The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1899-12-27

he also secreted his masters silver
under the rafters OF the roof Poor
fellow, he became little demorallzed
alter his freedom, and there was much
excuse for him, but he seemed sorry and
desirous to arend.
The first night, and several after,
there was constant intrusion and riot
ing, all sorts of abominable insults and
thefts. The day after entering the
town was hideOus T; the public square
was filled with drunken cavalry the
men mad discovered cellar full
OF large quantities OF fine liquor,
which had been stored away during
the war. They took possession OF
1T, gave some to the negroes ana
drank until they reeled upon their
horses. While looking from my win.
dow | saw some men strewipg q train
OF powder below the windows OF the
hotel and heard them chucklipg over
1t, remarking, Wont there be /. lively
time up there tonight" Pretty
warm" all lnterspersed with oaths.
ran across the square TO find Capt -,
who bad promised to protect us, and
told him what | had seen and heard
He said, / will give you satisfaction"
He ordered them to take brooms anG
sweep up carefully every particle, and
he put those who had done it under
arrest. This was going on, and much
nope, while the grand Gen. B. WAS
snoring In besotted sleep at the prin-
clpal hotel. The stores were throw
open, everything like food turned into
tae dirt or given to negroes, who came
ior miles around to get all they could
The corn strewn around fed hogs for
weeks on the public square. The ex
tortioncrs had sad lesson they hau
been holding back for higher prices
and lost oil, destroying visions OF great
.ortuues.
Confederate money filled the air ;
hoated everywh re the cegroes had
handiuls, believing as they were tolo) J
IL was sound money and available still.
Ihe comm issary stores were broken
into the afternoon Of the second day
and the captain told us we must II lust
get what we needed, 1T was ali right. "
or course, we could not stoop to sucb
proceedings. The servants, however
were less scrupulous and were well
slpplle6 with many needs that had be-.
come luXuries to us 2; they were 50
generous that they brought grea.
Geai OF 1T to US, Insisting on our shar
Ing with them. "Mausa and Mlssis IL
OilSCu w Ildu SUue "A merchant
who had store near US told them To
Take Whatever they wished ere 1t wa
lung out by these raiders in the street
i'aforo the Court House on the souar,
ne powder that WAS taken from the
comm !ssary store was piled up high
and made an explosion like q lombard.
ment Tor three or four hours that after
noOn-One could not see through the
dense smoke-Just to frlghten q lot OF
defenceless women and children, and
some aged men who had been in.
capacited for service.
We entertained the captain about
two days and nights don't think he
rellshed his menu, 1t was 30 scant and
very simple. We felt sorry wnen he
left US, as he had prevented gooo
deal OF annoyance and insults which
others experienced. He terrified n,
by saying he WAS sorry to have TO
leave, as the stragglers were worse
and they could not stay to contro,
them, and they might be troublesome
Tor while yet. He joined us at our
evening meal, then rose In hurry,
gong rounu to each one with very
familiar, Goodbye, grandma, gooi-
bye, granpa." and coming 10 ma
Good. bye, Hetty,' and God bless YOU
all" Hetty" was new name | had
never borne.
For two days and nights after the
cavalry left with the great Gen. r.
we gathered In our sitting room eyery
evening, In company with some others
VINO wore in the building, and were.
IKE ourselves, fearing molestation
from stragglers. Rest was impossibl
with our nerves unstrung and con.
stantly anxious. Some of these Van.
KEGS camped about twelve miles out of
town and came In at night, creating
all sorts of disturbance. They took
pos session of the Court House, but did
not occupy 1T long, for they wore driven
OUT positively by "a small but powerful
enemy, the hea - they had BEEN in
possession some time In great numbers
and no one disturbing them. II wonio
be impossible to describe the rude har.
baric reign Of these wonderful con.
qnerors. They certainly disgraccd
civilization.
Inc pretty little town was sad and
aesolate Tor months after, as a iethar.
glc spI ii, sort of RIP Van Winkie
slumoer-not as comfortable, though
novered Ger tie place. We could not
rally our dazed senses sufficiently to
realize we were those of "the I,ost
Cause | have " buried the hatchet" !"
snd smoked "the calumet of peace. {"
though fearing never would. Not
that l ever could feel aught but re.
yereoce and pride for our HrebeIs," II |
like the name,) who we're not con.
4uered, but over powered, outnumb.r
"a SO greatly the little David" be
lore great Goliath" What had we
sVe! u be ashamed of In upholdipp
ana defending our State sovereignty ? |
nave grasped the hand OF friendship
On the other side since, and know there
are some who possess magnanimity of
soul snfdcient to meet "rebels'S in
fraternity. The New South need never
blush for the Old.