The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1900-04-11

tion," prepared by Hiss Fannio G.
McCants,, and read at the recent meet
ing of the Daughters of the American
Revolution in honor of the placing of
the memorial tablet by the chapter
to Emily Gcigcr in the State Capitol:
The history of the American Revo-
luton is full of the brave deeds
of heroic women. Many of these
arc preserved only as traditions,
but some of them have found place
in historic records, and one Of the
many good works Of the Society of the
Daughters of the American Revolu-
tion is to preserve these records, and
to bring to the attention Of the pres.
ent generation instances illustrating
the heroism Of the women of that Pc
Rod. In the darkesthours Of the war
their cheerfulness and hope infused
spirit into the hearts Of the despon-
dent, while their patient endurance Of
hardships made the men ashamed to
complain of their own trials. Often,
too, that faculty called "woman's
wit was pressed into service with the
happiest results. Among the many
stories told OF brave deeds by these
women, there is none perhaps mere in
teresting than that of Emily Geiger's
ride.
The year Of 1870 was, perhaps, the
gloomiest tipe in the Whole course of
the war. At the North the British
were in command Of every important
point, Washington's army was de-
pleted by the sufferings Of the winter
at Valley Forge, the soldiers were
clamoring for the pay which the gov
crnment was unable to give them, and
many were deserting and going to their
homes to get bread for their starving
families. Arnold's treason had shown
that even among the leaders them
selves spirit Of dissatisfaction was
creeping in. Charleston had been
captured, and wes in command Of
CORVALLIS, who had formed plans for
conquering the whole of South Caro-
lima. The battle of Camden had been,
perhaps, the worst defeat sustained
by the Americans during the war.
After this an irregular kind Of fighting
and resistance to the British as car
ried on by the brave partisan leaders,
Marion, Sumter aud Pickens. bnt no
decisive battle was fought by them.
The gloom and depression OF this period
was dispelled to some extent by the
battle Of Kings Mountain, in Octo-
ber, 1880. This was glorious victo-
ry for the Americans and was tho
occasion for fresh energy and renewed
exertion. Gen. Nathaniel Greene was
put in command Of new army for the
South and after that the principal seat
Of war was in North and South Caro-
lima.
Ninety-Six was the most important
post in upper South Carolina held by
the British. Il was strongly garri
soned and in command Of native
born America. The greater part of
the garrison we're also loyal Americans
Tories. Gen. Greene made plans to
take this post and began the attack,
but hearing that Lord Rawdon was ap-
preaching rapidly with large force,
he was compelled to retire, and was-
forced to retreat to q distant part of
the State. He crossed the Saluda
River and passed through the upper
part Of what is now Newberry County,
pursued by Lord Rawdon as far as the
Enoree River. This was in June.
1881. During this retreat it became
necessary to communicate with Gen.
Sumter, who was then stationed on
the Wateree River, hundfed miles
away. The country between the
armies was inhabited mostly by To-
ries, who would not hesitate to muir
der any active--friend Of the cause Of
Independence, and no man could be
found who was willing TO undertake a
mission so perilous. The necessity
for finding messenger was urgent, as
Gen. Greene wished Gen, Sumter to
join him in order that they together
might attack Rawdop, whose forces had
been reported to be divided. Ashort
distance from Gen. Greene's camp
there lived o well-to-do farmer pamed
John Geiger, He was an ardent pa
triot, but being an invulid was not
able to bear arms in his country's de-
fcnse. His girl Emily, a girl Of about
about Is, was as patriotic as himself. !.
and often expressed tho wish that she
could fight in her fathers plate.
Hsrppssa;as 60 Bear iinat Gen. Greene
wanted q courier who would bear a