The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-05-04

Army, but on Jan. l5, '65, was trans
ferred to the Navy, as Masters Mate,
with orders to report for duty rs
draughtsman to Lieut.. Parker, Com
manding the S. G. School Ship Pat
rick Henry.
To one who had been accustomed to
army life, and had shared the hard
ships to which our cavalry had been
exposed during the latter part OF '6t,
aboard the Patrick Henry was reveal
tion of comfort. For instead OF snowy
fields, icy winds and Insufficient food
I was assigned to roomy--well fur-
nished cabin with the ships Gunner
Boatswain and Engineer as messmates
a negro servant being furnished al
government expense to attend our calls
and spread our table with such an a
bundancs and variety of food that it
was difficult to realize that the wants
and comforts of the Army and Navy
were looked after by the same govern
ment. In a way, it was an agreeable
change, nevertheless, sitting in the
comfortable cabin by glowing flre, L
often felt i'll at ease as l thought OF the
poor fellows-my late comrades--Who
were even then Drawing the worst OF
weather in their weary, never ending
march. For I remembered with pain
full distinctness the positive suffering
from cold and hunger experienced by
ourselves and horses while l was yet
with them.
Formerly it had been our custom to
20 into winter quarters at the approach
Ofcold weather; and, although our sup
niles had steadily declined since the
first wear of the war, we usually had
enough. But when the cold winds,
laden with sleet and snow piped their
melancholy dirges over the desolate
wastes of Old Virginia in the latter
part of '64, they caught our cavalry
without shelter or necessary supplies
for men and horses; for in most cases,
the producer had shouldered his gun
or buckled on his sabre, so that MS
fields had been left conquest to weeds
and brambles, thus compelling US 10
take the road each day in search OF
food often without success.
NV duties being light, | now had
time to watch the trend of affairs; and,
to crafty this fancy, I frequently
availed myself of my privilege OF
spending a portion of the day ashore.
Though we had been reduced to such
dire straits in the army; the courage,
ability and genuine patriotism OF our
officers and men at the front had inspi-
red me with,an unwavering confidence
as toJ fiual results. But my walk
bout Richmond revealed many things
which tended to befog this pleasant ex.
pectation. Indeed, the city seemed
to lack the courage and devotion to
the cause which fired the hearts OF the
army, and dangerous symptoms began
to appear; for the ceaseless tinkerlng
of our statesmen with financial, COM
missary and other momentous ques-
tions was alarming the public and
plsying directly into the hands OF
soulless Shylocks who multiplied like
maggots as they fastened to gorge
themselves ere the Confederacy sohuld
be no more.
On the 18th of March, 65, orders
were received to dismantle the ship OF
its engines and every thing of value;
according, the hold was emptied of its
contents so as to be sent ashore the
next day, the rumor being that every
thing was to be forwarded somewhere
further south, where we also were to go
and be assigned to certain vessels that
were awaiting us.
The first of April was busy day
sending things ashore. In the haste, a
money safe fell splashing into deep
water, doubtless done by the men pur-
posely; but, although it was known to
contain considerable money, no time
was spared to recover it; fact which
hinted strongly at hurry orders from
h1 1yr O
the situation better than we did.
While this was going on, what seem
ed to be good news reached us from
Petersburg, but no one could say just
what had happened, or who was re
sponsible for the rumor; nevertheless,
it was understood that Gen. Lee had
gained brilliant victory. How easy
it is to believe that which is III har-
mony with our wishes and see strong
confirmation in every pleasant clrcum'
stance that may chance to enllven our
surroundings. The second day of April
beautiful Sabbath morning the hum
of business had been hushed and the
church bells were ringing while the
sun gilded every object with a peace
full, reassuring smile. But, about
orr p. m. the midshipmen, sailors
and, indeed, nearly every one be-
longing to the ship were supplied with
guns and marched up into the city
to vacant tobacco factory. The
move was so sudden and unexpected
that we We're at loss to know what il
meant; and what was yet more sup
prising, the streets that had lately
been 80 quiet were each moment
thronged, more and more, with peo
pie and wagons hurrying to and tro
Things had q strange weird look,
and I felt oppressed by by a sense
coming of evil; but it did not occur t.
me that we were about to evacuate
the dear old city around which and
. for which 80 much precious blood haC
been shed. AS the day wore on, hurry
and confusion increased; municipa
authority was at an end, stores were
robbed with impunity, the cutters ran
with liouor and the city was at the
mercy of drunken, bowling mob o
brutes, such as are to found IN every
community, ready and eager to prey
upon the unprotected in times OF cal
amity.
The boxes, trunks, &c that had beer
brought from the Patrick Henry hat
been sent to the Danvllle depot,
whittier we went at later hour ano
climbed to the tops of some box cars
a part of train that was next tt
the last to leave the city. We now
understood that the midshipmen hac
been armed that they might act as 6
guard over the Confederate Treasure
which occupied the cars we had
mounted, and which was in the i'm
mediate charge of a. treasury otficia