Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1901-02-15
great men. some members of the Cont.

great men, some members Of the Cont.
mental Congress.
The commandments was at his
quarters ut White Marsh, stately stone
mansion, busily looking over some Off
cial papers. The ragged Contincntals,
many of them still wearing their summer
clothing, We're gathered about their Gang
fires, for the day was bleak and chilly.
\ sentry was pacing back and forth in
front of the house where Washington
was quartered, when there came up q
small party on horseback. The sentry
gave them a glance as they approached
and was amazed to see in their midst 9
young and handsome woman. wearing
cooked hat and the military coat of a
man. The party was halted by the sem
try, and, after saluting, young man in
the faded uniform of Il Continental otli-
Ger asked to see Gen. Washington.
The sentry was about to inform the
commandcr-n-chief of the request, when
the tall. stately form appeared at the
door. and giving the young officer u
glance. cried:
Captain Fitzgerald. am happy to
welcome You back TO Our ranks. DO you
wish TO talk with mc?"
II do. general. This lady has some
information for your ears only"
'Dismount ard come in
Captain Fitzgerald sprang lightly from
his saddle and turned to Molly. whom lie
assisted 10 alight, and giving their horses
TO some soldiers standing near they en-
tered the tent of the general. He gave
each y chair and again seated himself at
the table, at once plnnging into the busi-
ness in hand by saying:
'Nou can row proceed. Captain Fitz-
gerald. aud tell such of your story as you
please"
General Washington. l have but little
to tell myself. After securing from you
q leave of absence. l set out alone
through New Jersey and proceeded near
ly as far as Monmouth Court House. I
found the whole. country ovcrrun with
predatory bands of British and Tories,
who are harrassing the people in almost
every conceivable manner. Farm houses
are p!undcred and burned; men shot and
made captivcs, cattle driven away and
slaughtered. Among the most mischicv-
Gus monsters, who have done most to in
jure the people OF New Jersey, is Cap
tain Mark Tapley, an infamous Tory,
who, at the outbreak OF the war. was
sentenced to a term in the penitcntiary,
but on his entering the Kings service,
received Il pardon"
The general listened TO the detailed
account of the young captain, and at the
conclusion said:
while such depredations may shock
and grieve us, they are no cause for dis
ont ,,-I,o W.
formation have you:'
~ great deal of it," said Molly, quick
ly.
'What is your name?'
"Molly Pitcher, general, the female
cannonecr, she answered.
The general started to his feet and
took her hand in his. lie gazed into the
pretty face n moment. and asllet':
''Wcrc you at Fort Clintor~
II WAS; my husband Was one OF the
syunners. and it was my good fortune TO
fire the last gun just before the fort was
abandoned
"r have heard OF your daring exploit"
I've not come to talk o. that. general"
said Molly. removing her military hat
and laying it on the table at her side.
"There is something else | want to tell
you
''Nou can speak plainly
"Ihcre is one man whom YOU trust
that is envious O you. He wants to
wear your shoes. aud because he can't
he is going to ruin the whole army" said
Molly.
Washington fixed his deep, impressive
eyes OH her in an inquiring gaze. She
asked:
Cant YOU guess to whom / refer?"
Il cannot" he answered.
General Charles Lee
Washington was man not easily
startled. If he doubted the woman's
STORY he did not evince that doubt by
word or look, but calmly asked:
"W'hat cause have you to distrust Gen.
cral Lee?"
"While he was in prison in New York
I went to the city. General Putnam
asked me to go there to pick up some in.
formation. l went. and as no one knew
me, stopped with the wife of the pro
vost marshal and played loyal subject
to King George. She was a talkative
woman and told me many things l would
not have known but for her. and among
them she said that General Lee. while a
prisoner, had been planning with the
British to defeat YOU"
(T,O no continual