Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-06-20
How Marion got his Rifles.

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The close Of the year l7S0 was sad
dav for America. The British held the
country from Charleston to the upper
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 10 the British there was
none. On the American side the prin-
cipal actors in the struggle were the
men who composed the famous ''light
brigade" OF General Marion.
The favorite rendezvous of Marion
was at Snow Island. This is piece of
high river swamp, as it is called in the
Carolinas, and was surrounded on three
sides by water, so as to be almost i'm
pregnable. Here Marion had his camp.
From this fortress he issued forth at
pleasure TO ravage the enemy's grana-
ries or capture struggling party of bis
troops. Secure in his retreat, he had
no fear of pursuit.
In the city of Charleston, the despo-
tism OF the British was at its height;
the prOud-spirited people of that capi-
tai were presseddown by grinding tyr
anpy. Many of them were still open
AMI uneOmpromising in their hostility
10 the English. while others, thinking
they could best serve the cause in that
way, affected hearty submission 10
the conquerOrs. and were SEEMINGLY the
most loyal 70 King Georges subjects.
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 in this way directly
attributed TO them.
One of these persons was a lady of
fine social standing and great wealth.
Indeed, there were few persons in
Charleston over whose submission TO
the crown the British were more elated
than they were over that of Mrs. Anne
Garden. She was young and beauti-
ful widow, just %, and for several
wears had been the standing toast of the
beaux of the Carolinas. When the
British took the city she was one Of the
first 10 submit TO the King, and since
then her house had been the favorite
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 1t was only TO con-
denim the widows treachery. In the
camp of Marion. however, there was
one cheek that kindied with pride and
not with shame when the lady's name
was mentioned; and as for General
Marion himself. he could have told tales
that would have startled the widows
Charleston friends had it been safe to
do so.
While Marion was creating so great
an excitement beyond the gates of
Charleston, Mrs. Garden resolved 10
give a ball. Preparations were made
on an extensive scale, and the loyal ele-
ment of the city was in high feather.
The splendid mansion of the young
widow was dressed with flowers from
cellar TO garret, and blazed with lights
on the evening appointed for the as
sembly, and the band of the garrison
discoursed sweet music to the assembled |
crowd.
The entertainment was at its height |
when the crowd near the door parted,
and a young man came forward hur-
riedly. He was tall and splendidly |
formed, and carried himself erect with |
a proud, martial air. He was dressed |
in the uniform of an officer 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 cry of alarm.
what are you doing here?" she
asked, hurriedly-
"You will see," he answered quickly, |
in low tone. "Only, for Heavens
sake swear black and blue to whatever |
may sayr' Then he added, calmly, |
and i'm a louder tone: "You see, my |
dear cousin, have come back TO my al |
legiance."
II am delighted to hear it" she re-
piled, warmly, taking the hint at once.
Il never thought your heart would
cling TO the rebel cause"
Faith" ne said, laughing, ''if my
heart had clung to it, my stomach would
have driven me from it. I'm not fond |
of starving, my fair cousin, and King
George lives well, you know. Here
after, Thomas Wilson lives and dies a
loyal man."
Colonel Watson had been standing
by, during this conversation, watching
the couple closely. Now he stepped
forward 10 the lady's side.
"Tho is this gentleman?" he asked,
somewhat sharply. "He seems won
derfully familiar"
"Oh, replied the lady, laughing, che
Is my cousin, Lieutenant Thomas Will
son, and, as you will perceive, in his
majesty's 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 the new conner.
My business must be my excuse,
Colonel" said the young man respect
fully. 81 am the bearer of letter |