The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-06-12

plode. This was somewhat of relief
for it was rare thing to have two shells
strike in the same place on the same day
It was apparent that the artillerymen
shifted their guns little every time they
fred, The funeral services were con:
cluded without any further annoyance,
but Just as my husband was closing the
organ another whiz was heard, then 8
flash was seen, followed by q tremendous
explosion. A shell had burst in the rear
Of the graveyard. We were glad to
hurry away, and 8 week later st. Mary's
organ was smashed by she'll.
4 WALK IN "sHELL DISTRICT"
Occasionally the enemy would grant
us period of rest, and sometimes for
DAYS no shells would be thrown into the
city. 1t was during one of these inter-
walls that I, in company with lady, my
two little boys and their nurse, undertook
to make tour of the doomed portion of
the city, It would be impossible to full
" describe the narrowing feelings which
came over us as we viewed the destruc.
tion caused by the improved ordinance
of civilized warfare. Large stores, with
brick, stone and iron fronts, were torn
and shattered into sbapeless wrecks.
Window panes of the greatest thickness
were shivsred to millions of pieces, while
bricks and broken plaster were scattered
in promiscnons confusion. The most
active business portions of the city were
the most battered; grass and rank weeds
were growing along the streets, while in
the cellars, rabbits and vermin found
shelter among the curious cryptogamic
plants and fungus growth that abounded
Nv mother owned tile large bakery on
East Bay below Broad street, and as that
section was in better condition than
other portions of "Shell district ne
turned our steps in that direction. On
reaching the place We found the bakers
at work, and learned that the baking was
done in the day time, as the danger was
less-the Smelling being heavier at night.
Sixteen shells had already struck the
building, but no one had been hurt and
the oven was still fit for use. One of the
shells, like Truth, lies hidden in the bot.
tom Of the we'll. The master of the
establishment made US quite welcome,
and as q token of his appreciation pre-
sented us with hot loaf of bread, all he
had to offer. On our return we sat down
on the steps of the Bank, at the corner
of East Bay and Broad streets, and ate
our dry bread with gusto more easily
imagined than described. How strangel
how unlike those ante-belluns times, when
our care was to guard against surfeit of
foreign and domestic luxuries. l could
not refrain from remarking to my com.
.panion: "When in after years we tell
our children that we sat on these stone
steps eating dry. bread, for the want of
something better, they will hardly believe
u.s."
ADAY NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN.
On the night previous to the evacua.
ton of the city by the Confederate forces,
the fiery glare of the gunboat, which
was being destroyed by fire, at the head
of Columbus street (Hampstead) ard
that of the burning bridge of the Sayan.
nah Railroad, Redeemed the skies and lit
up the whole of the upper portion OF the
city. The wierd, restless light, together
with the pervading silence, struck even
the bravest hearts with awe. For some
time previous to this memorable night
our homes were guarded only by women.
My husband was compelled to leave the
city, and my only brother was in the
army elsewhere. My sisters husband
was with the regiment which had retreat.
ed from Grahamville, while she with
some other ladies were compelled to live
in box cars on turnout in the road,
their cooking being done in open air.
Fortunately in those days there was not
much to cook. Only short time prior
to the evacuation she returned to my
home and was, on the night above men
toned, aick in bed with dying infant
of only FIVE days. My mother was suf-
fering agony with an affection of the
eyes, which finally terminated in total
blindness. Who but those that have
witnessed such scenes can imagine our
feelings? As the dawn of day came We
felt relieved, for we had spent an anxious
night with fearful gloom and awe
hanging like pail over US.
At z o'clock in the morning the last Of
our brave, tried troops, hitherto station.
ed at James Island, were leaving the
city, and as they passed our home, with
firm and gallant tread, we bid them fare.
we'll, and turned awav to hide the tears
which gushed from the fountains of our
hearts.
THE CITY SHAKEN BY AN EXPLOSION.
As our provisions were exhausted and
we were informed that the commissary
stores were being given for Confederate
money, collected what amount we had
in the house and with my servant started
for the quartermaster's department at the
head of Columbus street. Before reach
ing there tremendous explosion which
shook the city to its very foundation
brought us to halt. Crowds of fright.
ened women and children, white and
black, came running towards US, some OF
them saying "Don't go there" you'll be
blown to pieces" &c.
Scarcely knowing what to do or how to
act, we took our stand in front of the
railroad workshops on Meeting street,
and others Joined US. We had not been
there long before some one hurrylng Dy
said: "Ladies, how can you stand here
when those workshops are to be blown
upw One of the ladies who had already
been frightened On hearing this ran up
the street in wild alarm and we were no
less terrified. reached home and for a
while was almost frantic. All of those
around me were panic stricken and help
less, and the good Father F. was in
the next house in dying condition.
Iappealed to Heaven for aid and at
once commenced preparations to have my
sick sister removed. There was no time
to be lost, for we were very near the
railroad shops, and should they be blown
up we would certainly be destroyed. [
sent to an acquaintance who lived above
Line street, asking permission to remove
my family until after the danger. Her
answer came that the shops on Line
street were also to be blown up and that