The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-06-06

/ Auxiliary, Alexander city. SOC
IL Eliza Wells. Auxiliary,
is. Dlsie Eagles. AUXILIARY.
| Union Springs. J.. -. -. 1890
Contributions other than aux
John T. Morgan. Chapter. Tai
ledega. -. ....... 2.5O
In. D. G. Chapter. Tuscum- ~
U. D. G. chapter. Bessemer.... ESQ
Jas. D. Webb, Chapter. Green's
Mrs. 3. B. Ross. chapter Il. Aa- .' '''
Mrs. Gieiow. $4,000. Mrs. white
| (s1.0o). Mrs. Butler. (s1.0o).. 500
State Director. Greensboro, -. 1900
Total. $50. -. ..... -. .$s10.s5
| Faithfully yours.
| Mary G. Pickens
Director and Registrar. c. of c. Ala.
Greensboro. Ala. May. 1908.
HISTORICAL.
The following is a valuable contribu-
| ton Of local history of stirring facts
concerning the Tennessee Valley:
The first invasion Of North Alabama
| by Federal troops was in April. 1852.
There had been much lighting in Mid
die Tennessee: important battles had
transpired just across the State line,
and Huntsville lay in the passway
OF advancing and retreating armies.
The roar OF cannon had been heard and
the sight of uniforms and battle flags
was familiar, but the approach of the
enemy was none the less dreadful in
anticipation and disastrous in realiza-
ton. The advancing army OF Yankees.
In fact, brought such terror to the
nom beligerents that they have nor
even yet forgotten its sensation, and
those who survive wax interesting and
eloquent in telling of that certain
night in April, SO long ago, when
sleep and rest were put to fight and
care and excitement prevailed in every
home.
The first invading army was COM
manded by Gen. o. NJ. Mitchell, whose
name was familiar to all the school
children on the backs of their geogra-
phiss, but whose presence was not re-
assuring, for he was minded to play
the part of the conqueror and tyrant.
His march to Huntsville had not been
one of unbroken delight. however, for
he was continually harrassed by So
called "bushwackers," who raided his
stores and fired upon his men in bold
and aggressive manner, and put him In
decided bad humor. so that by the time
he reached the unfortunate town where
he purposed making his headquarters,
he had little desire TO restrain his men
or consider the petitions of the citizens.
He Immediately took possession of all
public buildings and sent squads of
men out to search the private ones for
arms, ammunition and lingering Con-
federates. He was disappointed of one
capture he expected to make. Gen.
L. P. Walker, first Secretary of War
In Mr. Davis's cabinet. returned to his
home at Huntsville after his resigna-
ton, but was warned of the approach
OF the enemy and escaped beyond the
river. The residence of General Walk
er had been burned a few weeks before
and his family were temporarily the
guests of Ex-Governor Chapman. A
searching party was sent to the home
of the latter and announced that they
had orders to search the premises for
the Secretary of War. Mrs. Chapman
followed them about from garnet to
cellar and noticed that In the latter
place they speEt some time peeping
into jugs and small casks which were
kept there. She asked If they expected
to find the Secretary of War in lug?
Later General Mitchell himself came to
call upon the family, bringing num-
Der of mounted men, who surrounded
the house, while he made the call, with
one or two of his staff officers, an act
which he repeated numerous times dur
ing his occupancy of Huntsville, and
aside from his tendency to severity
of department, he was an interesting
acquaintance, intellectual, scholarly,
and highly appreciative of such quail
ties in others.
Mitchell was succeeded In command
by General Buell.. and later came Pope
Logan, Garfield and Lyle, who was the
author of the immortal poem called
Anthony and Cleopatra. and beginning.
II am dying, Egypt, dying" But 1t
made no difference how many lions
were among them, II they came wearing
"the blue" they had but cold receptions.
Their greatness did not at that time
impress the secessionists: whereas. the
eagerness EFF the latter to do honor to
every hero of the gray who CHANGED to
raid the town was very marked Balls
and banquets we're given for them and
sometimes kept up when the Yankees
were pressing close upon them and
within hearing of their music. as upon
one occasion when 1t was said the
young Confederates escaped narrowly
from a ballroom, leaving their partners
In the midst of the dance. and pouring
out of windows and back doors as the
Federals entered to capture them. How
the young ladies got home from the
ball the story does not say. but 1t is
safe to assert that they were not es
corted by men in blue. 1t made no
difference how handsome the man
how new and brilliant the uniform, II
1t was not the right color the attrac-
ton was lacking Such was the spirit
OF the women of the early sixties!
How strange, time when neither
comfort nor convenience. neither money
nor position, or even fame, were tempt
ing! Nothing counted save patriotism