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For lack of space, American History textbooks fail to mention the many deeds of women and children during the Revolutionary War.
These seemingly small gestures were, in some cases, turning points or just what was needed at that time to help achieve victory down the line. One such woman was Elizabeth Maxwell Steele, who lived in the settlement of Salisbury.

At this time Steele was a landlady of the principal hotel in that village. It was at her house on the evening of Feb. 1, 1781, that a surprise visitor came to her door. It was none other than General Nathanael Greene of the American southern troops.

A doctor who had charge of the sick and wounded prisoners at that place was engrossed in conversation with the notable general. Mrs. Steele could not help but overhear Greene express himself as “fatigued, hungry, alone and penniless.” Mrs. Steele, an ardent Whig, stepped forward and immediately expressed her humane desire to fill all of his needs.

After serving him a warm meal, Steele led the general to a side apartment and laid before him her store of gold and silver pieces, filling his pockets while at the same time giving him many kind and encouraging words.

Greene’s stay was short, but before leaving the house he took from the walls of one of the apartments a picture of King George III, which had come from England as a present to a member of the Steele family years before when the colonists were at peace.

Turning the framed picture over, Greene scrawled across the back of the picture with chalk, “Oh George. Hide thy face and mourne.” He then replaced the picture with the face to the wall. Elizabeth Maxwell Steele’s kindness was but one of many turning points in the duration of the war. Greene left Mrs. Steele’s much needed hospitality with new energy running through his veins. His mind became sharp and clear again . . . all because of a helping hand.

Days later, having only a few men with him and very little baggage, Greene took the road that was commonly used to travel to his destination where he had directed General Huger to meet him with the main body of the army. It was the most direct road but the worst of conditions.

Greene crossed the main road from Greensboro to Salem just a mile west of the New Garden Meeting House. Because of rain, the roads were exceedingly hard to travel on. When the ground was frozen, they were particularly rough, and when they were thawed, the mud was so deep that they were almost impassable, either for infantry, or for artillery and baggage.

When he arrived at Abbott’s Creek Meeting House, Greene halted for two or three days to rest his troops and wait for further developments. He made his headquarters at the home of a Tory, Colonel Spurgen, who lived about a mile from the church.

As chance would have it, the Tory colonel was not at home. However, his wife, Mary, was at home, and being an ardent Whig, gave him all the kindness and encouragement in her power.

With concern for his hostess, Greene instructed Mrs. Spurgen that she and her children must go into the cellar if Cornwallis should overtake them and a battle occur.

Greene was quite anxious of Cornwallis’ whereabouts, and Mrs. Spurgen insisted that she offer the help of her young son to ride in the area to see if he could spot Cornwallis or any portion of his army.
Young John Spurgen set out more than once to try to find the British. The second time brought success when he spotted the army crossing at a shallow ford about 30 miles from his home. Returning as fast as he could, he reported the news to Greene, who mounted his horse and left immediately.

Greene arrived at his destination on the evening of Feb. 7 to find General Huger, who also had just arrived with the main body of the army where they had completed a forced march exceeding more than 100 miles from the Pee Dee River.

With the assistance of two women and a child, and many more helping along the way, Greene was able to move ahead in what is referred to as the “race to the Dan” and make plans for the battle that helped win the war ­­­— the battle of Guilford Courthouse — within the next month of March.

Etta Reid, a local historian and educator, lives in Summerfield. Contact her at etreid@aol.com.