Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1879-08-08


fields, or in the negro houses. For we
were apprehensive that the house might
be burned by the raiders, as was often
the case. And by sunrise the morning
after, with wagon packed and long
train of mules and horses with negro
men and boys on them, all under the
care of Adam and Jasper, and the old
fashioned family carriage with Mrs.
Willis, her nurse and babies and myself
allpacked in, under the charge of Scott,
we wheeled down the avenue to join Mr.
Gibbs and his cavalcade.
Mr.. Gibbs, mounted on a pony, with
his crutches hung on the pommel of his
saddle, attended by Mrs. Willis two lit
tie boys as aids, headed the procession
We made an imposing array as we jour
neyed along, looking like a small army
train. We heard that morning that the
raiders had taken Columbus, were press
ing on to Macon, and then at But
Ter, little place not twenty miles from
us, so there was no time to be lost in our
leaving. They were marching up to-
ward Macon, we going down toward
Columbus, on parallel roads. Should
anything cause them to strike across the
country and travel the road we were on,
we would surely fall into their hands
The prospect was not pleasant.
After we had Travelled some time, we
came to fearful piece of road in deep
cut; here the mules and horses struggled
and fioundered, and the vehicles mired
up to the hubs of their wheels. We got
out of the carriages and let them go over
empty, for fear they would break down
and while the men piled saplings into the
mud holes, six OF eight mules would be
hitched to a wagon, and with much
shouting and whipping and pushing at
the wheels, they would be dragged
through. While all this was going on,
we ladies stood at the top of the cut,
anxiously surveying the road.
That night we camped by the roadside
near spring. A deserted log cabin
sheltered the whites; the negroes made
up large camp fires and slept around
them. Byetimes we started the next
morning, and travelled on some eight or
ten miles, meeting no one; the houses
were deserted every one had fled to the
swamps. leaving few old negroes to
guard the premises. At last we left the
road and turned into the woods, making
for the swamps, that general refuge. At
last we reached the edge of tremendous
swamp. 1t was densely wooded and
looked like a jungle. A little amphi-
theater of hills sloped gently down to it.
On a little plateau at the foot of one of
the hills, in a grove of large pines, we
made our camp.
Our tents were simple. but comfort
able, two tall posts with ridge-pole
and q carpet drawn tightly over it and
pegged along the edges to the ground. A
bush arbor, back and front, kept off the
sun. Clean, fine straw with carpet
spread over it made a nice floor. The
wagons containing household effects were
unpacked, and we began to make our
selves comfortable. The mules and
horses were picketed on the hillside.
Ruuions wUIe issued out TO inc men.
Each family had brought their cook,
who began to prepare dinner, while the
children ran to look for spring, which
was easily found along the edges of the
swamp.
was aroused at midnight by the voice
ofa stranger talking with Mr.. Gibbs. A
party of raiders, he said, had followed
down the road behind us. and might find
us in our hiding-place. On the morrow
by twelve NJ. he thought they would
pass by, and if we saw none till then we
might feel safe. He was a Confederate
scout, familiar with the whole country,
and he left us to go and warn other poor
refugees. did not sleep much after
that, and was glad when day came.
The guns were all hidden in the bush
es. Henry and Walter Willis, aged ten
and twelve, were directed, in case the
raiders came, to fly to the swamps, tax
ing all the negroes with them. Mr..
Gibbs would have his hands full parley-
ing with the intruders. His wife and
sister had their little children to look
after, and to me, the single woman of
the party. was consigned-t demiohn.
In those daysit was all but impossible
to get a drop of whisky, and as good
deal of it was used on large plantation
for medicinal purposes, Mrs, Willis. who
was the wealthy owner of five gallon
demijohn of it, had foolishly lugged it
into the great woods after her. Being
well aware of the great danger we ran
in case a band of rowing soldiery should
get hold of it, she determined to destroy
it, but rashly postponed it till the last
moment. t.-t H5
"When the raiders came upon us,
Chtel IOuUC huSU ttbh6 bllO anu
run off and break it. She has been
under fire so often she won't get fright
ened and lose her wits, " Mrs. Willis said
and pleased with the compliment, l
readily undertook the job. It was but a
trifling matter, | thought. / had vivid
recollection of the extreme brittleness of
all glass demUohns of the number had
smashed in my childhood, and the
trouble | got in for so doing, and rather
liked the idea of wreaking it out on this
one.
Ali our arrangements being made there
was nothing left to do but wait, and that
l have always found the hardest thing
under the sun. The hours dragged
slowly on. Every noise startled us.
Every time horse neighed or a mule
brayed we thought that we were lost.
But at last the longed for, the dreaded
twelve O'Clock came-and passed; and
we began to breathe freely. Afternoon
came on and we felt safe. "Now," said
Mr.. Gibbs, as soon as we hear that the
raiders are in Macon we will go home"
The weather was mild and balmy. and
made me feel drowsy. So Mrs. Willis
and | betook ourselves to our tent to take
II nap, Mr.. Gibbs and his wife following
our example. 1t was late in the after
noon when was aroused by a scream,
followed by rushing sound. and,
springing up, saw Harry and Walter
dart by, troop of little darkies at their
heels, flying for the swamp. "The
raiders! the raiders!" they cried, and
plunged into the morass. Rushing to
the door, we looked out. The whole
| hillside was alive with surging, plung-
ing horses. To my dazed eyes It seemed
as if regiment of cavalry were riding
down upon us. 1t was, in reality. moi
fifty yards to Mr.. Gibbs tent, but il
seemed to me that / would never get
there ] had seen good deal of active
service, for a woman, and had stood un-
der fire without feeling a particle o
fear, But now experienced my first