The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-10-07

Robert Gibbes, . gentleman Who was an ear.
nest patriot IN the Revolution, Wa The owner of
Q plantation en he Stone, Q fen miles from
Chsflssepn. Hses. one day, Bri(ash battalion
escanped, cad csnpelled the fa3ily 70 surren.
der e their use the lower part of the mansion,
and to oonfne themselves in the upper story.
While here, on one dark and stormy evening.
two galleys appeared. ascending the river. and
began most destructive Are upon the British
encampment. The house aeemed particularly
exposed, although the vessels had been com.
manded TO avoid firing upon II, and to confine
their attack to the enemy's encampment.
VI this Mr.. Gibbes was not aware, and, with
the permission OF the English commander, he
set out, although suffering acutely from an in.
trinity, and, with his numerous family, hast.
ened to the protection of tho neighboring plan.
tatiOn. ..... H..
The balls were falling thick and fast, some
times scattering dirt and disaster over the party
while their loud whizzing mingled with the
of dang and terror. But scarcely had they pro.
ceeded far as to be out Of danger from the balls,
when. to their unutterable agony, they discov-
cred that, in the confusion and hurry of depart.
ure, an infant had been left behind.
To leave the child alone in his danger was i'm.
possible, and to return for him Was an attempt
Of imminent peril. Mr.. Gibbes was suffering
under an infrmity that made his movements
exceedingly slow and painful, and, therefore, it
was Improbable for him to return.
The frightened and chAttering servants stood
trembling around. looking from one to the other
in bewildering despair. OF all the rest of the
party, saving Mrs. Gibbes, who was severely in.
disposed, none were above the age of childhood
While thus undecided, Mary Anne Gibbes,
but thirteen years of age, sprang forward and
offered to 90 for the lad, who was son Of Mrs.
Fenwick, Mrs. Gibbes' sister-in.law. The nigh,
was dark and stormy, the distance considerable,
and the whole space swept by the cannon of the
assailant. But without fear che retraced her
way, and reached the house without injury,
where the scene was one of unmlhgled terror
Undismaysd by the laundering of the cannon,
the crashing of the balls, shrieks shouts and i'm
precautions of the contestants, she sprang to the
door with the intention of entering, when she
was brutally refused by the sentinel.
But tears, entreatles and the natural eloquence
prompted by her horoism, overoame his opposi-
tion, and she was permitted to enter. With
rapid steps she assembled to the third story, and.
finding the child there in safety, she clasped it
to her bosom and fastened to evertake her re.
treating family, and often the ploughng balls
would scatter clouds of dust over her person
Uninjured her perilous journey was performed,
and when she reached her friends she was vel
coined by shouts of enthusiasm and admiration
This intrepid action, worthy of en- adult. and
al glorious in child, borrows fair share of
romance by the reflection that the child thus
| saved afterward became Lieut.. Col Fenwick, so
highly distinguished By his services in the las,
war with Great Britain.