The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1895-03-20
Reeollectlons Of Potter's RAID
RY Rev. VIZ. ". MOOD.

soldiers. They were boisterous and rude.
They looked upon me in bed suspiciously.
Some of them would peep in the door,
others more bold would stand in the door.
while others would como up TO the bed and
look me full in the face. threatening us all.
The hired servant. before negro
sergeant who, with his sword dangling at
his side, walked boldly over the house. had
occasion 10 speak to me, calling me "kass
William" Il fred him. he few into .
rage. and With horrible oath he cursed
her. 'You call him Msster?" "He is not
your master. You are as free as he is.
Don't call him master" Matters were
growing serious. The confusion and e1-
citement seemed more than could bear.
I needed the advice and attention OF q
physician. Remembering what had been
told Mrs. u. about applying TO the Gen.
era! for guard. she suggested it to me.
But there vas 10 oae to 60 but her. This
hard IS it was, to leave the house and 60
through the restless crowds Of negroes across
the street, she undertook. placing the babe
beside mo on the bed. She met very
elsbosately dressed officer at the gate. he
told her he vas not the General, but
walked with her to the steps, and pointing
to the pa,lor door, said che is there with
the ladies Of the houss." There being no
other chair vacant in the room he offered
her his, and heard what she said about our
fright, and the rudeness Of the negroes,
&c. he asked her to point out the house,
which she did, and the ladies Mrs. 3. and
uer mother), confirming her statement IS
to who she vss, be Sc id guard would at
once be placed at the gate. We suppose it
YVES done. We never felt their use, ct
least We did not know how 70 use the
uusrd. If placed as the gate. On her re-
turn she said to me in their hearing: It
was yery kind in the General TO send q
guard to protect u.s." Then they left. but
others soon returned. One Of the servants
then informed Us that they were breaking
into our store room. It was across the
ward near the we'll. This was serious
affair; it was oil we had, and the thought
was suggested, perhaps Lieutenant Water
man can help Us, and the servant was gone
bat moment when l., returned with her.
He said everything mns: be brought into
the housa. into this room; ant he intimat-
ed that his family were Meshodists. and
that no did not suppose had anything to
spare" / told him that the greater part Of
my salary had been paid in provisions, and
that it was necessary to save what We had.
he would not insist on going on with the
servants, but would not listen to Mrs. u.
going with him. but she would 90. There
had been brought into the room bag OF
rice and some meat. and perhaps jar OF
lard, when my wife csrns In, and. ID tears,
buried her face upon the bed beside me.
She vas completely broken down. could
not imagine what had caused these sobs
and tears; and while she was telling me.
Lieutenant Waterman came In and saw
her distress. He expressed great regret at
what he had said. and protested that there
was not any purpose to give us any more
trouble than was upon us. But that since
they had gotten into town. they had had
communication with Sumter, and we must
not ask how they had this. But this in
formation hsd changed General Potter's
purpose. We had intended to rest here
tomorrow, but we will move on to Sum-
ter tomorrow, and the entire force will be
on the road at early dawn. Thinking you
ought to know the worst, have told Mrs.
II. that our information is that General
Grant has General Lee in such position
that be cannot escape. He'll be forced to
surrender. It is this thst has distressed
her; far be it from me to injure the feel
ings OF oae of the daughters Of South Caro-
lima or Virginia. I hold them in the
highest esteem, and think them the greatest
women in this broad land" told him
that with all due respect to his kindness
to us, kindness which We never forget, ]
did not believe one word he had said. ]
could not be made to believe it." He re.
piled that .he admired my spirit, bat
that what be lad told me would in short
time be confirmed, and that our cause was
lost. This was alarming intelligence.
was not prepared for this. But alas, so
true. While this was going on, he was
called away by many voices in the yard.
Soon our house was filled with soldiers;
they had lighted torches IN their hand.
When saw the light Ut was growing dark
my conclusion was, they are here to bre the
house. The servant went again in haste
for our protector Lieutenant Waterman.
He was at his tent. aud in trice was in
the house. heard his voice. and some
one say, '.Is that you, Lieutenant" Then
his reply: "You need not search the
house any, further. have been over it.
Retire with your men as quietly as poss-
lble lie is quite sick. as you see." He
then came 20 my ceoSloo, anu ID MS KIND
est manner told me not 70 be alarmed; it
was only 1.-The Provost Guard under orders,
bot he had gone; tney were looking for
firearms, and ammunition. He said that
this sudden change in the marching or
dsrs had given him much to do" He
seemed to feel for us sincerely, and re-
marked to Mrs. N. that I ought to have
some coffee. perhaps tea would be better;
that in their stores they had no tea, and
that he had failed to find the eonmissary
wagon containing coffee or be would have
brought me some. He found me very
feeble, and we were all in great trouble;
and more so because he SAID he hardly
thought he conld drop il again rs there
was much upon his hands. / was now
sure that he Was our friend; that he did