Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-19
.IUsT AFTER null RUN.
Some or the Scenes Of That Terrible
Time Vividly Recalled.


for peaceful, quiet region, where The
frightened birds, fleeing as well rs our
selves from the roar OF the battle, chirpec
and whistled their sad complaints one tC
another. Here it was impossible 20 be-
tieve in the realities we had left behind
us. Was there really war! was u hoL d
fearful dream that we had crept along lhe
verge OF the battlefield w as II true mat
the youth. the mere boys OF our niue VII
iage, lay dead and dying IN the pools ana
the thickets AROUND Bull Kun! me
bloody pages Of history are now responu-
ing 70 these questions, and laurels are be-
ing wreathed for the brave. "heJoer
fT1end-Or foe.
AT last in the gathering shadows Of that
quiet evening our weary horses refused TO
take another step. They came to stand
In the middle Of the road, and the woman
1ind descended to take survey OF the
situation. We were in the nelghborhood
OF the little town of Middleburg. A sur
Rev or our surroundings revealed TO us a
handsome substantial mansion that stood
snvitinglY near. 1t was the home of Mr..
Hamilton Rogers, wealthy gentleman,
who only needed to hear OF our sad plight
10 extend that hearty Virginia welcome
which was ever proverbial and has now
become historical.
FALLEN INTO GOOD HANDS.
The cruel spirit and ruthless hand of
war had not then reached his elegant
home. Everything in this Well-appOnted
mansion was so orderly, so quiet, that it
was indeed haven Of rest to us, who,
since the attack on Fairfax Court House
June l, had lived in dread and confusion.
Although we were literally covered with
the dust of the battlefield, sOiled, sun
burned, weary, we were welcomed ike
kinsiOlk and soon seated at table COW
cred with Injuries. the children caressed
and fed, our tired steeds rubbed down and
provided tor; in fact, every kindness that
human sympathy could suggest heaped
upon us. The children had not been UNI
dressed before for many nights. Radiant
and blooming from their baths, and angel
like in their clean. white linen robes they
scampered round the large airy chambers
5n unchecked freedom. Mrs. Ms
child, that from fatigue and exposure to
abe sun had become much worse, was i'll
the whole night through. We wOmankind
sat up, watched the babe and discussed
The situation; indeed, our eyes so sOrelv
ached with the sunburn that no travelled
sleeve Of care'' could have been "knit up''
that night, even if the babe had not been
ill.
None of us knew where the male pOr-
SiOn of the family were. Whether they
were caught in the Federal lines or had
safely arrived at Manassas we could not
tell. That was cause for anxiety. There
was no difficulty about an early start.
Sunrise found us prepared-a nice break
fast and baskets packed with appetizing
lunches. Even the Old harness had been
mended and strengthened by strong hands.
Stripped Of my Observation-Disclosures and
strings from the ohildTen's aprons that
had held it together the day previous the
old harness was-qnite respectable. Being
the first eavalcade Of the kind that passed
through Middleburg we preferred not to
appear in the guise of travelling show,
with our cOlOrs flying.
DIsCRRDITKD WAR RUMoRs.
Although we were heart-s0re and
weary; although we had at that early day
seen enough OF war to believe IL an aw-
full reality, yet we were not DESTROYS to
be gazing stocks TO the eyes Of the Middle
burgers, who thronged around us to ask
concerning the war. They would scarcely
believe that blood had been spilled, and
that the fight at Bull Run was being
fought when we left. We could give no
assurance thar husband, son or brother
was safe. Through Main street we
pushed our way, serious, fearful faces
thronging the sidewalks, for the inhabi-
tants had turned out en- masse to see and
hear.
UppervilIe, the next village, lies in the
heart of the Blue Ridge mountains, on the
boundary line dividing the counties of
Loudon and Farquier. A mile beyond
lay the destination of Mrs. AyTe; Mrs.
M was to abide with her also, and
thenceiorth was to pursue my journey
remain with kinsfolk until better and
brighter times. In fact, until "the three
months" war should be over.
Those short three months WAS the time
set for the duration and ending Of what
proved to be years OF strife and dearly
bought victory. At this period, however,
every family confidently expected to
spend the coming Christmas at their own
firesides. With those hopes l parted
with my companions and set out TO find
home for myself and children. But where?
That was the question. Somewhere In the
mountain strOnghOlds, as a matter of
course. There were already Is children
at the house of Mr.. Ayre, so / felt COM
PEELED TO decline kind invitation to re-
main.
A POSSIBLE REFUGE.
Mr.. John Marshall. son OF the President
OF the Manassas Gap railroad, was
slightly connected 10 me by marriage.
He resided in the neighborhOOd OF Pied
mont, and though il seemed a great i'm
position upon a kind and generous heart
and severe tax upon his hospitality to
drive up TO his door and request him to
take in a destitute family OF refugees,
Mr.. AyTe most kindly furnished me with
freah horse aud negro boy as guide
70 pilot me across the "Lost Mountain"
Once safely across that lonely barrier
and in the neighborhoOd OF Piedmont
there would he no danger OF losing myself.
j began TO feel like the lonely Indian who,
when be was asked, "Was he lostg' an
swered: "Me no lost; wigwam lost"
packed my carriage with its living freight
(they were all my worldly Delongings)
and with many regrets bid adieu to my
late travelling companions.
II was a terribly hot day, that eve Of
the first battle OF Manassas, and by the
time we had climed the "Lost Mountain"
which was completely destitute OF shade,
the heat became intense. Not cloud 10
veil the scOrching sun. not breath Of
air, and the stiffness was oppressive. The
narrow, stony road before us alone bore
witness that any vehicle but our own had
ever passed over il before. Somewhere
on its broad surface we stopped 20 feed
he horse, and here we found the largest
and most luciOus blackberries had ever
seen. They were most refreshing in the
midst OF this desert spot. The children
gathered them in delight. the little negro
guide spread himself out in the broihng
sun for nap; my nurse, a girl OF fifteen,
cried quietly under her sun-bonnet for her
fmammy," whom she knew she would
navop mara aon and 1 triad n aahooI ms.