose or perish in tt
attempt.
She entered the water, but when
the middle of the ford, became bewilde
ed, and knew not what direction to tax
The hoarse rush of the waters, whit
were up to her neck, the blackness Of Il
night, the utter solitude around her, t
uncertainty lest the next step should
gulf her past help, confused her; an
losing in a degree her self possession, S
wandered for some time in the cham
without knowing whittier to turn b
steps. But the energy of a resolute W
under the care Of Providence sustain
her. Having with difficulty reach
the other side, she lost no time in haste
ing 10 her brother, informed him and
friends Of the preparations nade to ST
prise and destroy them, and urged o