The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1895-03-27
gecollectlons Of Potter's Rs2i.
By REY. VIZ. Y. xooD.

The visit OF Lieutenant Waterman OF
Potter's army in the town Of Manning, S.
c., on the afternoon Of the 9Th April, had
greatly revived our spirits, but the quiet
for a little while after We parted from him
vas significant. The negro troops and
their followers from the surrounding
country who had focked into the town,
had camped in the large open space above
our home, many taking possession Of the
very commodious and elegant acadmy
building. It was not entirely completed.
The fires they had kindled in different
places, around which they sat and laughed
and talked presented ''a picture" About
this time the stars were shining and the
fires were burning brightly, lat the e1-
pense OF our fence). remember hurley
ignorant looking negro came looking
around like all the rest had done. For
from their first entrance there had been
no privacy whatever. They came and
went just as they pleased. There was no
le: or hinderance. He was near my bed
looking stupidity at me. These frequent
visits and intent looks, with eyes resting
upon mine. kept me continually disturbed
and expectant. I asked this creature,
where are you from? DE white mems?
7 dunno where da come from, but We col
osed troops, come from all about. Some
of Us come from de sea islands" What
is your Generals name?" Dunno, sar."
"Do you know him?" 'Eave you ever
talked with him?" "Yes, sar, we all talk
wild him. Ebry soger talk to him" "Do
you like him? Is he kind to YOU? "Yes,
sar, he's good man; he's Baptist preach
er." This was told me by several others,
and Lieutenant Waterman had heard the
same.
The 6res around US had burned low, the
talking and uproarous laugher bad quieted,
and for o while, a little while, there was
quiet. Utterly exhausted in mind and
body both Mrs. NJ (sitting in the large
rocking chair with the babe in her arms,)
and the writer dozed. The servants too
had sunk down in utter exhaustion upon
the floor; none Of Us had eaten anything
during this long ari eventful day. How
long we slept don't know, perhaps half
hour. when awoke excited. There met
my eyes, standing leaning against the door
facing, tall hght-haired officer, white.
he was in uniform and looked very hand
some. He was smoking q cigar, nearly
consumed, for he took it between his fore
finger and thumb, and spit upon the floor,
spoke at once: "What will you have,
sir?" he did not reply. but taking from
his vest, which was buttoned up to his
throat with very small brass buttons, a
bit Of paper. and reading from it, asked:
"Is that your manner" didnot like his
tone, it did not comport with his face. He
was handsome man, Ireplied: Leave
of the y, and you have it." he stepped to
fhap r,tS $ho /.L
that tallow candle, how recall it ally stood,
and holding the paper to it, said: "Yes,
have it right; Ut struck me at once his
not remaining in the room. He returned
to his position just in the door; 'that's
your name?" nodded assent ARMY
scared" derisively. 1.-THE presence Of
these negro soldiers have been terror TO
Us this whole afternoon" ''Why are yon
not in the army?" II serve my country
better out of the army. could not stand
the wear and tear of soldiers life"
He threw the stamp Of the cigar towards
the fire place, and lighted another from the
candle. While lighting it I observed an
elegant. flashing ring upon one of his
fingers. He was careful to return to the
door and not remain in the room. "Have
you ever been in the army?" '.No. I have
remained with my family during the war
leaving them only when official duties re-
quire me to do So" ''What doing?" Preach
ing. I am 9 minister Of the Gospel"
be sareastically draVled
ont. began nov to fear him. was
satisfied had fallen into bad hands and
longed for lieutenant Waterman to defend
nae. His manner implied business. He
pu&sd his smoke rapidly into the room,
md spit more frequently upon the door. |
was convinced that he meant to do me
harm. lie was rough in United States
uniform.
You are army scared. Il is al easy
thing to lie in wait, watching for your
surrender to them; shoot them |
down, take back street, come to bed and !
say you are sick" ut was you who shot |
down our guard in the street as they rode
into town" He had became, while utter
ing these short expressions, excited and !
pufed his cigar vigorously; knocking off
The ashes with his little finger, and splitting |
frequently on the floor. Mrs. M. had now |
become aroused, and she pushed her chair
As near to the bed as she could. The two |
servants stood as near Us they could also.
We were all alarmed. "What is he going
% do?" was in my mind. 1T is not worth |
while to deny all this that you have charg-
ID upon me, for all the town knows that I
have not been out of this bed since Friday,
md that l am sick and have had my physi-
ian to see me. 1t is useless to make this
charge against me. You have been misled
n all this"
"Who has been here to-day?" II can't
ell l;sonly that the yardand house have been
;rowded with negro soldiers the entire
'fternoon; we were worn out with the con-
usion. We have been intruded upon so
constantly that no opportunity has been
.llowed MS to prepare food, and all our
cooking utensils have been stolen from us.
am innocent, entirely so, Of all you say"
Have any white soldiers been in the
souse?" "Yes, the Provost Marshal with
several others were over the house with
lighted torches just as night set ID" "Did
hey fud anything?" They were after
rms and ammunition; there was none in the
,ouse." WAS any other white man here?"
Lieutenant Waterman was here. He
lad his tent, he said, near our fence"
What business had be here?" Saying
his with an ugly emphasis. was con-
'inced that W. was disllked by him. II
lont know; but he came in to advise US
low to save our provisions, advising US to
bring it all into this ROOM" pointing to the
neat, lard and rice on the hearth. We
lave, however, lost all our corn and fod-
!er."
''And you took 80 active part in hang
Dg several helpless negroes not long ago
me of them was an old man." He made
his remark with an increased venom in his
one. "All this has been reported to u.s."
We are informed Of all this one-sided
,usiuess." They were hung for no cause,
nd had never had trial, and We are here
0 look into it all and straighten it all up"
There were several, perheps 6ve, negro
oen hung here several weeks ago. They
vere found with guns in their hands and
vhen the attempt by the sheriff to arrest
hem was made, he and his posse were fired
lpon from embnsh. This IS my reccollec-
ion Of this affair. When they were arrested,
hey were tried and hung. This whole
onntry Enou,C fhiS tsWhat ho6 Won RI 10