The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1862-11-29
The sUFPris~

The following incident will illustrate
the fact that one Of the softer sex, by heI
heroisin, energy aud self devotion, may
accomplish much. At the date to which
we allude, the Americans were struggling
for independence. By a series of misfor.
tunes their cause was nearly lost in the
south. The most sOnguine began 10 ieel
discouraged. The tories were fearfully
active, and the country was suffering all
the horrors Of civil war.
Colonel Ferguson, acting under the or
ders Of Lord Corvallis, was ravaging the
frontier towns, and inciting the tories to
take up arms, which they were not slow
in doing. Colonel Clarke of the Georgia
volunteers, having been informed that a
large party Of loyalists were recruiting for
the horse service, resolved to battle their
intentions, and With that 0lieGt in view.
put his men in motion, and marched To-
ward thesceRe OE = c1ti0aS. His COM
mnnd numbered two hundred men. On
his way he stopped for refreshment at the
residence Of Captain Dillard-an officer
ut that time acting with him as q vOlun.
teer.
Mrs. billiard, a sprightIy, intelligent
woman, received them very handsomely,
and refreshed them with the best her lar
der could afford. This was done cheer.
fully and with good will, for she was as
patriotic as the stauncheSt whig among
them.
While receiving the hospitality of Mrs
billiard, word was brought to them by one
friendly to the cause of freedom. that a
scouting party was in advance of Col
FergusOn'S main body, and encamped at
q place known as Green Spring. This in
formation caused Col. Clarke hastily to
resume his march.
II was well that he did so; for upon the
evening of the same day a large party
reached Mrs. billiards., commanded by
Col. Ferguson himself. The good lady
the mistress Of the houSc-was ordered to
prepare supper for the officers. This task
she was obliged to perform, though it may
be readily conceived that it was not dis.
charged with such aiacrity and willingness
as had marked her exertions while cater
ing for the stomachs of the patriots.
While attending upon her not very well
come guests, Col Ferguson Fixed bis eyes
upon her, aud asked:
What time did Clarke and his men
leave herc:
This question did not take Mrs billiard
entirely by surprise, and she Immediately
replied:
Quite carly this morning
'lIo you think We can Ovcrtake him 2
CO ltlnutd the Colonel.
i think not; he must have gone long
way before this time, was the reply.
There is no knowing whether t. rely
on you, said Ferguson, ill.humoredly.-
= The women in tins country are as bad rs
the men they encourage their husbands
nn1 sons To resist the kings men, and
itr.t- t!Irm tU the rankest kind of rebel.
il"n.
'thc American women are uot all alike,
rrpi,d ii Mrs. Dil,a,d, alrniily coic cga'irg
h'r tue >cnIIIncrt$. some ni them have
scn>c enough To discern the signs ct the
tunes. For my part cannot, for tie lie
OF me. see " hat the Wings are fighting
for, ;nd told my husband so this morn
ny. The Wing cause, in this unhappy
c"untiy, is entirely lost
Yes, lost beyond redeInption, cried the
Colonel, striking the sidcboard energeti-
callv with his fist 1T would require lit.
tie less than 4 miracle for them to get pos
session oil Sonth Carolina. There cannot
exist shadow of a doubt in any rational
mInd in regard to the real issue Of the
contest
50 told the Captain added Mrs. Dill
lard.
That was highly commcndable; hope
he manifested a portion Of your common
SENSE said Ferguson.
i viii TIL YOU how he replied he said
he would improve the first convenient OPP
portunlty to pay his respects to you.
'Ah, he did! Well, VII see that he
has good u>agr, and Captains commiS-
sion in the Royal army returned the
Colonel.
You are very good, am sure replied
the lady, dcnurriy.
'rhe fact is | am too merciful to these
misguided men, resumed Ferguson, much
gralitied at the compliment paid to his
generosity. 4 ought to hang them all as
fast as catch them; but | only make ex-
ampleS of the most infamous Of the mis-
crcants.
1T speaks we'll for your humanity, Col
onel,' added MIS-. billiard, with quiet
smile which heidi not observe.
The conversation now took turn that
interested the hostess not little. Wish
ing to hear the whole, she pretended to
be busily engaged in the room, and took
no notice, apparently, of what was being
discussed.
i think we might manage to surprise
him, said Ferguson to an officer who sat
near him.
I'VE can cut them off to man, replied
the one addressed. They number but
two hundred
But they are a5Med With thnse n'Gynal
twisted rifles, quietly remarked another
officer.
II VIC can surprise them at the right
time, they cannot see to use them, added
Ferguson.
Perhaps we had better not converse
too freely in the hearing of that woman,
returned the other in low tone.
SHE is all right, said the Colonel, and
then went on in n suppressed tone. "A
tory has informed me in regard to Clarke S
position, and if we can fall upon him be-
tween now and morning, his destruction
will be inevitable. shall dispatch two
hundred men in advance, who will attack
him and keep him engaged until | come
up with the main body. 1 will wager my
right hand on the surprise
1T is well planned replied the officer.
4 can see nothing to prevent complete
route Of the rebel band. But abhor their
kind of warfare; they pick off the officers
of a whole regiment in short time. and
in this way either secure victory or Grip
pie our energies The uniform and dec
orations of nm officer are his passports to
another world, the moment he goes into
the action
Too true, answered Ferguson there