Norwich bulletin., 1921-03-25
ODD INCIDENTS IN AMERICAN
  HISTORY
THE HEKoIsM OF REBECCA MOTIF


 ope of the most interesting women of the Revolution was Rehecca Motte, of
 South Carolina. When her husband died
 during the war he left her large es- tate in OrangebuEg county, although very
 much encumberment- During the occupan- cy of South Carolina by the British they
 took possession of her fine mansion and
 built around it a high parapet which was called Fort Motte
 After Col Watson had eiuded the pur- suit of Marion and Lee the latter plan ned to lay siege to the fort. Mrs. Mot l te had been removed to a farm house 1 on the plantation with her family. Lee | took possession of the farm house, and I Marion cast up an intrenchment near | by upon which he planted six-pounder
 which was to be turned upon the fort. l Not wishing to destroy the mansion 1 the patriots sent a demand for the 1 surrender of the fort This was re- | fused. The nlnsion was situated in I the center of the enemys works and was covered with shingles, now very dry. for l rain had not fallen for several days and 1 the rays of the sun were powerful, To communicate fire to the mansion was Lees expedient That officer had
 enjoyed the hospitality of Mrs. Motte during the siege, and her only mar
 riagea6le daughter was then the wife l of his friend, Major Pinckney These circumstances made it a painful duty f for him to propose the destruction of her property Her cheerful acQuiescence and .7 even patriotic deside to serve her coun- try, by such a sacrifice, gave him joy, and communicating his plans to Marion 1 they hastened to execute them.
 1 It was proposed to hurl ignited com ! bustibles upon the roof of the house T by arrows. These were prepared. when Mrs. Motte, observing their inferiority . brought fine bow and bundle of ar. : rows which had been brought from thu East Indies and presented them to Lee On the morning of the l2th Lee sent ! Dr. Irvine, of his cavalry, with a f1as to state. truly the relative position o the beligerents, that immediate surrend CT could save many lives McPhe-sol {, still refused compliance. and at fooi ! when the ditch was advanced within I bow-shot of the fort several arrows from the hand of Nathan Savage, a p,i a vate in Marion's brigade, winged thei | way, with lighted torches towards tn house. Two struck the dry shingles an . instantly bright flame crept along tn - roof.
 n Soldiers were ordered uD to knocl off the shingles and put out the hr< ' when one of two shots from Marion
 battery, raking the roof, drove ther r l below McPherson hung out a white has e the firing ceased, the flames were es l. tinguished, and at 1 o'clock the garriso l. surrendered themselves prisoners of wa el By invitation of Mrs. Motte both tn II victorious and the captive officers pal l. took of sumptuous dinner from he IS table, while she presided with all tn P coolness and easy politeness for wiic st She was remarkable when Eurrounde by friends in the enjoyment of peac
 Col. Horny, in his narrative of tt
 incident, mentions some pleasing ha,
 penings which occurred at the table { Mrs. Motte on this occasion Anon ,. the prisoners was Captain Ferguson, a I officer of considerable reputation. Fin 5 Ling himselm near Horny, he said: 'YC ,a are Col Horry, I presume" Horry r ;.. piled in the affirmative, when Fergusc continued: well, was with Col Wa " son when he fought your General Ma.ic on Sanpit. ] think saw you with
 party of horse. and also at Nelson's Fe - ", where Marion surprised our mar at the house. 'put," he continued.
 was hid in high grass and escaped. Yt '. were fortunate in your escape at Sar 1 pit, for Watson and Small ,,aS tvei, AI hundred men"
 ~ 'sH so." said Horry, T certainly VI As fortunate. for I dh not suppose tn, n. Ai>-o At1pAS eAiaH udA InAt numoer." ,,n consider myself" added the captaI IS equally fortunate in escaping at N, en sons Old Field" Truly you were .. answered Horry. dryly. 'for Marion h, -.o but thirty militia on that occasion" si The officers present could not suppre no laughter. When Greene inquired K Horry how he came to affront Ca, TT Ferguson he, answered: "He afErpnt en himself by telling hH own story he Assuming all her husbands liabili.l ne credit a tract N rtee Ians ~ e.. uy river and by her energy ani econoz 'g paid aIl the debts he had incurred a or accumulated large property. She s, ny vived the revolution. living until 1S1i s (Tomorrow-Tne Famous Maschianza