Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-09-01

war 10 save II. My gmndfathcrs stories Of the
Revolution, to which listened as ] sat on his
kncc-the agony of battle, the trials Of Valley
Forge, the troachery Of Arnold the fate Of Andre,
the beaten winter path Of General Washington to
his retreat f-r private deyotons, the mes ages
carried while acting as the private orderly Of his
Chief, and the surrender Of CORVALLIS, are yet
green in my memory
Incidents connected with tho war to save the re-
public have parallel interest
Mathews Coulty Virginia, is located ON t'e
Chesapeake bay, about forty miles uorth Of For
tress Monroe. IIaycns of wa;or make in from the
bay In Milford haven there is an island one
mile wide by five long, known "a Guinn's Island,
our point Of interest
The legend n the island is that it WIS the prop
erty Of rowhattan who gave il tothe historic Poca-
hontas One day she attempted 10 swim across the
haven, half ile 10 the island Becoming eN-
hausted, She was rescued from u wato.y grave b.,
man named Quinn. As token Of her gratitude
she donat TO him the land which has sin
borne his name
Passing over wo hund. ed and fty years, we
come 10 1861 when the island contained three
hundred people South Cafolina had passed the
sec ssion ordinance late in 1860 The other cot
ton states followed quick succession Virginia
hesitated, but Don yield,d to the pr ssure OF
Southern public sentiment, aud ere the inaugur-
ti,n of President Lincoln the confederate 20. .ern-
ment was Ia ful' force over the Sonth The jeal-
ousy with which it guarded everything pertain
ing to It's interests is historic Her heroic rule
not only blackens her own character. but shade.
the American name The Judgment ot future ages
on st. Bartholomew and Libby will be the same
Mathews county has long had reputation as
health resort, and has many New England citizens,
attracted there for their health At the period
Of our writing ninety names Of men and women
were enrolled on the blacklist" accused of
holding Union sentiments Daily military drills
were held on the island, which included over,
ablc-hodIcd man Among these were two men
by the name Of Hi, and one man by the name of
Walker strong Union men The camp WIS n
grove, near the water, and between the camp and
water the trees had been recently cut After the
daily drill, all were allowed 20 stroll around The
Hills and Walker, one evening, thought they
would test the temper Of their secession neighlnrs
On returning to camp, at a late hour they -ia-
toned themselves among the stumps in front,
and began giving of otders to a large force. TO
the rebels in camp, the stumps were Ike Baucos
ghost-Yankees up at every point. No time Tor
reflection last prayerl They fled in dismay.
leaving guns, hats and coats in the hands Of the
Union boys as trophies Of their bloodess victory
over Dixie
AZ the head Of the island is Fort Cricket lIl,
built in time Of the Revolution by Lord Cornwall
lis It was occupied by the rebels during the late
war, and is one Of the few forts occupied in both
wars walked on its top aud gathered memen-
toes Of interest
The situation Of the Unioni.ts on the island was
carly made known to our fleet, at anchor ia the
bay, twelve or fifteen miles away, by the Hills
and Walker guuboat visited the island, and |
arrangements were made to render all necessary
aid on call The few shells thrown into the woods
near the court house excited superlative impreca-
tions on the Yankees. The Captain Of the gum
boat and his men dned with Mr Walker and
the Hills The table was decorated with the stars
and siripes-the old flag being resurected from
It's unwecomc private resting-place.
Near the fort at the head Of the island resided
a Mr. Krebbe, a large Shareholder and strong
confederate man. and prominent in county gov
eminent matters To the commander Of the rebel
forces a few miles distant, he reported the names
Of the ninety Unionists and arranged for their ar
rest on given day. Among this number the
name Of his own daughter Ellen, then living at
home, was included The daughter was aware
Of her fathers mission TO the rebel camp and ON
his return at the midnight hour secrcted herself
near the sleeping apartments Of her parents, aud
overheard the arrangements for the arrest and iu
carcen,tion ia Libby Of the l'nionists Her own
name was read by her father, and The next day |
fixed for the contamination of his devotion 20
the Southern cause with hi. daughter on the altar
" / will defeat your plans said the daughter /
as she darted to the cabin Of OH Jack AN in
firm slave Of eighty years 70 him She quickly
explained the situation and directed him tlufoitn
the nearest Uniouists and request them to notify
the Hills and Walker " Yas, Msse, ne 90 il me
hab to crawl DE good Lord gib me strenf " /
One hour later, and the Iinls were quietly GID /.
ing out of the haven in a sail and row boat At
the same time messengers we're dispatched to
every unionst, notifying them to meet at HilIs I
house without delay taking their movable valu-
ables
At break of day the sentinel Of the Union fleet .
cried, Who goes there?" TO the managers Of the /
little boat They raised the starr and stripe hay- (
ing taken the precauton TO take" cd glory "
along with them. They were soon in the cabin Of
the same captain whohad dned with them O short /
time previous Captain. at two O'Clock this af- I.
tenoon, We are all to be captured and taken TO
Libby said the Hills. The papers are al made .
out we have sent agents 10 notify all, and at an .
early hour % tie day they will be at our house /
Just ia time, boys was thinking Of you" AZ I
ten A. NJ, the Captain, with his gunboat, was
again anchored in the haven near the residence Of
the Hills Most of the Unouists were already
there Shout upon shout went up, and tears OF
joy fell thick and fast at sight Of the Union boat
At noon all were safely on board. The Captain |
threw few shells n parting blessing on tne
people ofthe county, and thenr returned to the fleet
and sent the rescued to such landings as they do-
sired to GO The rebel force appeared at the ap-
pointed time, and for once the English language
had n superlatye of anathemas The loyal braves
had stolen the march on the minions Of JefI Da-
Wis, and the murderous record Of Libby prison was
to be ninety less
During the war, Gen. Fitzpatrick sent cavalry
force into this county for supplies and to reward
them for their persecution Of Union men. res
ident by the name OF Richardson, had made his
boasts that he was in Baltimore at the time the |
first mass passed through, and helped obstruct |
the railroad. lie had ever done his utmost to ad |
vance the secesh cause. His character was made |
known TO the commanding officer of the cavalry, |
and though he secreted his property, his planta-
ton was cleaned OF horses, mules and supplies |
The cavalry Captain called on Mr.. Lane, large |
planter, and told him he wanted his horses and |
mules Very well, said Mr. Lane, {" but it is |
early and you have not been to breakfast Feed |
your horses and come in TO breakfast" He then
directed his savesto assist the soldiers at the sta
BILE, while he and the Captain went into the par
lor OF the hospitable planter. The choice wines
and brandies We're ordered from the cupboard,
and soon all was merry as a marriage bell"
The best the house afforded was soon on the
table, and the captain and his command partook
to safety A brother beloved could not have
been more hospitable. The captain was then
shown the horses and mules-fne animals for
army service
"spendid animals said the captain. "They
are very valuable to me, sir, said Mr Lane, and
much attached to their owner, as are also my ser
wants. but such are the consequences OF our un-
fortunate strife II you say you must have them,
| submit"
Southern hospitality for once conquered North
em patriotism, The captain shook hands aud
left his host in peaceful possession Of his property
Mr. Lane still resides his plantation, respected
for his genial spirit, and man of large wealth,
having taken the precaution to early dispose of
his servants and taking security on the landed
property for the value OF the same.
We close this letter tinged with the romantic