The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-11-20

amusing himself by playing on his thick lip'
with his fingers.
is there anything to eat in camp, Pom
peyr
'Lor' bress your soul, yes, mas'r dar's I
largem quanty oh eber so many tings--swce
tatars' billed hoss--and--and--c
chunk O. roast pig
Bring some Of the roast pig and potatoes
Pompey, and never mind the other,' rejoinet
Marion, with smile. You see, Miss Sci
den, our fare is rather limited in variety
but American soldiers must not be chooscr.
in these troublous times. The best we have
however, you shall have, and long fasting !!
good seasoning for q poor meal. Sit dowr
on the ground beside me my child, for have
not even camp-stool to offer you. Although
general, my occommodations will hardly
rival those of Lord Cornwallis and Rawdor
or even the fighting dandy, Colonel Tarle
ton.'
In this like strain he kept on talking
without giving the girl chance to reply, till
the negro brought forward the roast pig and
and potatoes on a couple of wooden trench
ers, when, taking them from his hand, and
sending them for fresh water, he urged the
girl to eat, declaring he would not hear her
story till satisfied she would not faint from
hunger. But as soon as he found he could
not persuade her to take any more, he
said:
Now, my dear child, you shall tell me
your story in your own way and if there
is anything can do for the daughter of Sc
brave soldier as Corporal Selden, it shall
be done.'
oh, sir, I am very greatfnl 7 replied the
girl with deep emotion. You talk so like
true friend, and have had so few. And
then you are the great General Marion, and
knew my poor father, and would not deceive
me =
God knows would not my pretty lamb 7
well, General pursued the girl, 4 will
make my story as brief as can, but shall
have to 20 back little in the narration. You
already know how my father died, but YOU
probably do not know how much he aras
loved by my mother and his two daughters
my sister and myse:f-nor how much grie
and misery his death brought upon us. My
poor mother was never the same woman
after he fell, and did not survive only few
months, leaving Clara and myself almost
penniless orphans. When all our effects
were sold to defray the expense of the sick.
ness and funeral, We found ourselves without
home. and were greatly distressed for the
means to live. At>this juncture a STEP
brother Of our mother offered US home in
his family, which offer we accepted with
gratitude. Alas that must add, we have
had little to be grateful for of late =
For time all went on pleasantly but
it unfortunately CHANGED, at length, that the
son of our host--a wild, reckless youth
fell in love with Clara, who is older and
handsomer than myself, sooa began to i'm,
perfume her to marry him. Clara did not
like the young man, and refused him in as
delicate manner as possible; bet he was
one Of those who would take no denial, and
we soon discovered his suit was backed by
his parents, who almost idolize and think
him perfection. Fearing to lose our home
and be turned adrift upon the wide world
Clara next adopted the doubtful policy OF
Of procrastination. Thus matters continued
till after the British got possession of the
country, when the young man at once de-
clared hilnselfa Tory, and persuaded his
father to do the same.
4 will not weary you with details. bu,
simply state the principal facts. George
Watson-for such is the name Of the wretch
I am speaking of--soon became the leade,
ola Tory band, and gloried in series o
wicked exploits-robbing, pillaging, and
house-burning, being among the most par.
donable Of his crimes-all of which I am
panied to say, his parents approved of, con.
sidering his acts as worthy xeal 10 the Brit
ish cause
'While young Watson was away on one
of his wicked expeditions, planter, by the
name of Marshall, living about ten miles
distant called upon the elder Watson, on
some business, and thus first saw Clara
He soon called again on some further bust
ness, and This time managed to exchange .
few words with Clara in private, who frankly
told him how she was situated Several in
terviews followed, but clandestide ones and
ten days ago Clara and myself secretly lef,
our step-uncle's, to meet Mr. Marshall, te
whom she was married the same evening"
4 now come to the tragic part oe my
story. Last night, late in tie night, feeling
uncommonly restless and uneasy, and tn.
weather being very warm and close, quiet
!y arose and went out to an arbor in thu
garden. While was therr, a band of Torie.
headed by Watson, suddenly surrounded
the house, broke in the door, dragged ou
poor Clara's husband. and hung him to /,
tree in front OF his own dwelling. They theI
plundered and set FIRE TO the house, captured
few negroes, and rode off, taking Clara
with them. They did not discover my re-
treat, and so escaped to be witness agains
them. But, oh, my God | suffered tn,
agony ofa hundred deaths, in being com
PEELED to witness the horrid, horrid work o