Catoctin clarion., 1901-01-17
done not in spirit of irony, but really
in feeling for her old mistress.

Nanny" the faithful nurse, was posted
at the front door with the baby in her
arms, while the trembling females
locked themselve in an upper room.
When the hurrahing, wild, Union troops
passed along, many struggled into the
house and asked where the white ladies
were. void Nanny" replied: "Dis is
de only white lady; all de res ar cullud
ladies," as she laughed and tossed up
the baby, which seemed to please the
soldiers, who chucked the baby and
passed Oh.
The ladies of Richmond who bore
such an active part on that terrible Sd
of April, many Of whom. with blanched
faces. mounted the tops of their roo fs
and with their faithful servants swept
off the flying frebrands as they were
waited over the city, or bore in their
arms the sick to places Of safety, or sent
words of comfort to their husbands and
their sons who were battling against the
hames-these were the true women of
the South, who had never given up the
hope of final victory until Lee laid
down his sword at Appa mattox. They
were calm even in defeat; and though
strong men lost their reason and shed
tears in maniacal grief oyer the destruc'
ton of their beautiful city, yet her noble
women still stood unflnching, facing
all dangers with heroism that b 8
never been eqnaled since the days of
Sparta.
Sauntering along the streets, making
few purchases preparatory to leaving
the doomed city, l was suddenly ac-
costed by friend, who with trembling
voice and terrified countenance ex-
claimed:
"Sir. have just heard that h e
Petersburg and Weldon railroad will be
cut by the Yankees in few days. Ny
daughter, who is IN North Carolina. will
be made a prisoner. l will give all l
have to get her home."
I saw the intense anguish Of the faith
er, and learning that he could not get a
pass to go through Petersburg, | said:
"Mr. T, if you will pay my ex-
penses, will have your daughter here
in two days"
He overwhelmed me with thanks,
crammed my pockets full of Confeder-
ate notes, filled my haversack with ra-
tons for several days, and | left next
morning for Petersburg. The train not
being allowed to enter the city, we had
to make a mile or more in conveyance
of some kind, at an exorbitant price.
Learning that the Weldon trains ran
only at night. for fear Of the Yankee
batteries, which were alarmingly near,
| had time to inspect the city. found
here marked contrast to Richmond.
AS | passed along its streets, viewing
the marks of shot and shell on every
side, hearing now and then the heavy
sullen boom OF the enemy's guns, seeing
on every hand the presence of war, !
noticed It's business men had. neverthe-
less, a calm, determined look. Its
streets were filled with women and
children, who seemed to know no fear
though at any moment shrieking shell
might dash among them, but each eye
would turn in loving confidence to the
Confederate flag which floated over the
headquarters of General Lee, feeling
that they were secure as long as he was
there.
That night, when all was quiet, and
darkness reigned, with not light to be
seen, our train quietly slipped out o.
the city, like blockade.runner passing
the batteries. The passengers viewed
in silence the flashing Of the guns as
they were trying to locate the traini II
was moment of intense excitement
on we crept, until at last the captain
came along with lantern and sald;"Al
right" and we breathed more freely
but from the proximity of the batteries
I surmised it would not be Vail right
many days hence.
Fastening on my journey found the
young lady. and telling her she mus
face the Yankee batteries if she would
see her home, found her even enthu-
siastic OF the idea, and we hastily left
though under protest of her friends.
Returning the same route which, in
deed, was the only one now left. we ap'
preached to within five miles of Peters.
burg and waited for darkness; the lights
we're again extinguished, the passen
gers warned to tuck their heads low
which in many cases was done by lying
lat on the floor; and then we began the
ordeal-moving very slowly, sometimet
halting-at every moment fearing a
shell from the belching batteries. which