Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-05-12
LOVE TALES OF THE REVOLUTION.

a lady calculated to hold soldiers heart
While the British were in the city she re-
manned wholly unsubdued, wearing con-
stantly thirteen plumes in her bonnet, an(
winning from the enemy the name of ''tht
beautiful rebel" A British officer, of thu
nobility, became so enslaved by her charms
as to plead pitifully for favor, and to bes
the intervention Of her friends. He sent
her magnificent saddle-horse, which she
instantly returned. At last he told hel
he would join the American forces if she
would but listen to his love. Her noble
reply was qnick:
ITO my former want of esteem is added
scorn for man capable of betraying his
sovereign for selfish interests
| Such woman's love when once bestow-
ed, carried with it all that man could want
as the event proved. She was engaged to
Col. Lewis Morris, and soon after the
happy event her lover was surprised and
surrounded while on a visit to her home
at Accabee, near the city. A noise out
side drew the young girl to the window.
where she saw the lawn covered with the
Black Dragons. She drew up the sash
instantly, and demanded to know their
business.
1--WE want the cursed rebel ~ roared
the officer.
$50 look for him in the American
army!' returned the dauntless girl. Elbow
dare you modest family under the pro-
lection of both armies!"
The bold ruse succeeded; the troops
skunk on ashamed. Like many of the wo-
men here brought together, this fair
heroine was afterwards among the distin-
guished bellies Of the Republican conrt
| under the great first President.
To Colonel William Washington, victor
Of the terrible Tarleton, his future wife
came as a administering angel" This
famous officer bad been wounded and
captured in the fierce cavalry charge at
Eutaw Springs. He was now lying in a
Charleston hospital, suffering from his
wound, and retarding his recovery to
health by heart burnings to be once more
in the field. But that brave heart was soon
to be soothed in the most delightful man
ner. Jane Elliott, was the only child of a
wealthy patriot, who, having spent large
sums Of money in equipping troops for the
good cause, had died and left her his prln-
ciples and his property. She at once es-
tablished hospitals for the wounded Ameri-
can soldiers, and took herself the superin-
tendence Of several wards, whose inmates
she personally visited. On QUE of these
occasions she first met the handsome young
Colonel. His name was well known and
highly honored, and as she listened to his
story of battle and suffering, the two hearts
were drawn into the communion of recip-
rocal love. She was very young, of the
most surprising beauty and of noble and
tender soul. The end was fitting: they
were married in the next year.
Meanwhile an officer Of Colonel Wash
ington's troopers was fast going the way
of his superior. On the low banks of the
Saluda River. Behethland Moore and her
mother lived in the fine cid mansion. and
cared for the plantation while her husband
| and father were away in the war. Beheth-
land was now but fifteen, yet she was a
woman in form and mental growth, with a
soldiers spirit and courage.
It was necessary that verbal message
should be carried from Gen. Greene to Col.
Lee, who had already crossed the Island
| Ford in retreat. The message was brought
| to the plantation, but here no man could
be found to pass through the dangerous
country. Behethland Moore Immediately
volunteered and went up the river in a
skiff, in the dead of night, pulling the boat
with her own hands. She delivered the
message safely to Capt. Wallace, who at
once sent it to Lee. Returning from this
important and perilous service, the young
girl reached the old home just at daylight
In few moments handsome young cav.
airy officer rode up to the door, and was
met by the maiden herself. Her cheeks an6
eyes yet glowed with the excitement and
labor of her exploit, and the trooper was
charmed by the beautiful apparition
cleaning upon him through the morning
dusk. He was on tour of inquiry, and
Behethland was able-and willing, for she
too, was moved-to answer all the ques
lions, which, Of course, were made as nu
l merous as possible. The handsome troop
Ell went away to battle, but this fair face
still shone upon him through smoke anG
cloud, and he soon came back to claim the
heart which had been his from the first
Capt. William Butler, for such he was
rose speedily, became a General, command
ed his State troops in the war of 1872
while his noble wife brought him as fine {
family as eyer did honor to South Caroline
and the country. Their children rose te
the highest civil and military positions il
the gift of their native State.
One forenoon in April, 1871, young mai
was ditching field near Rocky Creek, il
the Chester district Of South Carolina
Suddenly he was startled by gathering O.
hoofs, and looking up he saw man named
Esbel, ga mighty hunter" and daredevil
plunging down the hill, fercely pursued b.
fifty red-coats. The young man dashed TO-
/ the bushes and hid. Aftera long while h,
came out, and. finding the coast clear, hi
, returned to work. Soon, however, he say
the British coming back, but without
Esbel-he had escaped. Daniel Green
for this was the ditcher's name, agair
|hastened to cover, and remained till late il