The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1894-05-03
Senator vance's Magnetism.

Vance's death Mr.. Wittkowsky gave
the following account Of Governor
Vances arrest in 1865.
II was particularly fortunate IN hay
ing his friendship, which commenced
in Statesyille under very peculiar cir
eumstances, and dates back to the dark
days of April, 1864.
Statesville was then cut off from the
outside world. Her two railroads and
the telegraph line were destroyed
Zone afternoon troop OF United
States cavalry, about 900 strong, came
dashing with their carbines in their
hands, and surrounded Governor
Vance's house and informed him that
they had orders to take him . prison
Ell to Washington, but would wait I'M
til next morning. / was requested to
drive the Governor il a buggy to
Salisbury.
1--WE started in the following order
Four men on each side Of the buggy
and the others half in front and half
in the rear.
t,y
surroundings and shed tears. and / do
not apologize for these tears-they
were not the tears of fear-they were
manly tears shed in love for his fam
ily ard North Carolina. Presently he
turned to me, and, wiping the tears
from his face, SAID This will not do.
must be a man, but l am not so
much concerned as to what may be in
store for me, but my poor wife and lit
tie children they were all little then
they have not cent Of money
and my poor State-what indignity
may be in store for her? Many man
in my position, having ships continu-
O,lsly running the blockade, would
have fcathered his nest by shipping
cotton to Europe, and in fact | have
often been solicited to do SO, but thank
God, ! did not do Tiny hands are
clean-and | can face my fellow-citi-
zens and sag that l have not made
money out OF my position.
1--WE then rode on until we we're
about twelve miles from Salisbury,
when we all sat down by spring and
had lunch. which we invited our guard
bv this time recovered his usual spirits
and began to tell the guards several
Jokes ard so gained on them that ]
heard them say among themselves ::
why this rebel Governor is nice jol-
" good ieIlow'-so different from what
they had expected.
After lunch he was invited by the
commander of the troops to ride with
I, l. Il T.. - r
riding in the buggy, which invitation
was accepted. He thus RODE six miles,
when he again took his seat in the bug
gy, and we drove ahead without any
guard 1T all until we came within two
miles of Salisbury, when we waited for
the column to come up.
The Governor remarked to the COM
handing officer: Captain, you are Civ
ing me a good opportunity to run
away, to which the officer replied
Governor, know my man. Such was
the great magnetism Of Governor Vance
starting out surrounded by troop
of calvary, he in the few hours had
gained their confidence and esteem to
the extent that they were willing to
trust him.
THE officer in command then said
Governor, if you Will give me YOUR
word OF honor to be at the depot to-
morrow to meet me at the train, Will
not subject you to the indignity of
marching that troop through the town.
but will let you 60 in alone with but
one officer, he to go some distance be-
hind you 50 as to not to give the ap-
pearance that you are his prisoner |
The Governor thanked him and we in |
this way drove into town to Col. Sho- |
bers house, and while the beautiful |
and charming Miss Shober entertained |
the officer, Gov. Vance went out among
his friends to acquaint them of the
condition of things and to borrow :, !!