The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1878-12-20
REHLNISCENCE OF I750.
THE STORY OF A BRAVE GIRL.

Far down the South Carolina coast lies
the lovely island of ST. John. where stood.
one hundI ed years ago, noble brick built
mansion, with lofty pnrtico and b:nad pi-
azza. 1t WAS the home uf Mr.. Robert
GIbbes and his beautiful young wife, aud
the great house was full at all Seasons
Eight children had already come to this
good couple, and seven little adopted c"u
sins were their playmates-the orphan
children Of Mrs. Feuwick, sister of Mr.
GiUbes. fIe himself was cripple, and
could not walk. In a chair which ian on
wheels he was drawn daily over the pleas
ant paths, sometimes 10y the faithful black
servants. sometimes 10y the still mOIe de
voted children, who tngged at the Iope
like so many hisky colts. Tie lnvelineSS
of the spot suited well its name of Peace
full Retreat" by which 1t was known thIo'
all the county.
But in those trOublous times it could not
always remain peaceful. In the spring Of
1879, the British took possession nf all the
seabuard. Gen. Provost marched up from
Savannah and laid siege to Char leston :;
but, hearing that Gen. Lincoln was hasten
ing on with his army. he struck bis tents in
the night and retreated rapidly toward SI-
vannah. lie crossed the Stone Ferry and
foI titled himself on Johns Island, as the
island of ST. Johns was of'en called.
aud heavy guns destroyed the quiet Joy uf
Peaceful Retreat. The children, IN the
midst of play, would hear the dreadful
booming aud would suddenly grow still
aud pale. The eldest daughter, Mary, was
a sprIghtly, courageous GIL of thirteen
She had the care of all the little ones for
her mothers hands were fun IN managing
the large estate and Gazing Tor her hus
band.
After a time tie enemy determined 10
! take possession of this bea Ittful place. A
body of British and HeSsians quietly cap
| tured the landing one midnight, and creep
! ing steatthiiy onward filled the park aad
surrounded the house. At daybreak the
| inmates found themselves prisoners. Then
came trying days for the family. The of
! ticers took up their quarters in the mansion
| allowing tie family to Dccul'y the upper
| stony.
! Johns Island is less than thirty miles
| from Charleston, and when the American
officers in the city heard that Peaceful Re-
treat had been captured by the Brit iSiI,
| they determined TO rescue ii from the enc
! my. Two large gaIleys were instantly
manned aud equipped and sent to the
| plantatinu, with stIict orders not To fire
| upon the mansion. Sailing noiseleSsly III
the Stnno RIVER a; dead of night, the YES
| sells anchored abreast tile plantation. Sud.
deHiys put Oi tue AnlCk uaikneSS burst q
ttdme aud roar au6 the shot came crash
ing through the British eucampmeut The
| whole place was Instantly in AN uproar
| The officers IN the house Sprang from bed,
aud hastily dressed and armed The fam.
| Ily, rudely awakened rushed to the win
du~s. a cold rain was falling and lht
| soldiers, half-clad, were running wildI,
hither ard thither, while the officers wer,
| franticaly calling them to arms. MarN
. q
| her mothers room. The exritdble negroes
uttered most piercing shIieks. The poor
children were too frigh cned to scream, 5ut
clung tTembingly TO Mary
Mrs. GIbbeS was in great distress. She
knew not, at first, whether it was an attack
by friends on the camp, or an assault nr
| the house by the enemy. She ordered the
| servants to cease their wailing and dres,
| themselves. Then her husband and he
children were prepared aud while th,
cannon beloved in quick succrssiou anr
| the noise around the house grew louder tn,
father and mother consulted what was bes
| to do. 1t Was now evident that the ATTACK
/ was by their own friends. aud it's ohiec,
was TO disl"dge the enemy. But Mr
| GiSbes did not know that the house ,yo,,l,
not be fired on. aud advised instant tlight
| He was lied to his CHAIR, aud the Who'll,
household sailed forth from a back door.
| The scene terrific The night wa,
pitchy dark. and when. iust as they step
ped out. sheet ni flame belched forth from
the vessels, 1t seemed To be almost apaius
their faces. The roaT shook the cround
! The troops were too busy saving thpmSelve
to notice the fugitveS, aud they pushed O,
as rapidly possible.
No one was sufficiently projected from
the rain. Little Mary had the hardest par
for nearly all the children were ia her care
The mud was deep. Some of the littl,