The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1867-06-27

IN anticipation Of the arrival Of the
Yankees These were not the only
preparations. eve can die like men
also" said young lady with solemn
earnes,ness as she grasped more closely
the pistol which was secured in her
belt. That night but few women were
without this defense. For myself,
feared nothing. l felt only stronger,
calmcr, aud more resolute and fearless
with the threatened danger; bat my
thoughts were principally with those
hoggard, stricken looking men on. their
weary march before triumphant, pur-
suing enemy, and my own heart echoed
the agonizing cry of a soldier on the
street "Oh, God that il should all have
come to hisi"
No one slept that night Holding
my baby closely in my arms lay down
aud after come hours fell into an unea.
sy, half conscious slunlber. From this
@as aroused about Daylight by my
maid, Who with ashcn-gray face aud
eyes starting from their socket, cried.
"7he Yankees! tie Ya0kees, Bissis'"
The roar Of gun, shaking the house
TO its very foundation, seemed to eorrob-
Crate er words. Another, and anoth.
or, and then a deaioning crash that
seemed almost over our heads. | open
ed window aud looked out.
There they were-the Federal cayal.
ry; in their blue coats and yellow seam.
ed jackets-there at last, and for the
first time gal!oping freely through the
deserted streets Of the city for which so
much blood had been spilled, aud which
was theirs at least without drop of
blood shed. Up and down, back and
forth, they rushed through the streets
at full speed And then came pouring
~ troop upon troop OF negro cavalry,
their naked swords cleaning in their
hands, aud their white eye balls rolling
restlessly from side to side. The white
soldiers shouted, waved their caps,
shook hands with the negroes grouped
at the street corners, and called deris.
lively to the few whites visible; but not
word was uttered b. the negro troops
not n smile animated their solemn
visages. 1t was with feeling Of pro.
found pity and kindness that looked
at then-the poor race which nature
bad herself degraded and made "a ser
want OF servants to his brethren" My
thought was--"lf they can be happier
for it, let them be free; but will they be
happier Viii they be better off for it,
Have not we repeatedly tried the ex.
pertinent on limited scale, and what
right had any one to interfere between
them and us -
As the Federal troops continued 10
pour past | observed that most Of the
officers, unlike the exultant privates.
wore anxious looks, and that they rode
up and down watching the troops close.
ly, and exerting themselves to maintain
order aud restraint Many nan who
would have strayed out Of the lines in
to the houses, or who seowled or jcered
at the pale, careworn faces that occasion.
ally showed themselves at the windows,
was summarily driven back with the
fiat Of a sword, or sternly called to or.
der. Disconnected remarks were over
heard as they passed along "Ithough,
we were TO burn the city - said
corporal OF Massachusetts regiment !;
aud a huge misshapeu, ieroeious- locking
negro exclaimed dercely, as he shook
his naked sword, What de use of desc.
ii we amt lowed to use 'cm now ives
got dis rebel hole p
And now new horror broke upon
the doomed city. For three hours after,
even before the Federals had arrived,
the lower quarter Of the city had been
in flames This was occasioned by the
burning of the warehouses 10 which had
been army stores and provisions, and
also (by General Ewcll's order) Of the
bridges across the river, TO prevent or
retard pursuit Of the retreating army.
In this quarter flames did not extend
but by some means or other, which
could never be ascertained, flames had
broken out in other parts of the city,
and in every direction. Soon every
house in the vicinity OF the fires began
pouring forth its inhabitants, each bur-
thened with what little property Of clio.
thing or provision they possessed.
was among these. Expecting soon to
see our house in flames, l hastily selec-
Ted a bundle Of clothing, while my maid
secured about her person. the little bag
of corn meal aud the bottle Of sorghum
which formed our whole stock of proyi-
sion. And, thus prepared, clasping
my baby in my arms, and she leading
her little child, We went forth, not
knowing where in all the vide world to
direct our steps On the hill to which
We finally repaired, hundreds Of women
and children were eollcctcd--somo in
widest despair--others calm aud reso-
late--mapy with faces Of vacant horror
and desperation. Aud thence, looking
down upon the city, spread ike pan
orania before me, aud upon the streets
lying at my feet, / bcheld the widest
aud most awful scene Of horror that ms
eyes had ever rested upon.
Far away, on the level plains on sl.a
other side Of the river, appeared a bro,
ken dimiy-seen, diney line Of some mo
wing objects, fading away into distance.
This was the rear ar rotreatipc Coulcd.
arat es -.-hnI.tal s..<on. ..A s-s