The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1863-11-18
THE STORY OF A BRAVE WOMAN.

THE STORY OF BRAVE WOMAN.
II vas a warm ard suitrv morning in the last Of
June. The inhabitants If Monmouth were all
astiE with the knowledge that the two armies
were in their midst and by their motions sus-
tanning the probability that general action was
about to be hazarded The British army, com
mauded by Sir Henry Clinton, had assumed one
Of the strongest situations. Upon the high
grounds Of Monmouth Court House, they laid
thcr flank OF the border Of a small wood, the last
guarded by deeper one ard the rear ruurii
toward Tnorass.
The army was disposed 10 such an adjacent 20
siliou as to be able TO har. Ass the enemy in TIE
rear, and take advantage OF their frs movement.
/ The other Geuerel-, Lafayette, Green, Wayne,
Stewart and Scott, were directed TO hold their
troop in readiness TO support the front.
Early in the morning notice was given that tie
van Of the enemy was in motion Gen. Lee i'm
mediatcy prepared to make an attack upon them.
and h. was soon ioiacd D. Generals Dickinson and
Morgan with their spirited uoops
Ia TIL vie" OF the house OF Hollis and Molly.
this action commenced Hollis put on his mil
tary suit at once The spirit ahich animated e.
cry true American was newly aroused at this
spectacle, and he was impatient TO mingle in the
-tr.e
"Win you go, Hollss7 asked Molly anx-
iously.
YES, dearest Can ( remain here tamely,
and not offer my assistance in the defence Of
NY country / shall be only private, but there
will be work enough tor ne to do"
Remember the fate Of your father" ialtered
Molly.
80 thought you were brave, my own wife,
said Holli-, with a smile OF affectionate pride.
Battle scenes have not lost their charm for
me yet, though ! confess to unusual misgivngs
this morning, replied Molly.
." shall return at night, darling, it mas be
with new glory attached to the honorable name
which my father transmitted to NE. must fight
those red coats, Molly. God bless you, and good
bye for the present." returned Hollis, bringing
her to bis heart with parting caress.
" A blessing go with you, Husband said Mol
| y, as Hollis sped rapidly from the door.
The enemy advanced so MOly's house
that she could quite plainly distinguish their
motions.
"Oh, that | we're a man :" she exclaimed
~ would give those British tyrants free doses
of death To think of their approach to our
very dOors OF their burning the beautiful
homes of some of our neighbors, because they
would not turn traitors"
She discovered Hollis engaged in the duty Of
cannoneer, and she watched his motions with
the deepest interest. As the morning opened
in TODAY, the weather became intensely warm; not
a 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 suffer with thirst" Molly be-
thought herself; 90 will go and carry him a
pitcher of water from the cool spring"
She hastily communicated her intentions to
Mrs Rodgers, the hOusekeeper, and threw on
her hat.
q would advise you" demonstrated Mrs.
Rodgers "to keep within the house to-day. The
Brtishers will kill you, like as any way, if you
go out there
81 shall 60" 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 thrown back from his forehead, he had
! cast aside his coat, and he was loading and dis
charging his cannon with an admirable cOOlness,
while tue oalls of the enemy whzzed about his
head. Molly was strongly impressed by the pc
ture ; he had never looked so glorious to her be-
fore save when he was about 10 sacrifice his life
at the pine tree, the central object of savage ire.
She could not be restrained longer. Skipping
away to the cold spring, few rods distant, she
filed the pitcher, and, remembering Hollis liking
for spearmnt, paused a moment TO break off a
few leaves Of the rich bed, fringng the bank at
her feet. These she settled in the pitcher as sne
ran up to Hollis. He received her Offering glad
", 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
ewes which bad been attracted by the strange
sight of her white muslin dress amid the bloody
strife She returned to her post of watching
with bFeathless anxiety, for the battle waged
{ closer and fercer. UncOnsciously she would
break forth into words of encouragement for her
favorte generals, as she distinguished their uni
{ forms, or the noble horses which they rode fall
ing dead beneath them.
; Once more she Ventured out to carry water to
Hollis, for he noby and unremittngy worked OF
in the face OF the foe. She had refled her pitch
er, when, turning, she saw Hollis fall TO the
ground. With blanched cheek, and horrible
forebodng rushing over her heart, she lost nc
E time in reaching the spot.
e Alas be was dead A shot of the enemy haC
killed him Instantly.
Take that cannon away said Gen. Wayne
TO one of the soldiers we cannot FL the place
by as brave a man as be has been"
mol" returned Molly, looking upon the Gen
ersl with face ike death, yet calm in its inspi
ration Of bravery heightened to herOism th,
cannon shall not be removed for the want of som,
one to serve it, since nv brave husband is nC
more, Tor VIE use ny utmost eNeftlous 10 aVeng'
his death"
Molly was now fairly aroused. She loaded AM
] discharged the cannon, while the officers behel,
/ her with undisguised admiration.
: "There ," she exclaimed, after the first FIRE
" take that, We remOrseless enemies, and wait TO
the next
Again and again she discharged the cannon
dealing death ard destruction al every shot.
\ "Who have We here 50 inquired Gen. Wash
Z ington, attracted TO the spot by the singula
I spectacle.
\ "An angel of the host Of Michael The pow
< or of he'll would drop before her - replied Gen
/ WAYNE
Molly now determined on coup de Dlaitrt
:. Accordingly she reloaded the cannon with doubl
u the ordinary quota, then discharged it, A terri
p ribe crash succeeded. Molly wa~ thrown int
the air several feet, then she fell 10 the groun
with violence. Three British soldiers we're kille
and an officer OF high rank was apparently NOR
- tally wounded Many who stood by we're throw
i down, and general confusion prevailed.
Ol This last discharge had broken the canno
into fragments.
For "a ie~ minutes Molly was insensible bu
: she soo0 rallied and rose with a steady eys
Tae soldiers loudly applAuded her, notwithstanC