The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1895-02-27
Recollections of the Manning Circuit.
BY REV. WI. VI. MOOD.

Recolleetlons of the Manning Circuit.
BY REV. VIZ. ". MOOD.
The negro army, under command OF
General Potter, entered the town OF
Manning between two and three O'CLOCK
on Saturday afternoon, the Sth April, 1863.
C, n. Jones and his companion, WIN.
A. Brunson, had been sent from SUM-
;er by the authorities there (the military
command was "to reconnoitre this army
and report.) J. had killed one OF the 40
vanced guard rs they met in the street con
siderably below our home, and though not
" pursued, and fred at by i've who were
armed with sixteen-shooters, Cd. escaped
down the road past our home towards Sum
tor This pursuit continued mile or two,
nerhaps even futher, when they gave it up.
They returned angry and disappointed at
the escape of ~" with all the chances of
oyertakins him in their favor, and vented
their rage in horrible oaths and maledlc-
tons. Much of this abuse 81" heard, be-
ing not far off from them, though hid IN
the bushes. He told me it was the rough
est tongue lashing he had ever heard.)
They sat upon their horses, persuaded he
was not far off, but afraid to follow him.
His pursuers (three or four) reluctantly re-
traced their steps towards the town. Their
horses were tired and they lIsurely came
toward Manning.
This headlong pursuit had created very
general alarm at every home upon the road,
and among the rest at DR. Thos. G. Prio-
leau's, so well remembered as among the
leading physicians of Charleston, S. c..
He and his family were living there as ref
ucees from the city. AS these soldiers re-
turned, the venerable old gentleman
walked to the road to meet them. He cer-
tainly did not understand theSsituation or
he would have remained in doors. He
spoke to them very kindly, and asked them
in his blandest tones the cause of all this
confusion down the road? They smiled
derisively, and at once seeing their oppor
tunity were out of their saddles and at the
Doctors side. It was the work of mo-
ment to rife him of his massive gold chro-
nometer and chain which hung from his
fob. This had been his companion IN
long medical practice. They now took the
gold buttons from his neck and breast.
The utter surprise in the old gentlemans
face induced boisterous laughter from them.
They were turning to remount their horses,
but remembering his sleeve buttons they
returned and these too were soon in their
possession. They found neither gold nor
Silver in his pockets, which we're carefully
searched.
AS they rode away in lively conversation
(for they had had very unexpected success)
the Doctor stood and watched them IN mute
astonishment. It was all done so quickly
that he could not realize that in his kind
! ess he had been so miserably treated.
The pursuit of these five after ~. WAS
followed by the entire cavalry force, for as
they rode into town and saw the dead body
of their com panion in the road, and the
advanced guard Lot visible, the sight OF
blood excited them, and the command
charge" being given, they cams up the
street with resistless force, the air resound-
ing with yells and horrid oaths. They
turned up the Pocataligo road in full pur-
suit. From the window We could
see them as they thundered up the road.
Meeting their companions, they were as
sured Of the escape of 81" They vented
their rage in loud Recommendations. and
swore, upon their swords, destruction to
the town. In the meantime Mary Harvin,
very respectable colored woman, who
served rs nurse, through the kindness of
of DR.. John j. Ingram and his wife, came
in from down the street and informed Us Of
what had taken place in the street; the
death of the soldier and the escape Of 81"
and that the body of the soldier had been
carried over to Mr.. j. E. Blakely. (He was
buried in their garden early the next day.
have never learned that his body was ever
removed to the United States Cemetery"
at Florence, S. C. If 80, can be in
formed?)
On the return of this cavalry force we
watched them from our window as they
alighted from their horses, many OF them
crowding into the home of Mrs. Ell. Stuart,
who resided little above Us on the oppo-
site side of the street. Her sister, Mrs
Caldwell, and her children resided with
her at the time. They were from Balti.
more, and most estimable people. (We
had reason to know these sisters well.
Their husbands had fallen in battle. }
These soldiers were clamorous for some.
thing to eat, and talked boistefously, de-
family. They asked many questions, who
lived there? (pointing over to our home: }
Who it was that shot the advanced guard?
If he lived in the place? The longer they
talked the more infuriated they became.
They denounced the place, everybody in it.
They swore that not house should be
left standing, and if they found the treach'
erorus dog who had surrendered and then
shot his man and fed, they'd tear him to
| pieces. Food they must have. They gave
them the best they had; all they had. They
had just churned, the milk was offered
them, and before they touched 1t they had
to be assured beyond all doubt that 1t was
not poisoned.
The excitement was now almost too much
| for me. The servants were alarmed, and
nothing could induce them to leave US to
prepare Us any food, in fact, it Wa not
thought of, and I had considerable fever.
I tried, however, to nerve myself up and
to appear strong and quiet. Our only trust
was in Him whose promises never fail.
| The whole street was now alive with
soldiers and negroes, who had crowded IN
to the place from the adjacent country.
| The noise and confusion was intolerable,
and every moment seemed to increase. the
turmoil. Mrs. II. came and sat by me on
the side of the bed. and we realized now
the meaning of negro army. "Wonld
they disturb u.s." Would they harm us?'
These were the questions we asked each
other, but which could not be answered.
| We we're now assured that they did hot
propose marching through the town, but,
from the sound Of axes and hammers re-
sounding on all sides, that they were pre-
pairing to remain at least through the night.
We were surprised at the appearance OF
our neighbor, Mrs. Caldwell. She was in
great hurry. II cant leave sister and
the children many moments" She con-
hrmed the escape of ~" They say he
surrendered then shot. every house in
the town they are going to burn, and are
ready-on!y awaiting ghe signing of the or.
der by General Potter" (whose headquar-
ters were at DR.. H. H. Higgins nearly op'
| nosite the parsonagel She insisted on