Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1878-07-04
The Girl Who Saved the Geheral.

Far down the Carolina coast lies The
lovely island of ST. John, where Stood
one hundred years ago, 4 noble brick:
built msnslon, with lofty poftieo and
bfoad piazza.
1t was the home ofMr. Robert Gibbes
and his beautiful young wife, and the
great house was full al al sEasons.-
Eight children had already come to This
good couple, and seven little adopted
cousins were their playmates-the or
phan children Of Mrs. Fenwick, sister
TO Mr.. G,bbes. He himself ras etip=
pie, and could not walk. In a chair
which ran on wheels he was drawn dali
ly over the pleasant paths, sometimes by
the faithful servants, sometimes by the
still more devoted children, who tugged
at the rope like so many risky colts
The loneliness Of the spot suited well his
name OF Peaceful Retreat by which
it was known through all the country.
But in those ttoublous times it could
not always remain peaceful" Ia the
spring Of 1873 the British took posses
sion Of all the sea-board. General Pres
vost marched up from Savahnah and
laid siege to Charleston. But hearing
that General Lincoln was fastening on
with his army, he struck his tents IN
the night and retreated rapidly toward
Savannah. He crossed the Stone
Ferry, and fortified himself on Johns
Island, as the island of st. Johns was
often called.
For weeks now the voice of musketry
and heavy guns destroyed the quiet joy
at Peaceful Retreat" The children,
in the midst Of play, would hear the
dreadful booming and suddenly grow
still and pale. The eldest daughter,
Mary Ann, was sprightly, courageous
Girl of thirteen. She had the care of all
the little ones, for her mothers hand-
were full in managing the great estate
and caring for her husband.
After q time the enemy determined
10 take possession OF this beautiful place.
A body of British and Hessians quietly
captured The landing one midnight, and
creeping stealthily onward, filled the
park and surrounded the house. Al
day break the inmates found themselves
prisoners.
then came trying days f5t The fami-
ly. The officers took up their quarters
in the mansion, allowing the family to
occupy the upper story.
Johns Island was less than thirty
miles from Charleston, and when the
American officers in the city heard that
Peaceful retreat" had been captured
by the British, they determined to res
cue it from the enemy. Two large gal
leys were Immediately manned and
equipped and sent to the plantation,
with strict orders not to fire upon the
mansion.
Sailing noiseicssly upon the Stone
river at dead Of night the vessels an
chored abreast the plantation. Sudden
" out of the thick darkness burst a
fame and roar, and the shot came crash
ing through the British encampment.--
The whole place was instantly in up
roar. The officers in the house sprang
from bed, and hastily dressed and
armed. The family, tudeiy awakened
rushed TO the windows. A cold rain
was falling, and the soldiers, half clad,
were running wildly hither and thither,
while the officers were frantically call
ing them to arms. Mary woke at the
first terrible roar and fled to her moth
er's room. The excitable servants ct
tered most piercing shrieks. The poor
little children were too frightened to
scream, but chung tremblingIy to Mary.
Mrs. G,bbes was in great distress
She knew not at first whether it was an
attack by friends on the camp, or an as
satlt on the house by the enethy. She
ordered the servants to cease their wall
ing and dress themselves. Then her
husband and the children were prepar-
ed: and while the cannon beloved IN
quick succession and the noise around
the house grew louder, the father and
mother consulted what was best TO do.
Itwas now evident that the attack was
by their own friends, and its object was
to drslodge the enemy. But Mr.. Gibbes
did moi know that the house would not
be fred on; and he advised instant
fight. He was carried TO his chair, and
the Whole household sailed forth from
"a back door.
The scene wss terrific. The night
was pitchy dark, and when just as they
stepped out, d sheet Of fame belched
forth from the vessels. It seemed TO be
almost sgaihst their faces. The roar
shook the ground. The troops were too