Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1914-06-12
PLAYING A
PART
A Story Of the War Be
tween the States
BY F. a. r1ITcHEL

When the war between the states
opened we were q contented family
living on our plantation not far from
Nashville. on the south side OF the
Cumberland river. I was then a girl OF
twenty and had been at a boarding
school In Ohio. Our circle consisted Of
father. mother, my two brothers, Clar-
ence and Arthur, myself and Ciarice.
When I say that Clarice vas a slave
II may appear remarkable that i should
speak OF her as one OF q family circle.
In the irst place. she had 50 little
negro blood In her veins that no one
would have known from her appear
anco that she had any at all. Her skin
was fair; her hair wal light, with a
tinge of red in II; her eyes were dark.
The occupation Of Nashville BY the
Federal troops IN the spring OF 1862
was different from that Of any other
Of our cities. II wa at the beginning
OF the struggle, and most OF the south
ern people believed that when the Yam
KEGS came down upon us they would
come with IRE and sword. The conse-
quence was that when Il was known
they were advancing upon NJ from
Bowling Green, KY, and coming up
the Cumberland river our people began
to make preparations for flight The
night before the evacuation of the city
every luxury In the way Of eatables
and drinkables was consumed. In ev-
cry house where there were such lux
uries were parties feasting and drink
ing. On that night there was a SIN
gular mixture in Nashville OF terror,
sacrifice and c~onviviallty.
The next morning the mayor crossed
the Cumberland and surrendered the
city to the Federal commander adj
vancing from Bowling Green We had
packed all our valuables-we had no
transport for the heavier articles-and
went to a plantation Of my mothers
brother some twenty miles to the
southwark. Having been at school in
the north, / knew something Of the
northern people and did not believe
that we should all be put to the sword
/ wished to remain In the house, be-
lieving that my presence there would
be a protection. But mother would
not hear of such a thing. She said
the house might be burned to the
ground rather than that l should ak
pose myself to a lot Of vandals.
We had got we'll started on u jour
ney when some one asked, "Where is
ClariceT" l supposed she vas in an
other conveyance than mine but she
was not She had done what l had
wished to do-remained In the house.
We had gone too far on III Journey to
turn back. 30 It was decided by
mother, who was director general Of
our hegira-my father and brothers
being away in the army under General
Albert Sidney JohnstOn-that II Clarice
insisted on being murdered It could
not be helped. So we pursued our jour
ney to my uncle's plantation.
I was very much chagrined that
Clarice had taken the risk-if indeed
there were any risk in what she had
done-that l proposed to take myself.
/ did not for a moment believe that
she would remain at homo for the
purpose Of falling into the hands OF
the Yankees in order TO get her free
dom. for she could have had It for
the asking at any time. l felt sure
that she had remained to do what she
could for the preservation Of the place
After a few days, not hearing that
those few persons who had awaited
the coming OF the enemy had been
put to the sword. I determined to 60
back and zee what was the condition
OF our abandoned home. 30 without
saying anything to mother or any one
else I told one OF the servants to sad.
die my horse. and l started up the road
for U plantation.
A few miles ride brought me to the
Federal pickets. and on stating that
wished to return TO my home l was
permitted to pass ! found the yard
occupied with tents and sentinels pac-
ing about the house. l was riding up
60 the front porch and saw Clarice
come running down the steps and to
ward me. l drew rein. thinking she
might wish to see me alone, and she
did l was surprised to see her In one
Of my best dresses and wearing some
Of my ornaments.
Don't come any farther till I tel
you" she said The house has beer
taken for the headquarters OF n Of
the generals. l thought that II l made
him believe l was n Of the family
and not a servant It would help me t
induce him to protect the place. He 4
doing everything 1 ask him. He ever
stopped the men from using the fur
naees for fires. But your coming 4
going to break mi all up What shall
We dor
thought a few moments before 10
plying. Should I turn back and leave
her TO play her camel preferred q
remain.
Il tell you what wen DO. Clarice
You know TN very dark skinned.
can paes for an octoroon. I'll be maiC
and leave you 20 60 on playing mis-
tress."
Clariee tried to think Of some otheI
way out Of IT, but failed. and l. dis