The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-07-05

1t was the home of Mr. Robert Gibbes and
his beautiful young wife, and the great house
was full at all seasons. Eight children had
already come to this good couple, and seven
little adopted cousins were their playmates
tho orphan children of Mrs. Fenswick,
sister to Mr. Gibbes. He himself was a Grip.
pie, and could not walk. In chair which
ran on wheels he was drawn daily over the
pleasant paths, sometimes by the faithful
black servants, sometimes by the still more
devoted children, who tugged at the rope
like so many risky colts. The loveliness of
the spot suited we'll its name of Peaceful
Retreat, by which it was known through all
the country.
But in those troublous times it could not
always remain PEACEFUL In the spring of
l779, the British took possession of all the
sea-board. General Provost marched up
from Savannah and laid siege to Charleston,
But hearing that General Lincoln was hast
ening on with his army, struck his tents in
the night, and retreated rapidly toward Sa.
vannah. He crossed the Stouo Ferry, and
fortified himself on Johns Island, as the
island of St. Johns was often called.
For weeks now the noise Of musketry and
heavy guns destroyed the quiet joy at'Peace-
full retreat The children, in the midst of
play, would hear the dreadful booming, and
suddenly grow still and pale. The eldest
daughter, Mary Anna, was sprightly,
courageous girl of thirteen. She had the care
of all the little ones, for her mothers hands
we're full, in managing the great estate and
caring for her husband.
After time, the enemy determined to
take possession of this beautiful place. A
body of British and Hessians quietly captur-
ed the landing one midnight, and, creeping
stealthily onward, filled the park and sur
rounded the house. AT day.break, the in
mates found themselves prisoners.
Then came trying days for the family.
The officers took up their quarters in the
mansion, allowing the family to occupy the
upper story.
Johns Island was less than thirty miles
tIOlu SndiiCotOH, anu WuSh bHc hutlfCtH
officers in the city heard that Peaceful Re-
treat had been captured by the British they
determined to rescue it from the enemy.
Two large galleys were Immediately manned
and equipped and sent to the plantation,
with strict orders not to fire upon the man
sion. 't
Sailing noiselessly up the Stono River, at
dead of night, the vessels anchored abreast
the plantation. Suddenly, out of the thick
darkness burst flame and roar, r,and the shot
came crashing through the British eucamp-
ment. The whole place was instantly in up
roar. The officers in the house sprang from
bed, and hastily dressed and armed. The
family, rudely awakened, rushed to the win
dows. A cold rain was falling, and the
soldiers, half. clad were running wildly hith-
er and thither, while the officers were fran
tically calling them to arms. Mary woke at
the first terrible roar and fled to her mothers
room. The excitable negro servants uttered
most piercing shrieks. The poor little chill
dren were too frightened to scream, but clung
trembling, to Mary.
Mrs.Gibbes was in great distress. Sheknew
not. at first, whether it was an attack by
friends on the camp, or an assault on the
house by the enemy. She ordered the SER
wants to cease their wailing and dress them
selves. Then her husband and the children
were prepared and, while the cannon bel.
lowed in quick succession and the noise
around the house grew louder, the father
and mother consulted what was best to do
1t was now evident that the attack was by
their own friends, and its object was to dis
lodge the enemy. But Mr.. Gibbes did not
know that the house would not be fred on,
and he advised instant flight He was car.
ried to his chair, and the whole household
sailed forth from back door.
The scene was terrific. The night was
pitchy dark, and when, just as they stepped
out, sheet of flame belched forth from the
vessels, it seemed to be almost against their
faces. The roar shook the ground. The
troops were too busy saving themselves to
notice tn e fugitives, and they pushed on as
rapidly as possible.
No one was sufficiently protected from
the rain. Little Mary had the hardest part,
for nearly all the children were in her care
The mud was deep. Some of the little ones
could walk but short distance at a time,
and had to be carried-Mary having always
one, sometimes two,in her arms. Several of
the servants were near her, but none of them
seemed to notice her or her burdens. The
last horse had been carried off that very day;
there was no escape but on foot.
Suddenly ball came crashing by them
through the trees Then a charge of grape
shot cut the boughs overhead, They were
exactly in the range Of the guns 1t was ey-
ident they had taken the worst direction,
but there was no help for it now-it was too
late to turn back. In her agony, the moth
er cried aloud ON God to protect her family.
Mary hugged closer the child in her arms
and trembled so she could hardly keep up.
Another crash The shot shrieked past
them, striking the trees in every direction.
The assault was fierce, the roar was inces-
SAINT, The frightened family rushed on as
swiftly as possible toward friends planta.
ton, far back from the shore but it was
soon seen that they would not have strength
to reach it, even if they were not struck
down by the flying shot. The Americans
were pouring their fire into these woods,
thinking the enemy would seek refuge there
The wretched fugitiyes expected every mo-
ment to be the last On they pushed through
mud and rain and screaming shot.
Soon they found they were getting more
out of range of the guns. They began to
hopei yet now and then a ball tore up the
trees around them, or rolled fearfulIy across
their path. They reached one OF the houses
where their ield-hands lived, with no one
hurt; they were over mile from the man
sion, and out of range The negroes said no
al. ho1