Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-30
THE LAST DAYS.
Plundering the Classic City-a
Story of the Days After the War.

Story of the Days After the w ar
From the Athens fGa.l BanAsr- WatehmGH.
There is no such a thing as a riot ever
having occurred in Athens. Strikes are
unknown, and the want of bread is never
felt except by few beggars in our city.
| The nearest approach to riot was just
after the surrender Of JohHston's army.
| Large crowds of soldiers had collected
in Athens from all parts Of the Southern
States, and as the city was full of pro-
visions in the store houses, this was the
principal place tor the soldiers to con-
gregate. The Kentucky and Texas SOL
diers came in, and having no money were
quartered on the town. The large store
now occupied by II. h. Nicholson Co.
was filled with provisions, and the SOL
diers wanted them badly. The streets
were thronged with a seething mass Of
women, men and children, intent on plum
der. A large number Of tin pans were
deposited in a store on Broad street, and
thther the rioters proceeded. The tin
pans were thrown out by the soldiers and
eagerly grabbed by those in search of
plumber. The soldiers had no respect
OF person, ana often ladies were
hit on the head with a roll Of tin pins. In
the house now occupied by the Athena
um Club. large number of pans had
was a lot Of scythe blades, that had been
stored there for the benefit OF the wheat
cutters. The drunken soldiers and the
rioters got hold of these blades and threw
them into the crowd, and several were
badly cut by the iudiscriminate throwing
of the blades. Many old Confederate sol
diers, on their way home, Wed
with the Yankees in this in
discriminate plumber of everything be-
%, . Inf
several days this lawlessness prevailed,
and the quiet hours of the night were dis
turbed by the ceaseless rattle OF wagon
wheels in the service of those "who knew
the ropes" Tin pans, cOttonades, jeans,
scythes, leather, flour, flannel and bacon
formed the staple articles plundered, and
doubtless many relic of the Contederacy
can be found In the surround
ing counties that belonged in the
commissary and quartermaster's de-
partments in Athens at the close OF tho
war. The old soldiers who lived in
Athens, however, did not fare so well.
The Town Marshal at that time was or
dered up to the Federal headquarters.
established in our town soon after this
indiscriminate plumber of Confederate
stores. Under the rigor of military law
he was ordered to Immediately institute
search for the missing merchandise, and
to return all found to the Federal head
quarters. This was done. and the poor
soldier boys of Clarke were compelled to
give up the tin pans, leather,e etc. This was
q great loss to the brave defenders, who
had returned home with the loss of
all save honor. The Confederate govern
ment was due them many months of pay
for services, and they felt that what they
neld was but small per cent. of what
was justly due them. Three days ratiOns
of -four and meat was all they were al
lowed to retain. The poor soldiers of
Clarke, however, have seen better days
since then, and the barns OF the survivors
hold the supplies gained by honest toll.
Many have passed over the river to rest
under the shade of the trees, but those
who live, despite that day Of poverty,
still reflect honor upon the place of their
birth.