The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-07-31
Our WOMEN IN THH WAR.
STEERING DAYS IN CHESTER.
DRIVEN FROM COLUMBIA BY THE
- FEDERALS.

DRIVEN FROM COLUMBIA By IdE
& -. FEDERALS.
Mr., r G.. DeFoatainc, New York City, IN
Charleston Weekly Ne1s.
The 18th of February, 1864! What a
train of memorable events, sad recoilec.
tions and buried hopes this date recalls.
5 The day opened bright and beautiful,
and with the cheering news that the
enemy had been repulsed and Columbia
was safe. At four o'clock the situation
changed, Cannon and mnsketry were
distinctly heard across the river, and
troops were hurrying hither and thither
in state Of. excitement. Baggage wag-
ons oIuartermaster's and commissary's
stores were being sent to the rear IN the
most expeditions manner, and every one
Who could leave the city was hurrying in
the direction of the depot.
Our preparations were expedited oy
the bursting of bombshell, which so
completely demoralized us all that the
ssubseuuent packing was rather on the
nnioue order. For instance, a pair OF
chickens which were in the stove being
roasted for dinner, were taken OF and
iSmmed into q jar filled with preserves /;
q handsome Grape veil found week
afterwards tucked in bag. OF meal !;
knives and forks were huddied in among
boinnets and laces, and everything else
was done in the same peculiar, warlike
style. :, ,g....e,: az,
emergency, with the exception of a
hrieht mulattress, who show unmis-
!; ;takable signs of disaffection, irughing
hystericalIy whenever the report of a gun
was heard and acting in most unusual
manner. It was impossible to gain her
attention in any way. Observing this,
and learning thatit might demoralize the
Others, Who we're doing all in their power
/. to help me, / quietly walked to the man:
5tel.piece, took down my pistol, and
I strapping it about my waist, said, Man
cy. I am still your mistress, and as such
L demand respectful obedience from you.
IF the Yankees take the city and you
prefer going with them to remaining
with me. you are at perfect liberty to 60,
but now you must obey me-"
Looking first at me- and then at the
pistol she excepted thu situation tempo
rarrily, but made her way to the enemy
.he next day.
Durinr the afternoon Col. VIM. John.
son. then president of the Charlotte and
Columbia Road, sent me word that II l
desired to leave the city he would retain
place for me in his special car but ]
still entertained hope in the ability OF
our army to. repulse the foe, who were
even then laundering at our very gates.
This hope, however, was soon daspelled
bythe bursting of she'll, thrown from
. the enemy's batteries just outside OF the
city. :
Jumping into 8 wagon in which our
goods we're thrown helter-skelter, We
made our way to the depot in the midst
Of the cursiug and shouting Of the team
sters. who were hurrying the army trains
to the rear. This, with the lurid light
from burning buildings in the back
ground, that seemed to reach to the very
heavens, produced a psndemonium which
only the Inferno of Dante could equal.
FLYING FROM THE FEDE2ALs.
Reaching the depot everything was
hustle and confusion. Hundreds were
seeking admission to the already we'll.
filled cars. Husbands looking for wives
and wives calling for husbands, and
children screaming in alright at the glare
of the flames.
The Presidents car was small coach,
attached to the rear of the train. In this
We found several friends already seated,
who greeted us in sad, distracted man
ner. -.
The passengers on this train, which
was the last Of sixteen already ahead of
ms. were an odd mixture, consisting of
the Governor of the State, several ex.
Governors, the treasury department.
which had been removed from Richmond
to Columbia, number of colored pris.
oners and a company OF galvanized
Yankees as deserters from the Union
army we're then called.
We fels that "touch of nature which
makes the whole world akin" Each
was leaving home and friends behind, for
we were all refugees, going forward to an
untried future in which there seemed
little happiness in store. As the train
pushed out from the depot the young
ladies of the treasury department struck
up "Home, Sweet Home" Everybody
on the train Joined in the song, and there
was scarcely a dry eye in the company.
When near Winnsboro' We came to a
standstill, the train just ahead OF us hav'
ing jumped the track, and We were COM
peIled to remain quiet until it was re-
stored to its position.
Every one on the car, worn out by the
fatigue and anxiety of the day, was fast
asleep except myself. My baby being
restless kept me awake. Soon I heard in
the distance sounds that resembled the
approach of another train, although 1t
was understood that ours was the last
which would leave the city. The sound
grew nearer and more distinct, and there
Was now no doubt but that another train
was right upon US. :.
Quick as fash the thought came to
me about the "signal light" and arouslng
my husband, who sat next to me, salo,
"Quick, for Gods sake, take that candle
and wave it in front of the door, for
something tells me that the signal light
is out"
It was the work of a minute, but that
minute saved hundreds of lives. In an
instant sharp whistle sounded upon the
still night air, and the approaching train
stopped only few feet from us.
The engineer entered our car as pale
as death, saying, "In Gods name where
is the brakeman Z? and why was there no
signal light? If it had not been for that
little light which some one waved, you'd
all have been in eternity by this time, so
you may thank the one who waved it for
your lives"
"No," said I, ''thank the baby, for if
she hadn't wakened me none of us would
have heard your train"
In the morning, before we were ready
to start again on our journey, Major
Robinson, Of Winnsboro, played the part
of our good angel, and sent us donation
Of biscuits and coffee, which were the
only -thinos. that stood between US and