Evening star., 1915-10-17
Marching Through Georgia.

Near the close of the civil war, when
Gen. Sherman and his victorious troops
were making their famous march through
Georgia to the sea, many skirmishes and
several battles took place within gun
shot of the Shellman homestead. The
battle of New Hope Church, when ALA
tona pass was taken and garrisoned,
occurred only few miles from here
Little did he dream as he rode through
his path of fire that he was SO near the
woman he had once loved.
One morning as he and his staff were
inspecting the country they saw the
smoke curl in all directions from farm
houses and factories One of his Off
GERS exclaimed, See yonder on the hill,
veritable southern palace; it must be
the house of a southern grandee." And
with one accord they galloped to the
house in time to see their soldiers greed
lily. possessing themselves Of valuables
before applying the torch.
Gen. Sherman, as he gazed up at the
house and it's beautiful surroundings,
was visibly impressed. He said to a
negro man who sat upon the steps of
muttering incoherently: Say, whose
house is ths?'
Pulling off his wool hat and scraping
a low courtesy. he tremblingly replied:
This, sab, is de home of Mrs. Cecilia
Stovall Shellman, sah''
Who did you say? Was your mis-
tress before marriage Miss Cecilia Sto-
vail of Augusta?"
And the. severe expression on the
grim warriors face gave way to zone
of eagerness and curiosity as he lis
tened to the negros reply.
"Jis So sab; jis de very same. sah;'
man. Can it be possible" For
moment his head bowed low, the hard,
severe face of the soldier softened
into a tender expression and his eyes
became moist.
Where is your mistress?" he asked
On being told she had left her home
to seek safety elsewhere, a command
was instantly given for every soldier
| to leave the house and premises un-
touched. and for those who had taken
valuables to replace them. Strict
| orders were given that the place
| should be protected. and guards were
commanded to execute these orders
| Gen. Sherman remained on the spot
some time. Before quitting the
grounds he said to the negro: Say to
your mistress for me that she might
have remained in her house in safety;
| that she and her property would have
been protected. Hand her this when
you see her." and he placed in the
| negro's hand card on which was writ
| ten:
| You once said that I would crush an
enemy. and you pit!ed my foe. Do
you recall my reply? Although many
years have passed, my reply is now
| the same as then-1 would ever shield
| and protect you That / have done
| Forgive me for all else, l am but
| soldier. W. T SHERMAN"
| The victorious army marched toward
Atlanta. Mrs. Shellnlan having been
apprfsed of the most miraculous es-
cape of her homestead from the invad-
er's torch. returned to find her prop
erty intact. thanks to Gen. Sherman's
opportune interposition
| Until her death Mrs. Stovall Sheilman
occupied Etowah mansion, and through
all the years old Joe remained her
faithful servant.
His recent visit to Washington, as re-
lated above. proves the loyalty of the
old ex-slave to his mistress.
| Pleasant A. Stovall. United States
minister to Switzerland, is the nephew
of the late Mrs. Shellman, the heroine
| Of this incident. Many of his boyhood
| days were spent at the old historic
| Etowah mansion,