The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1906-02-15
MEMORIES OF
SIXTY FOUR
Mrs. J. Il. Henry at the Age of
Eishty.FOur Writes.
A LADYS TRYING EXPERIENCE

A LADYS TRYING EXPERIENCE
The article below, memories of lSGi
an. the personal memories of Mrs j. IT,
Henry, OF Houston. Halifax county, aud
is written 10y her own hand at the age oi
- years.
Mrs. Henry was Miss Hail, oi Frcder-
icksburg. Va. and married in early life
Major ". d. Henry, Of South Carolina.
aud had two SONS in the Confederate
army.
Ms. Henry is the great great grand
daughter OF William Byrd, tie illustrlOus
founder oi the city Of Richmond, aud
also II Colonel Robert Carter of Coroto-
man. Mrs Henry was born az Fpdcr
icksburg April l., lS22. and has been a
widow for 81 years She Is a lady OF
rare intelligence.
MEMORIES or 1861
In May, 1864, lett Petersburg, Va.
at 4. NJ. "a great secrecy was used IN
the movement OF troops. ! was ON one
OF these trains, daik lantern the only
light. We moved very SLOWLY and silent
". When we reached Richmond il ,eem-
ed like another world; everything was
dark and dreary
had not been there before since Mr.
Davis was inaugurated, though thut was
such a rainy day, all WIS bright IA the
hotel parl0rs-sO different ln that respect
-as all We're hopeful on that 22ud OF
February.
General Cooper was in bis office, very
much dispeased 10 see woman and "A
little giil call ON him for IA ticket to Cor
don-vllr. lie almost ordered me back
tu NY home. if had one. retired 10
a most uncomfortable room, 10 use atan
early hour. got 10 the train for tiordOns-
willie in any way could. The way was
far better than anticipated.
The sun came out, the spirits of the
passengers rose. aud We reached Cor
donsylle. But, oh' horrors they were
bringing in the wounded from the first
fight around the Wilderness. All the
beautiful green yards IN the little town
were filed with them. The train moved
on Ina Staunton ! was met 10y Judge
Shefiey.
The next morning ! took tho stage 10
connect with the Baltimore Ohio Rail
road. When we reached New Market
the stage was stopped an the hotel. We
were told We could go no farther az thr
Yankees were adyaucing-had, perhaps,
reached the Shenandoah River. "Seigel
was in command oi them. Breckenridge.
with the Y. NJ. /. and other troops, met
them when the battle of New Market
wa fought; breckenridge driving back
the BuecOat-. They burnt the bridge
behind them had 10 wait ten days Tor
lmbodrn To rebuild. The enemy held
New Market until they had their wound
ed dressed, and soon left They did not
forget 10 make a search in the baggage
of the stage passengers.
sECRETED vALrABIEs.
Before they reached the tavern, | had
secreted my yaluables under some very
ragged carpet " hich was on my floor.
All that day, aud the most OF ten days,
we scraped lint and didwhat we could
10 help. We were 80 busy watching the
fight from the porch Of the hotel, We
came very near being hit bya minnie
ball, which went buuing by NY ear aud
went into the weather boarding OF the
house. That was what you might call
"a near shave. As soon az the bridge
was rebuilt. Gen lmboden sent his
nephew, with company oi cavalry, 10
escort me as lar a. COiesbuTg, a small
town near by. There they leil me TO 20
on 70 get into the enemy lines
made but slow progress, as IT was
with great difficulty could fini man
and team to take me few miles. Mt.
Jackson, the Narrow Passage and Others,
were some Of thestopping pluccs. Wood
stock was reached alter many struggles.
Then We waited for an opportunity 10
get within the lines.
Finally DR.. Magruder was so kind as
to let me have a good wagon, q fine pair
of horses and n good negro boy. Well
we started in fine spirits. but, had gone
to little village called Marysburg, |
think. one mile out of Woodstock The
boy pointed to field ahead. There
were three blue coats spriDgirg over
a gate. The boy wanted to know what
he must do. Go on" | said.
In another mile saw what seemed TO
be countless numbers, pouring over the
hill. | stopped the horses moment.
An officer strobe up and very kindly said,
81 am sorry TO say it, but you will have
to 20 back. Gen. Hunter is making his
advance with l2,OO0 men," wered.
"No, cannot do that; am making my
way 70 the b. & D. at Martinsburg. from
there to st Louis, and gave him some
Richmond papers TO take 10 Gen. Hun
ter, and ask him to give me a pass to
Martinsburg. He did 20; felt better
The road was soon filed with troops
steadily marching on, except OCCASION
ally an officer would call out, Rest a
while, when, as many as could, would
gather around my wagon to ask ques-
tiOns and inspect every article. | and
my daughter, sitting on the two trunks;
the little girl holding a doll nearly as
large as she was. They paid so much
attention to US, All officer scenting dan
ger for me. whispered, You had better
have your horses taken out, Madam, and
stabbed" we were then near a large COM
Portable looking house. accepted his
hint with pleasure, and gave him some
more papers, and asked that he get the
pass from the commanding officer, who
would do anything Tor southern papers,
with which had supplied myself plenti-
fully.
SECURED A PASS.
got the pass, finally, from a Major
Quinn; he was strongly pock marked,
but very polite, as were all the officers.
had to retire under tree, to one side
OF the road, until the main portion ofthe
army passed, which was nearly sun
6ou,n and "a noor prosDpct for getting