Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-03-21
ADVENTURES OF DIR. CALDWELL.


we find the following sketch The Rev. Da-
vid Caldwell, a Presbyterian minister of North
Carolina, was very much subjected to the per-
secutiOns of the loyalists. AT one time, while he
was absent, a party of British came to the
house and occupied it, turning Mrs. Caldwell
out of DOORS who was obliged to seek refuge
in the smoke house, where she remained for
two days with no other food than little dried
fruit. After remaining for two days on the
plantation, during which time they had des-
troyed everything, they prepared to leave
but before doing SO, in order that nothing
should be left undone which their hatred could
suggest to do, the valuable library OF DR..
Caldwell, containing books that it was impos
sible to replace land manuscripts that had cost
years of study and labor, was wantonly burned.
A large fire was built for the purpose, and the
books brought in armsful and cast upon the
flames.
The persecution of DR.. Caldwell continued
while the British occupied that portion of the
State. His property was destroyed, and he
hunted a felon; snares were laid for
him, and pretences used to draw him from his
hiding places; he was compelled to pass nights
in the woods, and ventured only at the most
imminent peril to see his family. Often he
escaped captivity, or death, as it were, by u
miracle.
At one time, when he ventured home on a
stolen visit, the house was suddenly surround
ed with armed men, who seized him before he
could escape, designing to carry him to the
British camp. One or two were sent to guard
him, while the others were sent to get such
articles of provision and clothing as could be
found worth taking away. When they were
nearly ready to depart, the plunder collected
being piled in the middle of the floor, and the
prisoner standing beside it with his guard, Mrs.
Dunlap, who with Mrs. Caldwell had remain
e'I ir an adjoining apartment, came forward.
With the promptitude and presence of mind
Tor which women are often remarkable in such
emergencies,sh she stepped behind DR.. Caldwell,
leaning over his shoulders, and whispered to
him as if intending the qustion for him alone,
asking if il were time for Gillespie and his
men to be there. One of the soldiers who
stood near caught the words, and with evident
alarm demanded what men were meant. The
lady replied that she was merely speaking to
her brother. In moment all was confusion,
the whole party was panic struck, ,eXclamationS
and hurried questions soon followed and in
the CONSERVATION produced by this ingenious,
though simple man9uvre, the tories fled pre-
cipitately, leaving their prisoner and their
plunder. The name of Gillespie was a scourge
and terror to the loyalists, and this party
knew themselves TO be within the limits of
one of the strongest Whig neigh5orhoods of
the State.
The plantation of DR.. Caldwell and his
evening, during Alexander's absence from
home, two soldiers entered bis house, and be-
gan rudely to seize upon everything they saw
worth carrying off, having ordered his wife to
prepare supper for them. They were suppos-
ed to belong to the army of CORVALLIS, at that
time foraging in the neighborhood. Not know
ing what to do, Mrs. Caldwell sent over to her
brother-in-law for advice. He sent word in
answer that she must treat them civilly, and
have supper ready as soon as practicable, but
she must observe where they placed their guns
and set the table at the other end of the house.
lie promised to come over in the meantime,
and conceal himself in hay stack close by,
and she was to inform him as soon as the men
sat down to supper. These directions were
implicitly followed.
The house was a double cabin, containing two
rooms on the same floor. While the men were
Ieisurely discussing their repast, DR.. Caldwell
quietly entered the other apartment, took up
one of their guns, and stepping to the door of
the room where they were so comfortably oc
cupied, presented the weapon, and informed
them they were his prisoners, and their lives
would be the forfeit should they make the
least attempt to escape. They surrendered
immediately, and DR.. Caldwell marched them
to his own house, kept them till morning, and
then suffered them to depart on their parole.