Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-04-24

in for his midday meal Mrs. Mackey was
comely woman of superior intelligence,
and she soon interested the young officer in
her sad condition. He expressed for her the
deepest sympathy, told her that her hus-
band had been tried and sentenced to death
at sunrise tomorrow morning; and that he
feared there was no hope Of reprieve, as
the evidence given against him by the
Tories was the most positive kind. He told
her that Colonel Tarleton was as cruel and
unfeeing as he was brave and that he would
promise her anything to get rid of her, but
he would fulfill nothing.
However" said he, II will prepare the
necessary document for your husbands re-
lease, filling in the blanks, so that it will
only be necessary to get Col. TarletOn's sig
nature. But must again frankly say that
this is almost hopeless"
1t was evident to the most superficial OBJ
server that Mrs. Mackey would soon be-
come mother, and this probably had some
thing to- do in enlisting the kindly sympathy
of the brave young officer. Attwelve oclock
Col. Tarleton rode up, dismounted, and en-
tered the adjoining tent.
"You must wait till he dines," said the
officer. "Another charger will then be
brought forth and when he comes out to
mount, you can approach him, and not
until then"
At the expected time the tall, boyish-
looking, clean-Shaved, handsome young
Tarleton came out of his tent, and as he
neared his charger he was confronted by the
heroic Lydia Mackey, who in few words
made known the object Of her visit. He
quickly answered that he was in great
hurry, and could not at that time stop to
consider her case. She said the case was
urgent, that her husband had been condemn
1<,l 10 4 MI, fr-
| that he alone had the power to save his life.
He replied every we'll, my good woman,
when / return later in the day will inquire
into the matter" Saying this he placed his
foot in the stirrup, and sprang up, but be-
fore he could throw his right leg over the
saddle, Mrs. Mackey caught him by the coat
and jerked him down. He eturned upon her
with scowl, and she implored him to grant
her request.
He was greatly discomftted, and angrily
said he would look into the case on his re-
turn. He then attempted again to mount,
when she dragged him down second time,
begging him in eloquent terms to spare the
life of her husband. "Hut tut my good wo-
man." said he, boiling with rage. HDo you
know what you are doing? Begone! I'll
attend to this at my convenience not
sooner"
So saying, he tried third time to mount,
and third time Lydia Mackey jerked him
to the ground. Holding by the swords
scabbard and falling on her knees, she cried,
"Draw your sword and slay me and my un-
born babe, or give me the life of my hus-
band, for shall never let you 60 till you
kill me or sign this document'-which she
drew from her bosom and held up before
his face.
Tarleton trembled, was as pale as corpse,
and turning to the young officer, who stood
near by intently watching the scene, he
said, "Captain, where is this WOman's hus-
band ?"
He answered, "Under guard in yonder
tent"
"Order him to be brought here" And
soon Charley Mackey stood before the
valiant Tarleton. "Sir," said he, "you have
been convicted of bearing arms against his
Majesty's government. Worse-you have
been convicted of being a spy you have
dared to enter my lines in disguise as spy
and you cannot deny it. But for the sake
of your wife, l will give you full pardon
on condition that you will take an oath new
er again to bear arms against the kings
government"
"Sir, said Charles Mackey, in the firmest
tones, II cannot accept pardon on these
terms. 1t must be unconditional, or l must
die"
And poor Lydia Mackey cried out, And
I too must die;" and on her knees, holding
on to Colonel Tarleton, she pleaded with
such fervor and elOquence that TarletOn
seemed for a moment to hesitate, and then,
turning to the young captain, he said, with
quivering lips, and in voice chOked with
emotion, captain, for Gods sake, sign my
name to this paper, and let this woman CO."
With this Lydia Mackey sank to the
ground exhausted, and Colonel Tarleton
mounted his charger and galloped off,
doubtless happier for having spared the life
of the heroic Lydia Mackey's husband.
Lydia Mackey in her old age was a fine
talker. A boy of ten years old, heard her
tell this story with such feeling and earn
estness that great tears rolled down her
aged cheek to mingle with those of her lit
| tie grandchildren gathered around her
knees.
The name of Tarleton was execrated in
South Carolina till a very late period. But
the Lydia Mackey episode shows that he
had heart not wholly steeled against the
noble feelings of humanity.
The history Of our Revolutionary War
can hardly present a more interesting tab
leau than that of Lydia Mackey begging
the life of her husband at the hands of the
brave and bloody Tarleton. tits altogether
probable that the Lydia Mackey victory
was the first ever gained over the redoubta-
BILE commander.
My mother, Mahala Mackey, was born
September l, 1892, was the ninth and young
est child of Charles and Lyia Mackey, the
subjects of this arative.-Harper's Maya
zine.