The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1869-01-28
For the anderson Mtelligencer.
A TRIP TO THE SOUTH.

Mr.. Editor: My last scribble left me at Atlanta
The Churches here were thrown back greatly IN
their onward movements by the contending forces
around them and among them, the ministers ex
lied, and many of the members scattered as sheep
without shepherd. Rev. j. S. Wilson, D. D., who
was preaching in one of the churches saw no rea-
sonablc prospect of ministerial usefulness, and
packed up his plumber and library and left but
the car and all perishcd together by the hands of
Federal soldiers, by the application Of the torch.
He remained in exile till things quoted down and
the members began to return. He then returned
to his desolatcd field, and has been laboring on
successfully. Last summer, after visiting the
families, he appointed meeting and invited Rev
Mr.. Burkhead, from Athens, TO assist him. The meet
ing assumed so deep interest that it was con-
tinued for many days. and very large accessions
were made to the church. The other Presbyterian
Church was considerably revived, and other de-
nominations held meetings of much interest So
the Lord seems not to have forgotten the churches
in this place, but remembers them still.
We soon reached Marietta, the moon shining
brightly Mr.. Root and his brother was ut the
depot when the cars came to a halt. After the
mutual greeting and n few words had passed,
freed boy Of some ten or twelve years was stand-
ing near, looking on with much cagcrness to hear.
They invited him TO come up and sPcok, and lie
came and took hold of me with both hands, and
shook most heartily, made short pause, then re-
newed it. did not meet with more whole
hearted greeting during my whole trip. lie was a
boy Mr. D. Sadler, of the Dark Corner, permitted
to 20 with his daughter to aid about the house,
and he was about as anxious 10 hear from the vel
fare of the family rs the others. If those who
think negroes before freedom were fed Oh hard
labor and cotton seed had beer resent, they
would have changed their yiews little. More
about Marietta on my return. 80
We made but short stay ct this place and
passed on Here Rev. Nr. Pratt, of Roswell, got
on the cars-was going to Presbytcry, i think, at
Rome lie gave dark picture Of the treatment
their village met with at the hands of the Federal
soldiers. 1t was beautiful village formed by
number of persons from Savannah and the lower
portions of the State. They were wealthy, in
lclligent population, and formed beautiful VII
llaee and Presbyterian Church. They cast in
their wealth together and established factories,
mcrchant mills, stores, SC. Before the war they
had one of the most desirable communities to be
found. The cnomy came in upon them like
food Many of them refugced to other parts.
Tn. enemy applied the torch, and spread desoa-
,ion over the place. They burned nearly all the
houses that were left empty. and destroyed the
captal invested in the joint stock company Mr.
Pratt concluded it could not be much worse than
total ruin anyway, and he and his family remain
ed. About six thousand troops encamped in his
cornlield-madc street through the entire length
OF the field, and totally destroyed the crop. They
erected IN cir tents car his house, but did not mo-
Ics The family or the affairs in the house. The
people are struggling en- as best they can, but it
will take much labor, money, skill and time to re-
piacc what was destroyed in very short time.
can't help thinking that vengeance Will one
day overtake those ruthless destroyers of the
property AMI happiness of very many innocent
families They seem to have taken special pleas
ure in the destruction of houses of worship. .
We passed through the tunnel, and other places
Of some interest, without getting out TO see where
NC were. at Chattanooga we changed cars, and
| time was given for supper. Some went TO the
tavern, some 10 place of refTeshment brilliantly
lighted up, and after this trouble was over, we re-
sumed our journey. Now pause.
D. H.