Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-04-06


presence. He told her at once, /" ought
to have hanged your rebel husband at
FIRST, then should have had no trouble
with YOU"
That's game, sir, two can play
atl' 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 ii 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 husband
should be 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 a
fresh horse tor Charlotte. Here Sumter
gave her the coveted pledge, and she re-
poets. Meanwhile the British army had
left Winnsborough and encampcd near her
own plantation. She FASTENED to the
camp, showed her paper to CORVALLIS,
and was referred TO Lord Rawdonl What
could she hope from him? But discour-
agements weighed nothing in the scale
against love. Sarah McCalla started i'm
mediately for Camden On reaching the
fnrr hsa fa,.p1 In he don htAd
Major Doyle saw her, and, coming up
to her horse, he told her of the battle at
the Cowpens.
81 fear, madam" he said, that his
lordship will not treat you well.''
have no hope,n she replied, that
he will let my husband go, but | must
make every effort 10 save him. Into
Lord Rawdon's presence she went.
What! you here again? You want
your husband, L suppose? Do you
know what the cursed rebels have
been doingr' for the prisoners had at
tempted an escape. If we had hanged
thenl," roared the Earl" we should have
saved all this! | order you posi-
lively never TO come into my pres
ence again! You go from one army to
another, and Heaven only knows what
mischief you 90! DegOne!
My countrymen must right mel" ex-
claimed the aroused wife, rs she left the
apartment.
Disappointed, but not discouraged, the
noble woman applied again to the Ameri-
can camp. She received a letter of re-
monstrance, and once more found her way
to Camden, accompanied now by Mary
Nixon, who was to bear the missive TO
the Earl's quarters. The British COM
mander changed color on reading the let
ter, and Immediately ordered the prisoners
release. The tireless determination, the
dauntless courage of this heroic woman
had gained the victory at last. Love had
worked its perfect work-the wife had
won her husband anew.
The domestic happiness, the strong, un-
waveriDg support which Washington,
Jefferson, Adams, Hancock, Putnam,
Gates, Green and Knox received from
their wives are too well known to need
aught but a reminder here. The wives of
the officers followed their husbands from
comp to camp, lighting the dark cloud of
war with their smiles, and softening its
miseries by their tenderness Even through
the terrible winter of Valley Forge, these
noble women made spot of summer in
many chilled and aching heart, In the
Continental Congress many a patriots
soul was strengthened 10 go on in the des-
perate struggle by the loye-letters which
he carried in his pocket. Who can read
those of Abigail Adams, and not see the
pulsings of her great heart through all the
public life of her husband? These women
made greater sacrifices than did the men.
The men gave their all upon their coun-
try's altar the women laid their all and
their husbands. John Hancock came from
the hall of Congress to Eis wite's apart
ment one day. and announced to her that
he had given his consent to the burning
of Boston, as soon as il should be evident
that the city must fall into the enemy's
hands The large wealth of this noble
couple was all centered in the doomed
city, and with stroke of the pen they
were beggared, should the last resort be
needed. The young wife not only hearth
ly consented, but, having promised that
day to attend a Quaker meeting, she went
with her accustomed cheerfulness, and sat
three long, silent hours, with the terrible
secret working in her brain and bosom.
Janet Montgomery sent forth her newly
won husband to fall before Quebec; and
through her whole life her deepest solace
was the thought Of how nobly her young
Irish soldier lover redeemed the pledge
he gave her, when, parting with him for
the last time, he answered her charge To
be strong and waver not" You shall
never blush for your Montgomery
So the woman's larger sacrifice was too
often accepted.
"Love rules the court, the camp, the grove"
The War for Independence was no excep-
ton to this law. Many Of our greatest
men were turning the soft side of their
hearts to the glow of woman's love, even
while with the keen edge OF their intel
lects or their swords they were cleaving
asunder the empire of Byitain. Jefferson
was singing loye-songs to a charming
widow, while out of the stamp act chaos
his brain Was evolving the immortal Dec
laration. Mrs. Martha SHELTON was rich,
fascinating, and only twenty three. Many
were the young Virginian planters in love
with her person and her estate. One day
two suitors approached the mansion from
different directions, each one on the same
mission-to declare his love. They met
in the hall. From within came strains Of
music, and soft, low voices singing love
song. The two at once recognized Jeiier-
sons voice and his touch on the violin.
They saw at once that the prize had been
won, and they withdrew without entering
jefferson loved his violin. When the old
home was burned, the asked the faithful
servant: care all the books destroyedf"
Voc ,oaosa dey IL. hut we saved de fil-