Catoctin clarion., 1901-01-17
LAST DAYS OF THE
CONPBDBRCY.
-oI O.
o. -Ol

to the metropolis of the Confederacy
during the War. and could always
tell, quite accurately, how the war
was going, by the countenance
( and demeanor of its inhabitants,
which. to me. were more certain cri-
terion than the daily papers. When
ever victory perched upon the Coated
crate banner, the faces OF its inhabitants
would beam with joy; each one would
move with an elastic step and renewed
, animation; but should it be otherwise,
then sadness and gloom were depicted
upon each countenance, even to the
school children, who would trudge
along with depressed looks.
AS soon, therefore. as stepped from
the train on the occasion referred to, l
knew that something was wrong; there
seemed death. like stiffness to pervade
the city; every one wore haggard,
scared look, as if apprehensive of some
great impending calamity. dare not
ask a question, nor had I need to do so,
as felt too surely that the end wss
near. My first visit was to my banker,
one who dealt largely in Confederate
securities, and knew too we'll the ups
and downs of the Confederate cause, by
the fluctuations Of its paper. AS soon
as he could give me private moment,
he said, IN sad. low tone:
If you have any paper money put it
into specie at once.
rs it as bad as thatY l replied.
YES and much worse; another week
and you will get nothing
AS happened to have about three
thousand dollars in Confederate paper,
l drew it forth and requested him to get
ME what silver it would bring.
The next morning. he handed me
thirty dollars, telling me at the same
time TO feel thankful for that much
At the house of friend with whom
I was staying asked the question, How
do you think the war will terminate%
The host simply took me to his bedroom
and raising the coverlet, showed me sev
eral barrels Of four sacks Of coffee, sug-
ar and other groceries snugly slowed
away; this, he said, l would find to be
the case in nearly every household in
the city. In every store | entered there
seemed to be the greatest scarcity Of
goods, and disinclination to SELL Oh
fire arms and ammunition there were
none, though | WAS assured that nearly
every private dwelling was small ar
senal. In the few bar rooms scattered
about, yigilant eyes ever kept watch
and upon the FIRST sound of alarm, the
owners themselves were ready to pour
the fiery liquid into the cutters. The
fabulous prices paid for everything
were no fiction. The cry of Richard
I'LL, My kingdom for horse was 8
reality, as regards the Confederate pa
per money, which was frequently offered
in sums of thousands of dollas for bar
rel of -four or few pounds of bacon
After the surrender it was to be seer
strewed along the streets, and served tt
adorn many negro'S cabin.
1t was known, about this time, to the
people of Richmond, that the negro
troops in the Union Army had requested
General Grant to give them the honor
of being the first to enter the faller
capital. This fact gave rise to feal
that they would unite with the worst
class of resident negroes and burn anc
sack the city. When, therefore. thu
black smoke and luri6 flames arose or
that eventful 3rd of April, caused by
the Confederate themselves, the terror
stricken inhabitants at first thought
their fears were to be realized, but were
soon relieved when they saw the MANU-
fight made by many Of the negroes ant
Union troops to suppress the flames A
no time did they fear their own SER
wants; indeed, l WAS afterward assured
that tho many negroes who filled the
streets and welcomed the Union troops
would have resisted any attack upon tht
households of their old masters.
The behavior of many Of the old fam
lily servants was very marked in ths
care and great solicitude shown by then
for their master during this trying peri
Cd. Az an amusing instance of this,
will tell this incident:
An old lady had very bright, good
looking maid servant, to whom some o.
the Union officers had shown consider
able attention by taking her out driv-
ing. The girl came in one morning
and asked her old mistress if she would
not take drive with her in the hack
which stood at the door, with her sable
escort In waiting. Doubtless this was