Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-08-07
THE "h0RNET'S NEST"
AN HISTORICAL STORY OF LOVE
AND WAR.
BY E. P. Roe, Author of Opening Of a
Chestnut Burr" Barriers Burned
Away, Etc., Etc.
copyrighted 1895, by +. 7. Roe.
CHAPTER |.
4 MIDNIGHT BATTLE.

Is the chief town OF the ''heady high
minded" and famous county Of Meek
lenburg, North Carolina, whose people
virtually declared their independence
a OF England a year before congress fol-
lowed their example and gave us our
GLORIOUS Fourth Of July Lord Corn
wallis, commander of the British army,
on his retreat from this village. halted
ut a plantation and became the unwel-
come guest of Mrs. Robert Wilson, wife
OF the owner Of the estate. His lord
ship sought 10y flattering words to win
this patriotic TO royali5tic
views.
She replied, II have seven sons, who
are now, or who have been, bearing
arms; indeed my seventh son, Zacheus,
who is only fifteen years old, | yester-
day assisted to get ready to go and
join his father and brothers in Sum
ter's army. Now, sooner than see one
of my family turn back | would take
these boys (pointing to three small
sons) and with them would myself en-
list and show my husband aud SONS
how to fight, and, if necessary, to die
for their country"
'.Ah, an, general" said the bloody
handed Col. Tarleton, at his elbow, II
think you've got into a hornets nest"
Either from this remark, or on ac-
count OF the unconqnerablc spirit and
fighting qualities Of the people, the re-
gion. OF which the village OF Charlotte
is the center. became known duringthe
Revolution as the Hornets Nest
CORVALLIS always spoke of it under
this title. The following story, found
upon historical facts, may serve to
show how active were some of the
younger men, like Zach Wilson in
earning the epithet. in 1880 the Brit
ish army was ut Charlotte only nine
teen days, but a good deal happened
in that brief time.
The scene OF my story opens at Il
plantation which gave evidence of
thrift and homely abundance. The
house also was, for that early day,
roomy and comfortable. The family
consisted OF Mr.. and Mrs. McIntire, her
daughter Ella, a b~lue-eyed lassie of
eighteen, her son Angus, nearly seven
teen, and two little girls. They were
just finishing their dinner when they
were hastily summoned to the veranda
by the distant ~clatter of Il horses
hoofs.
''lt's Burton Craig" cried Angus.
'and | reckon there's trouble from the
way he rides"
1t was evident that Ella had recog-
nizcd the horseman also, for her color
heightened and her eyes were full of
eager interest. Although Burton
Craigc was but a year older thar her
self, he was her acknowledged lover
and her mother already loved him as Il
son. The same terrible misfortune had
drawn them together and cemented the
ties Of neighborly friendship. Burton's
father and Mrs. Mclntlre's husband had
both been killed in battle by the troops
commanded by the relentless Tarleton.
Young Craige's mother had been
feeble at the time and did no long
survive the shock of her husbands
death. Burton resided with n maiden
aunt who. from temperament, was able
to do little toward replacing those
whom he had lost. The orphan, there
fore, had naturally sought and found
sympathy and companionship at the
home to which he was o so rapidly
fellow. whom outdoor life and sports
had developed into fine and vigorous
proportions. The heavy down on his
!. upper lip and his dark, full eyes be-
spoke the early coming of manhood
and a fearless spirit.
..What is itp" cried Angus, running
forward to meet him. ''Is the enemy
moving up?'
yes" replied the youth hurriedly.
.'Cornwallis is on the march and
bloody Tarleton is with him. Graham
has summoned volunteers to Charlotte
and I'm on my way there, but reck-
oned I'd stop and see if you wanted to
90 with me-
..Of course / do. Ho, there, Joe"
shouting to a negro at the barn, ''sad-
die my horse quick. I'll get my rifle
and be ready in five minutes!'
80 Angus, what are you going to
do?" cried his mother. burton,
you will not lead my son into dangcr?"
The youth had now dismounted and
thrown the reins of his horse to a slave
who had FASTENED forward, He was
greeted rs if already one of the family.
: and answered with a grim sort of
, laugh, 81 reckon Angus is his fathers
son and won't need much leading"
Then he added gravely and almost ten
derly, ''Mother, dear (thc warm
hearted fellow had already given her
this title), we must look at things as
they are. Gus and | are your protect
Ors now, and we can sight a rifle as if
we were twenty years older. What
would our fathers say, could they
speak, if we should skulk now that
their murderer is coming? What, in