The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-02-04

You are still boy to me- He soon left and went into the yard to join his black associates, who were nring their guns proniscuously over the yaro at chickens, dogs and whatever came in sight. Our servants were true and faithful and to them we are indebted for saving many valuables. as well as
 property. Thornton, a splendid servant had no chance of hiding, so he was
 suddenly seized with violent attack or
 pleurissy, went to bed calling for hot
 teas. groaned most piteous1y until the
 enemy had gone, when his recovery was as sudden as his attack had been. This never-to-be- Sunday was kept as compulsory fast day, at least
 we had to observe 1t for as soon as the dinner was cooked those voracious black
 soldiers seized and revoured it. After cooking three dinners and having them
 taken each times the kind hearted cook
 could stand 1t no longer. Knowing the little children were in need of food. T
 know them children is hungry, I'm
 gwine fix them something to eat" With that she went to her room, roasted a pan of potatoes, took them in her apron to the house and, calling the two little girls. put them in the closet and closed the, door. so they could, unmo- tested satisfy their hunger on roasted yams negro was trying to break
 down the door of the smoke house. One of the little boys asked him to wait un- til he went for the key: he came in, saying, Sis, where is the key those
 negroes are going to break the lock" He was followed by a negro, but when 1t was learned what their errand was,
 his sister Che playing bluff on them) indignantly refused to give it up, say ing. in most emphatic tones, Let them
 break that door If they dare. have protection from headquarters, I'll go
 to the officers and have every one of
 them hanging by his thumbs in less
 than half an hour" This mode of punishment was their terror. No doubt
 many of them knew from personal 1 experience what 1t meant; at all events l the threat prevented the breaking of | the door Good old Dicy was surely | distressed at the loss of her poultry. | but more so when she found they had l not left a rooster to crow for day. | Now we can never tell when daylight 1 comes"
 Late in the evening lieutenant came and asked If his captain, who was quite | sick, could have the privilege of spend- | ing the night in the home. The re- | quest was the more readily granted. as l he had driven every armed negro from the place and we had drawn a breath of relief after a day of intense anx- l iety. The captain and the two lieu 1 tenants were invited to our supper q must confess to the self interest back of the invitation, thinking they would be protection to us), which was seem-
 ingly enjoyed by the trio of officers. Supper over the lieutenants returned to camp. A hot bath was provided for the captain. who remarked. "this Is the first time ever had my feet bathed by slave" He then asked. Can my colored man, Mir. Wash Williams, stay In the kitchen tonight with your slaves. a.a cate with headuuartersT' replied, eff our servants are willing have no ob- jections" My older sister and I sat up all that long, dreary night. Some time after midnight, there WAS a eau tious tap on my window. blind, accom- panied by low Miss Mary is you sleepT' Recognising the voice of q faithful servant I answered, T am not asleep" she said. If something ain't done now by morning master won't have a nibblin' of corn, I been hear ing Yankee niggers tranping back wards over the frozen ground to our crib the enduring night. went at once to tell father. the captain who overheard our conversation, asked if I would send a note to headquarters and have a guard stationed at the crib. I went to the door and called. Wash, your master wants you" At this Southern style of speech the captain lau8neQ BOOu nAbuTSuiy. -r Just aL uhy- light there was a knock at the door and Orders captain to march" Where to?" Back where we came from" The Captain was very grateful for his nights lodging and the kind ness he received at the hands of his enemies, saying if he was ever sent to that community again he would see that our family should have all the protection he could secure.
 He was quite an intelligent man, courteous in manner and we would have considered him a gentleman had he not been in command of negro troops.
 Written for Miss Frances Cooper, Historian of Tuscumbia Chapter, by Mrs Mollie Hunt Littlepage, of Waco, Texas. At the time it happened she was living at LaGrange, Ala, fourteen miles from Tuscunbia.
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