Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-04-11

ne were living between four and i've
miles from the city Of Macon during the
year 1854 and part Of 1855. General Stone
man. Of the Federal army, started out
from Atlanta in July. lisa to capture the
city and then advance southwark TO An
derSonvilIe and TO release the Federal
prisoners confined there.
We derived little Information from our
newspapers and we knew that General
Sherman was investing Atlanta and that
the state OF Georgia would be open TO
the enemy after the fall Of Atlanta
The boys and the old men were ordered
out, and everything was gloomy and
foreboding evil
We understood that General Iverson
was in command OF some troops, infantry
and cavalry. and was trying 20 guard the
section OF country between Atlanta and
AIiIIedgeville. reaching westward TO Ma
con. to guard the Central road, and east
ward. also 10 guard the Georgia rail-
road.
we were eager for any news. and liv-
ing N our refuge home. before mention
ed. We were often much harrassed by
various things, in getting the mail from
the city. On Friday before Stoneman's
cavalry raiders reached US we had sent
a colored woman TO Macon for letters and
papers. We had a number OF our neigh
bors in the house when she returned
about 3 o'clock in the afternoon. She
walked and the trip was tiresome one,
even to her accustomed feet She was
in a panic of fright told US that she
was on the bridge coming toward East
Macon when a carrier. mounted on
foam-covered horse. dashed on the
bridge. end almost rode over her. She
said he vas yelling: The Yankees are
coming-they viii be here DIRECTLY Tell
all the people TO hide their stun; they
are certainly coming And the last she
saw OF him he was going up Bridge
street in Macon. hallooing to all the peO-
pie
We laughed at her excitement: told her
10 20 and rest. before milking time, that
the man was playing a joke on the folks,
and we knew. for the paper said so. that
there were no Yankees nearer than At
lanta. etc. etc. Alas. we were the ig-
norant ones.
We had some ginger cakes cooked for
our visitors I read aloud from the pa
pers. and We spent a most comfortable
and quiet afternoon. and walked part
Of the way home with these good neigh
Dor women. No thought of present dan
ger entered our minds We slept well
that hot. murky July night. and rose
betimes as was our custom 10 get the
household work well over before the hot
day got in It's fatigue and lassitude.
Dr. FELTON, was sitting on the front
doorsteps and enjoying the early dawn.
when the boy that minded the calves at
milking time. rushed into the yard, all
the whites OF his eyes displayed in fright
and hurry. When he was able 10 speak
al all he said the cows were all turned
out OF the cowpen. and the cowpen was
f.ff Of nd hlf
And actually they had ridden in after
nightfau and turned out the cows. I'M
tethersd their horses. and then laid down
FOR an hours rest. before they started TO
Macon They were afraid to roam after
dark. and only waited for enough day
light TO pick their way. Stoneman's raid
CTS Rad spent that much OF the night
with US. and before the frightened negro
hoy had made himself understood the
blue coats were all over the place. The
woods were fun Of them. and the raiders
were rummaging all over the premises.
Directly the firing toward Macon set in.
Occasionally a cannon. constantly small
firearms They sounded like firecrackerS
At Christmas time At one time glimps-
ed some men shooting and lodging be-
hind tire oak trees.
The horrors OF that day and the follow
ing night ] cannot attempt TO tell in
TINS one article All day long the turmoil
went on. ~ one time the firing out in
the woods became so frequent that we
gathered in the room furthest OF, that
stray bullets might not reach US. our
smoke house was Quilted Ny saddle nag
carried OF. the chickens were shot down
as they ran. and not a peach was left
on Tle beautiful trees. and the corn fields
we're raided and then the horses were
turned into finish destruction. About 5
o'clock on Saturday afternoon the firing
begun TO come nearer 10 us tive were
only a short distance from the dirt road
leading from Macon 10 Clinton). II was
evident the enemy were being forced
hack or else they had been victorious and
were preparing 10 rush over US. They
had lighted their camp fires. ready to get