Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-10-11
THE CAPTAINS RUSE.

the country from Charleston to the Up
per Santee, and in order to complete
their conquest had established chain
of posts throughout the State, each Of
which was strongly fortified and de-
Tended by good garrison. Organized
resistance to the British there was
none. On the American side the prin-
cipal actors in the struggle We're the
men who composed the famous " light
brigade" of Gen. Marion. The favor
tie rendezvous was at Snow Island
This is piece of high water swamp, as
It Is called in tho Carolinas, and was
surrounded on three sides by water, so
az to be almost impregnable Here
Marion had his camp. From this
fastness he issued forth ut pleasure to
range the enemies granarieS or cap
ture a struggling party of his troops.
Secure in his retreat, he had no fear of
pursuit.
In the city of Charleston the despot-
ism of the British was mt its height the
proud-spirited people of that capital
we're held down by a grinding tyran-
ny. Many of them were still open and
compromising in their hostility to the
English while others, thinking they
could best serve the cause in that way,
affected hearty submission to the
conqueroTs, and were seemingly the
most loyal of all King Georges sub
iects. Yet, while the English saw this
and congratulated themselves upon
the good effect it would have upon the
Colonists, these very loyalists " kept
the American commander constantly
informed Of all that passed within the
British lines, and many disaster of
the English was directly attributed to
them
One of these persons was a lady of
fine social position, and great wealth.
Indeed, there were few persons in all
Charleston over whose submission to
the crown the British were more elated
than they were over that of Mrs. Annie
Garden. She was a young and beauti-
full widow, Just twenty-five, and for sew
eral years had been the standing toast
Of the beaux of the Carolinas. When
the British took the city she was one
of the first to submit to the King, and
since then her house had been the IA
vorite gathering place of the red coat
gentry. Many of Mrs. Gardens friends,
who were staunch patriots to the last,
quietly cut her acquaintance, and shook
their heads in silent indignation when
her name was mentioned, and when
they dared speak at all it was only to
condemn the widows treachery. In
the camp of Marion, however, there was
one cheek that kindled with pride and
not with shame when that lady's name
was mentioned and that was Gen
Marion himself, he could have told tales
that would have startled the widows
Charleston friends, had it been safe to
do 50.
While Marion was creating such an
excitement beyond the gates of Charles
ton, Mrs. Garden resolved to give a
ball Preparations were made on an
extensive scale, and the loyal element
of the city was in high feather. The
splendid mansion of the young widow
was dressed with flowers from cellar to
garnet, and blazed with lights on the
evening appointed for the assembly,
and the band of the garrison dis
coursed sweet music to the assembled
crowds. The entertainment was at its
height, when the crowd near the door
suddenly parted and young man came
forward hurriedly. He was tall and
splendidly formed, and carried himself
erect, with a proud, martial air. He
was dressed in the uniform of the tory
legion. and his general appearance was
that of a man who had ridden far and
hard during the day AS the young
widow saw him, her face flushed, and
then grew deathly pale, and she sprang
forward with a cry of alarm.
"What are you doing here's she hur-
ridly asked.
You will see" he answered in low
tone. "Only, for heavens sake, swear
black and blue to what l may say y
Then he added, calmly, and in louder
tone You see my dear cousin,
have come back to my allegiance"
Tam delighted to hear it." she re-
piled warmly, taking the hint at once.
L never thought your heart would cling
10 the rebel cause"
Faith" he said, laughing, if my
heart had chung to it my stomach would
drive me from 1t. | am not fond of
starving, my fair cousin, and the
King feeds well. you know. Here
after, Thomas Wilson lives and dies a
loyal man."
Col Watson had been standing by
during this conversation watching the
couple closely. Now he stepped for
ward to the lady's side.
who's this gentleman" he asked
somewhat sharply. He seems Won
derfully familiar"
60" replied the lady laughing, he
is my cousin, Lieut.. Thos. Wilson, and
as you will perceive, IS in His Majesty 5
service"
You seem rather careless of your
dress, considering the occasion, sir, said
the Colonel, tartly He was annoyed
at the great interest which the lady had
shown in the new conner.
NV business must be my excuse,
Colonel" said the young man, re-
spectfully. Il am bearer of a letter
from Maj. Gainey, and my orders
were to lose no time in delivering it.
| have ridden hard all day, sir, and
upon reaching your headquarters.
learned of your presence here. This
lady being my cousin, l had no hest
tation in coming here at once, trust
ing to the urgency of my mission for
pardon"
As he spoke, he handed to the Col,
onel a sealed letter. Watson took ii
hastily and broke the seal. As he read
it a smile of satisfaction overspread his
features.
This is very good" he said, glee-
fully. Galney is picking up recruits
by the hundreds. Wants four hundred
rifles, fifty sabres, and some ammuni-
ton at once? To be sure | will. Have
YOU wagons, Lieutenant
'.'No, sir" replied the young man.
Maj. Gainey was afraid to send them
down. There is no knowing when or