Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1861-09-07
THE STORY OF A BRAVE WOMAN.

1t was warm and sultry morning in
the last of June. The inhabitants of Mon.
mouth we're all astr with the knowledge
that the two armies were in their midst,
and by their motions sustaining the proba-
bility tina. a general action was about to
be hazarded. The British army, now
commanded by Sir Henry Clinton, had
assumed one Of the strongest situations.
Upon the high grounds about Monmouth
Court House they laid their faux on the
border of small wood the last guarded
by deeper one, and the rear running to.
ward morass.
The army was disposed in such an ad-
lacent position as to be able to harass the
enemy in the rear, and take advantage of
the first movement. The other Generals,
Lafayette, Greene, Wayne and Stewart,
were directed to hold their troops in resdi-
ness to support the front.
Early in the morning notice was given
that the van of the enemy was in motion
General Lee Immediately prepared to
make an attack upon them, and he was
soon joined by Dickinson and Morgan,
with their spirited troops.
In full view of the house of Hollis and
on his military suit at once. The spirit
which animated every true American was
newly aroused at this spectacle, and he
was impatient to mingle in the strife
"Will you go, HoIis?" asked Molly,
anxionsly.
"les, dearest. Can remain here tame
ly, and not offer my assistance in the de-
fence of my country? shall be only a
private but there will be work enough for
me to do
Remember the fate Of your father -
faltercd Molly.
- thought you were brave my own
wife, SAID Hollis, with smile of atIec-
uonate pride.
" Battle scenes have not lost their
! charms for ne yet, though confess to
unusual mIsglvings this morning" re
/ piled Molly.
" shall return at night, darling, it may
! be with new glory attached to the honora
! bic name which my father transmitted to
me. ] must fight those red coats, Molly.
God bless you. and good bye for the pres
ent," rstnrned Hollis, bringing her to his
heart with parting caress.
A blessing 90 with you, husband
said Molly, as Hollis sped rapidly from
the door.
The enemy advanced so near Molly
house, that she could quite plainly distin-
gush their motions
40 that were n man :" she exclaimed :;
" | would give those British tvrants free
doses Of death. To think Of their ap-
proach to our very doors OF their burn
| ing the beautiful homes Of some of our
ne'ghbors, because they would no; turn
! traitors !"
She discovered Hollis engaged in Tie
duty Of cannoneer, and she watched his
motions with the deepest interest. As
the morning deepened into day, the wealth.
er became intensely warm not the leaf
of a tree moved, and the sun poured down
such volumes of heat, the earth seemed
brazen and parched to a painful endurance
Hollis will suaer with thirst T. Molly
bethought herself; 81 will 90 and carry
him pitcher Of water from the cool
SPRING
She hastily communicated her intentions
to Mrs, Rogers, the hou sekeeper, AID
threw on her hat
would advise you,' demonstrated
Mrs. Rodgers, "to keep within house to.
day, "The Britishsrs will kill you, like
as any way, you 60 out there
Il shall go, replied Molly. "How
good the water will taste to him when he
is struggling so hard in this heat!'
Her glance now fell upon Hollis again !;
his hair was thrown back from his fore.
head, he had cast aside his coat, and he
was loading and discbarging the cannon
mi Al
balls of the enemy wbizzed about mis- head.
Molly was strongly impressed by the pic
ture he had never looked so glorious to
her before, save when he was about to
sacrifice his life At the pine.tree, the cen
tral object of savage ire. She could not
BE- restrained longer. Skipping away to
the cool spring, a few rods distant, she
filled the pitcher, and, remembering Hol-
lis liking for spearmint, paused a moment
to break off few leaves Of the rich bed,
fringing the bank at her feet. These she
settled in the pitcher as she ran up to
Hollis. He received her offering gladly.
blessed her for the thought in low voice,
and drank the whole before he resumed
his duty.
Molly ran away again regardless of the
many eyes which had been attracted by
the strange sight Of her white muslin dress
amid the bloody strife She returned to
her post Of watching with breath!es anxi-
ETY., for the battle waged closer and 6ercer.
Unconsciously she would break forth into
words OF encouragement for her favorite
generals, as she distinguished their uni.
forms, or the noble horses which they rode
falling dead beneath them.
Once more she ventured out to carry
water to Hollis, for he nobly and nremit
tingly worked on in the face Of the foe.
She saw Hollis fall to the ground. With
blanched cheek, and horrible iorebod.
ing rushing over her heart, she lost no
time in reaching the spot.
Alas he was dead A shot of the en-
emy had killed him instantly.
+" Take that cannon away, - said Gener.
al Wayne to one of the soldiers we
cannot fill the place by as brave man as
l. 4. =