Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1901-03-21
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EMILY GEIGER'S EiDE.
Revolutionary Heroine Who Is SOI
often Heard OF.

often Heard OF.
On the firing liae woman may be worse
than an insignificant unit, but if she can
not shoot straight she can and frequently
does ride as straight as a man and show
a mans resource in emergency. As nat
ural result each war has its collection of
state and national heroines. Emily Gel
ger was South Cardinals heroine of the
Revolution, and her claims to respect and
remembrance are set forth below: q
In the spring of 1871 General Nathaniel
Greene attempted to capture the most i'm
portant post in upper Carolina, but being
advised Of Lord Rawdon's rapid approach
with large British force he withdrew
across the Saluda river and was pursued
by Rawdon to the EnOree river.
Rawdon's forces were reported divid-
ed, and Greene considered it imperative
to communicate with General Sumter,
who was stationed on the Wateree river,
so that, united the two might make an
attack on the British general.
General Sumter was over 100 miles
away, with many rivers and forests in
teryening. NJ re formidable than these
were the British soldiers guarding every
road leading to the south and the Tory
inhabitants of the country between the
two patriot forces. There was some diff
ty in finding man willing to undertake
the mission, but Il girl of IL came to Cen
eral Greene and offered her services.
She was Emily, daughter of John Gel
ger, an ardent patriot who was crippled
and unabl" To bear arms. and she begged
an opportunity to do something for her
country. She was Il good horsewoman
and knew til" roads for many miles.
General Greene hesitated to send this
dcfcnsclcss giil on so perilous journey,
but finally her insistence prevailed. Ho
gave her a written message to Sumter,
which she memorized before beginning
her journey.
On the evening Of the second day after
she had crossed the Saluda river and
was approaching the broad Congaree
near Columbia three of Rawdon's scouts
appeared III the road in front. 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 thtee miles distant to
search the prisoner.
During the few minutes that she was
LETT alone Emily tore up and swallowed
the paper u. which General Greene's dis.
patch was written. and her secret was
| safe. althUI-a every seam of every gar
ment was ripped open by the women
searchp!S.
When Lord I:awdon permitted her tC
continue her way. lie furnished her an es
cort to the house of a friend several
miles distant. and there a fresh horse
| was given her by the patriot.
Setting out again as soon as it was
| prudent, Emily continued her ride
through swamp and forest, where the
| darkness was intense, until daylight
when, with the exception of the time lost
| at British headquarters, she had been "a
hours in the saddle.
At o'clock on the afternoon of the
third day the brave girl rode into Sum
| ter's camp and, although almost faintinI
from fatigue and hunger, delivered clear
ly the message from General Greene. L
is said that in one hour Sumter wa!
ready to march and soon after Joined
| General Greene. In consequence of thi
union of the American forces RawdoI
was compelled TO retreat to Orangeburg
and later, despairjng of success, he saileC
| for Europe.
Two weeks after her ride Emily Geige
| returned home. General Greene present
| ed her with a pair of earrings and
brooch that are still in existence, as is ;
beautiful silk shawl presented to her b.
! General Lafayette on the occasion of hi
last visit TO this country.-Youth's Com
panion.