The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-01-01

Alstine had already earned. From
that eventful day Betty's hat enjoyed a
notoriety it had not had before, and II
is said that long afterward.-when the
colonies had secured their independ-
ence and when Betty had little
household of her OWN Mohawk
Indian came to her home and laugh
ingly recalled the gallant defense OF
the philadelphia bonnet" Stran &c
to say he was the same warrior who
had tried to carry it off the day the
band plundered her m others house
But the historic Mohawk valley did
not furnish the only girl patriot Of the
revolution. There is an old saying
that Gen. Greene exchanged his
northern laurels for southern will
lows" 1t is true that he met with
many reverses during his famous cam
paigns IN the Carolinas, and more
than once was compelled to flee from
victorious foe; but these defeats do
not detract from his greatness.
During one Of his retreats, whom he
had Lord Rawdon at his heels, as it
were, Gen. Greene was DESTROYS OF
sending Il message to Gen. Sumter. the
'Gamecock Of the revolution" who
was then on the Wateree with his de-
tachment. Greene was anxious to
form a junction with Sumter, believ-
ing that combined the American
forces might fall upon Rawdon with
success, as he had divided his army
and seemed to offer himself as an EASY
prey.
In vain did Greene look for some
one to carry the message. The coun-
try between him and Sumter was full
OF Tories who never neglected an OPP
portunity to shed the blood of Wings,
as the patriots wore termed. The
bravest men in the neighborhood
shrank from carrying the dispatch,
and Greene was despairfng when a
young girl presented herself at his
headquarters.
IL hear that you want to send a. mes
sage to Gen. SUMTER" said the beauti-
full stranger. Il will take it to him.
My name 81 Emily Geiger, and 1 want
to do something for my country"
The patriot general was thunder
struck, but at the same time he hailed
her proposition with unbounded de-
light
Il know the country through which
l will have to pass" continued Emily,
and If you trust me with the message
l promise to place it in Sumter
hands,"
Accordingly Gen. Greene wrote a
letter which he gave the fearless girl,
at the same time telling her its con-
tents, which she was to communicates
verbally to Sumter in case of accidents;
and with the paper carefully concealed,
Emily Geiger mounted her horse and
rode away. She had embarked on a
dangerous journey, but this did not
deter her. Her way led through some
un broken country and over ground in
tested with British and Tories, and on
tho second day she was halted by some
OF Lord Rawdon's scouts who refused
to believe her artfully con trived an
swers and conducted her into their
camp.
Confronted by the new danger,
Emily Geiger's daring did not desert
her. She recalled Gen. Green's in
structlons, and when she had been
placed in a 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
dispatched for the woman who was to
search the suspected girl, and before
he had returned with her Emily ate
up Greene's written instruc tions to
Sumner. piece by piece. It was her
only hope to escape punishment, if not
death, and at the same time keen
Green'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 refused to disclose
the secret she was suspected of hav-
ing in her possession, the Tories were
compelled TO set her at liberty. Even
then she was released under protest
and when she rode off was secretly
followed, but taking roundabout
route she deceived her foes and soon
afterward galloped into Sumter's
camp, much to the surprise and de-
light OF that officer.
One of the historians of the revolu-
ton has truly said that 1.-The salvation
OF the army was due more than once
to the watchfulness and tact OF
woman and we have thought to
rescue from the annals of that trvino
period the names of two of its young
heroines-Betty Van Alstine and
Emily Geiger.