The daily gazette., 1878-07-29
A Girl who Saved the General,


lovely island of st. John, where stood, one
hundred 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
were theirplaymates-the orphan children
OF Mrs. Fenwick, sister to Mr.. Gibbes.-
lie himself was cripple, and could not
walk. In chair which ran on wheels
he was drawn daily over the pleasant
paths, sometimes by the faithful SER
wants, sometimes by the still more de-
voted children, who tugged at the rope
like so many frisky colts. The love-
illness OF the spot suited well its name
OF "Peaceful Retreat" by which it was
known throughout the country.
But in those troublous times il could
not always remain 'peacefill." In the
spring of 1779 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 fastening ON
with his army, he struck his tents in the
night and retreated rapidly toward Sa-
vannah. 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 Anna, was
sprightly, courageous girl of thirteen.
She had the care of all the little ones,
for her mothers hands were full in man
aging 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 Hessans quietly
captured the landing one midnight,
and, creeping stealthily onward, filed
the park and surrounded the house. At
day-break the inmates 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
from Charleston, and when the Ameri-
can officers in the city heard that "Peace-
full Retreat" 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 mansion.
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,
and the shot came crashing through the
British encampment. The whole place
was instantly in an uproar. The officers
in the house sprang 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 fran5ically
calling them to arms. Mary woke at the
first terrible roar and fled to her mothers
room. The excitable servants uttered
most piercing shrieks. The poor little
children were too frightened to scream,
but clung tremblingly to Mary.
Mrs. Gibbes was in great distress. She
knew not at first whether it was an at
tack by friends on the camp, or an as
suit on the house by the enemy. She Or
dered the servants to cease their wailing
and dress themselves. Then her husband
and the children were prepared; and
while the cannon beloved in quick sue
| cession and the noise around the house
| grew louder, the father and mother con-
suited 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.. Glbbes did not know
that the house would not be fired on, and
he advised instant flight. He was car
ried to his chair, and the whole house
hold sailed forth from a back door.
The scene was terrific. The night was
pitchy dark, and when, just as they step
ped out, sheet of flame belched forth
from the vessels, it seemdd 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.
Not one was sufficiently protected
from the rain. Little Mary had the har
dest part, for nearly all the children were
inher care. The mud was deep. Some
of the little ones could walk but q shori
distance at time, and had to be CARED
MARY having always one, sometime,
two, in her arms. Several of the ser
wants were near her, but none OF then
seemed to notlce her or her burdens.-
The last horse had been carried off thai
very day there was no escape but OIL
foot.
Suddenly, ball came crashing by then
through the trees! Then a charge OF grape
shot, cut the boughs overhead. They wer,
exactly in the range of the guns 1t wa:
evident they had taken the worst direc
ton, but there was no help for now-i
was too late to turn back. In her agony
the mother cried aloud TO God to pro
tect her family. Mary hugged close
the children in her arms, and tremblet
so she could hardly keep up. Anothel
crash the shot shreaked past them, strik
ing the trees in every direction. Th'
assault was fierce, the roar was incessant
The frightened fami ly rushed on as swift
ly as possible toward a friends plantation
far back from the shore but it was sooI
seen that they would not have strengt |
to reach it, even if they were not strucl
down by the flying shot. The American
were pouring their fire into these wood
thinking the enemy would seek refug'
there. The wretched fugitives expecte'
every moment to be the last. On they
pushed throught mud and rain and scrca
| mi pn shot