Year: 1861

hlle on our way 10 McureSOr tno otner
day, on the steamer Milwaukee,, We made
the acquaintance OF one of our fellow pas
sengcrs who had just escaped from the South
ern Coniedcracy. Many Of our citizens
know him well, as he was once in business
here. We will give the narrative in his own
words as near as possible:


"You sec had been doing heavy whole
sale and retail provision business in the city
Of Augusta, Ga, for two years, and was get
ting along with the inhabitants yory smooth
ly. until little circumstance transpired last
fall which melted tho populacc against me.
/ had taken moro or less interest in political
affairs while l lived there, and, as much from
policy as from anything else, adopted con-
seryatiye Southern view of matters. l was
a strong Bell and Everett man, and when
the State Convention was in session l was
mentioned as one Of the State electors.


As it was known that came from Du-
buquc, some Of my constituents wrote to the
latter city for information as to my political
antecedents. The letter was addressed to
one of the prominent law firms of Dubuque,
and for some unaccountable reason answered
in such manner as to direct the deepest in
dignation Of the community, where l lived,
towards me. They were informed that was
. ,o,,l ..o,.kol lhol;t;on;st ,nl had nm, N,
cd the State of Iowa for Fremont. Within q
short time of the receipt of that letter my
house was surrounded by an infuriated mob,
eager to wreak a blind vengeance on me. j
appealed to the Mayor, who was warm per-
sonal friend Of mine, for protection. He re-
spondcd by calling out the entire police force
to dispcrse the rabblc.


Myself and son-in-law stood oil that night
at the head of the first flight of stairs, in
my house, with firearms and axes, resolved
to sell our lives as dearly as possible, should
the miscreants break in. My brave wife
knew no fear and would not leave my side,
although l entrcated her to do 80. She
seemed nerved to desperation by our common
danger, and ready to face ana sacrifice her
life, if necessary, in defence Of our home:


The people were pacifed at last when they
found us too resolute to be imposed upon,
and after short time was allowed to pur-
sue my business as usual. l satisfied them.
apparently, that did not entertain princi.
pies repuguant to their peculiar views, and
convinced them that the information they
had received was tissue Of falsehoods, yet
there ever lurked suspicion Of my loyalty
10 the South. Thus we lived through the
winter, the community daily becoming more
excited and bitter against those who did not
coincide to the letter with the damnablo opin.
ions that then ruled the hour.


In illustration Of this | will only cite one
instance. A party OF merchants were dis
cussing the impending crisis one afternoon
in a store not far from mine, when one Of my
neishbors made the following remark:


"Gentlemen, we must DO careful and not
underrate tho strength Of the enemy"


That same night committee waited on
him and asked him il he had made such
remark, when he replied:


"Yes. And do not SEQ tho harm in it.
II is one of the first lessons in military STRAIT
esy not to underrate the power of the foe"


His explanation availed him nothing. He
was seized and one side Of his head and face
shaved clean of the hair and whiskers.-
Then the newly barbered portions were daub-
cd with tar and feathers. lie then received
forty lashes, and was then given to under
stand that he had twelve hours to make him
self scarce.


This was not an isolated instance. Deeds
of violence were Of daily occurrence, and
many times they resulted in the death Of the
victim. With such state Of society boil
ing around me, naturally felt anxious to
remove my family beyond all chance Of in
jury. Finally when they had for some time
been drafting troops from the city for Davis
army, forcsaw the time when would be
called on. and determined to remove my wife
and children to the North. l started of
with them ostensibly to so to another place,
and took them to Atlanta, where bought
through tickets for them and sent them for
ward, while returned to Augusta to close
up my business.


continued in my trade there for o short
time, endeavoring to convert my property
into funds which would be current in Iowa.
dared not purchase gold at the banks my
self for fear of attracting the attention OF
the Vigilance Committee. No one was al
lowed to leave the country openly. Through
tho friendship of young man named Pow
ers, who had been boarding with me, pur-
chased some current funds, perhaps three or
four hundred dollars. lie was book ped
dler from Ohio, who had been selling work
entitled "Cotton is King" and was not sus-
pected Of fostering liberal sentiments. II
was through his friendship and services main
that escaped.


One afternoon an orderly sergeant came
into my counting room and informed me 1t
would be necessary, in accordance with TO
cent rcquisition from Montgomery for me to
enlist. saw it would not do to hesitate an
instant, and therefore manifested a great rca-
dness, and even cagernes to join. l was
told could have my choice between infan-
try or cavalry, and | must meet my comrades
that nishtat the armory. Ichosc TO- Join the
cavalry, and at the appointed hour was on
hand to enrol my name. I was very zealou'
apparently in my wishes to 6sht the Abo-