The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1874-02-12
For the CITIZEN.
MEMORIES.


Mr.. EDITOR Occasionally there is
net with in public Journals some incl
lent or notice which recalls memories
81 earlier days. One is transported
back to contemplate scenes that for
years had almost faded away. But q
single touch given TO the chain Of asso-
citation, like a Geographic manipulation,
occasions memories current to rush I
along backward, and at intervening in /
terVals, reprOduces impressions once
wildly stamped on the tablet of the /
mind. How wonderful is the law OF /
BY it man lives over again. |
The experience Of years is renewed, and
like the old soldier, who fights his bat
ties DER again, one is brought in 1mme-
date contact with the visions and deeds
of the past.
In the writer's case, this is illustrated
by a brief notice of the death of a lady
in Savannah, Ga. She was the sister Of
Madame Murat, who died some years
ago in Florida. The short mortuary
item aWaked remembrances of my boy
hoods days which stand connected with
facts that eliminated in a historic 70
nance.
If you have read the history OF the
late civil war, the battle of Fredricks-
burg cannot be forgotten. That old town
at the head of navigation on the Rap
pahannOck, was once the emporium of
trade for an extensive scope of country.
1t was a great mart for grain and tobac-
co, and held commercial relations with
Europe, South America and the West
Indies. But alas now a sad relic of
nobIer era! Its commerce destroyed by
acts of Providence and the successful
competition of other cities and last, not
least, the red demon of war has left des-
olating memorials on the long renowned
and venerable city of the old Dominion.
West of the city stands, overlooking
it, Mdrye's Htll-nOW historic. This hill
prolonged Southwark embraced what
was called in my young days Wills
HtLL-the witness of many of my boy
hoods gambOls. This hill was owned
by and took its name from Byrd C..
Willis, Esqr, formerly Captain in the
u. S. a. The Willis family was of re-
nOwned ancestry-ranking among the
Capt. Willis married a Miss Lewis, a
niece of Gen. Washington. AT the time
of my earliest knowledge of the Willis
family, there were five children-three
sons and two daughters. OF the form
er, the youngest was a QuOHdGnl class and
playmate. The elder daughter was
named simultaneously known by
the sobTiquet Kitty. While yet child
she was a pretty, viraciOus, rOmpin g
creature. A brunette-with a wealth
Of jetty curly hair-laTge, lustrOus eyes,
and facial contour almost faultless. As
she grew in years, more and more beau
ty of person was developed, and grace
fulness Ofcarriage displayed. Her debut
in society was a new era in the chrOni-
cles of the Old Burg. A star In the as
cendant; and as she moved in her orbit,
admiration was enkindled by her res
plendence-Kitty Willis was the boast
and toast of the Cavaliers of all the re-
giOns arOund-doWnward to Richmond,
up to the Blue Ridge, and all along the
counties between the Potomac and Rap
pahannock, constituting the far famed
Northern Neck; and embracing the
| CountrylSeats and farms of the descend
ants of old English families-the Wash
ingtons, Lees, Fitzhughs, Dandridges,
1 TaliaferrOs, LightfOots, Carriers, TaylOrs,
etc. What grand banquetings were
once held in the ancestral halls of these
illustrious families These were the
/ days of true chiYalry-Of Knightly
gentlemen and grand women.
Some four or five miles below Fred
ricksburg, ON the South bank of the
| RappahannOek, stood the mansion
/ Travellers Rest"-of John Gray, Esq,
an intelligent and worthy Scotchman,
He had an only son, John, Jr., who was
educated either in Edinburg or Glasgow.
| Young Gray was of comedy Visage, ac-
cOmplished manners and fine intellect.
| This gallant of Stafford entered the list
as lover of the beautiful belle Of
| Spottsylvania. His suit was successful
/ Kitty Willis became Mrs. John Gray
But alas the joyous bridegroom lived
not long. In a few months the blush
! ing bride became a widow. The vestal
white was exchanged for suit of sa-
| BILE
! Old Virginia families were subject to
! great mutations. INDUCING too greatly
in idle sport and pleasure, in too ire
quent and pTincely Inequalities, theiI
] fortunes gradually wasted away-theiI
immortal possessions passed to others
| Too proud to brook living in q more
/ frugal style, or moving in an humber
/ sphere at least ut home, they babe adieU
to the land of their birth, and migrated
/ to the West, Southwest and South-tC
mend their broken fortunes, or at leas
| to live eblivious to scenesOf their better
days. This | cannot say was the cas'
with the Willis family, yet it left Va.
and sought a new home in ''The land Of
flowers''-Florida. At Tallahassee thu
family located. Among the stranger
that eOnsOrted at the capital, were tive
i brOthers-sOns of Joachim Murat anC
Caroline MISUNDERSTANDING Kins
and Queen of Naples. The elder of thu
i brothers was named Achille. In a very
short time the bewitching widow GRAY
ensnared the susceptible NeapOlitap
He wood and won her. BY this mar
riage the families of Washington anC
| BOnaparte were united. The Bourbon
then ruled France; but soon revolu
ton eXiles Charles y, and Louis Philip,
ascends the throne. France is nov
open for the reappearing of the Bona
partists-sO thought the young Murats
Achille FASTENED to Paris-sOught mill
tary preferment from the throne. Hi
application failed. Discouraged bu
not cast down, he hied away to "Belgi
um's Capital" rendered his services L
the King, and received commission a,
Colonel in the army. This news com
ing to the ears of His French Majesty
he sent a significant note to his son-in
law, Leopold, something thus: Betoar
Of the blood Of BOHdpGTte. The hin
was taken. Instanter, the Commission
was revoked. Sadly and slowly b,
turned from the country of Kings anC
Counts, to seek again an asylum in thu
"land of the free, and the home of tn,
! brave" Taking London in the way
| Achille and Madame were honorably re
ceived at COurt-end; and Her Majesty
Victoria most graciOusly intimated tina
she would grant them an interview il
the royal draWing-rOom. Alas for the
lady, her wardrobe was net sufficiently
elaborate for so Queenly a reception
and the distinguished privilege of being
saluted by England's most viIuous ant
worthy Mistress, had to be forbOrne.
alone again" amid orange groves
they sat them down to enjoy themselves
in our homely republic, to Vuminate OF
the icl1leness of fortune, and calmly
await coming events.
But Hark What news is thisg Loui
PHILIPPE has fed from Paris-a republic
is proclaimed. In rapid succession
.