The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1876-04-06

| 10 battle and to prison OlQ many O
these noble wives follow their husbands
women who, unlike Capt. Mol, we're puf
and irreproachable In character.
On that terrible march to Quebec
through six hundred miles of savage viii
derness, two men in Arnold's army wer
accompanied by their wives. One o
these women was the wife of privat
soldier, and very beautiful and vivacious
When the expedition had reached tn
Chaudiere, with the loss of halt its force
persisted in the wilderness or succumbe,
to the temptations of the way-this youn,
creatu re still marched beside her husband
ard cheered him on by her love an,
pluck. At last he sank in the great march
and declared he could go no farther-h
must die: His wife knelt by his side, ant
pleaded for another effort. Aroused b,
her tears and passionate love, the soldie
staggered on, supported by the faithful
woman for many days. The army wa.
tar in advance, but the wilderness had n,
terrors which could conquer woman
love. AT length the poor man fell for tn,
last time. She watched beside him til
the dear life fled; then alone through tn,
deep wilderness she pushed her wav: and
after several weeks, Mrs. Warner brOugh
her husbands arms into the camp betor,
Quebec.
The most devoted and resolute of wive.
was Sarah McCalla, of South Carolina
Her husband had been in every engage
ment with the enemy in that bloody veal
Of 1880, until, on the evening of August
18th, he left the camp for visit to his
family. On the way he was captured and
taken to Camden, where Lord Rawdon
doomed him to the gallows. Day after
day the young wife waited in dreadful
suspense for the coming of his feet. Al
last she set out alone to search for her
missing lord. She went to the scenes OF
Sumter's and Steel's surprises, and in.
quired of all whom she met on the road
which was thronged with fugitives seek.
ing safety in the upper country No trace
of the loved one could she discover. A,
last she determined to go to Camden,
hoping to hear OF him through the pris.
Oners in the British pens. She mounted
a fleet horse, and, leaving home soon after
midnight, reached Camden in twelve
hours. Woman's courage, once aroused
stops at nothing. She demanded to see
| Lord Rawdon. The commanders aide,
Major Doyle, a kind-hearted officer, led
her to the Earps presence. She scanned
his face with keen, anxious eyes, for SO
much depended on the character of this
young man. He was fair and pleasant.
looking, and the sOrrowing wife at once
poured out her heart unanimously, telling
all her fears, her deep grief: the sad con.
dition of her little ones at home-all laid
before him with the elOquence of q dis.
tressed wife and mother. Then she
fixed on the officer her eyes filled
with the pleading of tears. Lord
Rawson' 8 answer was quick: ~ would
rather hang such cursed rebels than
eat my breakfast" Her fiery heart sprang
to her lips, and her eyes, no longer dim
with grief, grew bright with scorn.
Would you y" she cried; but love quick
ly taught her to bear, as we'll as to do, and
she humuiy pleaded: Sc beg of you to let
Inc see my husband"
"You should consider, madam, in
whose presence you stand. Your hus-
band is an infamous rebelu'
A glance from Major Doyle checked the
bitter reply that was struggling for utter
ance. The aide led the Earl aside, and
soon returned with permission for the wife
to see her husband, in his presence, for
only ten minutes. How short time, and
yet how much it meant to this loving
woman! On the way to the prison the
Major reproved Mrs. McCalla for her ex-
hibltion of resentment, saying that it was
only by hard pleading that he got even
this slight boon for her.
They reached the prison; it was q pen!
Without shelter from the sun and rain,
the poor men were lying about on the
bare earth, many of them in the last stages
of the smallpox. Thomas McCalla was
soon found, and the ten minutes were
quickly gone. With one last clasp she
promised to return as quickly as posi-
Sle, and bring clothes and provisions for
his use.
"Have no fear!" she shouted to the
prisoners as she reached the gate, "the
women are doing their part of the service. -
With lighter heart she took the sad.
die again, and was once more with her
children before midnight-a wonderful
ride of 100 miles in less than twenty-four
hours. The brave woman at once set to
work, and in few days she started for
another visit, accompanied now by a
young woman whose brother was among
the prisoners.
Every month, now, the devoted wife
made this journey of hundred miles,
cheering her husbands heart and reliev-
ing his necessities. On the third trip she
had another rencontre with the brutal
Earl. AS she left her heme she received
news of the glorious victory at Kings
Mountain. Unconscious that this could
work to her disadvantage, she sped on
with exulting heart, thinking only Of the
joy to the prisoners when she should an
nounce the event. On reaching Camden
the guard would not let her pass. The
order was from Lord Rawdon, and she
could only submit. She had led all the
way, by the bride, heavily laden pack
horse. She now took the bags from both
beasts and sat down under a tree, holding
the bride in her hand. Here she deter.
mined to remain all the night, but toward
evening villager took pity on her, and
brought her into his house. In the morn
ing she pushed her way to Lord Rawdon's
presence. He told her at once, II ought
to have hanged your rebel husband at
first, then should have had no trouble
with YOU"
THAT'S a game, sir, two can play
att" she flashed upon him. The enraged
Earl drove her from the room, but the
Irish Major came again to her relief, and
she was grudgingly allowed admission to
the prison. The battle of Kings Noun
tain had different effects on the British
Lord and the patriot wife.
Thomas McCalla soon sickened in the
filthy pen, and it was evident that his
wife must secure his release if she would
not wear the widows weeds. Late in De.
cember she resolved to see CORVALLIS,
and plead for the prisoners rescue.
Reaching Winnsborough on New Years
morning, she gained entrance to the Earl,
and it was agreed that her hnshani
should Ike exchanged for any captive in
Sumter's hands; or, provided the latter
would be responsible for McCalla's pa
role, he might be liberated till regular
exchange should occur. Home again rode
the dauntless woman, and mounted q
fresh horse tor Charlotte. Here Sumter
gave her the coveted pledge, and she re-
turned with her heart full Of bright pros
poets. Meanwhile the British army had
left Winnsborough and encamped near her
own plantation. She fastened to the
camp, showed her paper to CORVALLIS,
and was referred to Lord Rawdon! What
cOuld she hone from himS Ruf diocn,,r