The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1876-11-17
MI isc ella n O O u 8.
For tile -Kgis d Mtel1igencer.
THE YOUNG SCOUT.
A TALE OF THE REVOLUTION.
By MARS.

By MARS.
In the summer of 1880, after the fall of
Charleston, S. G.. the British, under Lord
CORVALLIS, aided by the detestable tories
voerran the fair Palmetto State, and made
its rich plantations desert. They COM
mitted shameful acts of outrage upon the
defenseless inhabitants, and murder and
rapine were the order of the day. A part
of their programme was TO steal all the val
liable negro slaves, which they sold to the
West India slave merchants, and for which
they received rich wines and brandies, of
which King Georges officers were very
fond.
One of the most successful negro stealers
was a certain tory named Tom Cooper
This murderer was of giant size, standing
six feet and six inches in height, and weigh
ing 275 pounds. He was coarse, vulgar
protane and brutal, and gloried in scenes
of butchery. He had a captains commits
sion in the British army, and was held in
high estimation by Lord CORVALLIS, who
called him his brave marauder. Toms
company consisted of forty tories who were
all murderers and villains of the deepest
dye. Cooper had already rendered him
self famous with the British officer by
the number of slaves and horses he had
stolen, and by the quantity of buildings he
had burned. CORVALLIS was so well pleas
ed with the murderers, that he ordered them
to be furnished with new British uniforms
new saddles and equipments, and the choic-
est arms that were in the British encamp-
ment. The cut Threats were highly pleased
with their outfit, and were very brave
whilst on their thieving raids, when there
was not the show of opposition. 1t is true
that a few patriots, under Marion, VIM
and Sumpter gave them some uneasiness
but at the time of which write it was re-
ported in British circles that these daring
rebels had disbanded. On the goth day
of July, 1880, Tom and his band of demons
incarnate were stealing negroes and horses
about thirty miles west from Charleston
They made successful raid on this occa-
sion. They captured thirty fine young
negro slaves and dozen horses. They had
likewise stolen u cask of peach brandy,
and each villain had filled his canteen with
the tempting beverage During the raid
they had murdered dozen poor old ne
groes who resisted them whilst stealing
their children. 1t was now near shutdown,
and Tom concluded to camp out until
morning and then proceed with his rich
booty to head quarters.
THE YOUNG SCOUT.
A young scout apparently about four
teen years of age, dressed in continental
uniform, was slowly riding on the Charles
ton road. This youth was tall of his age.
His frame was spare. His manly face
showed unmistakable firmness and true
bravery, and his keen eyes sparkled like
diamonds. Just before sunset the quick cal
of scout detected the we'll known sound
of the approach OF body of cavalry. He
Immediately rode into q dense thicket
where he had full view of the road. A
short distance in advance of him Law @
beautiful and extensive meadow, which
was covered with luxuriant crop of grass
Near the middle of the field there stood 6
large frame building, which had been USED
for ginning and baling cotton. Meantime
the cavalry came into full view of the young
scout. They all appeared to be half drunk
and were cursng and swearing at great
rate. Some of them were singing low
vulgar songs. Big Tom was cursing
Sumpter for Il coward, and swore that i
ever the id rebel came within his reacl
he would kill and scalp him. There wer,
forty-one of these villains, dressed in new
suits of British uniform. Their saddle,
and equipments were new. They were wei
mounted on fine horses and had some thir
ty fine looking-negroes with him, who wer,
tied in pairs. About half of them wer,
young women. They were compelled t.
walk, and their drunken captors were ours
ing them for not marching faster. Gu
scout heard the captain give orders t.
wheel into the meadow above spoken OF