Anne+Bailey

= =  Anne Bailey  Boston,MA  By:Katlyn Gumbert

 I happened to be born in October 1758 in Grotton, Conn. I was brought up by my Uncle Edward Mills. I was married to Elijah Bailey. The Battle at Grotton Heights was one thing I am famous for. It happened in Fort Grizzwald on Sept. 6, 1781. After the fighting, I walked three miles to the Fort in search of my uncle. I found him heavily wounded. My uncle asked to see his wife and child before he died. I hurried home. When I got there, I had to catch and saddle the family's horse. I got the wife and child, and then returned to my uncle. The wife rode the horse while I walked and carried the baby. I received the name "Mother Bailey" because of that trip. After I brought the family to the dying uncle, I went around to help all others wounded.  There was a flannel shortage at Grotton. Flannel was used to make cartridges for muzzle loader guns. On July 13, 1813, I went door to door, collecting flannel for the soldiers. I even gave up my own flannel petticoat. It was this patriotic act that gave me the name "Heroine of Grotton". The "Martial Petticoat" has become celebrated in song and story.

 I had four nicknames. They were: "A Daughter of the Revolution", "The Pioneer Heroine of the Great Kanawha shore", "Mad Anne" and "The White Squaw of Kanawha". The most fascinating nickname I had, I think, was "Mad Anne". The Indians named me that because they thought I was possessed by an evil spirit and that I was insane. They thought that because I could ride through Indian Territory without harm. One time the Indians were chasing me. I knew I couldn't out run them so; I jumped off, my horse and hid in a hollow log. Although the Indians looked everywhere, they couldn't find me so they took my horse. Later that night, I snuck into their camp and stole my horse back. I rode away and at a safe distance, I screamed and yelled like a wild woman. The ride in 1791 was what I am most famous for. A runner was sent from Point Pleasant to Ft. Lee to say Indians were going to attack with a large army force within a few days. The ammunition was low in Ft. Lee at the time. They needed ammunition so they could fight off the Indians. I rode a very dangerous trail alone. I rode 100 miles to Lewisburg across wilderness without roads to get the gun powder. I returned with the much needed supply of ammunition. I died in November 1825 of old age.