The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1904-03-30
WAR STORIES.


cations convenient, the ladies con-
cluded to remain n the coach until
the train should be rghtcd. While
help was being summoned from Ilclc-
ma, the nearest station, their protector
lett the car for short time. On re-
turning presently he was shocked to
find the ladies under his care terrified
by the insults Of burly negro soldier
who had taken advantage Of his abb
scncc To enter the car occupied by the
young women. IIurrying to their res
cue Crozicr ordered the offensive
wretch to leave, which he, secure in
the military power behind him, refused
to do. Another uniformed negro now
showed himself and joined with the
first in violently refusing to go. In
the alteration and struggle which
followed Crozicr managed to eject
them both from the car, when one of
them moved off in the direction Of the
camp. But the other still made de-
tcrmincd resistance. Out on the
tracks, in the darkness, the white
man and the black closed in desperate
fight, in which Crozicr drew his knife
and slashcd across the back Of the ne
gro's neck, inflcting a wound all too
slight tor his desert. AT which the
cowardly creature fled after his COM
radc, yelling: 'I'm cut! I'm cutr'
Crozier was not slow to realize the
danger of his own position. The town
was practically in the power of the
colored troops. For an ex Confeder
ate, law and justice did not exist at
that time and at best there were two
witnesses to swear falsely against
him, both members Of the race to
whom lying is natural. His only
safety was to disappear under cover Of
darkness, which was Immediately and
effectively done. Mono too soon had
Crozier left the spot. The awful
sound of an cnraged mob was gather
ing in the distance. With incrcas-
ing noise it came nearer and nearer.
Presently fifty or more infuriated
blacks were swarming around the sta
tion, roaring for vengeance on thew hit c
man. While they were searching
everywhere for their intended victim
MIR. Jacob Bowers, the section master,
came up from Helena to euperintend
the righting CT cars. lie was pounced
upon by four of the mad crowd, who
excitedly cried out: "Here he ISL
and dragged him forward in the midst
OF the others who had gathered on the
station platform. Crozier could hear
Bowers declaring his innocence, while
the frcnzied soldiers, refusing to be-
lieve him, were denouncing him with
oaths and curses. They were for
shooting him at once and despite his
protestltions were leading him of to
kill him.
1t was crucial test for man 8
soul. Silence on Calvin Crozier's part
would insure his own safety. A mo-
ment more and the section master
would be sacrificed in his stead. But
the hero who within the hour had
jeopardized his life in defense Of help.
less womanhood was not of the mould
to let another pay the penalty Of his
daring act. There was no choice left
to his noble spirit. Instantly emerg-
ing from his hiding place he gave him.
self up, boldly asserting that it vas
he, not Bowers, who had done the cut
ting. Upon which the section master
was released and tho new victim was
eagerly grabbed, bound fast and hur-
riedly taken to the bivouac of the
wounded negros regiment, where he
was kept under guard the remainder
OF the night. That he was not killed
on the spot was owing solely to the
sergeant, who insisted that he must
be taken to headquarters. One would
think that, however violent members
OF az antagonistic race may have been
in their fury against him that he
might have looked for protection from
Trowbridge, the colonel of the rey;.
ment. who passed for a white man.
On the contrary, the only mercy shown
him was from negro subordinate off.
Ger who, willing to save a noble life.
urged the prisoner to take back what
he had said and deny that he was the
one who had wounded the soldier.
But Crozier stoutly refused to recant I.
saying: "Loose me and will show
you whether am the man or not"
Higher officers were appealed to in
vain to save him. On being question
ed BY Col. Trowhridoe ha eoL,,u,-