The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-08-18
THE GIRL WHO SAVED THE GENERAL.

Far down the Carolina coast lies the lovely
island of st. John, where stood, one hundred
years ago noble brick built mansion, with
lofty portico and broad piazza.
II 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 couple, and seven
little adopted cousins were their playmates
the orphan children Of Mrs. FenwIck, sis
ter of Mr.. Gibbes. He himself was cripple
and could not walk. Ina chair which ran on
wheels he was drawn daily over the pleasant
paths, sometimes by the faithful black ser
wants, sometimes by the still more devoted
children, who tugged at the rope like so
many frisky colts. The loveliness of the
spot suited well its name, peaceful retreat, 4"
| by which It was known through all the coun-
! try.
| But In those troublous times It could not
always remain peaceful" In the spring Of
I 1779 the British took possession of all the
! sea-board. General Provost marched up
| from Savannah and lai6 Siege to Charleston.
! But hearing that General Lincoln was ap-
| preaching he struck his tent in the night,
| and retreated rapidly towards Savannah
! He crossed the Stone Ferry, and fortified
himself on Johns Island, as the island of st.
| Joha's was often called.
| For weeks now the noise of musketry and
| heavy guns destroyed the joy at Peaceful
retreat" The children in the midst of play,
would hear the dreadful booming, and sud
denly grow still and pale. The eldest daugh-
| ter, Mary Anna, was a spriehtly, courageous
| girl of thirteen. She had the care Of the lit
! tie ones, for her mothers hands were full in
managing the great estate and caring for her
/ husband
| After a 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 STEALTH
! ly onward, filled the park and surrounded
! the house. At daybreak 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 American
officers In the city heard that the Peaceful
/ 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 man.
sion.
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 a roar, and the
shot came crashing through the British en-
campment 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 hither and thither, while the officers
were franticaI1y calling them to arms. Mary
awoke at the first terrible roar and fed &c
her mothers room. The excited negro ser
wants uttered most piercing shrieks. The
poor little children were too frightened tC
scream, but cung, trembling to Mary.
Mrs. Gibbes was in great distress. Sht
knew not at first, whether it was an attack
by friends on the camp, or an assault on the
house by the enemy. She ordered the ser
wants to cease their wailing and dress them
, selves. Then her husband and the children
i were prepared; and while the cannon bel
lowed In quick succession and the noise
.
, and mother consulted what was best to do
: 1t was now evident that the attack was by
q their own friends, and its object was to dis
lodge the enemy. But Mr.. Gibbes did no
know that the house would not be fred on
and he advised instant flight He was car
ried to his chair, and the whole household
sailed forth from the back door.
The scene was terrific. The night wa!
pitchy dark, and when just as they stepped
out, a sheet of flame belched forth from the
vessels, It seemed to be almost against thei
faces. The roar shook the ground Tht
troops were too busy saving themselves u
notice the fugitivesi and they pushed on al
rapidly as possible.
No one was sufficiently protected from tn,
rain. Little Mary had the hardest part, 70
nearly all the children were in her care Tn
mud was deep. Some of the little one
could walk but short distance at a time
and had to be carried-Mary having Away
one, sometimes two, in her arms. Several O
the servants were near her, but none o
them seemed to notice her or her burdens
The last horse had been carried off that yer.
day; there was no escape but on foot
Suddenly, ball came crashing through
the trees Then charge of grape shot Gu
the boughs overhead. They were exactly il
the range of the guns 1t was evident they
had taken the worst direction, but there wa
no help for 1t now-it was too late TO turl
back. In her agony the mother cried alou,
or God to protect her family. Mary hugge,
closer the child in her arms and tremble,
so she could hardly keep up. Anothe
crash The shot shIieked past them, strikin
the trees in every direction. The assault
was fierce and the roar was incessant. TIL
frightened family rushed on as swiftly a
possible toward friends plantation, ia
back from the shore but it was soon seel
that they would not have strength to reacI
1t even if they were not struck down by tn
flying shot. The Americans were pourin
their fire into these woods, thinking the enc
my would seek refuge there The wretche,
fugtives expected every moment to be thei
last On they pushed through mud and rail
and screaming shot.
Soon they found they were getting nor
out Of the range OF the guns. They begal
to hope; now and then bali tore up th
trees around them, or rolled fearfully acros
their path. They reached one of their hous
es where their field hands lived, with no on
hurt they were over a mile from the man
sion, and out of range. The negroes said n
shot had come that way. Unable to fle
further. the family determined to stop here
As soon as they entered, Mrs. Gibbes felt he