The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-08-07
OUR WOMEN IN THB WAR.
CLUsERET In. TRE SOUTH.
THE UNHAPPY EVENT THAT LED TO
HIS RESIGNATION.
Mrs. Flora Med. Williams, of Louisville Ry..
inCharieston Weekly Ne,ps.

Mrs. Flora Med. Williams, of Louisville Ky..
inChmieston Weekly News.
1t was during the winters of '62 and
'63 and the poor old town Of Winchester
had been again evacuated by the troops
under Gen. jackson. Many of the citj.
zens had gone South, but the sudden oc.
cupation of the place by the Federal
soldiers caught good many in thei,
lines who had not intended to remain.
Among them were the two young daugh.
ters Of prominent citizen who was at
the time in the Confederate service.
Finding that the occupation was likely
to be permanent, they concluded to apply
for pass to go South, though having
many misgivings about getting it, as theil
sentiments were we'll known to the
officers in command. Gen. Cluseret. g
pentlemaniy Frenchman, was at the time
in command of the post. Making appli.
cation to him in person, to their amaze.
ment he granted them the pass withou!
imposing single restriction or condition
Elated with this singular piece of luck
they pushed forward their preparations
in good earnest, and in three days from
the time they received it were ready to
start.
They had hired carriage and trusty
pair Of horses, as we'll as respectable
white man in whom they felt confidence
to act rs their driver, as it was necessary
to drive some eighteen or twenty miles
up the Valley. where they expected to
fnd friends. They started of in the gray
dawn of winters morning with every
reasonable prospect of safe aud pleas.
ant ride.
Upon reaching the second and last
picket, some four miles from town, they
found no less than two hundred men
quartered there. At this point they were
compelled to leave the main road, which
was blockaded by huge piles of rocks and
rails, and drive through woods and
unfrequented by.ways for nearly mile
further. All distractions now being
passed, they returned again to the turn.
pike and congratulated themselves that
they we're at last out of sight Of the
Yankees.
"Do you think we will have any more
trouble now. Mr. Higgins?" said one OF
the girls, addressing the driver.
"Well, I'm beginning to think we are
about through the woods now myself,
Miss" aud thus saying he stood up aud
looked back over the top Of the carriage.
"Bess my soul, ladies! !" he exclaimed,
"here come lot Of them cavalry jest Q
hyin' up the road /"
"Whip the horses Make them fly,
Mr.. Higgins |" said one of the girls, and
catching up the whip, she laid it on sew
eral times.
FLYING FROM THE YANKEES.
They were now going at their topmost
speed. and both girls were standing up,
looking alternately through the window
in the back of the carriage. 1t was evi.
dent they were being pursued.
"If we can only keep ahead awhile
longer" said one of them, II know they
will be afraid to follow very far"
"But," said the other, ''see how they
are gaining on us, and the carriage is so
heavily laden they must overtake US soon.
It is useless to try"
So they relaxed their speed, and in q
few moments we're surrounded by body
of cavalry.
II have orders to arrest this party.
Driver, turn your carriage around at
once," said the foremost one, who rudely
thrust his head in the window.
II can't turn just yet it is too narrow
here" said the driver.
"Well I can," returned the soldier, and
catching the horses heads he wheeled the
carriage short around, and barely escaped
turning it down the embankment.
Two of the pursuing party had been
stationed little in advance IS soon as
they came up to the carriage, evidently
to watch and warn of any attempt at
rescue. Their great hurry indicated
serious fears that masked battery might
open on them at any moment.
eve are travelling under pass frou,
Gen. Cluseret." demonstrated ono Of the
yenas !=i:====. "oS -h:=c s.ssssnrs.s .sns st=
we sr.eated pray ?"
"That is none of your business, Gl
mine either, for that matter" answered
the fellow gruffiy.
The carriage was surrounded on all
sides, and both the girls and driver were
closely watched. Of course they could
not comprehend the reason of such treat.
mcnt. They did not know that during
the interval of receiving and using their
pass Gen. Cluseret, from whom they had
obtained it, had been superseded by g
rnfian who outranked him. When the
carriage reached the picket il was brought
to halt, while the leader Of the party
who had made the arrest rode off to con.
suit an officer who was brought to the
door of his tent by the sound of the re.
turning carriage.
The soldier communicated something,
and the officer looked towards the carri'
age where the girls sat waiting in breath.
less anxiety to know what was to become
of them. After parleying with the
cavalryman for some minutes, he came
towards the carriage and looked in, then
turned and went back to the man again.
The girls then heard him say, IL will
not; l will resign first" He then went
into his tent, and presently returning to
the carriage climbed up and took bis seat
beside the driver. He gave the order to
move on, and with guard Gs four caval-
fymen on each side they took up their
line of march for Winchester.
"A aALLANTt IRISH OFFICER.
As soon az they had gotten we'll under
way, the officer, who proved to be- q
humane Irishman, turned to the girls
and said 81 had orders to have youl
persons and baggage searched at my post
put l would not do It, don't care wha'
the consequences are !; ehall take you Z
den. Cluseret, from whom you obtainet
your pass, and who alone has the figh
70 arrest you and only then, in the even
OF your having violated the condition
upon which you obtained it.
I'VE are certainly fortunate In having
iailen into your hands, If 1t was intended
tnat We should suffer such an indignit,
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