Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-19
A VENERATED LADY.
Eightieth Anniversary OF Native of
Georgia at Nashville.
From he Rsshrilye Union.

Georgia at Nashville.
From ne NashgiUs Union.
A reporter in his peregrlnations around
the city met with j. b. White, Esq, an
old citizen of Nashville, retired member
Of the bar, and formerly clerk and master
Of the chsncery court at Nashville, and a
prominent member of the Board OF Alder
men of Edgedeld before that city became
part of Nashville. Asking him to give
some facts in reference TO Nashville aud
its people in its earliest days, he said that
there was much he could tell on that sub
ject, but for the present would state that
he was recently invited with his family to
the eightieth anniversary Of a lady resid-
ing near the city and would say some
thing of her. Mrs. Sally II. Smith, IA
daughter Of jeremiah Baxter, Esq, WAS
born in Georgia, nut removed with her
fathers family to Tennessee and settled
on harpeth river, in Davidson county,
near the narrOws OF Harpeth, where she
was reared. She remembers Nashville
when IL was small town with but few
houses. There was only one house on the
east side OF the river, in which the ferry
man lived. The whole of the eastern bank
WAS covered with dense growth of for
EST trees.
Mrs. Smith has vivid recollection of
Gen. jackson and Gov. Carroll, having
frequently aeen hOth Of them on the streets
of Nashville. She remembers the en-
barkatIOn of the soldiers in 1914 on fiat
boats Fastening 20 the defense OF New
Orleans. One OF her brothers, james
Baxter, then only rs years old, was one of
tho volunteer soldiers under Gen. Car
roll on that occasion, and, as il we'll
rriN in ft,,a ~ In -
in the battle of New Orleans. Her brother.
: years older than she. is still living in
West Tennessee, AN active business man
Mt the age of 81. After the battle the
soldiers returned home on foot through
the Indian nation She remembers her
father and some of hts neighbors took
horses, packed with provisions, and went
out to meet the soldiers, aud sssist them
to get home. Mira. Smith remembers the
arrival Of the frat stsamboatin Nashville.
The boat carried small cannon, which
was discharged repeatedly to announce
its arrival and departure. The people
assembled for miles around on the banks
of the river TO witness the steamers ar
rival and departure.
She remem bers Gen. Lafayette's visit to
Nashville, and was present at the ball
given in his honor. People came from
miles around in every direction, from
ETdhktln. (Oiumblh, MurifegSDOfO, ana
in fact all Middle Tennessee and great
portion Of Kentucky to witness his arrival
and reception. She remembers how the
academy girls scattered flowers in the
street In the horses, path. She saw Gen.
Jackson and Gen. Lafayette meet, and
thought Gen JSckson's department on the
occasion very much more elegant than
that of Gen. Lafayette.
Her brother, Montgomery Baxter, was
in the war for Texan Independence, and
died in Texas year after the war ended
He was in the battle Of San Jacnt0 and
saw Santa Anna, the Mexican leader,
brought In prisoner. Her brother,
Nathaniel Baxter, went into the Florida
war in 1895, being In Con. Tr0usdale's re-
giment. Her only Sun, Baxter Smith,
went into the late war, commanding re-
giment during its course, and brigade
at BentOnyille n. c., the battle in which
JOhnston's army engaged.
This grand old lady, on her S0th birth
day, was given festival by her devoted
son, Col. Baxter Smith, and it was an Oc-
casiOn long to be remem bered. A number
OF her old friends were present, and some
Of her younger. The day was beautiful
and the occasion JOYFUL one. None
could surpass the elegance of this old
lady In the reception and entertainment
of her guests. There were many features
OF the day worthy OF especial mention;
more, In fact, than could by condensed in
brief newspaper article.