To my surprise we turned up Hobcaw Creek. An hour later were now passing land I own. This had been my grandfather’s plantation. The house burned down when I was a child but he’d left it all to my brother. Jointly we planted indigo on this land. My brother was now dead and gone and without an heir. I assumed it belonged to me. We came to a canal dug many, many years ago, that led to the fields. There the indigo would be loaded and taken down the canal , down Hobcaw and across the river to Charles Town where it would be turned into dye. It had been our cash crop and how we made our money.

A little ways to the right lay the road that led to the old plantation house. Hidden in the trees were three horses and another man who rose from his nap and counted three of us.

“What have you got, Tommy?”

“Got the Belmont woman.”

“We can’t take a woman with us.”

“Well, what do you want to do with her, Marcus? She’s stole all the British maps for us…couldn’t by rights leave her to them.”

While they discussed my presence I looked around. I knew this land like the back of my hand. I’d played here as a child all over these woods. If I had a horse I could make my own way to Fairfield. I weighed my chances of stealing one and then gave up.

“All right, Ma’am you can ride with Tommy but you can’t be taking a bag with you. We got some rough riding to do.”

In a moment I decided to put on another layer of clothing. “That’s all right, I’ll just add it on.” I unbuttoned my green woolen coat and they all turned their heads and milled about. I wanted to laugh. I wasn’t taking off I was putting on. Two pair of knickers, another petticoat and a skirt, a shirtwaist and my coat and with my cloak over my arm I told them I was ready.

I was lifted up on the back of Tommy’s horse. He turned his head and looked at me. “All you got to do is hang on.”

“I’ve ridden before.”

“This ain’t no sidesaddle amble we’re going on.”

My valise was hidden in the brush and we were off. Riding fast through the trees and once out of site of the river we were on the dirt road and followed it as it wound toward the ruins of the old house. I longed to wander around it as I’d done as a girl. It has been years since I’ve been out here.

We rode past the house, past the outbuildings, past the old slave quarters that hadn’t seen a body in twenty years. I thought I knew where we were going and I tried to talk to Tommy.

“Are we going to the old mill?” He didn’t answer me. “I know where I am, this land belongs to me.”

This modern day map I’m using to show how Hobcaw Creek winds about.

I must say I was amazed that these men came to my house and dared to paddle about in British territory. They controlled this area…or so they thought.

We didn’t stop at the mill; in fact we didn’t stop at all. I was becoming sorely uncomfortable but as Tommy was evidently deaf I didn’t complain. By my estimation it must have been midnight or better when we first reached the Hobcaw. It was well into morning when they pulled up and began making strange sounds. These strange sounds were echoed and we proceeded at a slower pace.

In the middle of the forest we reached a small clearing boasting a long log cabin. Outside cooking fires were already being started. Tommy dismounted and helped me down. I could not stand for awhile but once I got my legs back under me I headed for the underbrush to relieve myself. The smell of swamp was strong in the air.

Back in the clearing a few men were moving about and giving me strange looks. I went over to the log cabin and stuck my head in only for a moment as it was full of men in various stages of dress.

I folded my hands and waited.

“Well, Mrs. Belmont, we didn’t expect you or we might have dressed a little better.” It was Gen. Marion who came out of the cabin.

“I’m well aware you weren’t expecting me but I was not going to be left behind and shot for something you asked me to do.”

“I’ve had a quick look at the maps you brought and I must say they are invaluable to our cause. You look to have had a rough time of it. I’m sorry we weren’t able to take you directly to Fairfield but we’ll attend to that shortly.” He turned to a young man who’d just come out pulling his suspenders up. “Benjamin how about making a place for the lady to take care of herself. Take her some water over there and hang a blanket up or something.

“We’ll have some breakfast and then we’ll figure out what to do with you.” His smile did not reach his eyes. I had the distinct impression that he would have gladly left me at Belmont to face the redcoats. In fact I wasn’t sure I even trusted him to get me to Fairfield. He might leave me here in the middle of the forest. I had not realized just how small he was when he came to my house. He wasn’t much bigger than I am but he commanded a larger space.

I cleaned myself up in a bucket of water and removed a layer of clothing tying it up in a bundle with the ribbons from my spare petticoat. The pins had gone from my hair during the wild ride through the forest. I finger combed it and left it down. It fell nearly to my hips.

When I emerged from my toilette a large table had been set up under the trees and breakfast was happening. The smells nearly made me swoon. I was starved not having been able to eat my dinner the night before.

I counted 17 men in various attire. They certainly did not look like a militia or a branch of the Continental army. There were also slaves about, six I counted.

“Go on and claim a plate, fill it with whatever you want.”

I turned to see a tall good looking man looking down at me. “Thank you.”

After breakfast was over I found a log and sat down to see what was to become of me.

In the early morning hours riders came in and left again. The men began saddling up their horses. Finally Gen. Marion came out and found me on my log.

“Mrs. Belmont I’m going to send you to Fairfield with a couple of fellers.” He looked out toward the woods. “I don’t think you could find this place again if you tried.”

“I appreciate your sending me home to my family, Gen. Marion, but you have nothing to worry about  as far as I’m concerned. Even if I knew how to find you I wouldn’t.”

“Well, you see, Mrs. Belmont, none of us can be too careful these days. I believe you to be a loyal citizen of this country, a patriot, but others might not see it that way. You’ve lived with the British for nearly a year now-“

“That was not my choice.”

“And, if you’ll allow me to continue, you took a Royal Navy captain for a lover. So you will understand if some are skeptical.”

“What I did on my own is no one’s concern but mine. I had no choice but to sign an oath. You will remember, General Marion, that I lost my husband in the siege of Charles Town. You knew him personally and to cast doubt on his wife is…beneath you, Sir. I am no more a loyalist than you are.”

“That’s what I thought.” He smiled and this time it did reach his eyes.

Inside of an hour I was dressed in a boy’s clothes. The boy having no further need for them according to the slave that brought them to me. I felt funny donning the clothes of a dead boy. I had to roll the pants up a little but otherwise they fit well enough to cover me. I plaited my hair and wound it around my head and stuck a hat over it all. My clothes were in a bag tied to my saddle. No side saddles here. I was also given a gun and a rifle. I’d never pulled a trigger in my life. The sharp knife stuck in my belt might be of more use to me. Thus outfitted and horsed I rode out with two men. One named Tripper and the other Rolfe of the breakfast table.

I had no idea where I was until we reached the Santee River. We’d followed the Cooper and skirted around the canal works  and now we were once again following a waterway. At all times we avoided contact with anyone we might see. They were very good at concealing us. It was a good thing because we saw men on horseback, a lot of them.

“Loyalist.” Rolfe whispered. “They range all over the place.”

“The British don’t like them.” I whispered back.

“Huh,” he scoffed. “They do the devil’s work for them.”

I was laying on the ground peeping over a fallen tree. Tripper had the horses back in the undergrowth. After the riders passed us we still lay on the ground. He was but a foot away from me. I lay there a moment and looked over at him to see what we were to do next.

“You do realize, Mrs. Belmont, that where we’re going is going to take us through some of the most dangerous territory in the state. It’s mostly held by the redcoats.” He shifted then and crawled back down the little hill. I stared after him. I did not realize the danger we were in. I glanced over the tree again and scooted back down the hill.

War operations in the state. Red marks the British. When Mari-Lee begins her journey Cornwallis is already out of South Carolina and pursuing Greene in North Carolina.

Modern day map but it shows the trek to Fairfield from Charleston following the rivers.

On we rode not stopping to eat. We had bags of food with us, cold ham biscuits from breakfast. I kept thinking about them and tried pretending I’d eaten one and wasn’t hungry. When darkness finally came to the woods  we found a place to camp for the night.  Watching them I hand raked up a pile of leaves to spread my blanket on. I don’t know what I was thinking when I was back in Charles Town thinking about getting to Fairfield. I’d always gone by water in a dry boat with a cover on top. I’d never in my life gone on horseback. The rivers were too dangerous for us to be seen on and there had been much cutting back and forth along the way. I was tired and sore from riding all day.

“Aren’t we going to have a fire?”

“No, ma’am, we can’t light a fire.”

Cold biscuits and water for dinner. Once the sun went down so did the temperature. It’s the first of March and it gets cold at night. I had two blankets and I pulled one around my shoulders as I sat on my mound of leaves. The two men didn’t do much talking. Tripper, I thought, was an Indian. He wore buckskins and some kinds of beads around his neck. He had the dark straight hair and features I’ve seen before.

“Are you all right over there, Mrs. Belmont?”

“As right as I can be, Rolfe. I…I didn’t get your last name?”

“Do you think it’s necessary?”

“Well, I suppose not but it seems customary to be introduced with both names.”

“Is Mrs. your first name?”

“My name is Mari-Lee.”

“Rolfe Middleton.”

“Oh, you’re one of the Middleton’s I know the family.”

“I’m not quite one of them. My daddy was a Middleton.”

I felt my face go hot. He was illegitimate. “It’s a fine family.”

“I’m sure it is.”

“How about your friend here, Tripper?”

“Tripper is half Cherokee and a damn good tracker.”

“I’m sure we probably need one. How long have you all been with General Marion?”

“Bout two years for me. Tripper’s been since the French and Indian wars, how long, Tripper?”

“Over twenty years now.”

“I’ve heard about him from the redcoats. Some say he’s a ghost. Tarleton was quite put out about him.”

“Tarleton is a butcher.”

“You have to understand, Rolfe, I’ve been at Belmont for nearly a year with these people. I only hear one side of things. They call General Marion the Swamp Fox.”

Tripper chuckled, “That is a good name for him.”

“How did you come to be left at Belmont?”

“I did it to myself not fully understanding what would happen. My husband took me over there for safety before Charles Town fell. I got word he’d been killed and I feared for my daughters and so I sent them to Fairfield well out of it, I thought. I should have gone with them but I was in such a state. Then the redcoats came and took over my house.  I wasn’t allowed to leave after that. I nearly died when I heard Cornwallis had taken Camden. That was too close to home.”

“They’re still in Camden. You must not be aware of where Cornwallis spent most of the winter.”

“He was in Charles Town right before Christmas.”

“The rest of the time…he was at Winnsborough.”

“No…NO.” I caught my hand to my mouth. “Oh, no, no, no.”

“He’s moved out now or I wouldn’t be taking you there.”

I came all over shaking. “I have two little girls there and my aunt.”

“I’m sure they’re fine. He don’t eat little children.”

“Oooo,” Tripper said.

“I had no idea…oh my God.”

“Maybe you should have been studying maps instead of laying up with the Royal Navy.”

“You bastard!” I spat out.

“That I am, Mrs. Belmont.”

I turned and lay down on my leaf pile and let the tears come silently. I’d rather be ‘laying up with the Royal Navy’ than with that bastard. When I think of Jack it’s like a hole opens up in me. I fell hard and fast for him and I don’t reckon I’ll ever get over him.

Rolfe Middleton                                  

Chapter 7

The next morning we awoke to the sound of gunfire. Tripper went for the horses. I think he had a way of silencing them by speaking very softly. Rolfe grabbed his rifle and climbed a tree to see what was happening.

“Cover everything up and hide.” He called down to me as quietly as he could.

I picked up the blankets and other things and scattered the leaves about. I ran to where Tripper was with the horses. A man came running on foot not twenty five feet from where we crouched. He stopped and listened and then continued on his mad dash through the forest. Before long a man on horseback came slowly through the trees. He carried a rifle in his arm. Two more came along with him. They stopped and looked toward where we’d been sleeping not fifteen minutes before. I held my breath. We heard another man call out to them and they finally moved on picking up speed as they went. We didn’t move for another twenty minutes.

When I  got some moisture back in my mouth I mouthed to Tripper, “Who?”

“Loyalist.”

When Rolfe came down from the tree we began to move quickly. “How can you tell they were loyalist?” I asked him.

“They are not ours.”

“How many of you are there?”

“Marion’s men? About seventy…more sometimes.”

“You don’t wear any kind of uniforms how can you tell?”

“We know each other. Everyman supplies his own clothes and his weapons and mount. We’re volunteers…nobody gets paid for this.”

“Do the loyalist get paid?”

“You should know the answer to that.”

“Don’t get smart with me, you don’t know where I’ve been. I asked you a question.”

“The British pay them I reckon. As for whatever else they need they steal it.”

“I’m not a loyalist, Rolfe. I was a wife and mother.”

“I’m a bastard.”

“Yes…I know.”

He grinned and turned his horse.

Now that the excitement was over I felt my sore muscles and the cold. I guessed I’d get used to it. There was little choice.

Tripper rode up between us and handed each of us a cold roasted sweet potato. It tasted awfully good. He then rode ahead of us and we single filed it with Rolfe behind me. I suppose I can say now that this is not how I envisioned my trip to Fairfield. I’ve led a pampered life and am not used to physical hardships. I won’t go on about my growing decrepit state.

The day was cloudy and there was a chill in the air. I looked up at the sky and thought…rain. We’d made good time the first day but today the terrain was changing and we kept more to the deep woods skirting around fields and open ground and then coming back to the Santee. Night came and still we rode on until we came to a place on the river and we stopped.

Cypress knees on the Santee

“We go across here,” Tripper said.

“Cross the river?” I asked in some disbelief.

“We have to. Tripper you want to take her reins?”

“I will get her across. You hold on.” He looked back at me and took the reins from my hand. I think I nearly squeezed the stuffings out of my poor horse with my knees. The shock of the cold water took my breath. I could feel the powerful animal beneath me swimming. We came up on the opposite bank and immediately headed out of the swampy area for a line of trees. Far back in the woods we began to slow and walk the horses a dark shape came into view and it turned out to be a dilapidated old house. This was our destination.

Rolfe built a fire in the fireplace and I took my wet shivering self over to it holding out my frozen hands. Everything we had was wet now, blankets, my spare clothes and my boots which didn’t fit well anyway.  I was thoroughly miserable.

I should have known these men would know what they were about. From somewhere in the dark recesses of the house came dry blankets and a cache of food. Between the two of them we had boiling water and tea, of all things, tea. Bacon and beans in a pot to boil over the fire.

“You’d better get out of those wet clothes.”

I looked at Rolfe, “And into what?”

“Wrap up in a blanket.”

I grabbed a blanket and moved out of the room into a narrow hallway and took off my wet clothes and boots. I kept my chemise and knickers on figuring they would dry next to my warm skin if it ever got truly warm. Ropes were strung up and the men already had their blankets wrapped around their waists. I think men do not feel the cold as women do.

“Why did we cross the river?” I asked.

“Because we’re very near Fort Watson and that’s held by your British friends.”

“They’re not my friends.”

“It was too dark to see, probably, but there are Indian mounds around here. The redcoats built a fort on top of one.”

“If they are so close how can we have a fire?”

“This is General Sumter’s territory. From here to the High Hills of Santee.”

“They call him the Gamecock,” Tripper added.

When the food was ready late into the night we had visitors. Rolfe met them at the door with his rifle ready. There were five of them, all militia, that filed into the house. Rolfe identified himself and Tripper as Marion’s men.

I was crouched down next to the fire with my plate. Tripper came over and squatted down next to me. For some reason I’d kept my floppy hat on and I was glad for it. It covered my braided hair. I was afraid not knowing what might happen. I looked up to see Tripper’s half smile and it made me feel a little better. These men were not our enemies.

“Who’s the boy?”

“Lee Belmont, picked him up near Charles Town,” Rolfe answered.

“Charles Town, you’ve been to Charles Town?”

“Near enough. We’re passing through.”

“We thought Marion might be up in these parts.”

“No, not this far up.”

“You all scouting or…what?”

“Escorting this young man back to his family in Fairfield. He provided some valuable information…least we could do was see him home.”

“Must have been valuable for the General to send his two best upstate.”

“Yeah.”

“Well, you all have a safe trip. We smelled the smoke and thought we’d better check. Rawdon’s out, you know, between here and Fort Motte.”

“Yeah, what do you think, go up the Wateree or the Broad?”

The militiaman laughed. “Toss a coin. I’d take the Broad. Leastways you won’t be caught between.”

“Thanks.”

They all touched their hats and left us to our beans and bacon.

“Who were they?” I asked.

“Part of Sumter’s militia. It’s good to know they’re around.”

“Could be tricky from here on out.”

Rolfe looked over at Tripper, “Yeah, gotta keep our wits about us.”

I sat thinking about this trip. I had General Marion’s two best with me and I suppose that should give me comfort. Fear had settled inside of me and wouldn’t go away. I began to wonder what ever made me think my children would be safer away from me. I should have kept them at Belmont, distasteful as the place had become to me if I had them with me I could have endured anything as long as they were safe. I’d had no contact with them since Jack brought me their letters.

“Lee…Lee, you’d better get some sleep.”

They built up the fire and I rolled up in my blanket against a wall.

I became Lee Belmont. We had a hot breakfast of bacon and some flat bread that Tripper made. I was told I’d better enjoy it. Dressed in my dried boy’s clothes I mounted my horse in the cold early morning mist. The mist had drifted up from the river and it was so cold that it froze your nose. I fastened my blanket around me with my belt.

This particular Indian mound is where Watson Fort once stood. The area around it is flooded with what is now Lake Marion. Much of the country Mari-Lee is passing through is now part of the lake bed due to the Santee-Cooper dam construction. Lying beneath the waters are plantations. Some are of the Civil War era and older. One belonged to General Sumter. Following is a description of the fort taken from a letter written by Francis Marion on the 23^rd of April:

“The fort lies on a rising ground, about forty feet high, surrounded by three rows of abbatis. There were no trees near enough to cover us from the enemy’s fire.”

Throughout the morning we plodded along coming near the river at times and then back into the trees. We were on higher ground now and the river was below us. In a distance I saw the Indian mounds they were talking about. Quite unexpectedly we were looking down at Fort Watson. It was a wooden structure made of logs but it was crawling with redcoats. Some were mounted and  milling around the base.

“Patrols going out,” Rolfe commented.

“Why don’t the Patriots attack it?”

He looked at me a moment. “The Patriots have attacked it and will do again.”

There it was again, that snide way of speaking to me.” I’m sorry I’m not up on the American’s efforts in this war but I’ve been in isolation for a year now.” I don’t know why it bothers me but it does. I really don’t want him to think ill of me.

We pulled way back away from the river. There were plantations along here with their fields bare. I wondered if they’d be planted this year, I wondered if they were planted the year before. How long had it been since South Carolina had known peace? We came to a stream pouring down the hillside toward the river and forded across. It was swampy around here. We could hear gunfire somewhere in the distance. I was thinking the redcoat patrol must have found something to shoot. Truth, I was tired, so tired of riding.

I don’t know now what came first. Something stung my right arm and all of a sudden my horse was no longer following Tripper. It had stepped into swamp water. I heard Rolfe call out to me and to Tripper. I couldn’t seem to make my hands work the reins and the next thing I knew I was off the horse and sinking into mud. I couldn’t find the bottom with my feet.

I panicked and began screaming. Rolfe threw a rope to me and I couldn’t  hold onto it. Tripper got my horse out and came into the water with Rolfe. They both grabbed an arm and that’s when I screamed and blacked out.

When I came to I was being held tightly by Rolfe and we were riding fast. I looked down and saw blood all over my right hand and started to scream again and his left hand came from my shoulders and clamped down over my mouth. I was shaking and making some kind of sound deep in my throat. I was hurt but I couldn’t feel anything. My right arm felt foreign against my body. I don’t know how far we rode like this because I kept drifting in and out. I vaguely remember being handed down from the horse into somebody’s arms. It’s all very sketchy. I was stripped down to my knickers and wrapped in a blanket but something was wrong. A vile tasting liquid was forced into my mouth and I could hear voices around me. Had I screamed again? Monsters in the fireplace.

Tripper

Chapter 8

When I finally woke sensible I was on a sort of cot in a small room. It was dark and I could see Tripper sitting on the floor sharpening a knife. The sound of it hitting the whetstone was somehow comforting. I needed comfort for my right arm was on fire.

“You’re awake.”

“Um hm.”

He brought me a cup of water. “How are you feeling?”

“Hurt…what…happened?”

“You got shot” He held the cup for me. “You’re shot in your elbow.”

“Am…am I going to die?”

“No, I hope not or I’ll be hung.”

“Why?”

“Because…I took the lead out of your arm.”

“You?”

“Me.”

“Are you a doctor too?”

“I’m a Cherokee. You want some more?”

I took another sip. ”Thank you, Tripper. I guess you saved my life.”

“That remains to be seen.”

“Where are we?”

“In a little cabin in the High Hills of Santee.”

“Where’s Rolfe?”

“Hunting.”

“Ohhh,” I tried to moved my arm.

“Leave it alone. Don’t move it.”

“How long have we been here?”

“Three days and this morning.”

“Oh…no. I’ve made such a mess of things.”

“You didn’t shoot yourself.”

“No, I can’t claim credit for that. Who did?”

“I don’t know.”

“I…I need to…to get up.”

“You can’t get up, you’re too weak.”

“I have to…go.”

What an embarrassing thing. He helped me to sit and I was bare to my waist, scrambling for the blanket to cover myself although I’m sure I’ve been well exposed.

“Here,” He slid an arm around me and pulled me up. “Lean on me.”

I was trying to hold onto him and the blanket at the same time. He laughed at me.

“You have very nice breasts. It’s not like I haven’t seen women’s breasts before.”

I must have been red as a beet. He held my cloak around me and I made it outside. Like I said it was the most embarrassing thing; fumbling with my knickers  while he kept me from falling over.

I was weak as a newborn kitten and glad to get back to the cot. He gave me some more water and I drifted off again.

The next time I became sensible there were men in the cabin. I lay very still and looked through my slitted eyes. Continental soldiers they were and there were three of them. They’d brought us some food and were discussing Rawdon.

“You don’t think there is any way we can get through?”

“One man might but three of you and one injured? We could give you an escort to the Congaree River but we’d be inviting conflict. There’s Granby in their hands. You do know you’re going to be riding right into Cornwallis’s headquarters if you make it through to Fairfield. He’s pulled out but he didn’t leave it open.”

“Well, the whole thing is ridiculous to me but I do what I’m told. Those maps she took are invaluable. I know General Marion was trying to do right by her but this is…its suicide.”

“I agree with you. You’re welcome to stay around here for as long as you wish. General Greene is pulling out of Virginia and back into North Carolina with Cornwallis following. He’s going to force a confrontation sooner or later. Morgan is out of it, he can’t even ride now.”

“He gave his all at Cowpens, the man deserves to retire.” Rolfe ran a hand over his face.

“All we do is take pot shots over at Rawdon waiting on orders.”

“How is the woman do you need any medicals?”

“Ah, yeah, we’ll take anything you’ve got.  Tripper took the lead out of her arm so…we’ll see.”

I closed my eyes and pretended sleep. After the men left I sensed Rolfe near me and I opened my eyes and looked into his. They were the color of green sea glass that I’d gathered on the shore at Belmont.

“How are you feeling?”

“Hurt.”

“We’ve got something for pain if you need it.”

“No, not right now.”

“You’re going to be all right.”

“Yes.”

“We got plenty to eat, are you hungry?”

“I think so.”

“Let’s get you sat up a little.” He pushed a wad of blankets behind me.

“Maybe…maybe you should just go on back to General Marion and let me make my way home. I don’t want you and Tripper to…die on my account.”

“Nobody’s going to die.” He brought me my chemise, nicely laundered to get out the blood stains and helped me pull it over my right arm. Seeing I couldn’t button it up with my left he buttoned it for me.

“Thank you,” I mumbled embarrassed that he’d touched me.

“I’m not much for tying little bows.”

I smiled, “leave the ribbons loose. Rolfe, I want to tell you how it was with me.”

“You don’t have to tell me anything.”

“I think I do. You seem to think I’m a loyalist or maybe something else. I was alone at Belmont in a house full of redcoats. I will say they conducted themselves as gentlemen and might have done anyway but Captain Aubrey stepped in and, as he said, threw his net over me. No one bothered me. He was very kind to me and made an effort to see that my mail got out to my aunt at Fairfield. He had his own sailors deliver it. You see we could not contact anyone out of Charles Town. I had to know my daughters were safe. He went to Fairfield himself and took them gifts and brought me back letters from them.

“He was there when I needed someone. He’s a good man inside his uniform. I fell in love with him knowing that it would come to an end. It came about a month ago right after Abraham was killed. I had two days with him and he sailed north. I don’t reckon I’ll ever see him again. After he left and Abraham was dead…I didn’t care anymore. I couldn’t keep up the charade any longer. That’s when I was approached to gather information for General Marion. He said he’d get me home if I did it. That’s how I come to be here with you. Captain Aubrey is what made my siege bearable. I’m not a loyalist, I’m not anything. I lived in my own little world in Charles Town with my husband and children. I was untouched by war. It all came down when he was killed during the bombardment. He was at the citadel fighting. I’d already lost my only brother on James Island. All I have left are my girls and my aunt. That’s why it’s important to me to be with them. I made a mistake in sending them out of Belmont. How was I to know Cornwallis would set up in their back yard?”

He nodded slightly and moistened his lips. “I’ll get you something to eat.”

I closed my eyes. I’d said all I could…except…”Do you know the French fleet is on its way?”

He turned and looked at me. “No, I didn’t know. I thought it was already here.”

I didn’t say anything else. Evidently I didn’t know anything.

Cornwallis left his winter quarters at Winnsboro and marched his army through North Carolina and into Virginia and then back into North Carolina in pursuit of General Nathanial Greene. The British were worn thin and their red uniforms faded by the time they reached Guilford Courthouse. The confrontation had come at last. On March 15, 1781 there commenced a long and bloody battle. While the professionalism of the British army under Cornwallis tactically won the battle when Greene retreated the death blow had been dealt. Cornwallis suffered many casualties and took his battered army to Wilmington, NC where they would resupply and regroup.

(Nathanial Greene)

General Greene turned his attention toward the relief of Camden. He dispatched Lt. Col. Henry Lee to make sure Cornwallis did not return south. If no movement was detected he was to join Brig. Gen. Francis Marion and capture Fort Watson.

News of Cornwallis move to Wilmington reached us while we were still at the cabin. I was up and around now. The feared fever never hit me and I believe it is due to the noxious mixture of herbs and other things, I dare not think of, that Tripper applied to my arm. I have a nice scarlet scar and an arm that I cannot  fully straighten. It more or less hangs at an angle and is much weakened.

We have lost the month of March due to my shot arm but Rolfe says that’s probably for the best since the trees are leafing out now and will provide better cover. We talk of leaving but so far we haven’t.  We’re into the second week of April when word comes from a passing militia  down from the High Hills that Greene is in fact just north of Camden. The militia were going down to meet up with Light Horse Harry Lee and Gen. Marion for an assault on Fort Watson.

I could see how restless Rolfe was after the militia left. He wanted nothing better than to join up with them and return to his job as one of Marion’s Men. Guilt wore heavy on my shoulders. We’d been in the cabin long enough. One morning he road down out of the hills just to ‘see what was going on’. Tripper stayed with me. He seemed quite content to check his traps and otherwise prowl the woods around the cabin. I was for all practical purposes useless.  I could feed myself with my left hand and was trying to learn to write. Some of the fingers on my right hand did not move at command. I could not do things like wash my hair or braid it. Rolfe and Tripper did these things for me.

One evening I asked Tripper, “You said you’d been with General Marion for twenty years, you must have been a child.”

“I was ten years old. He was at war with the Cherokee. After a fierce battle he found me wounded but still alive and decided to keep me.”

“You don’t feel any resentment toward him for killing your people?”

“My father was white skinned. He had a family already.”

“Did you ever know him?”

“Yes, I knew him. He was part of the militia that attacked our village. He was killed. I don’t resent Francis Marion. If not for him I would probably be dead. He educated me and I joined his army.”

“But if he’d left you alone, left your village alone then you’d be an Indian…still.”

He grinned, “Why do you think I am not? Just because I grew up around white men does not make me one.”

I never thought of him in that light. He was a man and that was all. “I like you, Tripper, I don’t care what you are or are not. You’ve done things for me that…well, you’ve saved my life. I am in your debt. You are my friend for life.”

“Yes.”

 “Light Horse” Harry (Henry) Lee

Chapter 9

On April 16 General Marion and Light Horse Harry Lee (Father of Robert E. Lee) approached Fort Watson and began a siege by cutting off their water supply at Scott lake. The Indian Mound was located between the Santee and the lake. The British dug a well and thwarted their attempt at siege.

Following is the letter General Marion wrote to General Greene of the action:

“Lieutenant-colonel Lee joined me on the Santee the 14^th instant, after a rapid march from Ramsey’s mills on Deep River, which he finished in eight days. The 15^th we marched to this place, and invested it: Our chief hope was to cut off the water: Some riflemen and continentals were, for this purpose posted between the fort and the lake. The fort lies on a rising ground, about forty feet high, surrounded by three rows of abbatis. There were no trees near enough to cover us form the enemy’s fire. The third day after we had begun the siege, we perceived that the enemy had dug a well very near the abbatis without meeting with any opposition from us, which was for want of several very necessary implements, without which we could not make trenches in order to make our approach to the fort; we therefore resolved immediately to erect a work as high as the fort, and it was finished this morning by Major Maham; we then made a lodgement on the side of the eminence near the abbatis; this was accomplished with great spirit and address by Ensign Robinson and Mr. R. Lee, a volunteer in Colonel Lee’s regiment, who, surmounting every difficulty got up to the abbatis, and pulled it away: By this the commander of the fort found himself obliged to hoist a white flag. I enclose the capitulation, which I hope will meet with your approbation. Our loss was only two militiamen killed, and three continentals wounded. I shall demolish the fort without loss of time, and then proceed to the heights of Santee, and shall halt at Captain Richardson’s plantation to wait for farther orders.”

In effect, they built a tower and moved it to the side of the fort and sent riflemen up in the top of it to shoot down inside the fortification.

(Abbatis or abatis is a  barricade of felled trees with pointed ends pointed at the enemy)

“It was brilliant,” Rolfe laughed with the telling of it. I laughed too. It was so good to have him back. I was afraid he wouldn’t come; afraid he’d join back up with the men.

“Did you see General Marion?” I asked.

“I saw him but I didn’t talk to him.”

“Is it safe for us to continue now?”

“Well…there’s still fort Motte, and its red.”

“I can’t get in my mind where it is.”

He drew me a picture with a stick in the dirt. “This is the Santee and it goes on up and it’s still the Santee until it gets to right here. Now the Wateree joins up and it goes north and the Congaree joins up and it goes west. Right there in the fork is where Fort Motte sits. And over here between the Wateree and the Congaree is where Rawdon reigns. I don’t see how we can get through there. The Congaree is swampland on both sides until you get up here and that’s where the Saluda and the Broad river join to form the Congaree. And Fort Granby sits there.”

“We can go north. If it is true that Greene is there above Camden then we should have safe passage. We follow the foot of the hills. It’s a long ride but at least we would be moving between the hills and the Wateree swamps,” Tripper suggested.

“Are you up for a long ride, Mari-Lee?”

“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be, Rolfe. We can’t stay here forever.”

It was true I’d never be any readier. Rolfe had to pick me up and sit me on my horse. I could only hold the reins with my left hand. Tripper fashioned me a sling for my right arm so that I wouldn’t be tempted to try and use it. Sudden movements caused me some sharp pains. After a while they took turns holding my reins since I couldn’t keep up. I was once again dressed in my boy’s clothes but now I had a big ragged hole in the sleeves of my shirt and coat.

We passed through the High Hills of Santee going down all the time. At some points Rolfe said they reached five miles high. It was a part of the country I’d never before been in until this trip. There were roads cut through the hills and we followed one down to the foothills . It was easier going for me once we were on relatively flat ground and I wasn’t clinching my saddle to stay on my horse. The high hills run parallel to the Wateree river for a distance of about 23 miles. Since we were on the Santee end we had that and more to go. We were always conscious that beyond the swamps and the river lay the British controlled area of Camden. When the land flattened out  we were especially watchful.

Up in the hills were many plantations and from time to time we spotted roofs and fields with people working in them. What a difference from the ones we’d passed on our way up the Cooper.

By mid-afternoon I began to sag in my saddle. Rolfe noticed and suggested we find a place and rest for a spell.  I came off my horse and into his arms. He held me there for a minute and looked at me. “Are you sure you’re up to this?”

“I have to be.”

“No you don’t. I know you want to get home but we can take as long as we need to. You’re white as a sheet.”

I leaned my head on his shoulder. “I hurt.”

“Your arm?”

“Yes, my arm, my shoulders…everything. I’m not cut out for this but I’ll make it.”

“Tripper, have we still got some of that laudanum?”

“We got a lot of it cause she wouldn’t ask for it.” He brought over a small vial and I drank it.

“Maybe it would be better if you just strapped her arm to her body that way she doesn’t have to hold it a certain way.”

“Who made me the medicine man?”

“Hey, you got the blood. Besides, you’ve done all right so far.”

Tripper removed my sling and split it in half. Finding the most comfortable place for me to position my arm he proceeded to wrap the strips around my waist and secured my arm so that it did not move and it was supported. I was going to tell him that it felt better already but the laudanum took me away.

When I woke darkness had descended upon us. I was no longer by the road where I remembered being taken off my horse. I’d been carried up into the lower foothills. Rolfe was with me and said Tripper was out scouting around. I had some water and a cold bacon biscuit. That took away some of the after effects of the laudanum. My arm was now in its natural state of dull ache.

By now I’d sunk into the depths of despair. So depressed was I that I thought of giving up this trek. Rolfe noted my silence and tried to talk to me.

“We should be out of here by this time tomorrow night. We’ll get across the Wateree and then another couple of days you’ll be home.”

“It all sounds so simple but it never is, is it? I thought to be home long, long before now. It’s been over a year since I’ve seen my Anne and Celia. They won’t even remember me now. I…I wish I’d never started this trip.”

“Ah, you’re just wore down, Mari-Lee, and getting shot just about was the last straw. It’s taken a lot of the spirit out of  you. You’ll be all right once we start moving again.”

“I’m not sure I’ll ever be all right again.”

“Sure you will. Your little girls need their mama.”

“Not as much as I need them.” I needed something else too. I wanted to be held and petted and …cared for…loved. I wanted Jack.”

“Don’t cry, Mari-Lee.”

“I’m sorry…I-“ He moved next to me on the ground where I was sitting and put his arm around  me. All the time we’d been together with Tripper, all the times they’d helped me dress and do other things I couldn’t do for myself, neither one of them had ever touched me this way. He took my face in his hand and kissed me.

I wasn’t sure I wanted this kind of a thing with him. I’d wanted his approval and I think I had that. I had the impression he didn’t form attachments. We didn’t need one now. I moved. “Thank you, I think I needed that.”

“I didn’t mean to…I don’t want to step over…into…damn it, Mari-Lee.”

“I know, I understand what you’re trying to say. I don’t want to go to that place with you. We can’t…we just can’t.” I think he must have sensed I needed his closeness. I don’t want to become involved with him. He’ll drop me at my doorstep and leave and I’ll never see him again. I don’t want that…I can’t go through that again. I’ve already lost two loves. Rolfe is one of those things that could have been if life had been different.

Still…he held me close and kissed the top of my head and I lay it against him. “How long has Tripper been gone?”

“Long enough.”

They heard horsemen before Rolfe carried me up the hillside. Tripper went to investigate and find out whose horsemen they were. When he came back and found us he had some news.

“That was Sumter’s men. They’re joining Pickens and try to take Ninety Six. Greene’s just above Camden. He thinks he’s going to take it back tomorrow. If we want to get around that we need to get going unless you want to end up in the middle of a battle.”

“I’m ready.” I said wearily. We came down out of the hills and raced along the road.

(Wateree River)

The Wateree River becomes the Wateree when the Catawba River crosses the  North Carolina border into South Carolina. By dawn we were past the High Hills of Santee and looking for a place to cross. The western side of the river was mostly swamp land. The spot Tripper picked was below Camden. The area known as Granby( now Columbia) was held by the British out of Fort Motte and Camden but we figured Camden would be focused northwards on Greene.

When Cornwallis left South Carolina for good he left  General Lord Francis Rawdon in charge of roughly 9,000 British and Tory soldiers His primary center of operations was Camden. In order to keep the patriots at bay he sent 900 of his men under the command of Col. John Watson, for whom the fort was named, out primarily to capture Gen. Francis Marion. He and his men were looking for him down the Santee when word came that Rawdon had recalled him due to an eminent attack by Greene. He was on his way back when he ran into Light Horse Harry Lee returning from the destruction of Fort Watson. Thus he was delayed and would arrive too late to be of any assistance to Rawdon.

Tory spies kept Rawdon supplied with information about Greene’s whereabouts but it was one of Greene’s own people who gave the most damaging information. During the night a drummer had defected to Camden and revealed Greene’s position and his plan of attack.

We crossed the river near Boykins Mill which is about 8 miles southeast of Camden

(Boykins Mill Pond as it is today The bridge is over the sluice. Note: the last Union soldier killed in the Civil war was killed here. He was under Gen.Potter who’d been up in the High Hills of Santee burning and pillaging and wrecking destruction after Lee had surrendered.)

Somehow Rolfe managed to unhorse himself and was muddy to his armpits. It didn’t stop him as he came out of the water with his rifle over his head keeping it dry. We were in a heavily wooded area and now and again a small settlement would appear and women would come out on their porches to see who was galloping by. Except for a few slaves we came across there were no other men to be seen. We were roughly heading west to keep away from Camden.

A little over a mile north of Camden, Greene was camped in a place called Hobkirk’s Hill. Having arrived and determined Camden was too fortified to attack he set up base and was awaiting his detached forces to join him before engaging the enemy. Hobkirk’s Hill is a low sandy ridge flanked by woods and low marshy terrain. Pine Tree creek and swamp dominated the east and the great road that runs north and south ran though the middle of what would become the battlefield. The land between Hobkirk’s Hill and Camden was covered in woods and thick undergrowth. The Americans had been there long enough to have improved that area but had not utilized their time well.

They were still at breakfast when the pickets sounded the alarm. The British were marching. Caught out they scrambled into position.

Before dawn, Rawdon led 900 troops northwest from Camden toward Hobkirk's Hill. He had hoped that Watson might arrive but with Greene poised to attack he went on ahead. He moved his force along the swamp on the eastern side of the road. They formed for battle facing uphill and northwest with a strong front three men deep. The British advanced quietly until skirmishers opened fire on the Patriots just southeast of Hobkirk's Hill.

The Americans quickly formed into a single line of battle along the brow of the hill facing south by southeast. This line was comprised of 930 men. Brig. Gen. Issac Huger's two Virginia regiments were on the right side of the road (Lt. Col. Samuel Hawes's 1st Virginia Regiment formed the extreme right and Lt. Col. Richard Campbell’s 2nd Virginia Regiment formed the right center), and Col. Otho William's two Continental Regular Maryland regiments were on the left side (Lt. Col. Benjamin Ford's 5th Maryland Regiment occupied the extreme left and Col. John Gunby's 1st Maryland Regiment formed the left center). Behind Williams was a reserve of 250 North Carolina militiamen and Col. William Washington's 85-man cavalry detachment. Before the fighting started, three 6lb. artillery pieces unlimbered in the road facing south between the Virginia and Maryland troops.

Perceiving that the British advanced with a narrow front, Greene saw this weakness and advanced his lines. The plan was to have the center attack the British directly, the Virginia and Maryland troops would wheel respectively on the British flanks and envelope them, and the cavalry would ride around to the east and attack the British rear. When Rawdon realized what Greene was doing, Rawdon had time to extend his front by ordering up his reserves, making the British front longer than the Patriot front. This nullified Greene's plan of attack and would throw it in disarray.

When the battle began, the Virginians began forcing back the British left. On Greene's eastern flank, Gunby became confused and pulled his regiment back to reorganize. The British launched a bayonet charge against Grunby, which panicked the Marylanders, who were soon routed from the battlefield. On the left flank, Ford was leading his men when he was severely wounded. His regiment soon retreated in confusion without executing their orders.

On the west side of the road, Campbell's left flank was exposed and the British quickly attacked. Campbell's troops could not stand the brunt of the British attack and fled.

The British troops broke through the Patriot center, advanced to the summit of the ridge, brought their whole force into action on the best ground. This British movement sealed the fate of Greene's attack and forced him to order a general retreat for his entire command. Luckily on the right side of the road, Hawes's regiment held on long enough to prevent what could have been the destruction of Greene's army. Washington's cavalry reached the British rear and captured 200 noncombatants from the storerooms,  and hospital. When he learned that most of the army was retreating from the field, Washington ordered his men to withdraw and assist in the withdrawal. They arrived in time to save the 3 artillery pieces from capture. (locked in Rawdon’s jail as a POW at that time was Andrew Jackson, who would one day become president of the United States).

The Patriots withdrew a few miles and went into camp near Camden. The American defeat at Hobkirk's Hill was blamed on Gunby. The tactical mistake he made by pulling back his men to reorganize his regiment started an unfortunate chain of events. A court of inquiry found him guilty with causing the defeat, but did not call for his removal from command

When we heard the artillery we realized how close we were. Having crossed the great road the battle was only a few miles to our right. We rode crazily through the woods and underbrush, separating and then coming back together. I was now in charge of my own horse and I kept up with Rolfe as best I could. The air was positively crackling around us. I felt it and they must have too because Rolfe stashed me in a thick stand of holly trees and told me not to move. He and Tripper rode ahead to see what was happening.

It took them about twenty minutes to see that Greene was trying to pull back.

“Come on,” Tripper called to me and took my reins. “We gotta get out of here.”

We went flying through the woods again and I could hear gunfire. It seemed to hum in my shot arm. After getting swatted in the face with a limb I crouched forward on my horse. I heard Rolfe holler something at Tripper and we split up with Rolfe going one way and us the other. Looking back I could see splashes of red. Oh, God, we were being chased.

Tripper was leading my horse to keep me with him but it was slowing him down. He took but a minute to scoop me from my saddle and sit me in front of him. There was no time to think. We were down a ravine and jumping  a creek and up the other side and lost in the forest. No longer could I see anything red behind us.

“Oh, God, oh, ho, ho…” I was shaking and about to panic. He caught me around my waist with one arm.

“Hey, you be quiet.”

I stuffed my fist in my mouth and then realized he was trying to listen for something. He jumped down.

“You stay mounted…if I don’t come back you ride out of here. Go west to the river and then follow it up. You know what I’m saying?”

“You have to come back. It’s no good, Tripper, you have to come back.”

He squeezed my thigh and then disappeared into the brush. It seemed like an eternity. The forest was strangely silent, not even birds singing. I was beginning to think just how horrible it would be if he didn’t come back. Could I possibly make it…yes I could but with a heavy heart. I’d come to rely on these two good men. I was totally out of my element in the woods.

When he did come he came leading my horse. “Silly horse was following us. If the redcoats had bothered they would have found us.” He reached up for me and I hugged him so tightly with my left arm around his neck he had to pry me loose.

“You trying to kill me, little girl?”

“I’m just so glad to see you.”

“Maybe I go away more often. You knew I was coming back…I wouldn’t leave you out here for the bears to eat.”

“Bears?”

“I’m only playing with you. Let’s ride.” He lifted me up on my silly horse and I patted her neck for following.

“Aren’t we going to wait for Rolfe?”

“He’ll find us. We don’t need to be waiting around here for anybody.”

(Cornwallis House in Winnsboro, Fairfield County, SC. This house is where quartered during the winter before he left after General Greene)

Chapter 10

“You don’t know where we are do you?”

“We’re going west.”

“How do you know?”

“I watch the sun.”

“You can’t even see the sun,” I protested.

“Look where the shadows lay, Mari-Lee”

Tripper always knew where he was…maybe. “How far is it to the river?”

“I don’t know.”

The trees had thinned out some time ago and what we were moving through now were skinny baby trees. “I smell smoke.”

“There’s a house around here somewhere. We don’t want to come near it…could be loyalists here.” He headed for denser forest.

Later on, “Tripper, I’m worried about Rolfe.”

“You sweet on him?”

“Well…no, I like him well enough. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to him.”

“He can take care of himself. He’s like a lone wolf, you know, like me. He don’t belong one place or another.”

“Do you know who his mother was?”

“I don’t know her. She was a prostitute.” He rode on ahead leaving me with my thoughts.

I wondered which one of those fine Middleton men who sat in the church pews on Sunday morning with their families fathered him. I followed Tripper though some thick undergrowth and huge old trees. I saw him stopped a little ahead.

“What is it?”

“Water.”

“The river?”

“The Broad river is here.”

“Oh, oh my God. Tripper we made it! He turned and smiled.

“Did you think we would not make it?”

I had begun to wonder if this trip would ever end. I’d been tired and sore but now I was renewed.

We plodded along the river bank and after awhile I began to recognize where I was. We weren’t far at all. I couldn’t believe he’d brought me this close to home. We came to the old dock posts and a little farther along a road opened up. Shadows were laying long in front of us as we rode along. For some silly reason I began to think about my appearance. I doubted anybody would recognize me. The boy’s clothes hung loose on me and I’d been obliged to tie the leather belt around my waist. I was filthy, scratched and half starved not to mention the dirty wrappings around my ribs that held my arm in place.

(I’m borrowing this house as Fairfield. It is actually Mulberry House in Kershaw County, High Hills of Santee, and belonged to Mary Chestnut, Civil War Diarist)

When I saw the house Cornwallis himself could not have stopped me. I was surprised to see other buildings close by. Fairfield which had always been a small settlement had grown. There was an iron fence around the front of the house now. We dismounted and strode through the gate and up onto the porch. I knocked and all of a sudden I was fearful. I remembered what Rolfe had told me about Cornwallis occupying Fairfield.

Through the wavy glass door I could see someone moving around.

“Hello…Hello?” I knocked again and the door opened just a crack.

“State yo bis-ness”

“Claudy, is that you?”

She opened the door enough to see me. “Thas me but who is yo?”

“It’s Mari-Lee, Claudy. I know I don’t look like her but it’s me.”

“Law, law…Miss Clarissa…law” She bent double and covered her face with her apron.

“Claudy what?...Oh…oh, child.” Aunt Clarissa opened the door wide and grabbed me around the shoulders. “There’s nothing left of you, girl. Come in here, come in here.”

My dirty face was awash with tears probably making mud streaks down my cheeks.

“Who is this with you?” Aunt Clarissa looked past me with a slight frown.

“This is Tripper, Aunt Clarissa, he’s brought me from Charles Town. We’ve come cross country.”

“Ma’am” Tripper removed his hat and bowed a little.

I saw my girls in the hallway hanging back, wide eyed in wonder. They didn’t recognize me. I had been afraid of that. Regardless of my present condition, it had been a year and more since I sent them off to this place.

Claudy brought them up by the hand. “Miss Anne and Miss Celia, yo mama has come.”

They both buried their faces in her apron not wanting to look upon me.

“Hey, sweeties.” I managed.

Anne took a peek at me. She remembered me calling them sweeties. “I really am your mother but I know I don’t look like her. I need a good bath and some clean clothes and maybe you’ll remember me then. I can’t believe how big they’ve gotten.”

“They’re growing like little cultivated flowers. You do need a bath, honey. Claudy, will you see to it.”

“One for Tripper too.” I looked into her face. I know he’s an Indian and I know what she’s thinking. “You would not believe what we’ve been through to get here and I would not be alive to tell it if not for Tripper. He saved my life.”

“All right, Claudy…make that two baths.”

“Whur’s dat gurl, Mouney, Mouney…you gits some hot water up them steps rite quick.”

I looked back at Tripper and held out my hand for him. I didn’t think he was going to take it at first. “I’ll show you where you can get cleaned up.”

“Mari-Lee!” Aunt Clarissa finally noticed my wrapped arm. “What’s happened to you?”

“I got shot in the elbow on the Santee. You’ll hear all about it later after I get cleaned up and some good hot food. And, Aunt Clarissa, if while we’re upstairs having baths, a handsome young man shows up at the door with about as much dirt on him as he can carry…let him in. That will be Rolfe Middleton, the other half of my escort.”

“Mama?” Anne decided she knew me after all. I hated to touch her with my filthy hand. I bent and kissed her cheek.

“Yes, darling, it’s Mama.”

Oh what bliss. I stood in the middle of the bedroom while Mouney and Claudy filled the old copper tub with hot water. Claudy had to unwrap me and help me out of my clothes. She saw the condition of my arm and fingers.

“Law, Mari-Lee, look at yo. How yo tak care o’yo sel?”

“I don’t, I’ve had help. Tripper and Rolfe have had to do for me.” She unbraided my hair and I stepped into the water and slid down into pure heaven.

Aunt Clarissa found some of my brothers old clothes for Tripper and she brought me some of hers. “They won’t fit you, you’re nothing but bones.”

“Food has been scarce and hard to come by but we’ve managed.” She had a look at my arm while I dried myself off.

“I’m so sorry, Mari-Lee.” Tears ran down her cheeks.

“Guess I’ll be wearing long sleeved gowns for the rest of my life. It’s not so bad, really. At least I’m alive.” With her dressing gown wrapped around me I told her the whole story from the time I left Charles Town for Belmont. I even told her about Captain Aubrey. We both cried with the telling of it.

Claudy brushed out my hair and dried it with towels and put it up for me. Downstairs the dining room was being laid and out in the kitchen scrumptious things were happening. I came down the stairs and saw Tripper rise from a chair in the front room. I hardly recognized him with his hair slicked back in my brothers clothes.

“Don’t you look pretty.” I said and smiled. He smiled back a little embarrassed.

Over dinner Aunt Clarissa told us that there had indeed been British officers in the house but Cornwallis favored another residence in the town of Winnsborough (spelled that way back then). Winnsborough was only about fifteen miles from Fairfield House.

“Are there still redcoats in Winnsborough?” I asked.

“Not many, probably less than a dozen. They all pulled out with Cornwallis. We were glad to see them go for we were short of food. An army can consume great quantities of food and their supplies did not always come through.”

Tripper and I looked at each other knowingly. Without thinking he reached over and took my plate and cut my food up into bite size pieces and handed it back to me. I looked up at my aunt and smiled a little.

“You see what a baby I’ve become. I can’t even hold a knife to cut my food up.” I was very close to losing my composure completely. All the hardships I’d been through and now I was home, safe and warm, clean and fed.

After dinner I had a real reunion with my daughters.

The clock in the hallway had struck ten when the knock on the door came. Claudy opened the door

“Is this…Fairfield?”

“Oh, lawdy, yo mus be dat Middleton mon carryin’ a load o’dirt. Come on in here, young mon.”

I rose from the settee and stepped into the hall. “Rolfe, oh, God.”

“Don’t touch me you’ll get blood all over that pretty…dress.” He fell slowly like one part of him collapsed on the other. Tripper went down on his knees to see where he’d been wounded.

Claudy spread sheets on the dining room table and helped Tripper strip him down to his waist. A shot had graized his temple and he’d had another one  along his rib cage. That one was still in there. Tripper ran up the steps to get his knife. The same one he’d operated on me with. Claudy helped him clean Rolfe up a little, washing blood from his body. I couldn’t stand to watch it. He looked so still and pale.

Aunt Clarissa took me by the arm and led me into the front room. “He’s been in a battle.”

“There was a battle at Camden today and we roamed a little too close. We were riding as fast as we could and they split up when the redcoats came after us. I can’t imagine what he’s been through. This is just…too much.

I paced and I cried and I waited. Claudy came in and asked for Aunt Clarissa’s sewing basket. “He gots to sew ‘em up”

Finally Tripper came in with his shirt sleeves rolled up. “I think he will live…I don’t know. I got the lead out. I did the best I could. Claudy’s going to bathe him…if you might have some more old clothes, Aunt Clarissa…”

“I’ll get him a night shirt and turn a bed down for him if you can get him up the stairs.”

When she left I walked over to Tripper and slipped an arm around his waist and lay my head on his chest. He put his arms around me and we hugged for a while.

“I told him I wasn’t a medicine man.”

I looked up at him, “I’m not sure what you are but you’re everything we’ve needed.” I kissed him and then moved away from him. At that very moment I loved Tripper.

“I’se needs some hep in heah.” Claudy called out.

Tripper went to help.