The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-06
In Memory of
Emily Geiger's Ride.

1sSl.
From South Carolina Daughters Ameri-
can Revolution
100.
In the spring of 1881, Ninety-six was
the most important post in Upper Carolina
held by the British. Gen. Nathaniel
Greene planned to capture this strongly
garrisoned fort and began the attack, but
being advised of Lord Rawdon's rapid APP
proach with a large British force, he was
forced to withdraw across the Saluda riv-
er, and was pursued by Rawdon to Emo
rec river-this was in June, 1871.
During this retreat Gen. Greene con-
sidered it impera i've to communicate with
Gen. Sumter who was tationed on the
Wateree river, over 1.ndred miles
away, with many rivers ard great forests
Intervening Worse than these were the
British soldiers guarding every road lead
ing to the South, and the few inhabitants
of the country between the two patriot
forces CT Tories. Rawdon's forces
were reported divided and Greene
wished Sumter to join him so
they might united make an attack
on the British general 1t was considered
hopeless to dispatch an ordinary courier
was. found willing to undertake the risk
Then a girl of IS came to the General and
offered her services. She was Emily, the
daughter of John Geiger, an ardent pa
triot, but crippled and unable to
bear arms. The daughter begged an
opportunity to do something for her coun-
try She was a good horsewoman and she
knew the roads for many miles.
Though in pressing need of a messenger,
Gen. Greene hesitated to send this de-
fenseless girl on so perilous a Journey, but
finally her insistence prevailed He gave
her a written message to Sumter, which
she memorized before beginning her jour-
On tha Of "a daV
after crossing the Saluda river and when
approaching the broad Congress near Co.
lumbia, three of Rawdsons scouts ap-
peared in the road before her. AS she
came from the direction of the enemy and
gave evasive answers Emily was taken
into Lord Rawdon's presence. He was
suspicious, and sent for two Tory women,
living three miles away, to search the
prisoner During a few minutes she was
left alone the girl tore up and swallowed
the paper on which Gen. Greene's dis
patch was written, and her secret was
safe, although every seam of every gar
ment was ripped open by the women
searchers. Lord Rawdon then permitted
the girl to continue on her
way, giving her an escort to
the house of friend several
miles distant. There fresh horse was
given her by the patriot, and Emily Geiger
continued her ride by night. Riding many
miles through SWampS ana forest where
the darkness was intense, she continued
onward after daylight, although, with the
exception of the time detained at British
headquarters, she had been twenty-four
hours in the saddle.
At O'Clock in the afternoon of the
third day the brave girl rode into Sumter's
camp, and, although almost fainting from
fatigue and hunger. she delivered clea~'y
the message from Gen. Greene. 1t is said
that in one hour Sumter. wasN ready to
march and soon after joined Gen, Greene
In consequence of their united forces,
Rawdon was compelled to retreat to
Orangeburg, Ninety-Six was evacuated,
and Rawdon, despairing of success, sailed
home.
Two weeks after her famous ride, En-
lily Geiger returned to her home. Gen.
Greene presented her with a pair of ear
rings and a breastpin that are still in ex-
istence, as is beautiful silk shawl pre-
sented her by Gen. Lafayette on the oc-
casion of his last visit to this country.
Very little is known of the heroine after
the war She married Col ThreWitte, a
wealthy planter of Lexington.
Tradition says that when Lafayette paid
his farewell visit to South Carolina, and
a grand ball was given in his honor in
Charleston, she was sent for to grace the
occasion and that she danced the first
minuet with the Marquis 1t Is known
that she left no children but beyond that
no record can be found of her subsequent
life. She was buried In the old Threwitte
burying ground in Lexington county
about ten miles from Columbia.