America Untold:
Forgotten heroes, Forgotten Stories
Scarlet Ingstad
Christian, Independent Author, Historian
Christian, Independent Author, Historian
Welcome back to Revolutionary Voices! This series highlights the lesser-known stories of American Revolution heroes, shedding light on myths, as well as revealing the truth behind the more popular stories we grew up hearing. America is a diverse and beautiful nation, and it's history should reflect this fact. We owe our freedom to many whose names we do not know--and it is my goal to help change that. This month I introduce you to the stories of three teens who braved the dangers of enemy territory to deliver urgent messages, saved American lives, and helped secure the ultimate outcome of the American Revolution. Meet Sybil Ludington, Emily Geiger, and Susanna Bolling. Sybil Ludington Sybil is often hailed as the "female Paul Revere" because of the story about her alleged-daring ride through Putnam and Dutchess counties to warn the patriot militia that British troops were burning down Danbury, Connecticut. It should be noted at this point that this story cannot be completely confirmed because the evidence all comes from secondary sources. The story itself did not emerge until much later after Sybil's death, so whether this story is half-true, all true, or completely fictitious is unknown. Sybil was the oldest of 12 children and her father was Colonel Henry Ludington, the commander of the 7th Regiment of the Dutchess County Militia, who later became an aide to General George Washington. In April of 1777, a force of 2,000 British soldiers commanded by General Tryon moved through Danbury, destroying private property and stores of supplies for the American forces. A messenger arrived from Danbury to deliver the news of this incident to Sybil's father. Henry Ludington wanted to organize his militia to respond, but they were scattered all over the state. The messenger was also exhausted from his ride and was unfamiliar with the territory. This is where sixteen-year-old Sybil Ludington is said to have stepped in. Sybil knew the area well, having grown up in the region. She was also familiar with many of the members of her father's militia. Armed with knowledge, courage, and determination, Sybil left that night, in the middle of the storm, atop her father's horse. She traveled over forty miles from her home in Kent, south to Mahopac, and north to Stormville, then returned home the next day. She dodged British soldiers, loyalists, and outlaws during her journey to rouse the militia. Although the troops would arrive too late to save Danbury, they were able to attack the British as they left the area. Today, historical markers trace her route throughout Putnam County, and a statue commemorating her story stands near Lake Gleneida. Emily Geiger Shortly after the siege of Ninety Six, South Carolina, General Nathanael Greene crossed Broad River. He was eager to send a message to General Thomas Sumter who was on the Wateree River, ordering him to join them so they could launch an attack against the British Lord Rawdon. The only problem? The entire region was full of British soldiers and Tories--no one was willing to volunteer for this dangerous assignment. No one that is except for young Emily Geiger. General Greene was surprised by the sixteen-year-old's insistence on serving her country as a courier, risking life and limb to deliver his message. A young girl traveling by horse would be a lot less suspicious than a full-grown man, so he agreed to her offer. He drafted the letter and gave it to Emily, who then quickly saddled up and began her journey. On the second day of the trip, Lord Rawdon's scouts intercepted Emily and questioned her as to why she was coming from the direction of General Greene's forces. They were suspicious of Emily's story, so they captured her and confined her to a room for further questioning. While the British began looking for a woman to physically search Emily, she quickly tore up the letter and ate it. By the time the British found a woman to search her, the evidence was long-gone. Emily was later released and she resumed her mission, having memorized the letter prior to eating it, and delivered the message verbally to General Sumter. Today, Emily Geiger is remembered through her burial location in the Geiger Cemetery between Calhoun and Lexington counties, and three South Carolina chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution which are named in her honor. Susanna Bolling
In May of 1781, the British General Cornwallis and his men invaded the home of Susanna Bolling and her family in Hopewell, Virginia. During their occupation of the family's home, Susanna overheard Cornwallis discussing his plans to capture the Marquis de Lafayette who was staying at the Half Way House in Chesterfield at the time. Susanna knew that the capture of Lafayette would be a devastating blow to General George Washington and the rebel cause. In fact, had this event transpired, it could very well have meant the end of the war. And so, armed with this understanding, sixteen-year-old Susanna began her perilous journey. Susanna snuck out of her family home, rowed across the Appomattox River, borrowed a friend's horse, and rode ten miles to the Half Way House to warn Lafayette. Her actions spared Lafayette's life and the American cause. The Frenchman was able to escape and continue on with the fight against the British forces. Had Susanna been caught, she would have likely been hanged as a spy and a traitor. Five months later, General Cornwallis surrendered to General George Washington, an event that would never have happened if it were not for Susanna. Susanna's name is on the list of lesser-known American heroes and heroines whose actions saved the American cause. Today, she is remembered through the Half Way House Restaurant, still in operation in North Chesterfield, Virginia. In 2019, the Virginia General Assembly officially named December 5th, Susanna's birthday, "Susanna Bolling Day." Patriotic, Independent, Courageous The stories of Sybil, Emily, and Susanna embody the core ideals of the American Revolution. They felt a deep sense of dedication to a cause far greater than themselves, and were willing to risk everything to see it through. Unlike Paul Revere, who rode 14.5 miles on horseback with the support of several others along a courier-line, these teenagers operated independently. Revere was part of a very complex warning system which consisted of several other people, unlike the tale we've all probably heard at some point in our childhood of "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere." Sybil, Emily, and Susanna traveled farther than Revere, and did so without any assistance from others. This is not to discredit Paul Revere, but to put into context the courage and tenacity these young women exhibited--and the fact that we all know who Revere was, but very few know who these young women were. Three women, sixteen years old, accomplished feats that many of us adults cannot even fathom. Thanks to them, patriot lives were saved and the cause for liberty remained steadfast. Sybil Ludington, Emily Geiger, and Susanna Bolling are heroines of the American Revolution and their names, and Voices, are worth remembering. SCROLL DOWN TO SEE A PREVIEW OF NEXT MONTH'S HERO!! I'm quite excited about him... Sources and Further Reading: - "Sybil Ludington," Historic Patterson, New York: https://www.historicpatterson.org. - Debra Michaels, PhD. "Sybil Ludington," Women's History, https://www.womenshistory.org - "Emily Geiger: Teenage Revolutionary War Hero," History's Women. https://www.historyswomen.com. - Percy Geiger, The Geigers of South Carolina, 1945 - Greg McQuade, "How a 16-Year-Old Girl from Hopewell Helped Win the Revolutionary War," https://princegeorgecountyva.gov. - "House Joint Resolution No. 649: Susanna Bolling Day in Virginia," https://lis.virginia.gov. - Women Heroes of the American Revolution by Susan Casey - Spies, Soldiers, Couriers, & Saboteurs: Women of the American Revolution, by K. M. Waldvogel - Sybil Ludington's Midnight Ride, by Marsha Amstel - Emily Geiger's Dangerous Mission, by Dyana Stan - Susanna's Midnight Ride: The Girl Who Won the Revolutionary War, by Libby Carty McNamee Next Month's Hero: Did you know that George Washington's enslaved valet fought by his side in the American Revolution from start to finish? Or that he played a pivotal role in changing Washington's views on slavery? Find out more about the life of William Lee in next month's post!!!
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Scarlet Ingstad
I am an independent author and historian seeking to uplift the stories of the lesser-known heroes and heroines of the American Revolution, alongside modern-day heroes and heroines who have served in the U.S. military and continue their service through their historical work. Archives
March 2022
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