Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-10-29
IN DAYS OF YORE.
COnyers StOrmed by Wing OF sherman's
Army.
From lhe Conuers O. Solid SoutA.

Army.
From the Corners tGa.) Solid South.
Raise the misty curtain of the past and
behold Conyers, twenty-one years ago,
helpless at the feet OF a proud and viotori-
GUS army.
From Conyers, then little village of
Newton county, band OF brave Con-
federates had gone forth to meet their
hostile foes of the North on the fields of
carnage. One by one the tattered and
hungry "boys in gray" we're returning
home to smiling mothers and loving sis
tiers. The shocks of war and the roar of
cannon was the music to which for four
long years they had danced their coun-
try's honor.
The parents in those troublous times
were the only defense Of women and
children. On the feeble arms of decrepit
fathers fearful mothers and agonizing
daughters leaned for support. The moth
ers gave up their darling boys TO the
cause with tears and cheers. Blooming
maidens cheered their lovers on with
smiles and kisses.
Prayers from every hearthstone went
up for our cause. But fate ruled victori-
ously against us. We were overpowered
in the conflict of arms, but never whip
ped ro
Conyers shared with all her sisters the
dreadful touch of fire. Maddened by
victory wing of Sherman's army, in its
cowardly march to the sea, stormed our
city July p, 1864.
Witness the clamorous wells and the
clangor of arms as the foes advance.
On what is now Mill street a hungry
horde of vaudals, like an angry cloud,
poured down its wrath upon us. The
belching guns and tramping host sent
terror into the hearts Ofall. Women Shrek
ed, children screamed, and brave menl
quaked and turned pale as the horrible
aspect confronted them. To fly for safety
was impossible. There was no escape
from the mountain of vengeance, and the
people bravely met the awful doom.
Over town the mounted soldiers gal
| loped in maddened Joy, firing here and
there house. Finally they squatted on
| the railroad depot. In the building, ever
at his post of duty and honor. the purely
| devoted Rev. John l.. Stewart WAS found.
AS the flames were wrapping the depot
in destructive lashes. MIR Stewart asked
| permission to save his personal effects.
! The commanding officer granted the
request. So plain water bucket and an
old family Bible were snatched in gladness
| from the burning building. With these
| saved the depot soon kissed the earth in
ashes. From the sickening sight Mr..
! Stewart turned away and went to his
/ family, leaving his deadly enemies to
dance the demons jig over their destruc.
| tive work.
The old leather back Bible, snatched
| from the burning depot, is still in the pos
| sion of our esteemed tellow-citizen, Rev.
John l.. Stewart. The sacred volume is
| dear TO Its pOssessor.
| Mr.. Dan. Scotts splendid storeroom, on
/ the corner lot, shared the destiny of the de-
| pot. The grand merchant king was in the
store, and by wonderful skill and courage
made his escape. His store, with its
! wealthy contents, went down to ruin.
| From there all the adjacent stores in a
southern direction caught on fire and
were soon swallowed up by the destroy
| ing flames. For the time being Conyers
was shorn of its golden worth and lay
| silent IN its ashes.
| About 8 O'Clock in the morning the
down train stopped at the station. The
entire train was fired. The engine began
sizzing, and all around the people were
| terror-stricken. expecting it every mo-
ment to burst and depopulate the country.
Small boys fled to the hills and women
rushed screaming to the woods. For
several hours the continuous buZZing
went on. The engine alone stood the test,
and when the din of confusion had swept
over, lifted Its proud head to the heavens
| 1t was day of terror to COnyers. Few
were lelt to tell the sad story. AS night
came on apace a missing brother or an
absent husband put in his appearance.
| They related fresh and startling adven-
| lures of their trip to serener quarters,
while the noble women and smaller boys
were LETT as the only witnesses of the
city's total destruction.
Calmness soon banished terror, and the
| hum of a new life made the burned city
vocal with gladness. The rattle of re-
building began at once, and the pulsating
heart OF COnyers has continued to throb,
onward and onward, advancing in every
line OF business.
What a glorious contrast between her
| stately condition to-day and that when
she lay PROSTATE in ashes at the feet OF
her ruthless foesl