The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1921-12-05
INCIDENTS Of THE CIVIL WAR !
RELATED BY MRS. N. c. GARY
"REMINISCENCES WRITTEN BY ABBEvLLE LADY WON u D. C.
PRIZE IN NORTH cARoLINA-RELATEs ACTIVITIES
OF WOMEN DURING LONG STRUGGLE
(By Mrs. M. C. Gary, Abbeville, S. c.

North Carolina offered a prize for
the best paper touching the incidents
of the Civil War. Mrs. Frank s..
Hassell, formerly Miss Blanche Gary,
presented the following article writ
ten by her grandmother, Mrs. M. c.
Gary of Abbeville, S. c., which had
been published in the Charleston
News and Courier and it was award
ed the prize.
"Incidents of the Civil War"
The Charleston News and Courier
requested that, "Our Women in the
War;" who had any experience
would write an account of it for pub
lication. AS I had some at that time
I respond to the request.
When war between the North and
the South was, proclaimed, compan-
ic; were formed all over the South
and men went to battle for Liberty,
which they thought dearer than life.
Many of the women of the south
had been reared in wealth and lux
ury, without the knowledge of hard
ships but when those near and dear
to them were exposed to the dangers
Of war, they did not pine in idleness,
but bound themselves together to
aid in the cause with the zeal and
heroism that characterizes the true
woman.
We cannot dwell upon the acts of
a few, when all did so WE'LL
My home at the time of the war,
was in Cokesbury, S. c. AS that town
had never been raided or invaded by
Union soldiers I was spared the in
suits, privations and cruelties that
many noble women of the South
were subjected to when Sherman's
army passed through South Carolina
devasting everything in it's way.
At one time the citizens of Cokes-
bury were greatly excited and alarm
ed when news reached the town that
Yankee soldiers were on their way
there, as there was no one in. the
place at that time, except a few old
men, women, children and servants.
The servants were told to get the
wagons and haul all provisions to a
place of safety, or everything would
fall into the hands of Yankee sol:
diers and then there would be moth
ing for them to eat, as we had no
money with which to buy more. They
began their work at once and soon
everything was beyond the reach of
the enemy, while the women busted
themselves in secreting their yalua-
bles.
Then we quietly awaited their
coming, knowing not what the re-
suit would be. At last night came on.
and sill. we watched for what we
dreaded. There was no one in my
house except myself, four little chill
dro,, aod tho n,1rse
All was solitude and we were
stalt..i even at the dropping of an
acorn, with no hope of human aid
unless there was a Mason among
those expected. My husband having
taken the precaution before he left
for the war, to have me given Ma
sonic degree, telling me if I was ever
in distress and made the sign of dis
tress if there was a Mason present
he would be bound to protect me. The
trying moment came-footsteps were
heard upon the front piazza and
rap on the door. I can never forget
the expression on the faces of the
children and nurse, or my own feel
ings, but to the door We went and
when the door was opened, ray Of
Joy came over all as there was Nc
Lendon Connor and another young
man who had come to tell me could
retire without fear as there would
be no Yankees there, they having
been unable to cross the river at the
ferry as they had expected, and were
forced to cross higher up which would
cause them to go through a different
part of the country.
At the beginning of the war l had
a carriage and fine pair of horses
which Gen. Stewart learned OF IN
. - .oot on order from