Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-09-24

bus, were pressing on to Macon. and
were then al Butler, little place not
twenty miles from us, so there was no
time to be LOST in our leaying. They
were marching up toward Macon. we
going down toward Columbl on par
allel roads. Should an, thiug cause
them to strike across the country and
travel the road we were on, we would
surely fall into their hands. The pros
pect was not pleasant.
After we had travelled some time. we
came to a fearful piece of road in deep
cut here the mules and horses strug-
pled and floundered. and the vehicles
mired up to the hubs of their wheels
We got out Of the carriages and let
them 60 over empty. for fear they would
break down; and while the men piled
saplngs into the mud holes, six or eight
mules would be hitched to a wagon.
and with much shouting aud whipping
and pushing at the wheels, they would
be dragged through. While all this was
going on, we ladies stood at the top oi
the cut, auxiously surveying the road.
That night we camped by the roadside
near a spring. A deserted 10y 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, meetipg no one the houses
were deserted; every one had fed TO
the swamps, leaving a 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
a tremendous swamp. 1t was densely
wooded and looked like a jungle. A
little amphitheater OF hills slOped gently
down to it. On little plateau at tn"
foot of one of the hills, in a grove "i
large pines, we made our camp.
Our tents were simple, but comforta-
bic, two tall posts with a ridge-pole and
a carpet drawn tightly over it aud peg
ced along the edges to the ground. A
bush arbor, back and front, kept Oh The
sun. Clean. fine straw with a carpet
spread over itmade a nice floor. The
wagons containing household effects
were uupacked, and we began to make
ourselves comfortable. The mules and
horses were picketed on the hillside
Rations were issued out to the men,
Each family had brought their cook,
who bcgan to prepare dinner, while the
children ran to look for spring. which
was easily found along the edges oil the
swamp.
was aroused at midnight by the voice
of a stranger talking with Mr. Gibbs A
marty of raiders, he said, had followed
down the road behind US, and might lind
us in our hidiug-place. On the morrow
bv twelve NJ, he thought they would
nass by. and if we saw no7e till then We
MIGHT feel safe. He was Confederate
scout. familiar with tho whole country
and he left US TO 90 and warn other poor
refugees. did not sleep much after
that, and was glad when day can''
The guns were all hidden in i'c hnsa'
es. Henry and Walter Willis aged ten
and twelve. were directed, in case the
raiders came. to fly to the swamps, tax
inr all the negroes with them. Mr.
Gibbs would have his hands full parley'
inc with the intruders. His wife and
sister had their little children 10 look
after. and to me, the single woman ol
the party. was consigned-ihe demDohn
In those days it was all but Impossible
to get drop of whisky, and as gooo
deal of it was usen on large planta'
ton for medicinal purposes, Mrs Wiills'
who was the wealthy owner OF a hve
gallon demijohn of it. had foolishly lug
ged it into the great woods alter her,
BEING we'll aware of the great danger
We ran in case a band Of rowing soldlerY
should get hold of ii, she determined to
DESTROY it. but rashly postponed ii till
the last moment.
when the raiders came upon u.s.
Charlotte must take the demUohn aud
run off and break it. She has been un-
der fire so often she won't get frlshten T.
ed and lose her wits Mrs. Willis sald'
and pleased with the compliment
readily undertook the job. 1t was Du'
triAng matter, 1 thought. haa
vivid recollection of the extreme brit
,leness of all glass demljohns OF the
number had smashed in my Childhood
and the trouble l got IN for so doing
and I rather liked the idea of wreaklng
| it oft on this one.
All our arrangements being made
there was nothing left TO do but wait
aud that l haye always found the hard
est thing under the sun. The hours
dragged slowly on. Every noise STAR
tied us. Every time horse neighed OIL
a mule brayed We thought that we were
llost. But at last the longed for, the
dreaded twelve O'Clock came-and pass
led; and we began 10 breathe freely
4 Afternoon came on and we felt safe.-
Now said Mr.. Gibbs, as soon as we
Ihear that the raiders are in Macon we
| will 90 home ell l .t. sr
The weather was mild and balmy, ,aut
made me feel drowsy. So Mrs. Willis
and / betook ourselves to our tent tc
take a nap, Mr.. Gibbs and his wife fol-
lowing our example. II was late In thu
|. afternoon when was aroused by