The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-09
WHAT ONE GIRL DID.
A Belle of the Revolution Keeps q Secret
in u Novel Way,

A Belle of the Revolution Keeps q Secret
in Novel Way.
There is an old saying that General
Greene Exchanged his northern laurels for
southern willows" says the New York Her
aid. 1t is true that he met with many re-
verses during his famous campaigns in the
Carolinas, and more than once was COM
PEELED to flee from a victorious foe; but
these defeats do not detract from his great.
ness.
During one of his retreats, when he had
Lord Rawdon at his heels, as it were, Gen.
Greene was DESTROYS of sending message
to Gen. Sumter, the "Gamecock of the Rev.
olution," who was then on the Wateree with
his detachment. Greene was anxious to
form junction with Sumter, believing
that, combined, the American forces might
fall upon Rawdon with success, as he had
divided his army and seemed to offer him.
self as an easy prey.
In vain did Greene look for some one to
carry the message. The country between
him and Sumter was full of tories. who
never neglected an opportunity to shed the
blood of wings, as the patriots were termed,
The bravest men in the .neighborhood
shrank from carrying the dispatch. and
Greene was despairing when a young girl
presented herself at his headquarters.
II hear that you want to send a message
to Gen. SUMTER" said the beautiful stran-
ger. II will take it to him. My name is
Emily Geiger, and want to do something
for my country"
The patriot general was thonderstruck,
but at the same time he hailed her PROPOSE
tion with unbounded delight.
will have to pass" continued Emily. '.and
if YOU will trust me with the message /
promise to place it in Sumter's hands,
Accordingly General Greene wrote II let
ter which he gave the fearless girl, at the
same time telling her its contents, which
she was to communicate verbally to Sumter
in case of accidents; and With the paper
carefully concealed, Emily GeiRer mounted
her horse and rode away. She HAD embark
ed ON dangerous journey, but this did not
deter her. Her way led through some un-
broken country and over ground infested
by British and some OF Lord Rawdoi.'s
scouts, who refused to believe her artfully
contrived answers, and conducted her into
their camp.
Confronted by the new danger. Emily
Geiger's daring did not desert her. She
recalled Gen. Greene's instructions, and
when she had been placed in room, there
to remain until she could be searched by
one of her own sex, she made up her mind
what she would do. A tory had been dis
patched for the woman who was to search
the suspected girl, and before he had re-
turned with her Emily ate up Greene's
written instructions to Sumter, piece. by
piece. It was her only hope to escape pun
ishment. if not death, and at the same time
keep Greene's designs from becoming
known to the enemy.
When the tory woman arrived Emily was
carefully searched. but nothing damaging
was found on her person, and ,as she re-
fused to disclose the secret che was sus-
pected of having in her possession the
torres were compelled to set her at liberty.
Even then she was released under protest,
and when she rode off was secretly fol-
lowed, but taking a roundabout route she
deceived her foes, and soon afterward gall
Hoped into Sumter's camp, much to the
surprise and delight of that officer.
One Of the historians Of the revolution
has truly said that sthe salvation Of the
army Was due moro than once TO the watch