Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-02

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PETER HART.
All one day and the better part Of the next
this invalid but heroic woman sought in the
large city for Peter Hart At last she found
that there was Peter Hart connected with the
police and sent a request for him to call on her
The faithful Peter Hart-for the police officer
proved to be the right man-came and was de-
lighted to see the wife Of his old commander.
He stood erect before her with his heels to-
gether, like the soldier that he was, as if to re-
ceive orders.
II have sent for you. Hart" Mrs. Anderson
said, ito ask Of you favor"
Anything Mrs. Anderson wishes will do"
was the reply.
will you go with me to Fort SUMTER"
The phlegmatic but true-hearted German was
slow to answer. No doubt he thought the jour-
ney perilous one for the frail but resoute
little woman
''This is no time for indecision, Hart. Will
you go with me to Fort Sumter2'
Erect, with heels together and a military sa-
lutte, the faithful fellow replied promptly and
decisively. "Yes!''
"When?'
Tonight. if Mrs. Anderson wishes"
But HART" said Mrs. Anderson, 81 want
you to stay with the major. You will leave
your family and good situation
81 will 60. madam"
"Very well; be here tomorrow night with only
parcel containing change of clothing"
The next morning Margaret, Peters wife,
visited Mrs. Anderson and was as delighted to
see her as had been her husband. After the
greeting Margaret said: Peter is going away
with you?"
Eyes, Margaret do You object?"
"lndade, ma am. and it's Margaret's sorry it's
Pater and not Margaret that is going to do
something for Mrs. Anderson
THE JOURNEY TO CHARLESTON.
On Thursday evening, January 3, 1861, the
brave little woman and Hart left New York
Hart was to play the part of servant.
Il can never forget" said Mrs. Anderson
chow the faithful fellow looked as he came into
the car. intent upon mis- part, and he would
glance at me significantly, as if to ray: You
can trust me- No one shall get any thing out Of
me- was almost afraid that he would attract
notice by the significant manner in which he
would ever and anon glance at me. No one
but her physician-not even her children-knew
their destination. For the perils that sur
rounded them the brave, loving little woman
did not care, intent only on serving her hus-
band and her country, and Hart who had
served in many a campaign fraught with peril
regarded them matters of course. Mrs
Anderson was completely absorbed in the object
Of her Grand
"As We neared Washington" said she. 'there
came period CT indecision. Should stop and
see Gen. Scott the friend of my husband and
ask him, What shall ray to Maj. Anderson
what message from YOU shall I bear? And
MIR. Crittenden, shall / stop and see him?' But
this indecision was only momentary. The deli
cacv of the situation in my mind was plain to
be seen. and decided that should not be the
bearer OF any messages. l was simply going to
see my husband, as l had a wife's right to. If
they will let me go unmolested it will make
things pleasant and easy. do not ask it as a
favor; it il my right. If they try to prevent
me shall SO all the same"
And so hey passed through Washington with
out stopping. Mrs. Anderson described the
scenes on the route Characteristic of those
days. On every side were the signs Of prepara-
ton for war. Farmers with trousers tue ked in
their boots crowded the stations. wives and
sweethearts hanging on their necks and bidding
them goodbye. great deal of their talk was
about Major Anderson and Fort Sumter and
loud were the threats Of what they were going
to do.
NEARING CHARLESTON.
As they neared Charleston the excitement be-
came greater, and the cars were crowded with
men going to Charleston to Join in the attack
on Fort Sumter. Mrs. Anderson neither ate
drank nor slept during all the journey and
they travelled without intermission until their
arrival in Charleston, late Saturday night
From Care Fear to Charleston che was the only
woman In the railway train, which occu-
pied by noisy drunken men, who filled the car
with tobacco smoke. Cant you prevent their
smoking here?" she gently asked the conductor
His only reply was: wal, 1 reckon they'll
have to smoke" She then appealed to two of
the men in front of her. With sweet voice, she
said: Wont you please throw away your
cigars, or else so to another part of the car?
They make me so sick" One of the men was
about to return a rough answer, when the
other. glaring at the speaker. said: Don't
you see she's a lady? Let's do it," And they
retired with their cigars. During this trying
journey Mrs. Anderson's exhibition of GOODNESS
was marvellous. At one of the stations firearms
were discharged outside, and bullet entering
the window Of the car smashed the hanging
lamps. the pieces of which fell at her feet. Mrs
| Anderson exhibited and felt no fear. Suspi-
cious glances were often directed at her and
Hart was as often closely questioned. The
faithful fellow knew nothing. He was a serv-
ant, engaged the road. He did not come
| from where his mistress did and knew nothing
| of her. Mrs. Anderson although very curious
TO know what they were saving to Hart. dis
played perfect self-possession and indifference.
THE ARRIVAL AT CHARLESTON.
1t was late in the evening when they arrived
in Charleston. When the soldiers were all gone,
Mrs. Anderson asked the station agent to call o
| carriage. There seemed to be orders for street
| surveillance, from the close questions she was
subjected to. Where are You from?' was
asked, 'Where are you going3' &c.
Get me carriage to the Mills House." said
Il
~ can't get one.'
"Then give me piece Of paper that may
write note to Gov. Pickens; he will send me
one."
The man seemed to yield at the mention of
Gov. Pickens' name. He supposed she must be
Of some importance. During his hesitation
Mrs. Anderson motioned Hart to call car
riage, and pushing through the gate entered
| the vehicle. The station agent attempted to
| shut Hart out Of the carriage. Mrs. Anderson,
with every nerve strained to it's highest tension,
placed her back against the opposite side of the
carriage and both feet against the door, thus
preventing it being shut. and called out with
| great self-possession, Hart Hart9 why don't
you get in? Don't you see the gentleman il
holding the door for you and waiting for you
to get in" Hart, quick to seize the hint,
placed his brawny hand upon and partly open
Ing the door inside sprang in. The station
agent got upon the box with the driver and
mother man got up behind, and they were thus
driven to the Mills House. There the parlor
into which Mrs. Anderson was r4hered was
filed with excited people Of both sexes, who
| were exasperated because Of her husband 6
action, and their language was extremely
| violent.
| Mrs. Anderson met her brother at the Mills
House. On the following morning he procured
from Gov. Pickens a permit for her to go to
Fort Sumter. She sought one for Hart. The