The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-03-05
DAVID SANDS.

During the revolutionary war, Il de-
tachment of the American army,
amounting to five hundred men. was
stationed near the dwelling of David
Sands, a minister of the Gospel in the
Society of Friends, who resided few
miles above New York City.
Whist the troops were quar.eIed
near, a secret uneasincss pressed upon
the mind of David Sands and his wife,
who felt presentment that some trial
wus approaching them. One night af-
ter they had retired to bed, she was
alarmed by noise, which her hus-
band thought might only be the wind
among the neighboring trees. In a
few minutes they heard soule one neal
their chamber say, "some OF the 1ami:
ly are awake, we will shoot :hem =
their sleeping.room being Oh the first
floor. David and his white easily es-
caoed through the window, but on
passing through 1t, they were discover
ed and a pistol was discharged at
the n; the ball from which grazel his
forehead. Having OH but u scanty
supply of clothing and the night being
cold, they suffered severely Icfore
morning. After the day dawned,
hey returned TO their own dwelling,
which they found plUnderad of all the
cash, (about ESQ.,; most of their led
ding, and even some Of their furnl-
ture. A servant and his children, who
were sleeping in Il different part of the
house were not disturbed.
David soon felt that it would be right
for him to 60 to the encampment. On
his arrival he found several of the Off
GERS conversing, who thus accosted
him, "Mr. Sands we have heard Of the
depreciation committed at your house.
and desire to know what you think
can be done to discover the offenders.
After time of solid consideration,
David informed them that he believed
if the men were drawn up in rank and
file of fifty in a company, he should be
able by following Divine direction, t.,
detect those concerned in the lobbery.
The officers wondered at this, think.
ing it impossible, that with no outward
knowledge Of them, he could point
them out. They, however, ordered
out the troops, aud David commenced
his review. AS lie passed down the
first rank he paused at the bottom, and
then went on to the second company /;
here he soon stopped before one of the
men, and looking him in the face,
said: "Where vast thou last night? ?"
he replied, keeping guard, sir, and u
very cold night it was" "Dids't thou
find it so while at my house." at
this the man trembled so much, and
displayed such evident marks Of
guilt, that he was Immediately ordered
out of The ranks and put under arrest.
In like manner four others of the men
were discovered. David then went to
u young officer and asked him how he
came to aid and accompany the men to
pillage his house. He denied the
charge. "Let me feel thy heart, and
see if that does not accuse thee"' Da-
-yid placed his hand on the officers
breast and finding his heart throbbing
10 that it could be felt even up to his
neck, he called the other officers to
draw near, and see and hear how his
own heart had become his accuser.
There had been eight concerned in
the robbery; two of whom should
have been at the spot at which David
first stopped, but they had deserted be-
fore the search commenced.
The greatest part of the furniture
and bedding. and about one-half Of
the money stolen was returned, the
rest was reported lost.
The offenders were brought to trial
before a civil tribunal, by which, as
David did not appear against them,
they were discharged but the officers
informed him that by martial law,
they had forfeited their lives. They
were brought bound to his house, and
he was told that he should determine
their sentence. Upon this he admins
tered suitable advice to them, forSave
them the injury they had done him,
and perceiving them to be weary. or
dered suitable refreshments for them.
Whilst thus this worthy Christian
was retaiiating in the only manner the
spirit of the Gospel allows, his wife
said to one of the men, Thou art he
who shot at 2" her husband added {:
abe has been told that before"
The staff of officers seemed to think
the young officer must suffer death,