The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-06-26
NANCY HART THE WING.
SKETCH OF a WONDERFUL WON
AN OF EVOLUTIONARY DAYS.

One OF the most remarkable woman pros
duced by any country, a species, or type of
Joan of Arc in some phases Of similitude,
was Nancy Hart. The circumstances of
her birth have not been preserved with any
degree Of authenticity, but her early his
tory is so replete with stirring episodes and
dramatic incidents that a cursory bio
GRAPHICAL sketch of her eventful life may not
be without interest. Her maiden name was
Morgan. She was married 20 Benjamin
Hars. Her husband was brother Of the
renowned Col. Thomas Hart Of Kentucky.
the father Of the wife Of Henry Clay and
and maternal uncle Of Thomas Hart Ben
ton. Her sobriquet was AUNT Nancy"
She and her husband settled before
the revolutionary war q few miles
above the ford on Broad river,
In Ebert county. Georgia. The
spot is indicated to-day by an apple orchard.
She is described as an Amazon or Pata-
gonian IN hight, measuring about feet,
very muscular and erect In gait. Her hair
was of light brown hue. From her in-
ability TO control a violent passion or tenn
per, her counteuauce was susceptible OF
sudden changes from the most trivial causes.
In commenting upon the ordeal of the revo-
luton, through which she passed, aud dwell
ing upon the perhdtOusness OF the tories, with
whom she had frequent adventures, she in
variably exhibited signs Of excitement. Her
peculiarities were intensified by the promi-
nent features which nature had given her,
aided by both accident and circumstances.
A writer says: "She was horribly
sross-eyed as well as s-grained."
but despite this ocular defect, she
was an expert sharpshooter. Il was a
common pastime to see her in full pursuit
OF stag; ana the huge antlers that adorned
her cabin or furnished a support for her
trusty gun attesied her skill in markSman-
ship. She was equally fearless too in oee-
hunting, and her cabin was ornamented
with the white comb from which the honey
had long been expressed. She was famous
too for her achievements in the culinary
art, and Is reputed to have been able to
serve up pumpkin in as many styles as
here were days in the week. She gained
additional reput alton by her skill aud sue
cess In the treatment of all physical all
ments, and was frequently employed in the
management OF cases. But she vas most
celebrated for her feats of military daring,
nor could the marriage ties bind her to sub
lection, for she lorded 10 over her husband
with an undisputed sway.
TROUBLE IN GEORGIA.
When the war clouds broke over Geor-
gia in tempest of fury, thespirit Of Nancy
Hart reveled in tho turbulent storm. She
announced herself a friend to her country
and asserted her patriotism by many u he
roic act. Those who were accused Of whig-
Ism had to conceal themselves or be summa-
rily punished Mr. Hart sought safety III
canebrake with many Of his neighbors aud
led sort of proving life, making now and
Tt,k.
out Of their skulki1g places. On one occa-
sion the tories paid Mrs. Hart visit and OF.
dered of her a repast in true military style.
She soon acceded to their wishes and dished
them up dainty meal Of venis0n, hoe cake
and fresh honeycomb. This eppetital
treat lulled them to sense of in>
nocent security, and, stacking their
arms simultaneously sat down
to their epicurean feast. Quick as light
ming the Intrepid Nancy seiz5 one of the
guns, oocked it, and with red hot oath de-
clared that she would blow out the brains
OF the fl st man who stirred OF tasted a
mouthful. Co. said she to one of her
sons, ''and tell the wings | have taken six
base tories.n They sat motonless, their
hunger unappeased, disappointment mark
Ing their countenances, in constant trepida-
ton of being offered up, with mingled OK
presslons OF meanness, anger, NORTH alton
punished according to the rules, we will
now say the laws, of the times Now,
Nancy Hart was an illiterate woman, ut
terly ignorant OF the amenities OF oivilized
life, but a devoted and ardent lover Of
liberty, and the Liberty boysn as she
christened the wings. She was won't to
dup her husband "a poor stick"
because be was half-hearted
or lukewarm in the defense of his country,
although tolE al
tories. She was well known to the tories,
who, while apprehensive Of her revenge, for
any act Of aggression or often fancied grew
ances, awaited themselves of every oppor-
tunity to vex and tease her, especially when
they felt they could play their little pranks
with lmpunity. Ga one occasion party Of
tories made an excursion from the British
camp at Augusta, penetrating into the in
terror, and having brutally murdered one
Col. Dooly while in bed in mis- own house,
pushed their march farther into the interior
70 perpetrate more of their shameful atroc-
Ties. While en- route q detachment of five
of them diverged TO the east and, crossing
the Broad river, instituted a search about
the neighborhood and paid a visit to their
Old acquaintance, Nancy Hart.
TREATING FREE FEEDERS.
They entered her cabin unceremoniously
with a sudden scoW wi from Nancy for their
sa!utatlon, and informed her that they had
called TO inquire into the truth of a current
story to the effect that she had secreted a
noted rebel from company Of kings men,
who were In hot pursuit of him. and that,
but for her timely and effective succor,
would have captured and hanged him. She
dauntessly acknowledged her completely in
his escape. She stated that she had first
heard the tramp Of a horse approaching
rapidly and then espied a ho-senan near
ing her cabin. Recognizing him as a whig,
she knew that he was fleeing from pursuit.
She let down the bars few steps from her
cabin aud made him a sign to pass through
both doors, front and rear, OF her house,
which was single-roomed one, TO take the
swamp and conceal himself as best he could.
She then replaced her bars, re-entered
the sabin and calmly proceeded with her
regular duties. A short time aftsrward
some tories rode up to the door and vocifer-
ously called to her. Mutiling UP her head
and face, she opened the door and queru-
lousy inquired why they disturbed lone,
sick woman. They responded that they had
tracked a man they wanted to catch near
her house and asked if any one had passed
that way on horseback. She answered
negatively. bat added that she noticed some
one on sorrel horse turn out of the main
road into a wooded by-path some 200 or 300
yards back. THAT must be the fellow"
said the tories, aud, receiving the proper
directions as TO the road. they turned about
and galluped away. "Well fooled said
Nancy, in a sort Of contemptuous soliloquy,
Tin an opposite course TO that of my
WING boy, when, il they had not been so
lofty-minded, but had looked on the ground
inside the bars they would have seen his