Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/241

 attaint Josiah Philips. This man^ in the summer of 1777^ at the head of a banditti, commenced a course of crimes, in the counties of Norfolk and Princess Anne, which spread terror and consternation on every hand. Availing himself of the disaffection which prevailed in that quarter, and taking refuge from occasional pur- suit in the fastnesses of the Dismal Swamp, he had carried on a species of war against the innocent and defenceless, at the bare mention of which humanity shudders. Scarcely a night passed, without witnessing the shrieks of women and children, flying by the light of their own burning houses, from the assaults of these merciless wretches; and every day was marked by the desolation of some farm, by robberies on the highway, or the assassination of some individual, whose patriot- ism had incurred the displeasure of this fierce and bloody leader of banditti. Every attempt to take them had, hitherto proved abortive; when, in May, 1778, the governor received the following letter from col. John Wilson:

��" Norfolk County, May 20th, 1778.

■ Honourable sir,

" I received your letter the 14th inst. of the 12th April, respecting the holding the militia in readiness, and my attention to the arms and accoutrements, which I shall endeavour to comply with as far as in my power: that much however, may not be expected from this county, I beg to observe, that the militia, of late, fail much in appearing at musters, submitting to the trifling fine of five shillings, which they argue they can afford to pay, by earning more at home; but I have reason to fear, through disaffection. With such a set. of men, it

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