The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-04-17
"You have something for sale I pre-.

fruit. He gladly took what she had and
paid for them. She frankly declared
that her basket of fruit was only pre-
text to get to see Colonel Tarleton T; that
she was anxious to see him in person on
business of great importance. She then
explained the capture Of her husband, :,
and that she wished to get him released
if he were still alive, for she did not know
but what they had hung him to the near.
est tree they came'to The officer told
her that the Colonel was on parade and
would not return for two hours-not un'
til he came in for his mid day meal.
Mrs. Mackey was comely woman OF
superior intelligence, and she soon inter
ested the young officer in her sad condl'
ton. He expressed for her the deepest
sympathy, told her that her husband had
been tried and sentenced to death at sun
rise tomorrow morning; and that he
feared there was no hope Of repreive, as
the evidence given against him by the
Tories was of the most positive kind. He
told her that Colonel Tarleton was as
cruel and unfeeling as he was brave and
that he would promise her anything to
get rid of her, but he would fulfill moth
ing. :n
the necessary document for your hus-
bands release, filling in the blanks, so
that it will only be necessary to get Col.
Tarleton's signature. But l must again
frankly say that this is almost hopeless"
It was evident to the most superficial
observer that Mrs. Mackey would soon
become a mother, and this probably had
something to do in enlistipg the kindly
sympathy of the brave young officer.
At twelve o'clock Col. Tarleton rode up,
dismounted, and entered the adjoining
tent.
"You must wait till he dines," said the
officer. "Another charge 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 charge he was confronted
by the heroic Lydia Mackey, who in a
few words made known the object OF her
visit. He quickly answered that he was
in a great hurry, and could not at that
time stop to consider her case. She said
the case was urgent, that her husband
had been condemned to die at sunrise 10.
morrow morning, and that he alone had
the power to save his life. He replied:
every we'll, my good woman, when l
return later in the day [ will inquire in.
to the matter" Saying this he placed
his foot in the stirrup, and sprang up, but
before he could throw his right leg over
the saddle, Mrs. Mackey caught him BY
the coat and jerked him down. He
turned upon her'with a scowl, and Sue
implored him to grant her request:
He was greatly discomfitted, and
apgrily said he would look into the case
on his return. He then attempted again
to mourn, when she dragged him down
second time, begging him in eloquent
terms to spare the life of her husband.
"Hut tut my good woman" said he, boil
ing with rage. -"Do you know what you
are re 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
ierkcd him to the ground. Holding by
the swords scabbard and falling on her
knees, she cried, "Draw your sword and
slay me and my unborn babe, or give me
the life of my husband, for shall never
let you 90 till you kill me or sign this
document she drew from her
bosom and held up before his face.
Tarleton trembled, was as pale as q
corpse, and turning to the young officer,
who stood near by intently watching the
scene, he said, captain where is this
woman's husband?"
He answered, "Under guard in youdtr
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 q
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 never again to bear
arms against the kings government"
"Sir," said Charles Mackey, in the
frmest tones, II cannot accept pardon on
these terms. 1t must be unconditional,
or I must die"
And poor Lydia Mackey cried out,
"Aud too must die;;" and on her knees,
holding on to Colonel Tarleton, she
pleaded with such ferver and eloquence
that Tarleton seemed for moment to
hesitate, and then, turning to the young
captain, he said, with quivering lips, and
in q voice choked with emotion, "Cap.
tain, 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 Farleton
mounted his charger and galloped off,
doubtless happier FOR having spared the
life of the heroic Lydia Mackey's hus.
band.
Lydia Mackey in her old age was q
fine talker. A. boy of ten years old, l
heard her tell this story with such feel
ing and earnestness that great tears
rolled down her aged cheek to mingle
with those of her little grandchildren
gathered around her knees.
The name of Tarleton was execrated
in South Carolina till 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 more interesting
tableau than that of Lydia Mackey beg
ging the life of her husband at the hands
of the brave and bloody Tarleton. 1t is
altogether probable that the Lydia Mack
ey victory was the first ever gained over
the redoubtable commander.
Ny mother, Mahala Mackey, was born
September /, 1892, was the ninth and
Youngest child of Charles and Lydia
| NJ al.a.z 4l,o anh;ontc ne thiu narratira