Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-04-06

great distances from the scene of explosion.
The danger was fearful, for more than
twenty thousand men were standing within
quarter of mile waiting their turn to
pass over the river
CONVERSATION WITH CHARLESTON REFUGEES.
Last evening had occasion to visit sew
eral families who had formerly resided at
Charleston, and fled to this place to escape
the danger of the bombardment. In the
years gone by they were the leaders of the
aristocracy of the state First in the crime
of treason, their sons and brothers had
either been killed or were now in the rebel
armies the young ladies were full of what
they called patriotism and enthusiasm for
the cause of liberty which their lovers and
friends were fighting for, although when
pressed to explain how their liberties had
ever been endangered, they were unable to
give any satisfactory answer.
The old men and women in every instance
deprecated the war they asked for peace
upon any terms of reconstruction. They
did not ask for terms Of peace-peace was
all they demanded They acknowledged
the attempt at revolution to be without
cause or reason, and that they were sub
dued and beaten, without hope Of recovery.
This hopeful state Of subiection was not a
new experience to me, for we have met with
little of bOmbast and rebellious puffiness
from the more influential and wiser portion
of the people we have seen in this state :;
but what strikes me most plainly, in my in
tercOursc with these old families, it the evil
dence of intellectual decay. They are not
only pas en- r0pp0rte with the age, but are
so wanting i'll vitality and energy as to
approach senility. In the contrast with the
soul-stirring spirit OF our northern soldiers
and civilization they appear to belong to a
past day and a defunct nationality, with
only pretence Of gentility remaining to
show that they once had made claims to be
the leaders of society and fashion The un-
ceremonious usages Of war shake rudely
even the vestige Of what once passed for
refined hospitality.
TO young lady who, with glowing eyes,
informed me that her brothers and cousins
were fighting in defence Of the liberty of
their country, said:
please tell me what country? What
do you mean by our country 2"
She replied, "Thc South, ofcourse; South
Carolina"
| continued Did | not see in the old
church yard yonder several monuments Of
brick without inscription, which seem to be
falling to pieces they are said to cover the
dust of heroes who died in the old revolution
war. Is that true? 2"
"Yes they fought under Green against
CORVALLIS and Tarleton"
"What country did they die for? In de-
fence of what cause did they suffer?"
America, | suppose"
"You are right and let me tell you that
you South Carolinians have no claim to the
the honored remains to those martyred he
roes. 1t is we'll that the stranger may not
know who lies there, for their fame is your
shame To establish this grand American
nationality, these men gave their life-blood.
We are fighting to maintain that national
ty in all its integrity"
While | do not for an instant suppose
that this black eyed rebel was convinced of
the error Of her cause, she was somewhat
astonished never having looked at the
question in that way.
AGAIN ON THE MARCH.
MARCH THE army are all upon the east
bank of the Pedcc, and marching upon
roads leading due east fitzpatrick covers
the extreme LETT, and tonight is at Rock
nham, where yesterday evening he came in
contact with Buffers division Of Hampton's
legion who rctreated with some loss be-
fore our spirited attack. The four grand
columns of infantry are all south of Kilpat-
rick, covering a strip of country forty miles
i'll width. All the corps commanders report
abundance Of forage and supplies, and nu-
merous streams which empty into the Pc
dee have excellent water power, with -four
mills situated at points admirably cOnven-
lent for the army, a provldential circum-
stance for several divisions that have eX-
hausted their stores of hard bread. Every
one of these mills has been in operation all
day, and will not rest until this morning
They will grind corn enough to last a week,
when we shall have reached tide-water
again, perhaps.
To-day has been sunny and bright the
roads have been dry (in truth we have seen
the dust rising over the moving column for
the first time since we left Savannah); the
gentle wind from the east has come to
us laden with fragrant perfume of pine and
cedar, and every one has .iourneyed on as
happy and contented as mortals can be, and
as glad only men have a right to be who
through the heavy mud and pitiless rain.
The refugees, and especially the negroes,
expand in this sunlight like flowers, if l
may use such simiie when speaking of
such dusky subjects. Their exuberant
laughter may be heard for long distance
as they journey on, sometimes in their queer
go-carts, with curious nondescript rigging,
or when putting and sweating under load
of blankets, pots, etc, or when, as in one
instance under my observation to-day, three
little girls were at the same time astraddle
patient, good-natured old mule
NEGRO CHILDREN.
At one point on the road to-day, where
the column had halted for moment, | saw
half dozen three-year old "picaninnies,
as their mothers called them, perched upon
the top rail of fence, and singing with all
their might
I'm glad I'm in this army" &C.,
an old Sabbath school hymn, which they
repeated, all unconscious of its singular
appropriateness at the time and place
The soldiers were delighted, and greeted
them with shouts of appreciation. ''Go it
little one," Bully for you, curly-head"-
"You're right there, little mig ; we'll stick
by you" &c.