The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1892-10-08
A Female Patriot.

Although the Swedes and Norwegians
are today as closely allied as the English
and Scotch, yet but little more than a
hundred years have passed since they were
quite as bitter foes as were the people OF
our northern and southern states during
our late war.
When Charles XII invaded Norway,
early in the last century, the main part ct
his army advanced to Christiania, whence
detachment of cavalry was sent ahead to
destroy the silver works Mt Konigsberg.
On this expedition a party of 800 horsemer,
commanded by Colonel Loeven, quartered
for the night near Norlberg, in the neigh
borhood of which a small detachment ct
Norwegians had been stationed to watch
the movements of the enemy.
The Swedish commander put up at the
parsonage, and soon after his arrival re
ceived information that the Norwcgians
were only three miles away and were
ignorant of his approach.
Mrs. Anna Colbirsen, the wife of the
clergyman, who was sick in bed at the
time, happened to hear consultation
among her guests in which it was decided
to attack the Norwegian forces before the
break of day and then to move on Konigs
berg.
This brave woman, whose heart was
devoted to her native Norway, immediate
ly resolved to apprise her countrymen OF
their danger. In order to avert suspicion
from herself she paid the greatest atten
ton to her guests, and while appearing
wholly occupied in providing for their Ell
tertainment improved her information.
She displayed equal apparent benevolence
toward the comfort of the private sol
diers, and on pretext of getting some neces-
saries to complete their entertainment she
dispatched a servant, as it were, to procure
them.
The Swedish general in the meantime
inquired of Mrs. Colbirsen the road t.
Stein, where he intended to station his
troops, and was completely deceived by hei
answer
He ordered his horses to be kept in readi
ness at the door, but she contrived to get
the groom drunk, upon which she put the
horses into the stable and locked the door
Her next move was, under the plea OF
compassion, to obtain permission from the
colonel to light IA fire in the yard for tn.
comfort of the soldiers. This fire she in.
sensibly increased to such dimensions that
it served as a beacon and gave the Nor.
wegiars, through the servant whom she
had previously dispatched, the signal to
advance.
Everything succeeded to her utmost
wishes, and her courage and intrepidity
were rewarded by the arrival of the Nor.
wegian troops at her house without discov.
cry. They took the Swedish colonel pris
oner, and then cut to pieces or put to flight
the whole of his force, upon which her
conntrymen sat down to the entertain.
ment which Mrs. Colbirsen had provided
for their enemies.
The next morning she went out in com.
pany with another woman to view the
field of battle. The Swedes who had fled
the night before had rallied and beip.
still greatly superior in number to the
Norwegians, resolved to attack them: but
being ignorant of the force of the enemy
they sent out u accommodating party. which,
falling in with the two women, the cor
poral rode up to them, and pointing his
carbine ut Mrs. Colbirsen demanded in
slant information rs to the position and
numbers of the Norwegians.
Her companion tainted. but she boldly
asked:
''Is it the order of your commander to
shoot old women"
The corporal, ashamed Of his condrct,
lowered his carbine, but persisted in his
first question.
'As to their numbers," said Mrs. Col
birsen. that you may see for yourself, as
they are ut this moment mt tering behind
the church in order to attack you. More
cannot tell you, not having counted them,
but this l know, they are rs numerous as
the bees in the hives"
Upon hearing this the Swedes hurried
back and told their countrymen, who fed
in all directions; and such was their dis
order that many were taken by the farm
ers and others were lost in the woods.