Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-07-14
dQOttester 4ailg SPY.



sionists in North Carolina, and of his escape
to Philadelphia by way of Norfolk Mr.. Liv-
ermore is native of this county He has a
brother, Elisha S. Livermore, who belongs to
our 10Th regiment, and who was taken pris-
oner at Balls Bluff. He desires to ascertain
where this brother is at present, We take
the following from his narrative;
AT the beginning of the present revolution in
the south, was living in Oxford the former
county seat of Surry, on the Iadkln river
North Carolina. l was pastor of four
churches, situated in different counties. l
was also principal of an academy, employing
an assistant to supply my place inmy absence
upon my ministerial journies. preached to
each church monthly, according to the GUS
tom of the country, on Saturday and Sunday
Previous to the rise of the civil connections
had hoped to settle for life in the pleasant
beautiful, and bounteous region of western
North Carolina. The fell spirit of secession
alone prevented the fulfillment of my design.
When, on the Goth Of May, 1861, the state
was ostensibly withdrawn from the Union by
a political juggle, whose performance cha
grined the people of the commonwealth even
more than it astonished the people of all the
loyal states, Twas an agonized spectator and
cherished the unalterable resolve to leave the
state as soon as possible. But this purpose
was very difficult of Accomplishment. My in
come both from north and south was at once
cut off.
The immediate occasion of open hostility
against me was the publication in the ''New
York World" of letter dated from Yadkin,
North Carolina. The letter stated the incon-
testible fact, that the secessionists, having
precipitated the state into a desperate and a
H. L.
when the call for volunteers was promulgated.
The Raleigh State journal and the Whining
ton Herald, both fierce organs of secession,
felt the force of this patent, cutting truth, and
denounced ''the Yadkin correspondent of the
New York World, Lincoln's New York or
gan, and the Vilest abolition sheet in Christen-
DOM" invoking the people ''when found to
make an example of him." As | was the
commonly and justly reputed Yadkin cores
pondent of the World, took the>course die
tated at once by right and policy. Promptly
avowing my identity as the correspondent
l challenged my accusers to find in any of
the letters a line or a sentiment derogatOry to
my standing as sound southern man, or dis
cordant from rigid truth
The Union men hunted up the published
letters, and having read them declared that
they contained as good southern doctrine as
they wanted, and that their exposure of the
cowardly meannesS and bald inconsistency of
secessiOnism was the sole cause for emptying
the walls of secession wrath upon my head.
On Sunday, the 10Th of May, was fulfill
ing an afternoon appointment to preach at I'm
ion church, West Bend, in Yadkin county. A
number of volunteers were there, in uniform,
carrying knives in their belts. During the SER
mon, one of them made himself conspicuous
by stealthily showing his knife to the ladies
pl,t,r Hb, coll 1nl IL llaI
bottle of whiskey, from which they imbibed
Fictitious, spi1qtuouS courage AS l was
leaving, they formed with others, in large
crowd, across the only way of egress from the
church. Their leader, a printer, named
Hall, from Salem, having been introduced to
me, after some predatory remarks, observed
that there was good deal of excitement
about a communication in the New York
World, with which my name had been con-
nected. l replied that l had heard of the
matter, and that l would make a satisfactory
explanation through the press. He appeared
satisfied, made an apology, then, after going
away little distance, returned repeating his
excuses, offered me his hand. l maintained
the greatest composure, treated him with CIV
lily, and both he and his comrades departed
without another word. My friends, who had
witnessed their conversation and actions be-
fore | left the church, were greatly surprised,
as they heard excited talk ofropes and knives
apparently to be used against me, and feared
that l should be subjected to personal vio-
lence.
In June 1 attempted to settle my affairs
with view to removal from the state.
found this difficult, as a stag lar had been
passed, virtually canceling all but govern
ment dues. l resigned the pastoral care of
my churches. At the fourth, the New Hope
oh in oil I
proaches and threats. A portion of the home
guard, accompanied by magistrate, con-
stable, and several volunteers, came to arrest
me. L received them with all the polteness
could command, inquired their pleasure with
me, calmly answered their questions, and ex-
culpated myself from the charge of being
''untrue to the south so much to the satisfac-
ton of the majority, that before the squire a
Presbyterian gentleman, who was the chief
spokesman, had ended his catechism, the bal
ance had gone home, and he was left alone
heard afterwards that the captain of the home
guard said he was perfectly satisfied, and be-
lieved that Twas a good man.
/ was thenceforth neither permitted to live
in peace, nor to leave the country. Some OF
the mob threatened to shoot me, as l drove
along the road in my buggy. At East Bend
eleven miles from the place where l lived,
was advised that drunken man named Da-
Wis, volunteer, had harrangued his compa.
ny, and brought portion of them to adopt Q
resolution to put me TO death, whenever
should return there. Advised of this circum.
stance, i droveinto thetown by midday, short
time afterwards, mingled freely with the citi.
Zens, diGed and settled accounts with the
postmaster, a merchant there, and received
not discourteous word, except from one
poor fellow who was intoxicated, and whose
words no one deigned to notice. As l had
still many friends in every community, was
frequently called upon to preach, in mos
cases to good and listening crowds.
singular incident happened, while | was
preaching at Boonville, in Yadlin, five miles
from Rockford, under the oak shade, in the
open air, on the 2lst of July, the day of the
battle of Manassas. had been dissenting OF
the wondegfm proUidence of God, following 9
brother who had preached Funeral" Be
fore the dismission, an old lady who had sor
in the rebel army, at Manassas, sprang from
her seat, under intense excitement, vociterat
ing that her son was going into battle tina
day, and expressing agonzing fears for hi
safety. l believe her son escaped unhurt
At this period, preached several times a
Union Grove church, in Yadkin, eight mile
from Rockford. On one Of these occasions
among the volunteers, who frequently attend
ed observed one in the crowd, lstenin,
with most laudable attention. Some ladie
who were in attendance afterwards informed
me that he came there with the avowed in
IGNITION, IN case he heard me utter q word ''il
favor OF the north" TO haul mo from th