Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1878-08-15
THE GIRL WHO SAVED
THE GENERAL.

Il 4AA W la
va. .tatss. .8Hf.
Al Far down the Carolina coast lies the
lovely island of St. john, whore stood
one hundred years ago, a noble brick
y mansion, with lofty porsico and broad pi-
azza, sq
1t was tho homo Of Mr.. Robert Gibbes
and his beautiful young wife, and the
great house was full at all seasons. Eight
children had already como to this good
i couple, and seven little adopted cousins
were their playmutes orphan children
( Of Mrs. Fenwiok, sister Of Mr.. Gibbes. Ho
himself was cripple, and could not walk.
; In "a chair whioh ran on wheels he was
drawn daily over the pleasant path, somo
times by the faithful black servants, some
times by tho still more devoted children,
who tugged at the rope like SO many
frisky colts. The loveliness of the spot
suited well its namo Of "Pcaccful Retreat"
1 By which it was known through all tho
I country.
But in those troublous times it could not
always romain "peaccful." In thu spring
Of 1T79, the British took possession Of ali
tho seaboard. General Provost marched
up from Savannah and laid siege to Chor.
lesion. But hearing that General Lincoln
\ was Fastening on with his army, he struck
I his tents in the night aud retreated rapidly
toward Savannah. Ho crossed the Stone
s Ferry, and fortified himself on John Island,
as tho island of St. Johns was often
called.
For weeks now the noise of musketry
and heavy guns destroyed the quiet JOY at
Peaceful Retreat" Tho children, 10 the
midst Of play, would hear the dreadful
boomiugsand suddenly grow palo and still
The eldest daughter, Mary Anna, was
ssprightly, courageous girl of thirteen. She
had the care Of all the littlo ones, for her
mothers hands were full, in managing tho
great estate and caring for her husband.
After time, the enemy determined to
take possession of this beautiful place A
body Of British and Hcssians quietly cap.
tured tho landing one midnight, and creep
ing stealtbily onward filled the park and
surrounded tho house. At daybreak, tho
iuuiatsS found themselves prisoners.
Then camo 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
from Charleston, and whom the American
officers in the city heard that "Peaceful
Retreat had been captured by tho British,
they determined to rescue it from tho enc
my Two large galleys were imf ediatcly
manned and equipped and sent to the plan.
tation, with strict orders not to fire upon
Ntho mansion.
y Sailing noiseessly up tho Stono River,
sat dead of night the vessels anchored
aBreast tho plantation. Suddenly out of
tha thick darkness burst fame and roar
and4he shot came crashing through tho
British encampment Tho whole place was
Instantly in an uproar. The offoors in tho
house sprang from bed, and hastily dressed
and armed. The family, rudely awakened
rushed to tho windows n cold rain was
falling, and soldiers, half clad, were running
wildly hither and thither, while the officers
were frantically calling them to arms.
Mary woke at the first terrible roar and fed
to her mothers room. The excitable negro
servants uttered most piercing shricks.
The poor little children wero too fright
ened to scream, but cluug, trembling to
Mary.
Mrs. Gibbcs was in great distress. She
know not, at first, whether it was on attack
BY friends on the camp, or an assault on the
house by tho enemy. Sho ordered tho
servants to cease their waiiDg and dress
themselves. Then hor husband and tho
children were prepared; and, while tho
cannon beloved in quick succession, tho
noise around the house grew louder and
louder, tho father and mother consulted
what was best to do. It was now evident
thasthe attack was by thoir own friends,
ind its object was to disodge tho enony.
But Mr.. Gibbes did not know that the
notice would not bo fired on and ho advised
pstnntaight. Ho was carried to his chair,
ind tho household sailed forth from back
loor.
Tlle scene was terrific. Tho plight was
,iscby dark and yhen, just as they stepped
Iut, d sheet Of Aemo bolohed forth from tho
taHsol, sitseemed to be.almost againSti their
scyss The roar shook the groundA The
roops were too busy saving themael7es to
otioe the fiigitiyes, and they pushed on as
'ss sas q pss pSss'sis frsSsury any sur
81. oyos III, 4, gifiars per day, they may tect
iss scase the law Is not changed. We shy
b ioy the following reaeons:
4 q Eirst. The pledge required Of our mem
& Il, id socate and aupport suitable legisla
Isl usipg ths psy 10 three dollars per.
Is 4 d Al aySp ID uAfan orr syneaabers