The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1905-12-13

What should / do now? Where
should l go? | was very much alone,
so 1t was great relief when Mrs.
jackson said, 1--WE decided to 20
with troops as far as Wartrace, whezc
have relatives," and, turning t.
me- yee must come too, for they are
such loyal Confederates. I know
they will oheerfully take in any one
whose husband is in the army
lgladly accepted the offer. Then
such hurried packing up and get
ting ot-otioers. men, horses, tents,
Camp furniture, cannon, ammunition,
Two lone women, baby, a nurse. Il
was Sunday, too, for no time could be
lost. Well, We took 8 hastily i'm
provised train, aud about four O'Clock
that wintry afternoon it stopped at a
small, desolate station, about eighteen
miles from Murfresboro, and deposit
ed our forloru little party and trunks
on the platform, minus o waiting
room, where there were no signs Of
life. The train sped on its way,
d"indling to speck in the distance,
While with heavy hearts and tesr.dim-
med eyes We watched those neare st
and dearest to us borne swiftly away
to certain battle and not improbable
death.
Those were times that tried mems
souls and women's hearts. 1t might
have been some comfort to me if T
could have impressed on that impetu-
Gus young soldier Of mine the words:
"hemember, caution is not fear, nor
rashness valor's test;
If ne who fights and dies does we'll,
who fights and lives does best,n
But no, knew he would dash into
the thiokest of the fray. Surely our
situation was dreary. Night was
coming on, and we did not know ex-
aotly which way to turn. Mrs. jack.
son bestirred herself to find convoy
alice for ourselves and belongings to
our destination, several miles distant.
the home Of her relatives, where, un.
announced, We expected to take
refuge.
Tbe early-setting December sun
disappeared, and it was quite cold
Seeing bright FIRE through the open
door of little one story house across
the wide country road, I took my
baby over there for some warmth,
Hesitating at the threshold, I saw a
uoman with child stretohed out on
her lap apparently ill. She looked up vi,
and said: "You're welcome to come
in out Of the cold, but my obild has
scarlet fever" Any mother will
understand my hasty retreat to the
wind-swept platform. ..:.. -
In the meantime vehicle had an
peared--a one-horse affair without a
top-so We jogged along, mostly
through the woods, with night upon us,
to an unknown place and to people un.
known to me. On reaching the resi-
denee and before we alighted, Col.
Erwin and his wife opened their door as
we'll as their hearts to us. ]. received
as warm a welcome az If T were a dear
child returning after an absence. and
from that moment ]. felt at home
among them. And. how: inviting that
comfortable library and big, cracking
wood fire looked after my rough quar-.
tars Of the past MONTH In this lovo-
iy home were assembled various peo.
pie, for: no one Was turned away who
asked shelter. : Il was hard TO-; tell
VINO were the family. proper, as refu,,,..
gee relatives. and soldiers on the way
to and from ''the front became un. an
expected guests like; :ourselves.. |Of
course the dining table was taxed "a
its utmost capacity. The dsat. ) SSpso.
pie, who showed such boupdlssa hos h
pitality, were ;afterwardsi satsad ID
leave their home through TIA axigeiis,
eies OF war, and died Gsoon aftery ths
close Of hossilities impoverished on d
broken in body aud spirit. \: II: H :.s Z;
Daily: under shoss beautisdl2 bui
lealess :; trees Of Beechwood hSws 4
wandered, waiting, yes 'dreadi6 {, 'ths
4 q