Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1861-02-14
Mrs. sIemmer nnd Mrs. Oilman.

Mrs. Lieut.. Slemmer and Mrs Lieut.. j,
III. Gilman, the twoladies whose names have
been most prominently connected with the
late proceedings at Fort Pickens, took rooms
at the Metropolitan Hotel. They are both
ladies of much refinement and intelligence,
and the events through which they have 40
lately passed have made a deep impression
upon them. They have related many things
of interest to our reporters, who waited up
on them shortly after they arrived.
The exodus from the Barrancas Fort was
made necessarily in much haste, there being
| little time except to hurriedly pack up the
fmost valuable Of their articles Of furniture
and wardrobe. No personal violence was
offered TO these retreating women and child
ren. but the sudden and peaceable breaking
up of so many peaceful households, and the
violent separation of family ties, were cause
of great distress. To many the parting Of
husband and wife was as If for the last time,
and tears bedewed many q hardy cheek
whom the last 0goodbye" -wasspoken. -
The excitement produced upon the officers
when they saw their flag at the Navy Yard
hauled down, Mrs. Slemmer says, was most
intense. 1t was a sight they never expected
to see, and they had never conceived Of the
deep feeling of humiliation and vcxation the
spectacle excited in every breast.
During the day and night Of the evacua-
ton of Barlancas, and the transfer of the
garrison to Fort Pickens, every person, men
the officers, and their wives, performed
prodigies Of labor, and never obtained {
wink of sleep for nearly twenty-four hours
and the work fell about upon all, withou
regard to rank or sex. The ladies cheerfully
performed their part throughout the trying
\ Il ell 41< ,la. II,
alton of the families on board Of the Supply
led by officers from the storeship, went. OF
shore under flag of truce, to obtain las
interview with their husbands.
armed officials. They were obliged, first, t,
obtain permission from the new Command
ment Of the Navy Yard--Randolph--
ten days before had resigned his commission
in the Navy. This was reluctantly granted
after appeals had been made to him Us
husband and father. They then had to pas
the Barrancas forts, whose commander, of
ter some hesitation, allowed them to pass
In this place, so lately deserted by thes
peaceful and happy families all was noN
confusion. The undisciplined soldiers o
their understraps had broken open some Q
the boxes and trunks containing the ward
robes and household relics of Col. Winder
late Commander, probably in pursuit Q
= clothing for their own use, and they say
=. ladies' dresses, and family daguerrcotype
?. scattered about with little regard to thei
I vaunted respect for the rights of persona
t property. In justice to the officers, thes
ladies wished to exonerate them, persor
5 ally for these acts of vandalism, and bcliev
they were done by the bascr sort, upo
r whom discipline had as yet exerted no col
: troll.
n Lieut.. Slemmer asserted that he coul
9 hold the place against five thousand meI
and declared he would do it. 1t is needle
$ to say that both these ladies exhorted thp
husbands to stand by their country's flag
: the last, and never haul it down except
: an oyerpowering force.
a All. tho prisoners in the Navy Yard WEI
: permitted to leave after giving their parol
o and those who could get away left. Sue
a as decided to remain were compelled to tai
n the oath Of allegiance to the State of Flor
i da-IN Y Times