The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-07-05
The Girl Who Saved the General

The Girl Who Saved the General
Far down the Carolina coast lies the
lovely island of st. John, where stood, 100
years ago, noble brick-built mansion.
with lofty portico and broad piazza.
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 we're their playmates-the or
phan children of Mrs. Fenwick, sister to
Mr.. Gibbes. He himself was a cripple.
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 frisky
colts. The loneliness of the spot suited
well 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 1779, the British took possess
sion of all the ea-board Gen. Provost
marched up from Savannah and laid
siege to Charleston. But hearing that
Gen. 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 for
titled 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 peaceful 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 a sprightly, courageous
girl of 49, She had the care of all the
little ones, for her mothers hands were
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
captured the landing one midnight, and,
creeping stealthily onward, filed the
park and surrounded the house. At day
break the inmates found themselves pris-
oners.
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 from Charleston, and, when the
American officers heard that Peaceful
Retreat bad been captured by the Brit
ish, they determined to rescue it from
the enemy. Two large galleys were i'm
mediately manned and equipped and
sent to the plantation, with strict orders
not to fire upon the mansion.
Sailing noiselessly up the Stone river,
at dead of night, the vessels anchored
abreast the plantation. Suddenly, out
of the thick darkness burst flame and
roar, and the shot came crashing through
the British encampment. The whole
place was instantly in uproar. The Off
GERS in the house sprung from bed. and
hastily dressed and armed. The family,
rudely 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 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 children were too fright
ened to scream, but chung, trembling, 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 as
sault on the house by the enemy. She
ordered the servants to cense their wall
ing and dress themselves. Then her
husband and the children we're prepared;
and, while the cannon beloved in quick
succession and the noise around the
house grew louder, the father and moth
er consulted what was best to do. 1t
was now evident that the attack was by
their own friends, and its object was to
dislodge the enemy. But Mr.. Gibbes
did not know that the house would not
be fired on, and be advised instant
flight. He was carried 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 the
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 ali the children were in
her care. The mud was deep. Some of
the little ones could walk but short
distance at time and had to be carried
Mary having always one, sometimes
two, in her arms. Several of the serv-
ants were near her, but none of them
seemed to notice her or her burdens.
The last horse had been carried off that