The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-03-09

In the fall of 1862 Captain STAIRS
company. which had been serving the
heavy guns AZ Fort Fisher. but which
had enlisted as light artillery, was or
dered TO Kinston 10 receive Its bat
terry horses and other equipment for
field service. The yellow fever was
then epidemic in Wilmington. and
Captain Starr was ordered % march
overland, flank Wilmington and TAXA
the train on the Wilmington and Well
don railroad at North East. Just rs
the command left Fort Fisher, Colo
mel Lamb the commandant, handed to
Captain Starr two or thre dispatches.
instructing him. when he arrived oppo-
site Wilmington, 10 send them by a
mounted man in TO b headquarters
of the commanding officer in that city.
| was the mounted a chosen for
this service; 1t was after midnight
when the dispatches were handed 10
me. and il was good broad day when
| struck the eastern suburbs OF Will
mington. Throughout the whole extent
of Market street 10 the corner or Front
| rode, and. TO the best OF my recoi-
lection, | did not see a human being
no signs OF stir or life, no smoke
/ from the chimneys, no doors or win
dows opening TO the light OF day; no
men and women going TO work.in the
business section, no store doors open
in invitation to trade, at the market
place-which at that time was q long
covered colonnade near the foot OF
Market street-no carts and wagons
full of produce; it was a city OF si-
lence and gloom ~5mpenetrable. AT the
corner of Front street l drew rein in
doubt and p~erplexity, for | knew not
where the military headquarters were.
Riding perhaps half a block northward
up Front street TO about oppo-
site where the Purcell House us
ed to stand, from the corner OF
an alley on the opposite side
of the street a blowsy, unkempt head
and neck craned, and an addressed,
~cadaverous man stared at me IN ]
stupid, dull sort of way. Haihng him,
I asked where | would find the heal
quarters of the commandment With
out moving or answering, after & lone
pause the CHASTITY figure pointed south
[ rode down Front street, and found
headquarters near where Front street.
market now is, If | mistake not. Dis
mounting and entering the building,
delivered my dispatches to a pale, red
eyed, sleepy-looking orderly, who tooE
them without a word, and disappeared
upstairs.
made up my mind, yellow fever OF
not. to get a good breakfast; and
securely fastening my horse In from
Of Headquarters, | went down on Wa
ter street, and entered a restaurant
The cashier behind the counter Vol
ed at me as I entered. and the negro
water looked at me as | too my sea
i at one of the round tables; a dirty OIL
of fare was handed to me. n made
a hearty meal of nice fresh fish, eggs
coffee, etc. But it was like a spread
of funeral baked meats" For no
word was said to me, from the time
entered the eating room, until | pait
my bill and departed-not one word.
, AS | rode back up Market street, t.
5 regain the road | had left, and owe
: take the company, about where IN
5 handsome Baptist church now stand
| a man, we'll dressed in black, wear
/ ing a white waistcOat, held up al
hand, and hailed me from the pave
ment. When I halted he came out o.
the street, stood at the horses head
: while he stroked it's neck. and aske'
me my name, my command, my bust
5 ness in Wilmington. the news fror
e below, etc. l did not see what righ
he had 20 overhaul me and catechis
2 me, but I was a boy and he was
man, and a very dignifed, imposin
man. Besides, there was nothing al
rogant or unpleasant in his manner
on the contrary, he was very courte
Gus and affable. I saw him afterward:
and knew him then to be Mr.. DaW
son. and l am under the impression
!. that he was mayor Of Wilmingto
t when he stopped me on Market stree
s Fayetteville, n. c. j. h. NJ.