The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1895-03-13
Recollections of Potter's Raid.
By Rev. WI. ". MOOD.

Z .
our parsonage in Manning was announced
by very quick knock at the front door.
Il seemed to be simply to let US know that
some one wished admittance, but not to
disturb US. 1t was between FIVE and six
o'clock in the afternoon of the Sth April,
65,-Saturday. The servant girl, about
twelve years old, returned to US from
answering the knock, saying, The young
gentleman says he has pitched his tent at
the fence, and be won't hurt rs. ooh, he
wears beautiful clothes. I asked: "Where
is he?" ''He is gone out Of the gate.
s'This is streak of light; he went hurt US
go quickly and ask him in. / must see
him" He returned and We heard his steps
with great interest. It was cheering to US
to have some one to knock SO gently and to
retire saying: He was near the fence and
would not hurt US" AS soon he stood be.
fore nv room door and saw me in bed, he
withdrew. I said: "Walk in, sir; my
condition prevents me from meeting you;
ws!kin." He then came to the door, and
taking of his Qight-colored felt hat, he
made profound bow and put his hat un.
der his right arm. Said I: "Be seated,
sir" The servant placed a chair for him,
but he remarked: "Ishave but a moment
to stay, I'll sit here, (on trunk against the
wall at the foot of my bed.) There he sat,
somewhat out Of sight.
That bowl there vas much in it to re-
assure us. He was youth; beardless,
with light-blue eyes. His quiet manner,
his actual diffdence, drew me to him. lie
sat in silence, with his hat in his hands
turning it round and round. he was evil
IDENTIFY embarrassed; though there was a
purpose in his visit. He was closely
watched by me, and it vas evident he was
here to learn of me, by the glances he'd
give me every now and then while playing
with his hat. He was an object Of interest
to rs all in the room. His first act was to
take small bit Of paper from his vest,
which was buttoned up to his throat with
very small brass buttons, and reading from
it to ask: "Is this your name? reaching
up so be could see me well. "1es'
sir, you have my name cor
rectly." He lowered his bead,
putting the paper back in his pocket and
his ewes upon the carpet. "You are pas.
tor Of this church," NO, sir, of the
church on the street parable with this; this
is the Presbyterian Church" ''Yes, I have
been to it. The doors have been left open
and the soldiers and rsbble have taken
possession of it." Where is the pastor Of
this (Presbyterian) church," He is Chap
lain in the army" "You are sick?" "IeS,
sir" ''Who is your physiclan? Drs. In.
gram and Higgins" Where are they"
II have not seen them since Thursday
evening" Where are the men Of this
placer" ."I can't tell though I pre-
sumo they have gone to Sum
ter" do they propose to concentrate
there and resist us?" "This is what have
understood" "Why did you not leave the
town when they left?" because was in
bed, and was not able" Would you have
left if you had been able?" u rather think
not. I could not have felt willing to leave
my family after We heard of this negro
army coming. We are in great terror, and
though we have had negroes around US all
our lives, yet we have never been with
these surroundings before. "Are you an
organized army?" "Yes; our General is
quartered across tho street. His name is
Potter. have not been much with him,
but he seems to be kindly-disposed
man. They say he is Baptist preacher.
Are there any intoxicating liquors that
these people can get, for if there are, they'll
get ont Of our control" care the officers
neeroes?" "All the commissioned officers
are white but one; he is mullatto. He is
from Massachusetts," (South Carolina has
cause to know him and to remember him. }
Our conversation was here interrupted
by one of the servants rushing IN and tell
ing him the soldiers were robbing her box.
They swept it out, and all Of our kitchen
furniture before we knew it.
began to feel easy while he thus talked;
but there was reserve in all these utter
ances. And could plainly see his glances
at my face. He was watching me evident
" for purpose, and I felt embarrassed.
though tried to be natural. He asked:
"Why did your people leave you here
alone? for YOU are the only white person we
find in the town. All the men have fed"
answered, that was urged to 60. but
was not able to leave" (Another fuss with
the negro soldiers in the yard interrupted
our talk.) asked him his name and what
were his duties. Waterman. | enlisted
in California, and belong to the Engineer
Corps. have put my tent at your fence
and nv duties are pressing. as 1 nave 70
see to the repairing of the bridges over this
long cause way, which were fred last night
by your people" Cant you come IN
asain?" "IIl trv and do So" And now he
broached the subject which dreaded:
"Do Won know the man who shot one of
the guard in your streets and then hed!'
LOOKING ut me. mo SIR" The soldiers
say he surrendered. and then turned and
shot him down. Does he belong 70 TINS
placer" Really don't know; have nos
been out OF my room in several days. 1t is
actually unfortunate for Us that he should
have surrendered and then shot. But l
know nothing of the particulars. saw
two strangers ride into the town tnis
morning; one of them saw with gun;
not long afterwards I saw him pursued oy
five Of your men, and they all went down
that road; our nurse told us he had KILLED
in his saddle one of your men. This is all
know about it." ''The army are all in
great anger, and the General has caught the
contagion (his words). and it is pretty well
determined to deal with the town. Your
friends should not have left you here, you
should have gone with them" But am
to be held responsible for what soldiers
under orders do?" mo, but it is believed
you did the deed, then escaped and have
gone to bed. I feel for you and your
family. The darkies on the street all know
you, and speak kindly Of you; but the
entire army are in a rage and are deter
mined to punish the town for it, asked
who it was shot? 1T was private SOL
dier. Can't you even now, make some az
rangemeut By which you and your family
can leave the town." told nim was not
able to sit up and travel. It was not pos
e;hl> ~ 40 tb;c tsare vor1 6raSse6p" 7 told
him I had been urged to put on my pants.
''You must dress yourself, for you will Ger.
tainly be made prisoner and carried
away" And he went on to say: Don't
resist; obey their orders quietly. Don't
attempt to carry anything with you. Any
valuable paper you might put into your
boot. But you'll be carried with the army"
asked: "Will be permitted to ride?"
NO, sir; our wagons are few and they are
loaded" "rll not walk far" That will
not distress them, for the army is in q
rage" He got up to leave, but putting his
hand into his pocket, looked at paper,