Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-02-13
MRS. sLEMmER AND MRS. GILMAN.

| Mrs. Lieut.. Slemmer and Mrs. Lieut.. J. II.
Gilman, the two ladies whose names have been
most prominently connected With the late pro-
ceedings at Fort Pckens, took rooms at the
Metropolitan Hotel, New York. They are both
ladies of much refinement and intelligence,
and the events through which they have so
lately passed have made deep impression
upon them. They have related many things
of interest concerning affairs al Pensacola.
The exodus from the Barrancss Fort was
made necessarily in much haste, there being
little time except to hurriedly pack up the
most valuable of their articles of furniture and
wardrobe. No personal violence was offered
to these retreatng women and children, but
the sudden and peaceabe breaking up of SO
many peaceful households, and the violent
separation of family ties, were cause of great
distress. To mary the parting OF husband
and wife was as if for the last time, and tears
bedewed many hardy cheek when the last
"gCod- bye" was spoken.
The excitement produced upon the officers
when they saw their flag at the Navy yard
hauled down, Mrs. Slemmer says, was most in
tense. 1t was a sight they never expected TO
see, and they had conceived of the
deep feeling of humiliation and vcxaton the
spectacle excited in every breast.
During the day and hight Of the evacuation
of Barrancas, and the transfer of the garri son
to Fort Pickens, every person, men, the ofii-
GERS, and their wives, performed prodigies of
labor, and never obtained wink of sleep for
nearly twenty-four hours; and the hard work
| fell about equally upon all, without regard to
rank or sex. The ladies cheerfully performed
their part throughout the trying ordeal.
On the day following the embarkation of the
families on board of the Supply, Mrs. Gilman,
and Mrs. Siemmer, accompanied by officers
from the storeShip, went on shore under flag
of truce, to obtain last interview with their
husbands. Every step of their progress, was
IN hv ffi..iai hat
first. 10 obtain permission from the new Com
mandant OF the Navy yard-Randolph--w
ten days before had resigned his commission
in the Navy. This was very reluctantly grant
ed, after appeals had been made to him as a
husband and father. They then had to pass
the Barrancas forts, whose commander after
some hesitation, allowed them to pass. In
this place, SO lately deserted by these peace
ful and happy families, all was now confusion
The undisciplined soldiers or their understrap-
pers had broken open some of the boxes and
trunks containing the wardrobe and household
relics of Colonel Winder, late commander.
probably in pursuit of clothing for their own
use, and they saw ladies' dresses, and family
daguerreotypes, scattered about with little re-
gard to their Wanted respect fer the rights of
personal property. In justice to the officers
these ladies wished TO exonerate them, per-
sonally, from these acts of vandalism, and be-
lieve they were done by the baser sort, upon
"Hoih ulsClpilne nad as yer exerted no control.
Lieut.. Slemmer asserted that he could hold
the place against five thousand men, and de-
clared he would do it. 1t is needless TO saw
that both these ladies eIhorted their husbands
to stand by their country's flag TO the last
and never to haul il down except to an over
powering force. All the prisoners in the Ma
w Yard were permitted 10 leave after giving
their parole, and those who could get away
left. Such as decided to remain were COM
PEELED to take the oath OF allegiance to the
State of Florida.