The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1877-02-08

The close of the year 1880 was sad
period for America. The British held
the country from Charleston to the
Upper Santee, and In order to com
plete their conquest had established a
chain OF posts throughout tho State,
each of which was strongly fortified
and defended by good garrison. Or
ganiZed resistance to the British there
was none. On the American side the
principal 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
CaroiinaS. and was surrounded On three
sides by water, SO as TO be almost im-
pregnablc. Here Marion had his camp.
From this fastness he issued forth at
pleasure to range the enemy's gran
aries or capture struggling party of
his troops. Secure in his retreat, he
had no fear of pursuit.
In tie city of Charleston the des-
potism of the British was at it its
height the proud-spirited people OF
that capital were held down by grind
ing tyranny. Many Of them were still
opeD and uncompromising in their hos
tility to the English. while others,
thinking they could best serve the
cause in that way, affected hearty
submission to the conQuerors, and
were seemingly the most loyal of all
King Georges subjects. Yet, while
the English saw this and congratulated
themselves upon the good effect it
would have on the Colonists, these
very "loyalists' kept the American
commander constantly informed of all
and many disaster of the English
was III this way directly attributed to
them.
One Of these persons was q lady of
tine social position and great wealth.
Indeed, there were few persons in all
Charleston over whose submission to
the Crown the British were more ela-
ted than they were over that of Mrs.
Anne Garden. She was young and
beautiful widow, just twenty-five, and
for several years had been the stand
ing toast OF the heaux 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 fayorite gathering place of
the red-coat gentry. Many of Mrs.
Gardens friends, who were staunch
patriots TO the last. quietly cut her ac-
quaintance, and shook their heads in
silent Indignation when her name was
mentioned, and when they dared speak
at eli it WAS only to condemn the
widow S treachery. In the camp Of
Marion, however, there was one cheek
that klnaled with pride and not with
shame when the lady's name was mem
toned and KS for Gen. Marion him.
self, he could have told tales that
would have startled the widow S
Charleston friend S, had it been safe to
do SO.
While Marion was creating so great
an excitement beyond the gates of
Charleston. Mrs. Garden resolved TO
give q ball. Preparations were made
ON an extensive scale, and the loyal
element Of the city was in high feath-
er. The splendid mansion OF the
young widow was dressed with flow
ers from cellar to garnet. and blazed
with lights on the evening appointed
for the assembly, and the band of the
garrison discoursed sweet music to
the assembled crowds. The enter
tainment was at its height, when the
crowd near the door suddenly parted.
and young man came forward hur.
riedly. lie was tall and splendidly
formed, and carried hinstIf erect. and
with a proud, martial air, He was
dressed in the uniform of an officer of