The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-11-15
Historic Renaissance of Yorktown.

1t was on the 10th day Of June, 1851, | fell
asleep and dreamed that my husband was
taken prisoner by the Yankees; just then nv
husband touched me and awoke me, at first
dawn of day, by telling me that we could re-
turn home to Hampton that day, as he had
been told that North Carolina troops We're on
the road, and we would follow in the rear to
get some provisions. He dres Sed ana left the
room, ana as soon rs l could l followed him
but was surprised when l reached the ward
10 find myself surrounded by the Yankee sol
diers from Newport News, with a guard
placed round the house. | asked them to tell
me who they were, and they replied that they
were the troops from Newport News. Well,
then, l was very much alarmed on not see
ing my husband, and made my way through
the crowd in pursuit Of hin, and when !
found him he was surrounded with about
thirty tall men, dressed in red pants and caps
HeW, UNCONSCIOUS OF my danger, and called
aloud TO let him go. They said they could
not; that l must see their Colonel, and
pointed to him a short distance off. | was on
my way TO him when the firing commenced
at New Market bridge, and he ordered a re-
u,at then he called in the guard, and they
all went off at double quick time [ was
following short distance behind, when my
husband turned and said, Don't follow me:
You had better go back Also, some Of the
Yankees said. "Iou had better go back: Won
VIII get shot, repeating il the second time
before l left. Ny husband was gone. my
heart ached. What mast l DO? l thought
OF our troops; l thought of Bethel had
three miles To walk ct early morn, on a wet,
rainy day and bad road: out / resolved to go
and tell our troops OF their danger | did not
shed Il tear nor utter Il word, but ran and
walked about Il mile, when | met three
gentlemen on horseback. They stopped
and l stopped then L spoke the first
word, and asked them, "do tell me who YOU
are ~ They looked So stern at me | was
frightened, and they replied, 'sWe are of the
North Carolina regiment" These words
went deep into my heart, and delivered me
from the dreadful dilemma was in told
them Of their danger; that the enemy was on
ly three quarters CT a mile of Then came
one and conducted me 70 the ambulance and
we retreatsd to Bethel. The sun arose lust
before we got there: | remained there till s
O'Clock; then the yide1tes came i'll and report
ed the enemy two miles Oft, and they sent me
to house a mile off, where | met an old gen
tleman who took me to the half-way house;
from thence l went to CockIetoWn
Ny husband said they took him down to
New Market Bridge, where the battle between
the ankee regiment and the Dutch was lust
over. The common report is that the Duuch
whipped; and they carried their wounded in =
to my sisters house, where they dressed the
wounds and then took them on to Old Point
Then they marched on 10 Bethel using very
insulting lans uage to my husband, sayin z
it was Il ID little hornets nest and that
they would ride over it that day, and go on to
Yorktown. They took him on and lust be-
fore the battle, they, being very much fright
enc d. told him he light CO. and he went on
the search for me. He was told by the Caro-
lima troopers of my safety, aud he reached
Cockletown about an hour by sun, and cried
the balance OF the day. l wish to offer nv
heartfelt thanks to the First North Carolina
regiment, for the protection it rendered IN 2;
and most particularly do / feel grateful 20
the three gentlemen who met Ine on the road;
one was General Hill, but don't know the
names OF the others. l am Nirgjnlan but
my hart is with the North Caroiinians
love them, and Lay prayers shall be for them
and, most OF all, for General Hill.
aMAHUgSsIs