The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-04-03
AN INCIDENT or REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY

Aoouespondent Of the Southern Christian Advocate
relates the following interesting incident in South Caro-
Iina revolutionary history. The heroine Mrs. Tmmme
died several years since in Alabama
Mrs Tmmmell was old enough 10 have been familiar
with many Of the bloody events which occurred the
close Of the revolutionary war in the immediate neigh
borhood OF her home which Kings mountain
h South Carolina. Her husband Thomas Trammel
had unhestatngly identified his fortunes with those Of
the liberty party as they familiarity called and
being good sh.t and of unhinching courage he
terror all the friends Of the King as r his name
was known.
At the time of which write that section of country
was oyerrun by band OF tories encamped In large num-
hers at Kings mountain under Gen. Ferguson. There
was in this command noted tory by the of John
Towns who had long been the neghbor and professed
friend Of Trammel At this time Towns q sergeant
and was constantly the scout for the purpose of cap
turing men, horses, etc. Young Trarumell could not
feel much afraid somehow of Towns He thought
surely he will not injuro " but in this he mis-
taken as he afterwards had occasion painfully to learn
He had been for time hiding and keeping out of the
way as best he could. until night he ventured TO
sleep In his house Just before day he aroused
BY the heavy tramp Of horses, and arising he found
the house quite surrounded by troop which proved to
be Sergeant Towns and his band Trammell at
seized and bound and carried out into the yard for
cuton Towns produced his authority, executed In due
form and hourishing it Trammell's head, pOmp-
ousy offered TO free him if he would take the oath Of
allegiance to the King and take up against his
trymen. This proposition Tnmmell met with merted
scorn and said in reply You can carry bound TO
the Kings army, but you can never make me fight
against my countrymen.
After some consultation, they concluded TO try to get
hold of some of Trammells horses, knowing that he
owned very fine which hid out, and
they knew not how to find them without using him
guide.
So very anxious they to get them that they pro-
posed relieve Tammei upon condition that he would
go and drive them up He went and found them, but
rode and drove them another way.
After waiting until all hopes of his return had vanish
ed eating, drinking and pagng everything they could
turn TO account and feeling little chagrn at their dis
appointment Sergeant Towns called on Mrs. TammeIl
for clothing for his men, goods out OF which to
make some She replied 'Sir, you have already strip
ped me of all have nothing for you, except your
nephew there, pointing TO his histers son. orphan
boy whom they in charity had taken time before
to keep from suffering che has few Clothes which
have made for him you can take them If you Will =
But they did not suit.
About this time, his eyes rested upon strong box,
which sat the fire place. and he said, "What have
you in that box " She replied, Indignantly ''r it is
none of your business" ''Well, said he, 'it is my
said She .you will not look into that box and sezng
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 adj
yanced and drew his sword TO ntimidate her. but she
maintained her position without moving muscle. He
presented his sword and sneerngly said, Now would
you hit fellow She said 'Do you advance a step
further and you will see." He looked her in the eye
and saw plainly what her determination was and re-
tired and left her in possession of her little treasure