Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-08-09

narrow hollow up to short way from the
fort, and with the help of some negroes, be-
gan to dig toward it and throw up breast
works, while we took post at the field piece
to defend it in case the red-coats should come
out and attack us. They were ordered to
surrender. They said they wouldn't. Just
then we heard that Rawdon was retreating
from Camden, and had sent troops to join
the garrison at Fort Motto. That very
night their campfres were seen on hill
not far away. The sight made US lively,
To batter down their works with our baby
cannon, or reach them by digging trench
es, would take to much time. But Lee was
up to anything.
'"'We must burn 'em out, he said.
"The shingles on the house were dry as
tinder, for the sunshine was hot on that day
in the middle of May. Il can send fire to EN-
with arrows said Lee, 'and they'll blaze
in minute But he didn't like to do it.
Becky Motto was his friend, her son-in-aw
was his friend; but he thought of his coun-
try first and his friends afterwards. When
he mentioned it to Beckey, the plucky wo-
man clapped her hands, and said, Good
good DO it if you cali. Burn the house If
they won't surrendern Wasn't that raal
grit-raal patriotism:
"IIee sent another order for the red-coats
to surrender. They knew help was nigh,
and they wouldn't do it. Have you man
who can shoot straight with bow and ar
row. he asked Marion. yes, the General
said: Nathan Savage is as good shot as
any Indian , ;,, ,,,, 10
and taken to Lees headquarters at the
farmhouse, with Nathan. He tried the
bow, and said, 1T ain strong enough
Here, darter,' said Becky to her youngest,
who married Colonel Aston, run and git
the Indian bow and arrows Turpentine
torches were fastened to two or three of the
arrows, and Nathe sent them like blazing
stars straight to the roof. The shingles
smoked, and we hurrahed. The red-coats
ran up, and began to knock off the burning
shingles. Shots from the siX-pounder raked
the loft, and sent the Britishers scamperlng
pell-mell below. Purity soon a white flag
was seen waving, and at noon we had 'em;
the red-coats were all our prisoners. Warnt
we happy fellers! l didn't mind the bull
| let-hole in my arm a bit, just then. Becky
Note, plucky Becky Motto, was as happy
as any of us, though her fine house was in
ruins. She invited the British officers, as
we'll as ours, to her farm house to lunch;
and, perfect lady as she was everywhere,
she was as purlite to her country's enemies
as to its friends.
"Whlle we were at taDle," cOnllllueu Iile
old soldier, "word came to our gineral that
some of his men were 'amusin' themselves
| by hanging Tories. Marion hurried out,
and, with his drawn sword, ran to the spot
in time to save the life of one of 'em. 1t
was Tom Cunningham, who died at Kings
tree last year. The general threatened to
kill any man who should attempt to harm
another prisoner. Just man, a brave man,
| Christian man, was Gineral Marion"
When the venerable soldier had finished
his narrative, strolled to the mansion OF
Mr.. Love, where 1 spent several hours very
pleasantly. He said the narrator was a
worthy pensioner, and man Of truth !; and
the traditions of the country and official
reports were in general agreement with his
story of the capture of Fort Motto by Lee
and Marion. Iwrote the old soldiers name
on scrap of paper, but soon lost it, and have
never been able to recall its. S. Times.