The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1905-03-08

this, b to A." (the real names
being givcn.) Upon the fly leaf
these words were found: "This book
was picked up in the AS library Feb
ruary IL, 1860, by Americus Whedon,
Capt. aud Act. Inspr. Gen. 1st Brig.
Sd Div. II A. G. A, Cumberland.
Gen. NJ. e. Hunter, commander of
brigade, requested me not 10 allow
the mon to burn the house. remain
cd behind and saw all safe, but was
captured the same day, February II,
90, several miles from Aiken, S. c.,
by Wheeler's Scouts
In the back Of the book these words
are written Gin pepciD: "Amerlcus
Whcdon, Capt. Co. 3, SD Ind. Vol.
Inf. The little girl that took supper
with the officers in the marquee in
the front yard, captured the hearts Of
ell, and was the means Of saving the
mansion.
In the years that had gone by since
the book was picked upat "The Oaks"
and its return, the little girl who had
confdingly accepted the yankee"
officers invitation to supper, had
grown to womanhood and had married
the son Of Gen. B. on whose staff her
father served in the war, and who had
presented this little volume to her
father. 1t was natural that this me-
mento of past stirring times should
be given into their keeping since they
were most closely identified with its
history. 1t is now in their affection
ate care, constant reminder Of their
honored fathers, both now gone to
their long rest, as we'll as of the hu-
mane soldier, who, amidst scenes of
cruelty and hardship felt for the
frightened aud hungry children, aud
who comforted and fed them.
AT the beginning Of The holidays Of
the Christmas season of 1902, you1g
man applied at the Office in Louisville,
Ky, of the Southern Railway for in
formation touching the most direct
route to Barnwell, S. c., and was di-
reoted by clerk to the Office of one Of
the ofIicials, to whom he made known
his wishes, and from whom he receiv.
ed the information he sought.
When this business had been trans
acted the official asked his, visitor if
he was resident Of Barnwell, and was
told ihat he was not, but that he was
on his way there to epend the holi.
days with relatives. a moment the
older man seemed lost in retrospec.
tion, then he said, II was once in
Rsrnwell." Thereupon followed o
narrative Of the coming Of Sherman 9
army, the eneampment in Col. AS.
premises, tho incident Of the invita-
tion 60 the children, the finding and
return Of the book. When this last
step was reached, the narrator said /,
II recall that the inscription in the
book was this: "B-- 70 A." giving
the real names. af the donor and
donee.) Possibly you know them, or
of them?"
eyes" was the reply, II am the
grandson Of both, Of those gentlemen.
My father is the son Of Gen. B. who
gave the book to Col: A.. and on
whose staff the latter served during
the war, and my mother is the daugh-
ter of Col. A. and is the little girl
who accepted your invitation to sup.
per, for am lure you must he Capt.
Whedou, of whomyI have so often
heard her speak, She retains the
liveliest reeolleotion Of your gentle
ness and Kindness to her. AID I
have in my possession the book
which you returned.
1t is needless to soy toe Captain
was quite as mnch pleased at this
meeting as was hls visitor, albeit he
could hardly realize that the little
blue eyed "rebel,' maid whose picture
fingered in his fancy was the mother
of the stalwart six.foot young man
who stood before him.
Was it by chance that these per:
sons first met through the fortunes Of
was nearly forty years ago? Was it
by chance the visitor from Barnwell
met Cspt. Wbedon fifteen years there
after and the book was returned !?
Was it by chance that the grandson Of
Gen. b. and Col. A. and the son Of
the ''little cir" met .hat gentlemen
twenty years later? Rather is it not
''Uon6rmation strong as proofs Of
Holy Writ"-that 3. ss,s35SS NJ s35
There is . Divinity that shapes our
ends,
Rough hew them how we will p, ~ *. 5