Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1862-11-04
lr Isaiah HtNillians Ills Experience Among The Rob.
els Return 10 Grant eoany His Opinions Of The
Rebellion.

/ years q CtlsAtH u Gt4bb GpdttNs Nousc-
quently quite generally acquainted and
respected, went to Missosai some years
ago aid entered $40 aeres Of land III
southwest Missouri, St. Clair County,uear
the Kansas line. In April, 1860, he re-
moved there with his family, consisting Of
wife and seven children. lie represents
the country as the finest he ever saw, being
excellent for grain and fruit, and the water
good; rather not the best for timber, but
plenty for general use. He afterwards
purchased 200 acres more land. His
neishborhood was tolerably thickly settled,
most Of tho people near being union men.
Being life long democrat and pro-slavery,
he in,lorsed the institutions as matter Of
course and SO indorsing he was deemed
sound; he designed his course from the
outbreak Of the war rs neutral, meaning
to mind his own business and not he q
hand either way, though 1t heart strong
union man. His entire neighborhood also
went for the union but acted with neither
party; but to not act, implied guilt, doub-
~ So ii a man ronanod true at heartto the
fig Of his country. McWilliains and his
neighbors must come out and show their
hands, 50 the ball was opened in the usual
way by whispering their names as elm
coin aboltionists," favorable to "Lincoln's
abolition war for suijngating the South"
DC. These charges seemed almost unbear-
able for while to theloyal neighborhood
but they held their tongues. except to pro
Claim themselves favorable TO Southern
Institutions and opposed to Yankee in
reference. They got along tolerably well
until in June lastexcept that now and then
tberebels stole some provisions and clothing.
In June last the rebels lecame holder and
insulting; until this time lie kept on fair
and neighborly terms with many Of them,
but now they became quarrelso,ne and
exceedingly treacherous, threatening to
burn his property, drive away bis family |
and force him into the rebel army. About
this time G.n. Coffee came with seventy
men and camped for several days on his
premises, during which they consumed
his provisions, Cofee's mon receiving or
ders to take from McWi.liams all they
wanted for substance, being an enemy to
the South. They took al from his house
and farm that they could possibly use,
among other things seventeen loads Of
corn, and nine head of horses, including
two mules About the goth Of June, con
slderng his Nc ii danger, be took bis boy, |
a lad Of about fifteen, and went off with
his union neighbors, all engaging to serve
as union scouts. In this way they could |
take revenge, II nothing more and proba-
bly, they had q sweet time Of it. Newt |
hams chef desire vas to have bis family /
leave their home and rejoin him. but for
some weeks was unable to communicate
with them; having become an object Of
dread 10 the rebels, they posted night
watches atout bis prcmices, sapposing he
would come back some q ark night to leave
orders. Tie did not return ID they failed
to murder him. In vain he tried to send
his family word BY secesh women. They
promised and vowed, but practised equal
treachery with the men. His wife how
ever, by the help Of peighbors, loaded up
q wagon and managed to rig out q team
ana left with the children, in August.
Several days after she returned and I
brought away some Of their stock, incu-
ding 80 cattle and head Of horses, all Of
which they brought along to Wisco nsin.
Several days after, they reached the union
lines and were soon rejoined by the hus-
band and father, with the eldest son. The
entire family then started for Wisconsin,
with stock, some q thing but not enough /
to keep them warm, and few household /
articles. They travelled through Missouri /
for near 200 miles. the several posts Of
the union army afoldiag them every Cd |
ana protection in their power, by supply |
ing them clothing, provisions and sending |
guards in advance and rear. He speaks +
ia the highest terms If the treatment bis 7
family received from tie union army. bat
for which they could never have made
tfeir escape. He knows not in whatcon-
dition his land property now IS, only that
all that is thereabout destructive has
been destroyed. As to his title, he IN
derstands that this depend upon the sue
cess or failure Ct the Co federacy. lie
had fine large farm, VIC Il inclosed, and
in good cultivation, with good temporary
buildings. Now he is adriit, with only
what his wife managed to bring away; but
lie is not discouraged, which shows him to
Ia ar M, anl cuf man This fa,oil,, .r 1