The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1895-03-06
Recollections Of P0tter's Raid.
BY REV. WM. ". MOOD.

cOmlOfLaDle 0lg1L Win the many, very
many, who had followed them. of men
women and children. Mrs. ". heard calls
in the yard, and on going to the back
piazza saw the yard with many men
white, surrounding the we'll. They asked
for towel to wipe their hands upon
She produced an old tablecloth. They
used the water freely. On returning the
cloth, she innocently said: II did not e1-
pect you to return it" Then there was a
roar Of good-natured laughter, and they
said: $50 you thought We were company
of thievss?" "No; I meant the cloth was
SO old that it wassnot worth returning.
We don't intend to take anything that
don't belong to as, bat, pointing over 10
where the black soldiers were in multi
tude, "you had better secure guard or
else you'll be robbed of every thing you
have" Where can a guard be had:
"Over in that large white house Or. b. Il.
Huggin's). The General is quartered there,
and if you'll ask him he'll give you guaro
to the front gate.
Our first visitor from this army was a
soldier, white. He must have came up
the back steps very stealthlly. We only
knew he was in the next room from his
heavy tread, and the rattle Of his spurs
and his heavy iron sword scabbard, which
struck the floor. he was busy man.
We never could tell what he was doing so
so long in the room, thougha minute to US
then was long time 10 our anxiety. Mrs.
IL. now showed alarm, and she took the
babe in her arms and sat upon the side Of
the bed beside me. The servants were
evidently frightened. And now this SOL
der, with heavy steps, walked into our
room. He was pale looking man, wear
ing lieht-colored felt hat, rather slouched
His face was not forblding. though very
much soiled with dust; looking as If he had
been tearing cartridges with his teeth. He
bore upon his right shoulder formidable
looking gun; there was brass about 1t. Inc
lock rested upon his shoulder. His sword
vas in its scabbard at his side. at the
door he stood moment looking IN, and
around upon US. We expected him to
speak, of course, but he was silent. we
hoped he would, it would have been re-
lief. Ny conclusion was, he was OF the
cavalry force. His silence was not pleas
ant. As soon as he took in the surround
ing he walked toward NY bed, and, fore
ing himself between the wall and the bed
leaned over and looked me full in the tace
The thought cam g at once: you'll certain
ly know me- when you see me again. Al
ter he had given me that searching looS
and my eyes met his intent gaze. pre-.
pared myself to hear him speak, but he dlo
not He then stood before the mirror, ana
showed back his slouched hat from OF ms
forehead, and with the cuff of his left hand
wiped his begrimed and smutty face. he
then placed in his right hand pocket (oreast)
q box of matches. It was a wooden boxl
from the mantlepiece. He then turned to
look at me, and as he turaed, his gun upon
his shoulder, and the bayonent fixed, was
sure 1t would shiver the mirror into frag'
ments, but it escaped. I watched him
closely. And now sometimes when looS
into the same mirror, wish I could see
once more this strangers face so silent and
yet SO busy. He then walked into the par.
lor and stood before Col. Jas. Daviss Oh!
portrait, which vas conspicously placed
npon the melodeon. thought now he'll
speak, but he did not he now turned
and looked at the clock. It was valuable
Frence instrument of black marble. 1t
interested him, and having stood before 1t
long enough to excite coyetousness IN his
heart-(Joshua, Z: 21st verse) he asked
'What o'clock is it," could see all OF his
movements from where lay IN bed in my
room. Ireplied, There's the clock" ut
is not running" 1t had not been wound
up.) where's your vatch?" THE two
watches belonging in this house havs been
hidden in hollow tree in 'Black River
swamp" If the ode who hid them never
returns to US [E. r. P.) they'll never be
found; he on nly knows where they are.
you'll never get our watches" He left
the premises by the back door; the creak-
ING of the gate told US he was gone. I re.
member so we'll that now Mrs. Caldwell
paid Us another visit; she was not less ex-
cited than before, and simply repeated
what she had said before-of the rage OF
the soldiers, and Of their settled purpose to
burn the town, and that was the one who
had shot their companion and had run into
nv house and had gone to bed. She was
urgent that Ishould make the effort and
dress myself. She seemed satlshed that
harm was intend me. But somehow l
could not feel alarmed; I was not frightened
nv conscious innocence kept me calm.
Rnt was concerned about the brave little
women who sat beside me on the bed
holding the babe in her arms. She fully
entered into Mrs. G's. entreatles. SIMPLY
slipped my pantaloons on, though dld 1t
under difficulties, which difficulties II mere
recorded would likely amuse my readers.
Mrs. c. had not been long gone when the
house on the North side was suddenly as
assiled with billets of wood and brlckbats.
We were now alarmed, for it seemed as If
the blinds and even the weatherboarding
would be beaten down. Fearing this we
ell crouched in the middle Of the hoor, and
tried to feel that we were IN Gods hands,
and that He could alone protect us from the
savage wrath. When it ceased We then
fully expected them to intrude upon US,
What might we now expect!
We thought over and over Of all that Mrs.
C. had told US. that the surgeon had told
them; for the had applied to the General
and he had given the family guard ID the
person of the Surgeon Briggs of the 9th
MICHIGAN Reeiment.) She and her sister
had had some conversation with him, and
in reply to their inquiries he had replied:
ave have burned all the cotton, destroyed
all the corn, and laid waste the newly
planted fields; and we have Killed ever.
thing in our march from cow to a cat"
But what gave US more concern was that
II bad slipped into bed after l had shot
down their companion in the street." If
thew really believed this may they not pro.
ceed to extremities? The attack upon the
house was ominous with the visit Of the
soldier, who had searched my face so close
ly. There was purpose IN this scrutiny
But We awaited results as composedly as We
coSld.
Sumter, S. G.
To be continued
pinorrood SoyjnpS