The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1895-05-15
Recollectlons Of POtter'S Raid.
BY REV. ". ". MOOD.

Mr.. Clarence Tisdale, owning fine
traveller, offered to take me. We rode
from Col. James E. RembeSts residence
near Mechanicsville, Sumter county, at 4
o'clock in the morning, reaching the Gov
ernor's elegant mansion ct noon. 1t was
long, hard drive.
There was no distinctly marked road to
the front portico, and we allghted from oMuI M
buggy at the rear of the mansion. we
were most cordially received, the venerable
old gentleman walking out and meeting MS
at the vehicle. We had met before, and !,
was pleasure to me that he remembered
me.
Your tired horse will be put up and you
will break bread with US and spend the
night"
This was not our purpose, and at once
told him so.
"But ministers are not often my guests
and YOU must remain for the night. vii
make your stay pleasant. This IS the hrs'
time YOU have been here, and there are
many matters of interest to talk over.
anticipated kind reception, bR
thought could have my own way-have
this interview and retlre-bus l found Il
difficult to do so.
you have ridden q long ways. Ioul
horse is tired Where do you intend going
from here ?"
Back to Sumter.
But YOU can't we'll reach there tonight.
And thus he met my purpose of remain
ing only long enough to have the interview
concerning Potter's visit to him with his
negro army.
At last I said, taking his right arm in
mine and looking into his face Governor
will you do what ask you to do?'
why, certainly, Mr.. Mood. 1t will be
great pleasure to serve you in any way
I can. Well, walk into the house, be
seated, compose yourself, and recall al
you can of General Potter's raid through
these parts"
My friend Clarence assisted him in
bringing into the hall an elegant walnut
writing desk upon it was paper, pen and
ink, which were kindly offered me. lie
placed certain chair for me to sit upon
but it did not suit me. He saw it and
brought another.
/ remarked: "Ill not use ink. and paper
which I have brought can be used more
readily"
He sat in en- armed chair, with white
handkerchief held in his right hand owe,
his face. We all were silent. When be
asked. "Mr. Mood, are you realy?" 1 re-
piled was. He spoke little too rapidly
at first, when I'd check him, but he soon
got my gait. Now and then I'd stop
writing to sharpen my pencil. He re.
marked .You write rapidly. Mr.. NJ
a remark or two as preface to this in
terview just here will be in place. On
Wednesday, April l9, 1865, lofty column
Of smoke WAS seen from ex Governor Man.
ning's residence by the Governor and the
ladies of his family. it was about nine
o'clock in the morning It told unmis-
takably to all that Potter's invading hosts
were not far of-on the direct road to the
Governors residence. The Governor had
extended tour throush the West under the
special commission of Judge McGrath,
then Governor of South Carolina.
The purpose of this commission was to
increase the fighting forces of Genera!s
Beauregard and johnson, aud another was
TO produce concert of action among the
Governors of the Southern States in case
disaster should befall the Confederate
cause.
Governor Manning arrived at Montgom
cry, Ala, just after Sherman entered Sa-
vannab. Ga From Montgomery his route
lay by Augusta, Ga, where he was most
kindly received. Gen. D. H. Hill was then
in command. Here was had long and
never-to-be-forgotten interview. 1t was
clear to General Hill-and it was so stated
to the Governor-that from his standpoint
and surroundings almost every interest OF
the Confederate cause was then in jeopardy.
There were great anxieties in the minds Of
all. General Hills kindness and attention
to his distinguished guest were marked. On
his departure home General Hill furnished
him with au intelligent courier, ali ambu-
laCce, pair of active mules and driver.
He pushed on with all speed toward home,
reaching Orangeburg just two hours before
Sherman took possession Of Colum bIa.
He now made his way toward the Santee
river across which was his home, some
fifteen miles away. When this immense
swamp was reached it was at once seen
that it was completely flooded with an uu-
usual freShet.
It became at once question of how to
cross this dangerous swamp, swept by this
rapid food OF water But, dangerous as
his surroundings were, there came to the
Governors rescue his usual persistency
and indomltable perseverance. He at on ce
dismissed his attentive courier, ambulance
and driver; and now. thrown upon his
own resources, he found an experienced
stock.driver of that region.
A bargain was made He was to receive
Sol Hia, o,.1l ,,,,k
him safely across on the other side. This
stockman was an expert with his paddle
and canoe, and traversed that immense
swamp with perfect certainty of finding
his way out The Governor was safely
landed, but was fifteen miles from home.
He walked that distance.
At home he learned that Potter
was making his way through the Sumter
district, and that, while active measures
were taken to unite the various bodies OF
soldiers. who were collecting to oppose
him. it was seriously doubted if they would
prove efectual.
As we have seen-the column of smoke
(some four miles away was easily observed
by the Governor and his family from his
home, as we'll rs by the many ladies who
had crowded there for protect,on-the rea,
approach of Potter was beyond doubt
The Governors mansion WAS not only q
place of protection for his immediate
family. but there had been collected there
the ladies' OF that entire community fol
miles around.
In the absence of their husbands and
brothers-all of whom were under arms
the Governor was the only one to whom
they could go to in this hour of extreme
peril for protection. and were welcomed
under his capacious and elegant mansion,
as the announcement of the approach of q
negro army was extremely terrifying.
It was now between the hours of AID
10 o'clock in the day.
While looking at the smoke in the dis
tance and surmising whose property was
being destroyed, noisy and excited mass
of black soldiers with yells and oaths,,
came upon the grounds in the widest con-
fusion. There seemed to be no end Of
them. They rushed at once upon the
store-room, breaking in and emptying il
clear Of it's entire contents. Perhaps nc
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