Eutaw

Eutaw, novel by Simms, published in 1856 as a sequel to The Forayers, one of his Revolutionary Romances.

The British face defeat in their attempt to hold the Carolinas, and the Tory villain Inglehardt tortures his prisoners, Henry Travis and his father, to force their consent to his marriage with Henry's sister Bertha. The elder Travis slowly loses his mind under the strain. Inglehardt's desperate confederate, Hell‐Fire Dick, is converted to religion by Henry. Colonel Sinclair, Tory planter, leaves home in an attempt to reach safety with his daughters Carrie and Lottie and joins the British troops, only to witness their defeat. At the home of the “Widow Avinger,” really Mrs. Travis, the Sinclairs become friendly with Bertha, whose marriage to the colonel's son Willie they have formerly opposed. Bertha is kidnapped, however, by Hell‐Fire Dick, who takes her to Inglehardt. After the indecisive Battle of Eutaw Springs, Willie is guided to the camp by a wandering, half‐mad girl, Nelly Floyd, who is killed while seeking her brother. The elder Travis, insanely attempting to kill Inglehardt, is himself killed, but Willie rescues Bertha and they marry.