The National tribune., 1891-12-03

postoilirc. ur what had been the postotlce, was
distant about R mile from the railroad station.
when oar train drew up we were greeted by
dozen or SO pickaniDnios, a couple OF ieeble old
men, aud a tar-heel darky. The latter was
tho uaboh of the vicinity, inasmuch as he was
the proud possessor of a pair OF mules and
wagon. composed of "a bed Of boards with
side strurcrs. etc. After some persuasion and
misgivngs he was induced to accept sl.5O in
greenblcks aud shinpasters and after loading
the breakdown with mail ho took possession Of
THE ONLY AVAILABLE PERCH
tho whinlc,rcc, and, sitting with my face TO
the mnlrs. where J commanded a foil view OF
the darky. the town, and my charge the pro-
cessiou moved on. i not kuowuing just when
or where was 20 find that most coveted OF all
earthly objects at that time, Julted States
postotlicc aud Postmaster Ater ride which
at that time seemed intcrminable, the mules
pulled up ln front OF q small buildinE, on one
OF the boards OF which Was inscribed IA rude
letters the legend, "Pos!oiiice, Confederate
States oi America"
fonnl here our first Postmaster Mr.. White,
10 whom ] delivered the United States lock
pouches. keys and registered packages. took
my receipt Tor all that had been placed IN my
hands and thanked God Tor the PrOyilentiat
finding ~ the mules dalllv etc. AT Greens
bor0 ID was my good fortune TO see the Stars
and Stripes waving over The camp OF a brigade
OF Union troops from Indiana, who had not yet
been ordered home, and hy them the writer
was accorded a hearty welcome.
Probably the most difficulty experienced IN
handling the mails at this time was at Lynch
burg Va; that city, as minority oi your
readers are aware, being peculiarly SITUATED on
the side uf perpendicular biuh or hlll Here
we brought into roQuisiti0n an old G. = A. am
bulauco wagon, with which, after several at
templs Wp succeeded ln Transporting our mall
matter 90 the postoliice, which WAS located an
am old chnrch mp la the town Mr. Malthal
was Postmaster.
Many Of these FIRST trips 10 the South inn
mediatUly following the war were not only
attended with difficulties and hardships but
they were frequently spCcd with The excite
meut which comes from tie presence Of danger.
On one Of the first trips we had, among other
passengers, Gen, Fitzhugh Lee, who COM
manded q cavalry brigade and is now an ox-
Governor of Virginia, aud other distinguished
gentlemen and United States officers. Upon
our arrival AT Roanoke Station We found that
recent rains had caused a freshet ia the Staun-
ton River which threatened 10 carry away the
bridge then out of line. TO attempt 10 cross
was attended
WITH RISK AND CERTAIN DANGER,
and when tho conductor informed us that no
effort would be made that night his decision
met with the hearty approval Of the passengers.
We were a long distance from any town or
"a
hungry siege looked favorable, when Gen. Lee
came 10 the rescue. He happened 10 recall The
farmhouse Of family named McPhai situated
i'm the interior not far from the river, and
thither we went. The farmhouse ia question
proved 10 he the historical homestead Of John
Randolph OF Roanoke, and here we were given
one of those warm and cordial receptions char
acteristic Of the old days and families OF the
South, il has been my pleasure 10 participate
az many sumptuOus banquets and fashionable
TagOuts, but the cOrdiHlity of the reception &C
corded Us that night the coffee fried chicken,
hoe-el6e and COrn-d0dgers, together with the
j0lity Of the company, shall ever be cherished
among The sweetest treasures Of my memory
The next morning however, brought us ad-
ditional obstacles, the heavy rains during the
night having swollen the stream from what
was ordinarily peaceful current to danger
Gus and swit-Tushing flood, whilst the cOndi-
tiOn OF the bridge was more unsettled and
precaiiOus than ever. ID was decided 10 aban-
don our train at Roanoke and after great diff
Guilty, sooW having been brought into rcquisi-
tlOn, Wc succeeded ln Transporting the passen-
gers, baggage aud mail. Upon reaching the
southern bank OF the river ] f0and that an
ordinary box freight car, decidedly the worse
for wear had been placed a. my disposal. The
prospect Tor eEpoditing Uncie sani's mail
seryicc WIS not bright under the circumstances
but We were
htAItADMlsD TO lAkLehAfNs
and made the most Of this one Arriving at
Greensboro al midnight, many hOufs behind
time and there being n0 OnG TO receive tue
mail. ] arranged a couch from the bags aud
pouches, aud was soon transported into the bliss
In land Of dreams where enchanted visions Of
fried chicken, h0e-cake perfect mail system
and reconstructed South and reunited country
composed the pleasant nature Of my slumbcrs.
j have iutimated that the hardships aud
"a a.
time were not without compensation. The
fierce raEagcs Of war had swept over the South
Like BIrDccO whose burning breath had left
only the grim monuments Of desOlabed hOmcg
separated families, aud unmarked, scattered
grapes 10 indicate its pathway And what
strange contrasts were presented in this iIater-
nal contest what anxiety, Tear, dread, hope.
filed the hearts OF the silent noble women,
Whose lot u WAS 10 remain at home 20 suffer
and vail Through the long period Of horror.
IL seemed that fate had taken mp her children
and cast them 10 the four winds 70 scatter ike
~ mnuy grains Of chat,
] saw many eases illustrative Of the latter
simile. la one instance which came under
my observation wac that Of q mother who had
had no udings OF her boy for over four years
Having heard that the Northern mail had
arrived in town, she hurried with bated breath
and heart filed with emotions Of conflicting
fear and hope 10 tbe rude building where had
h1th lWtNhEA Tue pVhLOihcE ole inquired nerT.
Ously II tie mail contained q letter for Mrs
u, and added with quiyering lip that she ex.
pected 10 hear from her son. Observing hei
anxiety ihg Postmaster directed attention 4
her wants, aud after q considerable search
which De had considered about useless found
letter bearing ber address.
81 PROVED TO BIZ PROM HER wANDERER,
and such "a manifestation 0r radiant iov a,
shown Dy this mother l have never witnesseg
before 90 since. lie wHE Rt Satterlee Hospitai
philadelphia; had been wounded aud was now
recovering, aud soon expected 10 start fol
home
A. the period of the evacuation of Richmond
the Po-tOdicc Of the C0nlederary was in a some
what ocmOralzed, weathcf-aHd Il ire STAINED
building uear the historical Spottswood Hotel
on Che corner Of Main and Eighth streets. ant
ln tho iCinity OF ihc DpbitUi, Custom nous,
and ma historical buildings Of old anie
CedcutE, one 0f them being the once rcsidenc
Oi CD .ei Jus. ice john Marshall while iu Rich
mond, % q ln 1865 the Agency Of the Uuito,
hiatet sanitary Commission. A short distaiIrt
from ii h Ninth street, stands tic mansi0u o
fatrirS Henry, and Ou Ninth street opuositl
Caplta street b. the law Office ia which PatricI
Henry gathered from books the oloaucuce tl,,.
made A.m great The old Parish Church of "a
Johnt on church Ill., s preserved IA h
ancient purity Of simple architecture. with IA
addition only OF tower aud bellry. TIA
Cburch wac the Virginia House Of BURGESS
pending tAe American Revolution. and n wa
Nlpnn Iie Nnllf thHt Patrick Henry gave utteI