The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1905-03-15

The irst house We entered after ar
rlvlng at the fort was that of DR..
/ Craven, whose kindness to President
Davis should never be forgotten by
any southern heart.
Mrs. Craven was entertaining y
party of ladicsin the rarlor and as we
. entered we recognized at once our own
parlor carpet on the floor. My sister
impulsively cried, "Why, here is our
carpet Then, begging Mrs. Cra.
ven pardon, she explained the si,us-
tlon u her. and on giving our author
ity for the search, We wcr, assured
that the carpet would be restored to
us. |, was there when they took pos
session OF the house, and they knew
nothing Of its ownership. 1t was
rent to US without delay.
While here | chanced to mention
that Capt. McEwan had shown us
some favor-1 do not recall just what
1t was-when one Of the ladies ex-
cIalmed: "Poor Capt. EcEwanl" and
L knew FROM her tone that the yials
Of Gen. Miles wrath would be poured
on the head of "poor Capt McEwan"
for daring to show us even so slight a
courtesy. | fancy that the generals
official household often found that
life was not call beer and skittles."
But still the piano, that ignis ia
tuus, while seemingly within our
grasp, would vanish away. at our ap-
proach for every obstacle was placed
IN the way of our obtaining or even
seeing it. We knew beyond a doubt
that it was in Gen. Miles possession,
bat although We went armed with
the order from the president, and hav-
ing the lisi cf missing articles which
was furnished US at the quartermas-
ter's department. on one pretext or
another we were turned away empty
handed.
| Once, after what seemed a most
convincing Identification, we returned
home full Of hope that in few days
we should see the full fruition of our
labors, only to be followed by nm off :
cial notification from Gen. Miles that
the piano had been claimed by an
other party, and that when definite
(spelt de6nate) claims had been es-
:sblished the matter would be atten-
ded to. Undismayed, we wrote and
asked the name and residence OF the
claimant. The name was withheld,
but Alexandria was given as the place
Of residence. Our next move was to
the quartermaster in Norfolk, from
whom we received the information
that the piano was sent to Con. But
ler from Portsmouth, thus entirely
disproviug the claim Of the party
from Alexandria, if any really had
been made.
| Surely, now, nothing could be be.
tween me and my coveted piano.
1t was clear, bright December
day when we again started on our
quest. The trip from Portsmouth to
Old Point was quickly made, and as
we passed from house to house within
the fort, we saw everywhere happy
preparations for tho Christmas SO near
at hand. The crimson berries and
| glossy leaves Of the holly, the fra
grant pine and the spicy cedar were
everywhere in evidence, and as l
stopped and picked up bough which
had been droppedin my path, my sis
ter said: "What have you, Ar" ooh,
these are my palms of victory" re.
piled. Short.sighteG mortal. I did
not then know Gen. Miles. A short
walk brought US once more to his
headquarters. AT our ring at the bell,
an orderly appeared, and with most
cheerful confidence I said, "We have
come to see the piano in Gen. Miles
house" Conceive, if you can, the
dismay with which heard the words,
"Gon. Miles has given perenptory
orders that no one shall be allowed to
see the piano"
Helpless I stood before this royal
decree, and for the fret time felt a
real sense Of bitter Encouragement.
My resources had ail been exhausted,
and now to whoa would turn? "I
will appeal to Gen. Terry again. Gen.
Miles may command atFortress Mon
roe, but Gen. Terry mmands V;r-
i ginia.' So once more my cry for help
was sent TO him, and speedily I re-
cei9ed .areply, which copy verbatim.
| (The original is in my possession.)
4 Richmond, Dee 8. 1855.
| MADAME: I have the honor to 40.
knn aledpa the receint Of zonr letter Of