The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-07-02
THE BRAVE GIRLS OF THE NORTH
WEST.

WEST.
The many brave and heroic actions performed
By our soldiers elicit, on all occasions, our special
admiration. While we are willing always to ex-
tend to our own sex the praise justly merited by
| them, we should not be pref judiced to en-
tirely disregard and overlook those of the L" fair
sex" The trials and difficulties through which
the women of the Revolution passed-the almost
| Spartan bravery which characterized all their ex-
| pioits-have been entirely surpassed by some of
| our own ladies of the " Sunny South" who have
given valuable aid and information. One of
the most striking instances on record, and one
which will make Of the brightest pages in
Southern history, is the daring exploit performed
by two young ladies' of Northwestern Virginia.
The circumstances as far as l have been able to
learn, are these: The day before the battle of
Phillippi the Federal troops of Gen. Mcclellan 8
command numbering over 1000, started from
Fairmont (46 miles from Phillippi) to attack the
Virginia troops under Col Porer6eld and which
numbered only 500 armed men. The movement
was conducted the part Of our enemies with
such secIesy that their designs We're known to but
few; yet their object was obvious to some. They
that the annihilation Of our gallant little band
their desire. Scarcely had they left their
camp, when two young ladies, gaining information
of the enemys design, Immediately mounted their
pet horses and started to inform our troops. They
had not prOcee9ed far before they were halted by
| detachment Of Federal troops. aud after parley-
ing with them for while, and watching every
opportunity to escape, they saw favorable one,
and laying whip to their horses started. The
enemy fired volley upon them, and some Of the
balls passed through their Clothes. Nothing
dannted, they still pursued their course and passed
the enemy S lines in safety. Arriving at Prunty-
town they stopped few moments to have shoe
put one Of the horses, and after they had gone
few miles further, they stopped by crowd
of Union men who demanded ''who they were and
where they going" They contrived an
ingenious and plausible story, such only woman
can invent; and after detention Of over an hour
were allowed to proceed on their journey. Start
ing again, and after proceeding eight ten
miles further, one Of the ladies thrown from
her horse not, however, hurting her seriously.
BY this they were detained some time. They at
last arrived at Phillippi at 2 o'clock p M, having
ridden distance of IT miles in hours. They
immediately proceeded to the office of Col. Porter
field. introduced themselves informed him of the
designs and the number Of the enemy, and ad-
vised him to retreat without delay. | will not
worry you with detail of the battle, &c. suffice
it say that if the advice of the ladies had been
pursued forces could have retreated to pass
in the mountains but few miles distant, where
they could have made noble fight.
After the battle was over and many rumors
men taken prisoners these young ladies resolved
to ascertain the truth of the report. Disgusting
themselves as old country women. and with buck
cts Of soap, they proceeded from where our trools
had retreaed, to the enemy's camp. They entered
the Hesslan commanders quar- ers and vany
deavored to dispose Of their merchandise. While
there, they discovered that one of our men was
prisoner in the house, and watching a favorable
opportunity, and while but few remained within,
one of the young ladies cautous y proceeded up
stairs, cut the cords with which he was bound,
procured an old hat and coat, made him put them
and got him down stairs i'll safety. They then
proceeded to leave the house, making the gentle
man whom they rescued carry the soap. They
were not the least suspicionec Arrived outside
the camp, they got him on one of the horses and
carried him to our forces.
The gentleman whom they rescued is named
Withers, member of the Rock bridge Cavalry
it is due to the young ladies to state that they
never saw Mr. Withers before they rescued him.
The ladies were completely exhausted when they
arrived at our camp. The severe trials and hard
ships through which they had passed-the cold
that they had contracted by riding in a very hard
rain, produced a very serious illness, from which
they have not entirely recovered at the present
time. | forgot to mention that after the enemy
had learned of this exploit. Col Kelley their
commander Immediately offered thousand dollars
reward for their capture.
The Richmond Dispatch, of the 18th instant.
announces the arrival of these heroic ladies in that
city. They had an interview with Governor
Letchtr, who requested them to make the Execu-
tive mansion their home during their stay in the
city
The names of these ladies are Miss Mole
Mcleod and Miss Abbie Kerr.