Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-08-28

be burned by the raiders, ms was often
the case. And by sunrise the morning
aftcr, with wagon packed ana 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
all packed in, under the charge Of Scott,
we wheeled down the avenue to join Mr..
Gibbs and his cavalcadc.
Mr.. Gibbs, mounted on pony, with
his crutches hung on the pommcl of his
saddle, attended by Mrs. Willis two lit
tie boys rs aids. headed the procession.
We made an imposing array rs we jour
neyed along, looking like small army
train. We heard that morning that the
raiders had taken Columbus, were press
ing on to Macon, and were then ut But
ler little place not twenty miles from
us, so there was no time 10 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 n fearful piece of road in n deep
cut; here the mules and horses struggled
and lloundercd, and the vehicles mircd
up TO the hubs of their wheels. We got
out of the carriages and let them 20 over
empty. for fear they would break down;
and while the men piled sap'ings into the
mud holes, six or eight mules would bc
hitched TO n 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 campcd by the roadside
near spring. \ deserted log cabin
sheltered the whites; the negroes made
up large camp fires and slept around
them. Byctimcs 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 a tremendous
swamp. 1t was donscly wooded and
looked like a jungle. y little amphi-
thcatcr of hills sloped gently down TO it.
On little plateau nj the foot Of one OF
the hills, in n grove of large pines. we
made our camp.
Our tents were simple. but comfort
able, two tall posts with Il ridgc-polc
and carpet drawn tightly over il and
peggcd along the edges 10 the ground. A
bush arhoT. back and front. kept off the
sun. Clean. fine straw with "A carpet
spread over it made a nice floor. The
wagons containing household effects were
unpackcd, and we began 10 make our
selves comfortable. The mules and
horses were picketcd on the hillside.
Rations were issued out to the mon.
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 tho voice
Of a stranger talking with Mr.. Gibbs. 4
party of raiders, he said, had followed
down the road behind us. and might find
Us in our hiding-placc. On the morrow
by twelve VI. he thought they would
pass by. and il we SAW none till then we
might feel safe. lie was n Confederate
scout, familiar with the whole country.
and he left us 20 60 and warn other poor
refugees. | did not sleep much after
TINT. and was glad when day came.
The guns Were all hidden in the bush
-. Henry and Walter Willis. aged ton
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 parlcy-
ing with the intrudcrs. His wife and
sister had their little children to look
after. and to me. the single woman Of
the uarty. was Consigned-thc demiiohn.
In those days II was all but impossible
To get y drop of whisky. and rs a good
deal OF 1t was used on q large plantation
for medicinal purposes. Mrs Willis. who
was the wealthy owner of five gallon
dcmuolm OF IL. had foolishly luggcd it
into the great woods after her. Being
well aware of the great danger we ran
in case band of rowing soldicry should
get hold Of It. she determined To- destroy
1t. but rashly postponed it till the last
moment.
when the raiders came upon US.
Charlotte must take the demiiohn and
run of and break it. She has been
under fire so often she won't get fright
encd and lose her wits. Mrs Willis said.
and pleased with the compliment. |
readily undertook the job. # was but
! tritiing matter. thought. had vivid
recollection Of the extreme brittlencss 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 wrcaking it out on this
one.
y II our arrangements being made there
was nothing left to do but wait. and that
! have always found the hardest thing
under the sun. The hours dragged
slowly on. Every noise startled US.
Every time horse ncighcd or n mule
brayed we thought that we were lost.
But at last the longed for, the dreaded
twelve o'clock camc-and passed; and
we began 10 breathe freely Afternoon
came on and we felt safe. Now said
MIR. Gibbs, as soon "a we hear that the
raiders are in Macon we will 20 home"
The weather was mild and baImy. and
made me feel drowsy. SO Mrs. Willis
and betook ourselves to our tent to take
"a nap, Mr.. Gibbs and his wife following
our example. 1t was late in the after
noon when was aroused by n scream.
followed by n rushing sound. and.
.r,f~ n II Il.