St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1860-09-27
THE PATRIOT's DAUGHTER.
= AN INCIDENT or 1779

q It was in the year 1779,s and in the State Of
Virginia, that the following incident is said to
have occurred as everything relating to our
hrst great war possesses more or less of inter-
est, we feel anxious to contribute our portion
to the general fund Of information. III
The story is one of many which an ancient
grandparent Of ours used to relate, and though
we were but children at the time We heard it,
the recollection has not as yet departed from
us.
Early one bright morning handsome, dash
ing young girl was riding along solitary road
in the vicinity Of the British encampment.-
With free rein, and q bold, undaunted bear
ing, the lady fearlessly pursued her way, not
wlthstanding her proximity to the invading
army was anything but safe.
"A few miles in the country, little back from
the point where the young girl had made her
appearance, there was q handsome dwelling
which was owned and occupied by patriotic
gentleman named Clement Moore. Mr.. Moore's
immediate family consisted Of q wife and two
children, q son and daughter, aged respective
", twenty-three and twenty years. Like most
well-to-do: Southern gentlemen, Mr.. M. also
tics, house servants and field hands.
At the date referred to, the family was sepa-
rated, the members scattered in different direc-
tions and the mansion deserted and closed:-
Mr.. Moore and his son were away in the
swamps with their patriotic Chief, Marion; and
in consequence Of certain suspicious movements
on the part Of the British, and in view of the
enemy's well known policy, the negroes had
been quietly sent, off to distant parts, with as
much of the furniture and articles Of husband
~ as possible, and Mrs.: NJ and her daughter
Lydia had taken themselves to, . small and Sc
cluded cottage not far distant, there to remain
PERNU, and watch the course Of coming events.
!, Suddenly, as would happen, Mrs. M. was ia
ing TO trust the slow motions Of the only: do
mestic they had kept with them-an old negro
man---Lydia, the daughter, mounted her favor
tte horse : which, very fortunately, had not
been sent along with the rest-and started of
to call the; doctor whose residence was some
miles OH l}f:t3 .s2';2*,&T TGLI I7&:Et 9G5
{. Her course necessarily and unavoidably led
her not far. from the British camp, but trusting
aa to Providence, and her own resolute spirit,
she iunhesitstingly spurred forward on her r.
rand aThe hour WAS. quite early, and without
let or zhindranoe, the. gallant young woman
reached the efdoetor's house, but only to disap-
pointment at not finding him at3 home. Leav-
Ing an earnest message for his early attend
home that We dfst encounter her:psg7 .'s,>,>fI
s;Au the Country round, Lydia; Moore was fa-
nous for her handsome appearance; and our
forefathers were igst q. sexcellent Judges Of
what is beautiful % we are Of the present day.
She was talaand qaeenht,, &itEssMell develop
ed, finely proportionedf form Her complexion
Essp and white ~ 1.-THE drifted sno Y->ther
cheeks ~ red and blooming as the best Of
health could make thenrn-2-kesrf thenrn- TT syes'a deep,
dsfl blae, and Liquid looking. and her. hair. {
glossy brown, wavy and, markedly profuse.-7
Her mental gifts were also as srare d her per
sonal charms, ,,andsnot sa5ladyiin< iaA' 'Nirginis
was more blessed in mind and body. ; -.
And now having placed our heroine properly
before esEeader, WwaoWill proceed with the
more active incidents Of our sketch. x.,,;.,.;,,,
With her proud handsome head thrown ma
jestfcally baek, the young girl dashed along on
hersway@' All at onoe; however, she refined in
her horses and utteredoa sudden exclamation.
Tho hexe moment che resolutely odttsrsds: s'.I
con but try IT. and evAs again put her horss
into theSg gSllop. ,aTotai'lsu hna a3sla2gho1 nos
s1lAdvauoing l{rSni j. poiat toward which she
was proeseding, she'beheld = ven limeuntsd of
hoef;y who was also speeding on hisrwsy with
Sohsfderable rIpddity:Ees Jis# sasofidgg3L eds
.SpurTings her hots III % n sun,; ydh' buddy
tsshsdsoa. 1@Hs sap4sared 70 divine hetsinten-
tissaha1t e.ee, fov IL ssdfdsnIy ASlel ,snd sps6s
day eeedhi1aSlf iilptAe. tasesebac positiooas
intercept hsr progress.