Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1876-10-26

Many instances are mentioned in
the history OF the Revolution in
which female heroism was most IL
lustriously displayed, but for roman
tic interest and humble devotion to
her country we can find no parallel
to the case of Deborah Samson.
Deborah was poor orphan, OF
Plymouth county, Massachusetts,,
depending on the charity Of farmer
for her daily subsistence. She was
treated with kindness, was well fed
and comfortably clothed, but had no
advantages of education, and her ef-
forts and aspirations in that line
clearly demonstrate that she was a
character Of superior tastes and
longings. She borrowed books OF
passing children, and persevered un-
Til she had learned to read; but made
no other attempt at self-instruction
until released by law. at eighteen
years Of age, from her indentures.
She then hired out to farmer half
the time, and with the means thus
laboriously secured. attended d.s-
trict school the other half.
Meantime the Revolution had bro
ken out, and the stirring news from
Concord Lexington and Bunker
Hill thrilled every patriotic heart.
Deborah was moved to an uncom-
mon degree; she entered into every
scheme for the relief of the army,
and bitterly regretted that she was
not man that she might shed her
blood for the country she so much
loved. Poor, alone and unfriended,
but actuated by a feeling Of the
purest and most exalted patriotism,
she quietly resolved that she could
and would do more for the great
cause. By keeping school for time
she had amassed the sum of twelve
dollars, with which she bought some
coarse fustian, and. working at inter-
walls when secure from notice, she
made up suit of mems clothing,
each article as made being hidden in
a stack of hay.
Having completed her prepara-
tons, she never faltered nor asked
counsel Of any, but quietly announc-
ing that she was going in search of
better wages, the lonely girl departed,
slipped on his disguise under the
shelter of the nearest woods, and
pursued her way to the American
army, where she presented herself
in October, ITS, as a young man
anxious TO join the patriotic force
Although not beautiful, her features
were pleasing. and her figure, tall for
a woman. was finely proportioned.
For a man she would have been
handsome, and her general appear
ance was extremely prepossessing.
Her old friends supposed her In
domestic service at distance. Ru-
mors OF her elopement with Brit
ish soldier, and afterward OF hei
death, came TO them, but nothing
was known for certain. and she soon
dropped out of peoples minds. She
was received in the army without q
suspicion OF her sex. enlisting for the
whole war, by the name Of Robert
Shirtliffe. As the young recruit had
neither home nor family. her captain
Nathan Thayer, OF Midway, Massa'
chusetts, gave her temporary home
with him until his company should
be full.
For several weeks she remained a.
Midway. diligently performing daily
| the routine of soldiers duties anc
hardships. Her frame was robust
she was eager and willing 10 learn
and she soon became perfect in hel
drill. The uniform drawn by her die
not fit well, but with her needle anC
thread he soon altered it to suit him
While residing with Captain Thayer
Robert was thrown much in the com
pany CT young girl. visiting Mrs
Thayer Coquettish by nature, ant
anxious to make conquest OF th'
blooming soldier, she fell in low
with her companion. Robert wa
much amused, but curious to learl
how far ne could carry the deception
he paid back her attentions, and Wa
so rapidly winning his way that Mrs
Thayer demonstrated with him, an,
showed how wrong it was for
young man to trifie with a youny
girls feelings. The caution was ia
4 ken in good part, and the Irritation
1 ceased, but Robert received at part
| ing many tokens from his unsus
pecting friend.
For three years Robert acted as
soldier, part OF the time being EN-
ployed as a waiter in Col. Patterson