Grandmother stories from the Land of used-to-be / by Howard Meriwether Lovett

GRANDMOTHER STORIES
FROM
THE LAND OF USED-TO-BE
BY
HOWARD MER1WETHER LOVETT
1913
A. B. CALDWELL, PUBLISHER ATLANTA, GA.
B236 11

COPYRIGHTED 1913
HOWARD MER1WETHER LOVETT

TO FRANCES, CAROLINE AND HETWARD MERIWETHER
AND
TO YOUNG AMERICANS EVERYWHERE THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED.

"When the full fields are harvested and the tread of busy feet is stilled, and the tumult of voices manifold is silenced within the market places the far-rim".ned world pauses to listen to the memories that sing and to linger by the altar fires of twice ten thousand yesterdays. ....... So, everywhere, in the sweat of the long day, in the hand that places beam on beam; behind the -plow, and the eye that marks the straight new road; in the mine and the mill and the workshop the fathers work goes on from son to son"

TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE RIDE OF RUTH SEVIER................ 17 SILVERHEELS ............................... 27 HANNAH CLARKE, HEROINE OF "HOR
NETS NEST" ........................... 39 i THE LADY WHO RODE THE BLACK COLT.. 48
MARION A KNIGHT OF THE FOREST.... 55 THE SPIRIT OF MARY WITHERSPOON..... 70 DANIEL MORGAN AT COWPENS........... 77 CHARLES PINCKNEY A FOUNDER........ 87 A PATHFINDER OF THE WILDERNESS.... 97 BIG SAM AND PADDY....................... 107 THREE WHISTLES AND WHAT THEY
MEANT ................................ 117 THE BUILDERS ............................. 127 t THE KNIGHT WHO CONQUERED PAIN.... 133 "THE PATHFINDER OF THE SEAS"......... 138 UPON THE PARAPET OF FORT SUMTER.... 149 ZORA FAIR .................................. 163 MISS MARY AND "JOHNNY REB"........... 172 A GIRL OF GOLDEN HEART.................. 186 A NATHAN HALE OF ARKANSAS........... 202 THE FAME OF AN INVENTOR AND A LIT
TLE YELLOW DOG..................... 209 t THE DAVID ................................. 219
THE BEGINNING AND END OF A GREAT NAVY .................................. 231
A TWICE TOLD TALE OF FORT DELAWARE 242

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

General John Sevier.........................--.- J6

"Ruth caught the sound of faraway approaching footsteps"... 21

*

Stephen Heard and Silverheels............................. 26

Mammy Kate ............................... 3 1

Colonel Elijah Clarke..................................... 38



A Colonial Counterpane................................... 43

General Francis Marion................................... 54

*

Major Peter Horry........................................ 59

"CowardI Go and meet him".............................. 7 1

At the Bend of the Road.................................. 76

General Daniel Morgan.................................... 80

Charles Pinckney ......................................... 86

I

Silhouette, Chas. D. Carr and family........................ 91

Meriwether Lewis ........................................ 96

The "Best Friend," first locomotive......................... 116

First Steamship .......................................... 121

Dr. Frank R. Goulding.................................... 126

Dr. Crawford W. Long, discoverer of Anesthesia............. 132

Matthew Fontaine Maury, Scientist........................ 139

Fort Sumter ............................................. 151

Zora Fair, a Little Ante-bellum girl......................... 162

Miss Mary Gay........................................... 173

An Old-Fashioned Fireplace............................... 179

The Lawn where "Johnny Reb" died........................ 185

Miss Tillie Russell........................................ 187

Randolph Ridgeley, I...................................... 191

Woman's Devotion ....................................... 194

"Russell" ... A ........................................... 199

Sword of Randolph Ridgeley, I............................. 201

Gabriel J. Rains........................................... 208

Home of the Rhinds....................................... 218

Raphael Semmes ......................................... 230

*

I
A GRANDMOTHER OP THE LAND OP USED-TO-BK.
FHOM AM OLB FAINTIMa. COPIED IT D. LOUIS W. FAMO.

INTRODUCTION
THE PORTRAIT.
"It is not pride tliat makes its loyul ; it is loyally Utal make* us proud."
There once hung on the wall of a Georgia country house the portrait of a lady, painted in the first part of the nineteenth cen tury. She belonged to a type that has passed away, so we call her Grandmother of the Land of Used-to-Be. Possessing a won derful fund of memories ranging from the Revolution to Recon struction, the bare record of the life of her time thrills with viril ity, romance, heroism. Her memory went back to pioneer days, when settlers came to make homes in virgin forests; when those intrepid heroes of Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana wrested from savage foes and the power of Briton and Spaniard, the vast territory which made possible a great American republic. Soldiers, statesmen, patriots, sons of Revolutionary sires --their blood, daring and fortitude conquered a wilderness and welded a nation.
Soon after the Revolution, when the tide of emigration was beginning to move westward, Grandmother, a slip of a girl, came with settlers from Virginia to Georgia. These settlers brought with them the breeding and customs of the Old Dominion. Yet even in her earliest days, Georgia developed marked characteristics. As an eminent historian says : "Their ability and enterprise better fitted them to seize, occupy and bring into cultivation a wilderness, mark out towns, people them, build female academies, erect churches and hold courts, than any other people."

It is not strange that Franklin College should have been estab lished in Georgia's forests long before the Indians left their native wilds. Athens is a fitting name for a university town, founded by a people who ever cherished above worldly possessions the graces of mind and manners. Of Athens, a writer in 1829, said: "For nearly forty years it was the only town having within its borders a college--by which literary men are attracted to the spot, and where they begin to draw others into the paths of science. No place surpasses it in refinement, morals, splendid residences, good society and learned men. As Greece was enlightened by a city after which this town was named, so Georgia for years regarded this place. She gave laws to fashion and literature; and frequently from her college chapel, politics sent forth its decrees--who should be governor, members of Congress, and sustain the highest office."
Here Grandmother's girlhood was spent. During the War of 1812, when Indian depredations were expected, women and child ren fled to the old College building for protection. Of one of the refugees--the subject of this sketch--a venerable historian wrote many years afterward: "Her character is as lovely after seventy winters have whitened her hair as her person was beautiful and attractive when a girl. The students would have shed their blood in her defense with infinite pleasure, as they averred."*
When Grandmother was a young matron, wit, wisdom and learning met under her roof. Her husband belonged to an old Virginia family, noted for "sterling virtues and clear heads," which rendered services to the state in times of war and peace.
The pages of history show the panoramic changes of life in Georgia, during the period from the Revolution to the sixties. Fast on the heels of pioneer settlement, had ccme devastation in the colonial struggle for independence. With peace, came the found ing of a civilization made of the finest blood, brains and breeding of any English speaking people. It was at Athens, early in the nineteenth century, that Daniel Chandler, a young Georgian, then a lawyer of Mobile, Alabama, made a speech in favor of "female education," so eloquent and inspiring that it stirred the minds of the people and led to the etsablishment of the first chartered female college in the world. There is in existence the fragment of a docu ment showing the original draft of the application for this charter, entitled
*"Annals of Athens," by Dr. Henry Hull.
10

An Act
To establish and endow a public seat of learning in the state
for the education of females.
"It is the distinguishing liappincss of the present generation to live in an age of improvement and to enjoy the means of ameliorating tlu* conditions of all classes of society. .... For the requirement of solid and useful female education-, our sister states afford an incompetent reliance; and if we were satisfied with their sufficiency., the resort would be too humiliating for the generous ambition of Georgia."
Thus in 1822 did the youngest of the original thirteen states lead the world in the plan of education for women.
In this high-toned, vital atmosphere, lived Grandmother of the portrait; a lady of laces and satins, of sparkling mind and charm ing manners. She kept in touch with the social and political life of several states, and with Washington City, through friends and relatives who had official connection with the government.
Then came the days of the Confederacy and Sherman's march, and all the old interests and pleasures were swept away. During this period Grandmother was a widow, living with her only son on a Middle Georgia plantation. She kept her radiant spirit, her zest of life, her gentle loyalty, through all the dark days. She possessed the exquisite faculty of living finely and serenely under all circum stances. Her presence lent distinction to poverty; a princess in exile could not have maintained a nobler bearing. The homely and frugal conditions now surrounding her, were imbued with oldworld romance from thoughts and associations of happier days.
Thus Memory finds her: An old-fashioned grandmother, with beautiful white hair and lacy caps, which made the pink-tinged cheeks seem fresher; a stately form, queenly in her arm-chair, where young and old, with their troubles and joys, sought her sympathy. She was the adviser of men, the comforter of children, the center of life in all its phases. Her sense of humor was rare, her laughter infectious. As an educational influence, she was matchless. History and romance in books cannot surpass the stories she told--stories of the struggles of Revolutionary ances tors ; of the glowing days of the Golden Age in Georgia; of Sher man's march so thrilling and sad. Yet merry humor and the sweet accent of the thoroughbred gentlewoman, ran through every narra tive. No taint of worldliness, repining or bitterness marred her
11

nature, and loyalty to her own people was deathless. Her hand wrought fine needle-work; she was a perfect housekeeper; her ac complishments ranged from the plain drudgery of reduced circum stances to the graces of the drawing-room.
Grandmother was an invalid the last five years of her life, but the brightness of her spirit was not dimmed. When her grand daughter returned from a party at midnight, a light was always burning in the invalid's room, and neither slept until the confidence was given, and old lady and girl had laughed together. Arrested youth was in the very heart of Grandmother. This pure type of lady, in her beautiful personality and in her wonderful range, of reminiscence covering a period of five generations, preserved the dearest traditions of a noble race. No prouder heritage can be given to younger generations, an influence enriching the under standing and deepening the purpose of life. Such has been the source of the writer's inspiration for gathering together and putting into story form some, illustrative events and true traditions of the historic South.
"To prevent virtuous acts from being forgotten, and that evil words and deeds shall fear an infamous reputation with posterity," is the object of this work.
HOWARD MERIWETHER LOVETT.
12

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The incidents related in these stories are taken for the most part from authentic records; others are based on memory and veracity as trustworthy as any human evidence. Grateful thanks are due the patriotic friends who have aided in the collection and verification of facts. Research, however sincere, would have failed in many instances without this generous co-operation.
The writer wishes to express obligations due: Mrs. Leila Rains Smythe for incidents given in the story of Ruth Sevier, for use of records left by General Gabriel J. Rains, and for other favors; Miss Frances L. Mitchell for various items, including the ac count of Goss Gottus, for her unfailing encouragement and critical suggestions; Mrs. Annie Macintosh Wall for family traditions included in the story of Silverheels; Mrs. Sarah A. MacWhorter for use of family records concern ing Hannah Clarke and Agnes Hobson, and other courtesies; Mr. J. E- D. Shipp of the Americus Book Company for the loan of rare books and pamphlets, and for access to the original manuscript of Crawford's Journal (now published in Giant Days, or The Life and Times of William H. Cra-wford); Mr. John Paul Stratton for use of his invaluable collection of Caroliniana; The late Dr. Charles W. Hickman for data and illustrations used in the story of Daniel Morgan; Mr. Harvey Witherspoon Phillipps for data concerning Mary Witherspoon; Mrs. R. U. Hardeman for the account of Zora Fair; Mrs. R. B. Bryan for the original manuscript on Fort Delaware written in 1866; Colonel R. J. Hancock, Mrs. Lucy Maury Van Doren, Mrs. S. T. L. Anderson, Colonel Chas. H. Olmstead, Mrs. E. G. Ridgeley, Judge William F. Eve, Mrs. Josie Frazee Cappleman, Mr. John Lee McWhorter, Dr. John A. Wyeth, Dr. Noel Moore, Mrs. Frances Long Taylor, Major Harry Hammond and others for kind nesses in matters of research. Special thanks are due Dr. Louis W. Fargo for his artistic work in copying the Grandmother portrait and other heirlooms.

The original drawings--"Stephen Heard and Silverheels," "Mammy Kate," and copy of the portrait of Dr. Frank Goulding, were made by the late Mr. Cordner Smith of Washington, Ga.,whose lamented death deprived us of his gifted services as illus trator of the Grandmother stories.
H. M. L. Augusta, Georgia, November, 1912.
14

GENERAL JOHN SEVIER.

THE RIDE OF RUTH SEVIER
[HERE was once a family of children who were never so happy as when they left their city home and journeyed to
____ the Old Place to spend Christmas with Grandmother. A Georgia plantation Christmas belongs, like Grandmother, to the Land of Used-to-Be, when the world was more "home-bred, social and joyous" than at present. Grandmother had dwelt so long in this land that its spirit pervaded every corner of the Old Place. Fancy and charm lurked in each room, in unexpected nooks, in drawers and shelves of wardrobes and cabinets--all suggesting memories and stories that were to the children a perpetual delight. The ways of the Used-to-Be were dear to Grandmother, and she made old times very real to the children. Happy and merry were they through the bright holidays, and best of all were the long even ings in Grandmother's room. A fire of oak blazed in the wide fire place, and Grandmother sat in the big chintz-covered chair knit ting. Years ago she had learned to knit for the Confederate sol diers, and she liked to do it now, for it carried her back to other days. She was a very old-fashioned lady with beautiful white hair and caps, and looked much like the oil-painting of her own grand mother which hung in the parlor.
One evening Grandmother sat knitting and litsening to the gay chatter of the children. Little Miss, as she is called on the planta tion, a bright-faced girl with long fair curls, is seated on a stool near the hearth, filling a popper with pop-corn. A dark-eyed boy of twelve is lying on the rug. This is Gentleman Junior. Old Randolph, the butler, gave him the name because "he has such a way with him--just like Old Massa before him." The Boy, a blueeyed sturdy fellow of eight, is building a fort out of corncobs. Daisy-girl is watching him with big gray eyes, that can find won derful pictures in a bed of coals. When she was four years old, she "just thought up" a fairy-story about a little girl who turned to a daisy. She is ten now, and still called Daisy-Girl by her home folks. Gentleman Junior is in the sixth grade of a public school, and has become an enthusiastic student of history. He often imparts his new-found knowledge to the children. The early scenes of the Revolutionary War are now thrilling his young mind.
Little Miss closed the popper and began shaking it over the coals.

i8

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

"The firing will begin directly," said Gentleman Junior, think ing of the British soldiers at Lexington. He began beating a tattoo on the fender with the poker. "Listen! Don't you hear him com ing? Hear his horse's hoofs on the road to Lexington! It is Paul Revere riding to tell the Patriots that the Red Coats are coming!"
"My, wasn't that glorious?" cried he, throwing down the poker and prancing across the room saying, "Bookity, bookity," in the way little boys have of imitating a horse. The Boy clapped his hands excitedly, quite demolishing the fort as he jumped up to join the prancer. Little Miss was vigorously shaking the popper, and a lively fusilade of popping corn added to the imaginary skirmish between Red Coats and Patriots.
"When I'm a man I shall take such a ride," said Gentleman Junior, halting in front of Grandmother's chair.
"And why not?" asked she. "Any gentleman ought to be able to ride a fine horse on a good open road."
"The Red Coats are through shooting," said Little Miss, turn ing- out the snowy corn. "What happened next?"
. "They killed four of the Puritans and the rest ran," said the young historian. "And a party met Paul Revere as he was riding back with the other fellow that was sent with him, William Dawes, and' captured him as easy as nothing. Dawes made his horse jump the fence arid got away."
"Dear me!" said Grandmother, with a twinkle in her eye, "there is such a difference in the mettle of riders as well as horses! Speaking of riding to take the news in time of danger puts me in mind of another ride c.f revolutionary times. She went without being sent--"
; "Oh, Grandmother is going to tell a story," cried Little Miss. "When anything 'puts her in mind' a story is sure to come."
. So stools and chairs were drawn near, and the children munched pop-corn and listened to the story of a Tennessee patriot.
: "This patriot was a young girl," began Grandmother. "She did not have a fine saddle horse and good open road for her ride, and there were hostile Indians and Tories to be feared every step of the way. Her name was Ruth Sevier, and she lived on the Nolielrucky River, in"what was'formerly a part of North Carolina, now known as East Tennessee. Her father was General John Sevier,

THE RIDE OF RUTH SEVIER

19

who came from the old colony of Virginia to help civilize this wild part of the country. In 1767, and many years after, the people here suffered much from Indian depredations. Property was destroyed, homes burned and women and children treated with cruelty when found unprotected. Think of the terrors of pioneer life in the lonely homes among mountains and forests. The Indians, so secret ard crafty, might steal upon a settlement any hour, day or night, and kill and burn. During the Revolutionary War, throughout the colonies, there were white enemies, too, the Tories, who took the part of England. They thought no treatment too bad for the rebels, as they called our patriots. To rebel against wrong, is right and brave, and such 'rebels' have a glorious place in history.
"Against so many foes, it took the very strongest, truest men to win independence for the colonies. John Sevier was a leader in war'and peace. He belonged to a fine old Huguenct family, was an educated gentleman, and Tennessee's first governor.
"Ruth was born to bravery, not only from her father but her mother, Catherine Sherrill, a tall, handsome, black-haired young woman, called 'Bonnie Kate.' She had been noted for being the swiftest runner in the country. Women and children had often to flee from their homes to the forts for protection; these were blockhouses surrounded by high walls. Once, when attacked by Indians, all fled to escape massacre. Catherine Sherrill outran every one, and scrambled over the wall cf the fort, fell into the arms of a solu dier. It was Bonnie Kate's first meeting with Tohn Sevier. Some years later she became his second wife. As Mrs. Sevier, she was never known to run from danger. While her husband was away fighting for his country, she stayed at home and looked after the ' crops and could not be persuaded to take refuge in a fort. Her motto was:
" 'The wife of John Sevier Knows no fear.'
"Catherine Sevier was a woman of wonderful energy. Her first work after her marriage had been making with her own hands the clothes John Sevier and his three sons wore to the battle of King's Mountain.
"This battle turned the tide for the colonies in their struggle for independence, but in Tennessee it was revolutionary times for years after the surrender of Cornwallis. Bands of lawless, despera'te Tories--house-burners and cut-throats--were driven from the

20

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

older states to the frontier. British spies went among the Indians and stirred them up to make war on the whites.
"In 1796 pioneer settlers still suffered from Tory and Indian
raiders. "As one of the boldest leaders for American independence, John
Sevier's worst enemies were Tories. He had always been kind and generous to the Indians. In 1781 when about one hundred were taken prisoners, selecting thirty from the number, he took them to his home, a log palace on the Nolichucky, and provided for them. Ten of the thirty stayed here three years. When Ruth Sevier was a baby, friendly Indians were around her home. As a child she showed much interest in the customs of the war-like tribes, and became a great favorite with them. She learned the Cherokee language, and talked with them when they came to her home. The Indians called General Sevier 'Nolichucky Jack,' and Ruth 'Chucka's Rutha.' They said, 'She will be big chief's wife some day.' Mrs. Sevier allowed Ruth to play with the Indian girls, who were devoted to 'Chucka's Rutha,' and really a protection to her. No doubt the beautiful 'pale face' seemed to them a young princess. Ruth was fair, with regular features and dark hair tinged with red. She was slender, and whether she stood, walked or rode, her grace was perfect. Like many pioneer girls she was trained to the use of the musket and could shoot with the skill of a true huntsman. More than once when the safety of the settlers was threatened, Ruth was of service, because she was quick and brave. When raid ers were expected, she gave the alarm in time for her mother to hide in an old limekiln, the most valuable article she could remove from the house. It was Ruth's custom to bathe daily in the river that ran near her home. To this place she went one summer evening with two of the friendly Indian girls. The girls disrobed, plunged into the water, and were soon swimming merrily about. Indians and all people who live in woods, have very keen senses; they can see and hear wonderfully well. While Ruth heard nothing but the splash of the water, and thought only of her sunny bath, the sharp ears of the Indian girls discovered another sound coming from the forest. They knew it meant danger. One of them left the water and crept cautiously to the edge of the wood; the other, swimming close to Ruth, whispered:
" 'Soldier and bad Injun!' "Ruth understood instantly. Without a word she quickly gained

"Ruth caught the sound of faraway approaching footstep*"

<

THE RIDE' O F RUTH SEVIER

23

^

the bank and slipped on her clothes. She, too, crept noiselessly to

the forest. By the trunk of a great oak tree the Indian girl stood,



motionless, her head bent to catch the faintest sound, her hand lifted

in warning. As Ruth came near, the Indian dropped on her knees

and put her ear to the ground, listening breathlessly. Then spring-

*

ing to her feet, and seizing Ruth by the arm, she whispered:

ii*

"'A moccasin foot and a sabre! Listen!"

"She meant Indian and a British spy. . Her,keen ears ha,d de

tected the soft moccasin tread and the click of a Tory's sabre as

the two walked through the,.forest.. For.a moment, the two girls

stood with clasped hands, listening. Ruth's ears were trained, too,

and she soon caught the sound of far-away approaching footsteps.

While she had been playing in sun-lit waters, beneath the clear sky,

that grim monster, War, was stealing through the quiet woods;

those dreadful raiders who. destroyed homes, were on the way to

surprise the fort and perhaps bring destruction to the settlements

around. Ruth did not stay for a second.warning, but sped home

ward. Her father and brothers were away with the troops, and she

found that her mother had gone to visit a neighbor. The most

valuable horses were in the service of the soldiers, and the draught

horses away in the fields. The only one left was a one-eyed ani

mal with a sore back, that was grazing near the house. Ruth did

not hesitate a moment. She must ride to the fort and warn the

soldiers of danger! And then take the warning to as many fami-

*

lies as she could, so they might seek refuge.in the fort. Bare-

jo * headed, with a rope for a bridle, she dashed away--leaving a mes

sage for her mother who might return any moment. The way to

the fort lay through the woods in which Ruth knew Tories and

Indians were hiding. The sun was getting low when she reached

the edge of the forest. She paused and tried to peer through the

gathering gloom, wondering if daylight would last until she could

reach the fort. Her heart beats sounded in her ears like the quick

steps of marching troops, and a chill crept through her veins as she

imagined in one brief moment the horrors she might meet on that

dark forest road. But courage was. stronger than fear; she was

urged on by love of kindred, home and friends. With a murmured

prayer to her Heavenly Father, she dashed into the forest. So

s tense was her feeling, that every sound was magnified; the woods

seemed alive, and the movement of animals in the underbrush to

24

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

tell of hidden enemies. If a rabbit sprang up near the path, or a squirrel leaped from tree to tree, Ruth fancied that the dreaded raiders were at hand. Even the musical twitter of birds seeking their coverts, appeared loud and threatening like the popping of guns. She said afterward:

" 'The katydids seemed to be an army; one, especially, sounded as loud as a trumpet. I have never since heard a katydid without thinking of that dreadful evening!"
"But on she rode, mile after mile, unmolested. The sun was nearly set, and the last rays coming into the path ahead where there was a clearing, showed a red calico curtain at the window of a log house. The sight filled Ruth with joy, until, riding near, she found that the place was strange to her; she had missed the way! Lost in the wilderness! With a pang of fear, she rode back into the forest and found another trail leading in the right direction.
"It was now twilight--almost dark in the thick woods. Sud denly in front of her rang out the order:
"'Halt!'

"Ruth's horse swerved, and in the dim light she saw a man

standing in the : road.

" 'Don't stop me,' she cried. 'It is a matter of life and death!'

"'Where are you going? For a doctor?' demanded the man.

" 'Yes, yes, I go for help! Let me pass!' cried the girl, boldly

urging the horse forward. The man, no doubt a British spy, with

an oath stepped aside, or she would have ridden over him. A firm

hand held the rope reins, and there was not a tremor in the erect *

young figure, as the horse dashed on. A bullet whistled by her,

but it was unheeded. A few minutes later Ruth was out of the

woods, with the fort in sight. The young girl riding at breakneck

speed with the news, 'The Tories! The Indians! They are coming

by the long trail!' was heartily cheered by the soldiers at the fort.

They begged her to stop and rest.

*

'"No, no,' cried Ruth: 'I must ride on and warn the settle

ments!' Before she had ridden far she heard the hurrying of many

feet, and she knew that patriots would once more defend home and

country.

"Thus was news carried in time of danger in Tennessee. The

Tories were met and routed, thanks to the ride of Ruth Sevier."

4-

* !*.

"Stephen Heard and SilverheeU went here, there and everywhere helping those in trouble.

*

V

I >

SILVERHEELS
RANDMOTHER was the court of appeals for the child ren, so they came to her to settle the question. They had been telling Uncle Edward of Ruth Sevier's ride, : carried news in time of danger. Uncle Edward, who
was a great tease, said he could have taken the message in half the time on his motor cycle, and that in future wars there would be no need of horses, for motors and flyingLrfiachines would take their place entirely. The children were incredulous.
"Could anything have helped the people as the horses did dur ing the Revolution?"
'"No," replied Grandmother, "of little good would wheels have been in the narrow forest paths and over mountain trails. I do not know about future wars, but in the past, horses have been of much service; they have intelligence, spirit and fidelity, and prove true friends. Why, there was Stephen Heard's horses, in Geor gia ; no one can tell how many lives they saved, first and last."
"Oh, Grandmother, do tell us about them!" cried the children.
This was the story Grandmother told: "Georgia was a newlysettled state at the beginning of the Revolutionary "War, only fortythree years old, the youngest and poorest of the thirteen colonies. There were only about eighteen thousand white inhabitants; the number altogether would not make a large town. Virginia was settled over a hundred years before Ogleth'orpe founded Georgia. But the spirit of independence was as strong here as anywhere on the American continent. Georgia furnished more than her share of soldiers and money for carrying on the war, and without her help and strong courage, victory would have been longer delayed-and success doubtful. Massachusetts started the war about the Stamp Act, and the Southern colonies took it up and kept it going. At Savannah, a Georgia schooner, commanded by Commodore Bowen, and helped by some barges from South Carolina, captured an Eng lish vessel loaded with gunpowder. Georgia's share was nine thou sand pounds and she sent five thousand of it Xorth, just in time to be used by General Washington in the siege of Boston.
"The northern patriots became discouraged from lack of means to carry on the war. Even after some notable victories, and the capture of General Burgoyne's army at Saratoga, they thought it might be best to give up the captured army and become again

28

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

subjects of the British crown. A motion to do this and end the struggle was before the Continental Congress in 1777. Edward Langworthy was then the only delegate from Georgia; he did not believe in giving up and voted against it. The vote stood 6 ayes to 7 nays, so one vote saved the cause. Again in 1778 the motion to give up the struggle and return to British rule was before Con gress. Georgia's delegates were now Edward Telfair and John Walton, and they voted not to give up. It was decided to keep on fighting for independence.
"During the last years of the Revolution, the most important battles were fought on Southern soil. Georgia and South Carolina were prostrated before the invading army; the country was com pletely over-run by British and Tories; and so hopeless seemed the condition that these two were called the 'lost colonies.' South Carolina had given more lavishly of money and men than any other colony, and during the bitter struggle, she and Georgia together, dared more, suffered more and achieved more, than any of the other states. Tories and Indians were deadly foes. Georgia being sparsely settled, the homes were exposed to every danger. Patriots, like Elijah Clarke, Stephen Heard, Samuel Hammond, William Candler and James Jackson, formed companies of militia to defend their own state. They joined Marion, Sumter, Pickens and Mor gan in Carolina, to help whip the army of Cornwallis and drive it out of our country.

"The British had taken Savannah, the capital of our young state, so the seat of government had to be moved to Augusta. Then Augusta fell into their hands, and the government found headquar ters at Fort Heard, in Wilkes County. Here Stephen Heard, presi dent of the Executive Council, was acting as governor.
"Two years before the Declaration of Independence, a party of settlers had come from Virginia and built Fort Heard, where the town of Washington now stands. This was the first town in America to be named for 'The Father of his Country.' Stephen Heard was a leader among these settlers; he was an educated man and a tried soldier, having been a captain under General Washing ton in a former war. On the Heard plantation near the fort, was a stable of fine horses, some of which came from Washington's stables in Virginia. The one Governor Heard usually rode was a

SILVERHEELS

splendid iron-gray stallion named Silverheels; this one and a bay

mare, Lightfoot, became famous. They were Arabian horses, and

it was said of them that they could walk as noiselessly as a cat

and were as fleet as the wind.

"When Tories and Indians were going about plundering and

burning homes, women and children were in dire peril. Governor

Heard did all in his power to relieve their sufferings. He and Sil

verheels went here, there and everywhere, helping those in trouble;

the swift, light footsteps of the horse came to be known all over

the country. When poor, terrified women heard the welcomed

i:.

sound, they knew a friend was near." "Grandmother," interrupted Gentleman Junior, "Stephen Heard

must have been like one of the knights of King Arthur's Round

>

Table!" "Let's call him the Knight of Silverheels!" cried Little Miss,

i:

clapping her hands.
"He was a true knight," said Grandmother, "and Silverheels was as true as his master, and carried him through many dangers--

in dark forests and over rough roads where no wheels could have

gone. Enemies fled before his footsteps and patriots hailed his

coming with joy. But after many safe trips, and while the British

were holding Fort Cornwallis at Augusta, Stephen Heard and Sil

verheels were captured. They were taken as prisoners to the fort,

i:.

and that was not all; the brave patriot was tried as a rebel and condemned to be shot. Colonel Brown, the Tory who held Fort

Cornwallis, was known to be very cruel.

"When this news reached Fort Heard, how distressed was Mrs.

Heard! Poor woman! she lived in terror; with Silverheels and his

master no longer free to come to her aid, the situation was dread

ful. There belonged to the family a big, strong, negro woman

known as Mammy Kate. She had a loving heart and resolute will,

as well as stout arms, and she determined that her master should

be free. So she comforted her mistress, telling her not to fret, as


i:

Marse Stephen would be home before long. Mammy Kate mounted Lightfoot and rode to Augusta, which was about fifty miles from Fort Heard. She stopped outside the town and found a safe place for keeping the horse. Then she procured a clothes basket, made

of white oak splits, and went to the fort, offering to take in wash

ing for the British officers.

I**

3o

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

"During the war this fort was three times taken and retaken. In 1780, Colonel Brown took possession of St. Paul's Church, en closed it and the fort in a high, stout wall, and called it Fort Cornwallis. Here it was that Stephen Heard was held prisoner, and here Mammy Kate came with her clothes basket. She soon won. favor, for she could iron ruffled shirts beautifully, and the dandy officers liked that. After a while, she asked permission to do Gov ernor Heard's washing, and this request was granted. Like many of the old-time plantation darkies, Mammy Kate was good-humored and witty. She was allowed to go back and forth to the prison, and given unusual privileges.
" 'Go on,' said the guard, as she passed with her basket one evening, 'but it won't be long before the old rebel will be where he will not need a washerwoman. We will shoot him in a few days.'
"Mammy Kate shuddered at the cruel threat, but answered with a toss of her head:
" '\Yellj when ycu shed Marse Stephen's blood, you'd better mix some of it with water and drink it; it might make a better man of you to have such good blood in you!' ; "The guard only laughed at this and let her go by. Rut she knew he made no idle threat, and felt sure the day had been set for taking her master to the \Yhite House, where prisoners were hanged. She went on to his rccm with a sad.heart. It was about dusk when she returned with the clothes basket on her head, and made some saucy remark as she passed the guard. That was the last ever seen of Mammy Kate atid Governor Heard at Fort Cornwallis. Instead of soiled linen, the governor of Georgia was tucked away under the sheet that covered the basket!"
"Oh!" exclaimed the children, "how could that be?" . "It was true," said Grandmother. "Stephen Heard was not a large man, though distinguished and handsome; Mammy Kate was six feet tall and a very strong woman. You know what heavy loads negroes can carry on their heads. Their wool and thick skulls make them wonderful in this way.' No doubt Mammy Kate walked from the fort T with the big basket lightly poised, her arms a-kimbo, singing a plantation tune. But as soon as out of sight she carefully lowered the basket, and she and her master ran as fast as they could to the thicket where the horses were tied. She had stolen Silverheels from the enemy's stables, and he and Light-

"Like old time plantation daikies; ME IT. my Kate was gcod natured and witty." !*

SILVER HEELS

33

foot were waiting to take them out of danger of British bullets. So away they rode as fleet as the wind!
''In Governor Heard's absence a party of raiders had attacked his home in Wilkes County, and the inmates fled to save their lives. Mrs. Heard, with her young child, was driven out into the snow. When the tormentors left, they returned home half dead with the cold and fright. Mrs. Heard never recovered from this exposure and the baby soon died. Beside the little one dressed for burial, the said mother sat, in deep sorrow. Presently she heard a sound--the beat of horses' hoofs. Were raiders coming again 2
'"Listen, Mistress!' cried the servants. 'That is Lightfoot!' " 'And there is Silverheels,' said she, with joy. 'Mo other horse goes like that!' " 'They are coming! They are coming!' shouted the servants, running to open the gates, and in a few moments their master and faithful Mammy Kate entered. "It was Silverheels who gently bore Governor Heard, with a rude little coffin in front of him, and his wife on a pillion behind, to the family burying-ground at 'Heardmont.' "The good horse carried his master through many dangers, but he could not stop bullets, and Governor Heard was twice wounded. Once when giving a command, a bullet went through his mouth, and took away a tooth; and another time his leg was broken. This wound troubled him for sometime, and he was forced to stay at home. "About this time it became of great importance to send certain information to General Greene, who was now commanding the Con tinental army in North Carolina. General Elijah Clarke, the mili tary leader in Georgia, had sent to Governor Heard these dispatches to be forwarded to headquarters, but there was nobody to act as courier. Every able-bodied man was away in active service as a soldier. It would be a perilous trip for any one, through a coun try exposed to Tories. "Now there lived near the road from Fort Heard to Augusta, over which Mammy Kate and Lightfoot had gone to the rescue of their master, a brave woman named Agnes Hobson. She was strong, gentle and a fine horsewoman. The men of her family were away in the war, and like a true patriot she wanted to do

34

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

something for the Cause. So she went to Governor Heard and said if he would let her ride Silverheels, she would carry the dispatches to General Greene. Governor Heard looked at her in amazement.
" 'It is a long ride--across the Savannah--'said he, 'and through
a hot-bed of Tories.' " 'Your good horse can swim the river/ replied Agnes calmly.
'And as for the hot-bed of Tories, a man riding Silverheels would excite suspicion, but petticoats are always a flag of truce. I am not afraid, and you may trust me as courier.'
"Her spirit could not be doubted, and the case was so urgent that Governor Heard decided that she should be his courier. Mounted on Silverheels--the finest, fleetest horse in the country-- with the dispatches carefully concealed in her abundant hair, Agnes started on her hazardous ride. She carried no baggage, and stopped with strangers for lodging. She told every one who questioned her, that she was going to her people 'up in Ca'lina;' and appeared ignorant of war news; she was supposed to be a simple woman bent on making a visit. Wherever Agnes stopped, she cared for Silverheels herself, and when dismounting, took off the saddle and carried it on her head. This was done for convenience; and she also felt that the precious dispatches were safer this way. On the plea of fatigue, she went to bed early every night, but not to sleep until all was still. Her keen ears heard many chance remarks that guided her on her journey.
"All went well for three days. The third night she stopped at a stranger's home and retired early as usual. She was shown to a little shed room with one window--the door leading into the 'liv ing room"--where men were coming and going until after midnight. Agnes lay still for some time, listening to the murmur of voices in the outer room; she caught a word now and then and kept up with the drift of the talk. After a while she heard a famil iar name that made her sit up--alert and wide-awake. Slipping out of bed, she crept to the door and listened at the key-hole. A man who had just come in, was speaking.
" 'If I am right,' said he, 'that horse belongs to the worst and most dangerous rebel in the country, and the woman must be carrying dispatches for him. If I could see her, I would be sure, for I know everybody in that neighborhood."
" 'She says she is going to her folks up in Carolina/ said the

SILVERHEELS

35

man of the house. 'She seems simple enough--doesn't talk like

she knows Whig from Tory.' " 'She is not going to make just a social visit on Stephen
Heard's gray stallion,' declared the first man, stoutly. 'That horse

travels on rebel business, mark my words!'

" 'Well, well,' said the host, 'I don't harbor rebels, and to sat

isfy you--" "Agnes had heard enough. She crept quickly to bed and pre
tended to be asleep. In a few moments the door was opened and two men entered, bearing a light.
" 'Yes, just as I thought!' whispered the suspicious man. 'I



have seen her before. She comes from the other side of the Savan

nah, where the rebels are so sharp and pesky. She must be

searched, I tell you.'

* '" "Then the men went out and Agnes heard them lock the door

I^

on the outside. Again she slipped out of bed and listened at the

key-hole. She learned that there was a British camp near, to

*

which she would be taken next morning; until then, with the door

locked and the window guarded, she would be in safe keeping.

Her guard was to be a fierce watch-dog, 'who would not let a

shadow pass him.' Soon she "heard the rattle of a chain at the

j,

window, and a low growl, and she knew she was a prisoner.

"But Agnes knew a thing or two about dogs, as well as horses,

and her wits were at work. She waited until the house was quiet,

k

and then crept noiselessly to the window, which had a wooden

shutter, and peeped through a crack. There stood the great black

r

dog. She softly unfastened the latch and opened the shutter just

T

a little way. The dog growled, and she spoke to him in a whis

per. Then she opened the shutter wider and spoke to him in a

''

low tone. I don't know what she said, but it was something kind

r

and gentle. She loved all animals and she was not afraid--that

was the secret. At first the savage brute bristled and snarled, but

(

she kept on talking to him, then she put out her hand and patted

,

him on the head until he wagged his tail. He was conquered!

She had made a friend of her guard!

"*

"Agnes put the saddle on her head and climbed out the win

dow. The dog only whined and rubbed his nose against her hand

--as much as to say, 'I won't hurt you.1 You may be sure she ran

fast to the stable and saddled Silverheels. She whispered to him,

36

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

'Go softly!' and he walked with cautious tread until out of dan
ger, and then galloped swiftly away." "Was Agnes safe?" asked the children eagerly. "Did the Tories catch her?" "Thanks to good Silverheels, the Tories did not catch her. She
reached General Greene's headquarters and put the dispatches into patriot hands. Cornwallis was driven out of Carolina, and General Greene sent 'Light-horse' Harry Lee to help recover Augusta and other posts held by the British. Our Georgia patriots, under Eli jah Clark and James Jackson, were already laying siege to Fort Cornwallis, which soon surrendered, and once more became the capital of the state. But few know of the services rendered the cause by Silverheels, Agnes .Hobson and Mammy Kate."
"Silverheels deserved all the prizes at the horse shows," said Gentleman Junior, "and the greenest pasture in Georgia."
"It ought to have been a four-leaf clover pasture," commented Daisy-girl.
"Grandmother; what could have been good enough for Mammy Kate?" asked Little Miss.
"My dear, Mammy Kate was offered what the world considers of much value--her freedom--for she was a slave. But she re fused it. 'You can free me, Marse Stephen, but I won't free you, said she. Her love for her kind master and old home was strong, and like many slaves, she lived in freedom from care and want, loved and honored by her white friends. Mammy Kate lived to be an old woman. Daddy Jack, the gardener, was her husband, and they had nine children. Mammy Kate made a will leaving each of her nine children to one of Governor Hcard's' children--of whom there were nine. So the children of the devoted black mammy were given to the Heard family by the legal will of their mother. Mam my Kate and Daddy Jack lie buried in the family cemetery at 'Heardmont,' in Elbert County, at the feet of the master and mis tress they served so faithfully."
"If I were a sculptor," said Gentleman Junior, "I would make a bronze statue of a splendid Arabian horse and call it "SILVERHEELS OF GEORGIA."

ft * .
-
i:

COLONEL ELIJAH CLARKE;
4

HANNAH CLARKE, HEROINE OF "HORNETS NEST

|RANDMOTHER had been telling the children more of Revolutionary times in Georgia, when Silverheels went
__ galloping through the forests to help people in distress; and how whole families, with no one to protect them had to flee from Tories and Indians and take refuge in Carolina. This was after Colonel Campbell, the British commander, had taken Augus ta, and was sending his men throughout the colony to subdue the "rebels." Hundreds who had homes burned and crops destroyed, went to Carolina for safety; women, children, negro servants, dogs, horses and cows taking up the line of march to some mountain retreat.

Grandmother pictured such a party of refugees, with wagons and household goods, crossing the Savannah at Cherokee Ford; the cows plodding along, and as they stepped into the water, each child, white and black, who had been allowed to walk, seizing a cow's tail and holding it fast until safely piloted across. One of the little barefoot girls who thus forded the Savannah, was named Elizabeth Darden; she was a niece of General Washington, and in after years became the second wife of Governor Stephen Heard.

It was a dark hour for Georgia, when she seemed deserted by

friends and left to British rule. There was no help except in the

strong arms of her own sons. The very strongest of these was

Colonel Elijah Clarke, of Wilkes County. To him was left the care

of the women and children of the frontier. Great-hearted Elijah

Clarke! What a stalwart old fellow he was! It is wonderful how

he managed to look after his defenceless people and still be "the

L

best fighter Georgia had in the Revolutionary War." There never was more energy and courage put into any man than in Colonel Clarke. He waited for no commander to order him to the field;

he skirmished around over our sparsely settled little colony, and

gathered together bands of men to go \vherever a soldier was

needed. He went to work as if the defense of the whole country

depended on him alone. Riding over Georgia hills and forests, he

was like a bold Highland chief gathering his clan. If there was a

trembling knee or a weak backbone, they stiffened up at the ring

ing tones of Elijah Clarke. A man without fear gives courage to

I*
V

40

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

others. We are proud to think of this handsome, brave patriot going from the battlefield to guard some Georgia home;-- then to battle again--ever on the trail of Indian or Tory--ready to meet any foe and to lead where others faltered.
It was on good St. Valentine's day in 1779, that John Dooly, Elijah Clarke, of Georgia, and Pickens of South Carolina, led three patriot bands in pursuit of Boyd, the Tory, and gave the British, a whipping at the battle of Kettle Creek. An insignificant little stream a few miles from Fort Heard (now Washington), became the scene of one of the bloodiest battles of the Revolution, and one of importance to our people. Boyd and his men would have ruined more Georgia homes if they had not camped .on the banks of this creek and been overtaken by the patriots. The British out numbered the bands led by Clarke seven to four; but Boyd was killed and his men scattered, fleeing to Augusta for protection. No wonder the British called this part of Wilkes County "Hornet's Nest"--for the most stinging blows they got in Georgia came from that section where Elijah Clarke lived.

Several miles northwest of Fort Heard, between the roads

leading from Broad River and Cherokee Corner to Augusta, stood

the home of the Clarkes. With Hannah, his wife, and several

children, Colonel Clark moved here from North Carolina the same

year that Stephen Heard and other settlers from Virginia built

the fort which afterward became the center of "Hornet's Nest."

Times were too troubulous to think of schools and gentle '

pleasures. John, the sturdy son of Elijah and Hannah Clarke, got

rough schooling in his father's camps. He was at Kettle Creek

and in many smaller skirmishes; in after years he was twice gov-

ernor of Georgia.

,

The homes of the earlier settlers from North Carolina were log cabins, which though rough, could be neat and comfortable. Han nah Clarke and her daughters had such a pioneer home.
One time, when a Tory raid was expected, the servants of the family were out in the smokehouse digging a hole in the dirt floor. The children stood around watching them, and wondering why the pile of ruffled shirts should be put in a box and buried, instead of carefully laid away in the big clothes chest.

Mrs. Clarke and her maids had been busy spinning, weaving and sewing during the long winter evenings. Cotton was picked

HANNAH CLARKE

4*

* k* >
>4 ^ *
* r> V
*
f ^ *
' ,
\ ,,

from the seed by hand in those days, and cloth made from it looked as well as the calicoes of Europe. What very busy, nimble fingers the women must have had to do all this work! To pick cotton from the seed was slow work. It took one hand a whole day to get one pound of lint. Then it was spun into thread, woven into cloth, cut and made into garments. Thus a dozen fine frilledbosom shirts were made for the handsome Colonel--and his wife did not want them worn by Tories. So they were packed in a. box and buried in the smoke-house.
Alas, when the raiders came they heard from some tattling tongue a vague story of a buried box. By seizing the children and threatening and frightening them, the hiding place was revealed, and the -wicked men rode away in gala attire--wearing ruffled shirts made for the famous "outlaw"--Elijah Clarke. For our Georgia fighter was so dangerously brave that the British put a price on his head. He became a fugitive, and Mrs. Clarke was turned out of her home, which was burned to the ground. All household goods were lost, except one patch-work quilt.
Some of the coverlets of Colonial days, show what fine needle women our grandmothers were. This last quilt, which had been made by the daughters of the house, Sarah and Betsy Clarke, was folded and put on the saddle of the only horse, and Mrs. Clarke rode away. Before long she met a party of Tories; the sharp thieves spied the quilt and tried to take it away from her. Hannah Clarke had no idea of giving up her last quilt; she held on with so much pluck, that the men became angry and fired at her, thinking she would be frightened, and glad to get away with her life. The coward's bullet wounded the horse, and he fell to the ground. But Hannah Clarke held her own.
"Will you not give us the quilt now, madam?" demanded a . Tory.
"Never!" cried she, not budging an inch. "Well, keep it," said he, at last ashamed. "So brave a'woman should not be robbed." And wheeling their horses they rode away and left her.
Now came the darkest days for the Cause of American Inde pendence. Even the lion-hearted Washington said:
"The prospect is gloomy and the storm threatens; I have almost ceased to hope."

42

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

Our brave Elijah Clarke hoped on. His state was trampled under foot; his wife and children homeless; he, himself, a hunted fugitive. Still this strong man would not believe all lost as long as he could carry a musket. He determined to try to take Augusta from the British. He and Colonel William Candler, of Richmond County, went with their men and laid siege to Fort Cornwallis. Suddenly a large number of British troops came to Tory Brown's aid; so the project had to be given up for a time.
This was in the summer of 1780. Colonel Clarke went back to "Hornet's Nest," and let his men off duty for a while, so they could see about. their families, and then get ready for another fight. These soldiers never gave up while the land was under British rule. Colonel Clarke told them to wait until Setpember and they would try it again. September came, and Georgians met their leader.
When Colonel Clarke was ready to march, he found himself at the head of three hundred men, who had brought with them four hundred women and children. These could not be left behind, for they were homeless. Soldiers could not go to battle with such helpless ones around them. There was peace and plenty up in the mountains of East Tennessee--John Sevier's country--and Colo nel Clarke knew that the kind hearted mountaineers would care for the starving and homeless people from Georgia. So he decided to take them there.
It was a journey of two hundred miles through a rough wilderness; there were no carriages nor wagons, and many of the women and children had to walk--some without shoes. Pro visions were scarce, and for days there would be nothing but what they could find in the woods. Chinquapins and chestnuts and hickory nuts are plentiful in the fall, and no doubt hungry children were glad to gather them--and haws and persimmons, too. They were on this journey eleven days before they reached the Nolichucky--weary and half starved.
On the way Colonel Clarke was met by Captain Edward Hamp ton, who told him that the mountaineers under Sevier, Shelby, Campbell and McDowell, were coming together to find and attack Ferguson. This cruel British commander must be stopped in his raids. You may be sure Elijah Clarke was eager to join the moun taineers, but he could not desert the women and children in his

A COLONIAL COUNTERPANE.
NOTE Made in 1801 by Rebecca Rogers, daughter of one of the men who rode with Clarke. Now owned by Mrs James Camak of Athens, Ga., a lineal descendant.

f* 4
\r -"!

HANNAH CLARKE

45

care. So he picked out eighty of his best men, and under command

of Colonel William Candler, sent them to help fight Ferguson.

Now, it happened that while Colonel Clarke could not go to the

battle of King's Mountain, he helped in a strange way. It was because the British were so eager to catch this "rebel" from Geor

gia, that Ferguson was caught by the mountaineers. In July at

Cedar Springs, Ferguson and his Tories had a meeting with Elijah

Clarke that they could not forget; and when they heard that the

bold fighter was fleeing northward, they thought that now would

be a good time to capture him. So instead of joining Cornwallis,

Ferguson waited to find the "rebel" Clarke; and while waiting to

catch him, Ferguson was caught by John Sevier and all those

stern, daring mountain men. And that was the last of him! We all know what happened at King's Mountain on October 7,

1780. At John Sevier's log palace on the Nolichucky, "Bonnie Kate"

kept open house for the refugees from Georgia. Two braver wo

men never met and became friends, than Hannah Clarke and

Catherine Sevier.

After leaving our women and children with the kind people of

f

Tennessee, Colonel Clarke rejoined his comrades and fought with

\

them at the battles of Blackstock Farm and Cowpens.

During the last months of the patriots' desperate struggle

against British rule, General Xathanael Greene called to his aid

the bravest and strongest men. He wrote a letter to Elijah Clarke,

saying:

"Come on, my good friend, and bring Colonel Jackson with

you, and all the good troops you have collected.- Let us have a

field day which will be a glorious one."

Now, Hannah Clarke, of "Hornet's Nest," would not stay in a

safe retreat and leave her patriot husband to fight the battles. She

bade dear Catherine Sevier good-bye, and went with Colonel Clarke

from fort to fort, from camp to camp, cheering him and doing all

she could for his comfort. Before her home was burned, she

stayed there; now she had no home but the patriot camp. At the

first siege of Augusta, Colonel Clarke had been severely wounded,

and as soon as Hannah heard the news she started at once. The

Tories had taken her man-servant, so with a maid and two small

childrea--twins--she rode horseback fifty miles over the same road

46

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

Mammy Kate had gone to the rescue of Stephen Heard. There was only one horse, so Mrs. Clarke and her good servant had to "ride and tie;" that is, each took turns riding and holding the' children, while the other walked. The camp was reached in safety.
Another time as she was fleeing on horseback from Tories, hold ing the twins in her arms, the horse was shot from under her. How she escaped this time I do not know, but she did.
And, now, instead of staying in the Tennessee mountains, she became her husband's companion in camp life.
Hannah Clarke did everything for the cause of Independence, except shoulder a gun and go to battle. One-time she came very near being a veritable soldier. She was in a fort which was sud denly attacked by Tories and Indians. Only a few men were there, and some women and children who had come for safety. The fort could easily have been taken if the enemy had known this, and the men said:
"Would it not be better to surrender than be taken and per haps massacred?"
Hannah Clarke's eyes 'flashed and the blood of courage mounted to her cheeks.
"We will not give up the fort while I can load a gun," said she. "To your places men, and shoot as fast as a gun is put into your hands!"
Luckily there was a good supply of powder and shot on hand, and a few extra guns. Other women forgot their fears at Hannah's bold words and went to work loading guns. The men at the loop holes obeyed orders. As soon as their guns were fired, others were handed them. The firing was so rapid and steady, that it seemed to come from a well garrisoned fort. The Tories decided they were mistaken in believing the place unprotected so they ske daddled! How surprised they would have been if they could have peeped through a loop-hole and seen handsome ..Hannah Clarke, with flushed cheeks and flashing eyes, handling the old flint and steel rifles with quickness and skill, urging others on by her wit and courage, and thus keeping up the brisk fire of a strong garrison.
In this way, a brave and determined woman saved a fort to the Americans.
Hannah Clarke was at the second siege of Augusta, when Tory Brown surrendered Fort Cornwallis forever to freeborn American

HANNAH CLARKE

4?

citizens. There was rejoicing throughout the frontier of Georgia.

It had been a long and bitter struggle for independence, but the

Worst was now over.

In March, 1782, General Nathanael Greene camped with the

American army at Round-O, S. C. This was a place where plenty

of game, such as venison and wild fowl could be found; also rice

fields, which afforded food for men and horses. Here gathered the

bands of Marion and Clarke. Worn and almost naked were our

Southern soldiers who fought the last battles of the Revolution.

Those who marched to the siege of Savannah had on tattered gar

ments pinned together with thorns from locust trees. Pads made

from the long gray moss which festooned the trees, had to be used

to keep the soldiers' guns from rubbing their shoulders.

Mrs. Greene came to visit the General at Round-O. She trav-

K

eled on horseback, with numerous attendants, and lived in much

style. Sh'e was a -handsome woman, and wore a rich military

jacket and skirt as her riding dress. She had not suffered all the

hardships of camp life like Hannah Clarke, but she was a true

patriot at heart.

When Mrs. Greene appeared at her husband's tent; the sentinel

saluted her and presented arms. He was one of our worn and

almost naked soldiers, and there was a torn place in his trousers

which he did not want a lady to see. So when he presented arms

he flirted his cartouch-box around to hide the ugly rent. Now the

wife of General Greene was remarkably quick and acute in her

observations; she not only caught a glimpse of the torn place in

the trousers, but she knew why the gallant sentinel tried to cover

it with his cartouch-box. She liked such pride in this ragged soldier,

who had fought well for his country. The next morning he re

ceived a present from Mrs. Greene; it was a pair of new trousers.

What a good time our half-starved soldiers must have had sit

ting around the camp fires at Round-O eating rice and venison, and

telling thrilling stories of how they had fought for independence!

You may be sure Mrs. Greene and Hannah Clarke of 'Hornet's

Nest' became friends; and the General's wife heard with wonder

the adventures of our Southern heroine--who was indeed one of

the great women of the American Revolution.

rl

THE LADY WHO RODE THE
BLACK COLT
E were good neighbors in those days," said Grand mother. "Throughout the colonies the men who
____ were struggling for independence were ever ready to lend each other a helping hand. At the beginning of the Revo lution, when Massachusetts was fighting the Port Bill, even the baby state of Georgia tried to help by sending barrels of rice for the patriots to eat as well as by sending powder for use in the bat tles. Southern patriots with their rifles followed the powder, and Northern battlefields were soaked with their blood. North Caro lina helped South Carolina; and South Carolina fought for Geor gia ; while Elijah Clarke and heroes like him' were ready to fight for the Cause on any ground.
"One day in July, 1780, Colonel Clarke, of Georgia, was riding at the head of a small band of men through the woods of Carolina, looking for the best way to strike the enemy a blow. Colonel Clarke had sent Samuel Alexander toward Ninety-Six to find out how many British were there. If they were not too strong, he would go for them with his little band.
"Alexander reported that several hundred Tories under Ferguson were recruiting for horse service, and compelling many citizens to join them, who had been paroled arid promised peaceful residence in their own homes. Colonel Clarke decided to ride at once toward Ninety-Six, scout around Ferguson's camp, and give all patriots a chance to join their friends against the British. So about sunset, with his Georgia volunteers and some Carolinians under Samuel Hammond--in all about one hundred and sixty-eight men--he started through bypaths of the woods to find the camp of Ferguson. The only hope of such a small band was to take the enemy by surprise. For days Colonel Clarke and his men scouted around on the enemy's trail waiting for a chance to nab him. This little band was without commissariat and there was no food in their wallets. One afternoon they stopped at a. farm house for some thing to eat. It was the home of Captain Dillard, one of the vol unteers; and Sarah Dillard, his wife, sent out to the gate potatoes and milk for the hungry men, who ate and drank without dis mounting. Then on they rode to Cedar Springs, eighteen miles " away, where they were to camp for the night.

THE LADY WHO RODE THE BLACK COLT 49

"That very evening, after the patriots had the lunch on horseback,

another party rode up to the Dillard home and demanded that sup

per be prepared for them at once. This was the lordly Ferguson

and his Tories. They made themselves at home, talking and jest

ing while Mrs. Dillard obeyed the order for a hot supper. She kept

her wits about her and listened with interest when she heard a

~"Tory say to his commander :

*

"That rebel Clarke and his men are going to camp tonight at

^

Cedar Springs."

4

"Ferguson made an exclamation of delight and said:

" 'We will catch him and give him such a thrashing that he

will be glad to run back to Georgia. We ride after the rebel as

soon as we have had supper.'

"Sarah Dillard heard this boast, and it set the blood tingling

in her veins. Without a word, she put supper on the table, and,

when the men sat down to eat, she slipped out the back door. Go

ing to the stable she found a young horse which she bridled. There

was no saddle, so she rode away in the darkness on the bare back

of the young horse. It was half an hour before day when a sen

tinel at Cedar Springs camp heard the sound of a horse coming at

full gallop in the direction of the camp. The rider was a woman,

almost breathless with excitement.

"'Ferguson is coming!' cried she. 'Be ready to fight or flee!

He has a strong force ! I hear his horses now !'

"Every man in the patriot camp was up in an instant; for each one slept with a bridle in his hand, ready to mount and ride. No sleeping camp did Ferguson find, but armed men ready to meet him. The night was so dark that it was hard to distinguish friend from foe. The fight lasted twenty minutes; then the British gave way and were pursued nearly a mile. The patriots had beaten them at their own game. Taking his wounded with him, Ferguson went on to North Carolina. At Cedar Springs he lost twenty-eight dragoons, besides a number of volunteers. Clarke had only four killed, thanks to the warning Sarah Dillard brought to the patriots in the night.

"How the women could ride in those days ! There is the story of Rosanna Farrow, which shows their fearless spirit.

"She was a widow with a large family and lived in an unpro tected place constantly exposed to Tory raiders. Keen wit and

53

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

"

*. determined will was her only safeguard. Often the women ot that

section had to hide in hollow trees or among the rocky caves of

*

the Enoree; they slept with a pistol or some other weapon under



their pillows, ready to defend themselves and little ones if need be.

It was'a night in the memorable summer of 1780; and Mrs. Far-

>

row and her household, consisting of daughters and servants, had

^

retired to troubled rest. Her sons were away in the patriot army.

"'Hallo!' called someone at the gate. Mrs. Farrow knew not

*

if it were friend or foe; but she threw open the upstairs window

and asked: 'Who's there?' Then seized with a sudden dread,

without waiting for an answer, she ran down, gun in hand, to open

the door. When she stood in the doorway she saw the figure of a

man on horseback, and again she asked: 'Who's there?- Friend

or foe?'

" 'A friend, my lady, with a message,' answered the man.

" 'For heaven's sake speak!' cried she. 'I know it is not good

news you bring.'



" 'No,' replied the man, 'it is not good news. Three of your sens have been taken prisoners in a fight with the Red Coats, and arc held at the British post at Ninety-Six. It is unlucky,' he went ' on in a kindly voice, reining his horse nearer. 'But there is a chance for them--just one chance. Colonel Cruger, the British officer, wants back some of his men our Colonel Williams captured at Musgrove Mill; and he sends word that he will exchange one rebel for two British regulars--if the trade is made in a hurry. When he gets ready to retreat from Ninety-Six, he will shoot or hang all our boys left in his hands. And he moves before long from all ac counts.'

" 'Two Red Coats for one of my boys!' cried Rosanna Farrow. 'One of my boys is worth a dozen Red Coats! But how to make the exchange?'

" 'That I don't know/ said the man. 'All I can do is to tell the news, and I must go on and tell others. Good luck to you, lady!' And the scout galloped away.

"Rosanna stood a moment as if stunned. She heard the horse man plunge into the river near by, break through the bushes on the opposite bank; and soon the sound of his horse's hoofs died away in the distance. The mother stood in deep agony, picturing the brave handsome lads strung up like knaves. It should never

THE LADY WHO RODE THE BLACK COLT 51

t

be! Having made up her mind to that, she turned back into the

"

house with fierce determination. Nothing seemed impossible to

*

Rosanna Farrow then. Her boys must be saved. Every saddle

horse belonging to the place was away in patriot service. There

was in the stable an unbroken black colt that had never been rid

den. Snatching a rifle from the wall and bidding her frightened

4

girls keep doors and windows barred and pray until she got back,

k

she left them. Reaching the stable, she proceeded without so much

as saying, 'By your leave,' to put a saddle on the colt. The ani

mal was used to being handled and did not dispute his mistress'

II

authority. Rosanna sprang up with as much agility as a girl. She bound herself to the saddle with a girth, saying with a grim little

smile:

" 'It is not the most comfortable way of riding, but I must be

sure of the colt.'

"Even an unbroken colt must feel the influence of a mind as determined as was Rosanna Farrow's that night. He knew his rider and instantly obeyed the firm, fearless touch and voice. -Rosanna turned the colt's head toward Fair Forest, where the patriot officer, Colonel Williams, had his camp. The region through which she rode was inhabited only by a few hunters and scattered Indians; the trail lay through a wilderness broken only by hills and streams. On she rode, her lips set, her hand firm, her eyes aglow with mother-love and patriotism.

"The colt went like a trained animal. With her long black hair

streaming in the wind, her face pale with anxiety, Rosanna Farrow must have looked like an avenging angel in her flight through the

wilderness. Fair Forest camp was reached without a halt. To find the officers and make known her request was soon done. The Far

row boys were well known as gallant soldiers, and her wish was granted. Colonel Williams readily agreed to give her six British

regulars for the exchange, and a guard to go with them to NinetySix.

"Not waiting an hour for rest, Mrs. Farrow sped on ahead of the mounted guard and prisoners. It was a long ride to NinetySix. What if she should be even a moment too late! On and on she rode through the wilderness and gloomy forest. It was near daybreak of the second night of the wild ride when she caught sight of the English standard above the scarlet uniforms of the

52

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

British troops. With her white apron waving as a flag of truce, Rosanna dashed up to the camp of Colonel Cruger and at headquar ters made known her errand.
" 'Well, you are just in time/ said the British officer grimly. '1 have given orders to have those rebel youngsters of yours hanged at sunrise. But you may take them in exchange for six of my regulars.'
" 'Oh, my sons, my sons!' cried Rosanna, clasping her hands in a transport of joy, that she had saved them from a dreadful death.
"Then turning on Colonel Cruger with flashing eyes, and look ing as proud as a princess, she said in ringing tones:
" 'I have given you two for one, Colonel Cruger, but understand, sir, I consider it the best trade I ever made. Hereafter the Farrow boys will whip you four to one]'
"As Mrs. Farrow and her three sons rode away, a British sol dier half-jestingly remarked: . . " 'That's a pretty good speech for so dainty a lady; but the women are as warm for the cause as the men.'
It is said that in after years, the eyes of the British soldiers still brightened with admiration, when they talked of the Lady who rode the black colt."

l>


* I
GENERAL FRANCIS MARION.
Courtesy The State Co. Columbia, S. C.

MARION--A KNIGHT OF THE FOREST
|T was a cold wintry night and the wood was piled high in the wide fireplace. How cozy it seemed with the darkness shut out. Old Randolph came to light the candles, for
there were candles in Grandmother's room just as in the time of Used-to-Be. But the children said they would rather have pine knots to make the kind of light the first settlers had. So Randolph brought a basket of "fat light-'ocd" as he called it, and filled the \vocd box.
"Pine light is good for talk," said Grandmother. "In pioneer days there was much contentment found in sitting around the hearthstone, roasting potatoes and parching groundpeas, and listen ing to tales of adventure."
"And didn't pine knots light the soldiers' camps during the Revolution?" asked Gentleman Junior.
"Yes, when soldiers slept with trees for tents and had no home but the forest."
"Like Robin Hood!" cried the boy. "He \vas a jolly one! I have been reading about him.
"There were soldiers of the Revolution who lived in the \voocls like that generous English outlaw; but they were earnest men right ing for their country. General Francis Marion of Carolina led a band of these men, and what they did for the cause of indepen dence would make a wonderful story of hardy adventure.
"After General Gate's defeat at Camden, the Carolina and Geor gia colonies were in a sad plight. They were overrun by Tories and British, who thought that the 'rebels' were conquered and must now be crushed into submission. It was then that Cornwall!* aban doned the laws of humanity, and the patriots were hunted and shot like thieves. History says it was General Grecne who reclaimed these lost colonies from British rule. True, he did much 10 Lhat end; but his Continentals never could have accomplished it without the help of partisan leaders like Marion, who gathered together their own soldiers and went wherever needed. These men dre ;sed in homespun jeans. Their clothes became shabby and worn, and they often went hungry during these distressful months.
"Marion's camp was in the swamp of the Pedee River in South Carolina. Many have described this romantic spot. It was on an island, surrounded by a dense swamp and morasses. Here during the last years of the wa>, were encamped about two hundred men

56

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

and their horses. We may picture them as they appeared in the ruddy glow of their camp fires, the soldiers resting beneath the trees, their saddles and sabres, muskets and other war-like imple ments hanging on boughs or placed beside them. Sentinels paced the outskirts of the camp, and patriots on horseback moved across , the encampment with the regularity of military discipline. Robin Hood would have delighted in this picturesque scene! In the light of the camp fire the shabby dress and gaunt faces of the men were softened to the view. The leader of these men might be found beneath a large tree, where a few officers were assembled, seated on the ground, using the broad flap of a saddle for a writing desk. This was the headquarters of General Marion. He was a slender man of delicate frame, but there was a singular alertness and rapid ity in his step. He wore a "blue and buff uniform, a buckskin belt and a broad sword. A three-cornered cocked hat ornamented with a buck's tail gave a peculiar sharpness to his naturally sharp and 'decided features. His dark eyes were bright and shrewd and fear less. Here like a king of the forest, Marion held his court--not of pleasure but of power. Marion, the Swamp Fox, was the terror of the cruel Tarleton and all the British regulars. He was ever ready to protect the innocent and defenceless and also ready to strike a blow for the cause for which the patriots were fighting-- quick, sharp blows given when least expected. It seemed to the enemy that Marion's men could not be dodged or outwitted; they crouched in swamps, found a covert in the bushes, and splashed through deep waters during the dark hours of the night to surprise and rout the British. After the hardest riding and most desperate fighting, 'they slept at ease with the bare earth for a bed and the sky for a coverlet."
"In the year 1781, the cause of the patriots hung in the balance. Charleston, Augusta and Savannah had fallen, and all seemed lost. But such spirits as Marion's never faltered.
"One night he was resting at his island camp planning an at tack on the British, when two of the men, with a prisoner between them, approached his headquarters. The prisoner was young, tall and fair-haired, and he was blind-folded; thus all prisoners and visi tors were brought to the secret camp.
" 'Whom have you there?' called out Marion. " 'A Red-coat, General,' was the reply.

MARION--A KNIGHT OF THE FOREST 57

" 'I am not a Red-coat, though I wear the uniform," said the

prisoner in a quiet, determined voice which had a strong foreign

accent.

" 'Ah!' said Marion. 'Remove his bandage/

The clear, honest, blue eyes of the prisoner looked into the dark,

piercing ones of the patriot leader.

" 'And this/ thought the strj nger, 'is the great Marion, at whose

**

name the British soldier trembles! This little man the terror of

I jj

a whole army!'

"But there was power in those dark eyes that commanded im

mediate respect, and a man can never be measured by his inches.

"The prisoner stood unflinching under the scrutiny of Marion,

and this a coward could hardly have done.

" 'You mean to say/ said Marion, 'that the coat is not the man?

If your red coat covers a patriot's heart, why wear it?'

" 'General Marion/ replied the young man, folding his arms and

speaking with composure, 'listen and I will tell you why I stand

before you a deserter. My name is Goss Gottus. I am a Hessian

by birth, one of the hirelings of the Royal army. A German peas

ant boy am I, who must fight against his will for the King of

England because of a bargain made by rulers with the Prince of

Hesse-Cassel. Seized by a gang and forced on board a ship, I was

compelled to enter the service; but my heart has never been in the

fight against the colonies. I have no home in America nor on

English soil. When I close my eyes, there comes before my mind

a cottage in Germany, a rose-bush and a little garden, and two dear

old people sitting there longing for news from their boy. That is

my memory of home. For four years I have worn the red coat; in

that time I have learned the meaning of the word liberty. I can no

longer draw sword against the colonists, so I stand here--a de

serter. Let me be one of Marion's men and strike a blow for

sweet liberty!'

"The General's eye flashed a response to these brave words,

but he said: 'Do you not know that the British have a powerft?!

army to crush 'the rebels/ as they call us? And we are now but a

handful of ragged soldiers, ill fed, underpaid, struggling against

every odd/

" 'It matters not/ said the young man stoutly. 'Let me die like

like my countryman, Baron DeKalb, fighting for the liberties of

your people/

a

58

.GRANDMOTHER STORlEvS

" 'A noble countryman was the valiant DeKalb!' said Marion. " But, General Marion, I have not told you all--how I learned to hate the red coat and choose death rather than be the hireling of a king. At the fall of Charleston, I was wounded desperately; door of a home and put me inside, saying, 'He will die.' I lay unconscious for days. Although I wore the enemy's uniform, I was cared for by the inmates of this home. When I regained con sciousness, I was in a quiet room on a white bed. The beautiful sunlight came in through a rose-vine that clambered over the case ment and rested on a fair young girl bending over her knitting. She wore the blue homespun dress of the Continentals, and I felt sure she was knitting for the patriot soldiers. As I watched her I thought of my home across the sea and the old mother sitting there knitting. I had begun to learn what home and country must mean to the colonists. For weeks, I lay helpless, kindly cared for by Judith Hallowell and her mother. They were kind but cold; for I wore the hated red coat. During those weeks I learned another les son--what love means. I loved Judith Hallowell. When I was able to sit up, I told her the story of my life and of my love. With tears in her eyes, she answered:
" 'JVerer, with that coat! He who loves me must fight for my country!' Her parting words were, 'Come back to me a patriot and I will listen.' Do you wonder that I became a deserter?"
" 'Ah, my boy,' said Marion, "Mistress Judith will make a man of you! You have love and home to fight for, and that makes the true soldier. You shall be one of Marion's men.' He gave his hand to the young Hessian, henceforth an American patriot. The men had gathered around to hear the prisoner's story and now gave a cheer for the brave deserter and fair Mistress Hallowell.
"Before their voices died away, a peculiar shrill whistle--the signal of Marion's men--was heard; there was a stir on the other side of the camp and cries of 'Captain Capers! Captain Capers!' rang out on the night air, as there advanced out of the gloom a handsome man in Continental uniform, soiled and worn as if he had come a hard journey. At sight of him, Marion's face glowed with pleasure and he advanced with outstretched hand.
"'Thank heaven!' cried he, 'I feared you were lost; I knew only death could stop you. The cause of liberty cannot die with such- scldiers as Captain Capers in the saddle. A brave deserter

I

Courteiy The Stete Co. Columbia, S. C.

MAJOR PETER HORRY. One of Marion's Men.

MARION--A KNIGHT OF THE FOREST

61

turned patriot and Capers returned! Glorious!'

"The two men met as friends, so strong was the bond between

General Marion and Captain William Capers one of his daring

scouts.

" 'On the Pedee with Marion again!' cried Captain Capers, \yith an exultant laugh. 'Heaven favors our cause or I would not be

here to tell the tale.' " 'Tell it! Tell it!' cried his comrades; and the young Hessian,
throwing off his red coat, stood proudly shoulder to shoulder with Marion's men as they listened to the adventure. Capers was a

tried soldier, who had served in the Continental line under General

Moultrie, with Marion for Lieutenant-Colonel and Horry for Major. When Marion became a partisan leader, Capers and Horry joined

him. Capers had led many scouting parties, and never had he made

a narrower escape than the one of which he now told. He and his

brother had been off on a furlough and were at the brother's house,

whose wife was lying at the point of death. The brother would not leave his wife and Captain Capers would not leave his brother,

though Tories were at hand and surrounding the house.

" 'Flight was then impossible/ said the Captain. 'To be taken meant death, for we knew Cornwallis' command to kill the rebels when found. We knew 'Tarleton's quarter' was the rule in force.

We determined at least to make terms before surrendering. The

house was barred and bolted and the Tories calling on us to sur

render. My brother and I decided to make it appear that the house

was filled with soldiers. We tramped up and down, muttering to

ourselves in changed voices, moving the furniture about, clinking our sabers and spurs--in fact, making all the noise of a large party of men. When we addressed the enemy we spoke in bold, reliant

tones, as if surrounded by comrades. The Tories were completely

deceived. Again they demanded us to surrender in the King's

.

name. I parleyed with them, saying I would surrender my men.

only on certain conditions; that on sacred honor they should be

|*

treated as prisoners of war, and the house unmolested. At last it

was agreed, for they thought us to be a company of soldiers. Im

agine their chagrin, when, after accepting my terms, we marched

out--two men! But they kept their word, knowing our strategy fair in war, and we were taken to Charleston and delivered to Colo

nel Balfour. We were put in the third story of the jail with eight

V
V

62

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

or ten other prisoners.
" 'It happened that among the gentlemen of Loyalist principles who had accepted the protection of the King's arms at the fall of 7 * Charleston, was a Mr. Fogartie, who knew my father's family. He and others visited the prison daily and procured for the prisoners many comforts. After some days Mr. Fogartie brought us news that we were to be sent to the West Indies on the prison ship which was to sail with the next fair wind. Such were the orders. We had heard of the horrible prison ships, so crowded, with little food, excessive heat, filth and vermin--worse than death. Mr. Fogartie came to offer his sympathy and- a bowl of punch and to talk over the impending peril. We decided to make one desperate effort for freedom. Mr. Fogartie promised to provide a boat at the wharf, with arms and ammunition for our use. We were to seize the moment when the turnkey came at dusk to see that all was well; then rush forth together, overpower the sentry at the door, throw ourselves on the next sentry, and the next, along the ' stairs, killing or being killed, and so escape. Thus it was agreed, and good Mr. Fogartie left us to arrange his part of the plot.
" 'The prisoners drank their punch and thought over the terrible risk before them. The punch warmed their blood and love of life, and one by one they abandoned the plot. I saved my punch and kept cool my determination to be free. My resolution remained unshaken; better death than the prison ship. My last hope was my brother; but he thought it mad folly for only two to make the attempt and tried to weaken my purpose. He begged me to give it up. I was ridiculed as a foolhardy fellow. I turned on him at last and said: "Brother, I never thought myself a braver man than you, but now I know it. Make me not a coward!"
"As I spoke, the step of the turnkey was heard; the moment for .action had come. It was almost dark on the stairs. A whis pered, word to my brother, who did not desert me in spirit, and my plan was made. As the turnkey opened the door, my brother met him with the bowl containing my portion of the punch. This turn key dearly loved punch; he had drunk with us before. He seized the bowl and turned it up to take a draught; at that moment I slipped behind his back and out the door without his seeing me. Whether in the dusk the sentry at the head of the stairs took me for a visitor or the turnkey himself, I never knew. That one of

MARION--A KXIGHT OF THE FOREST

63

the prisoners should walk quietly out was beyond imagination, so I passed unmolested. Just then my foot slipped, and I fell down the next flight of stairs to the platform at their turning, where the second sentry was posted. A laugh and a sneer was all the notice he gave me, as he took me to be drunk. This furnished me- a hint which I improved on; I acted drunk down the other flight of steps and'made my way out of the house. Mr. Fogartie was waiting for me, but had failed to procure a boat on account of the extremely bad weather; a storm was coming up. But not a moment was to be lost. So thanking my Loyalist friend, I took the pistol he gave me and hurried to Fishmarket Landing. There, luckily, I found a negro man bailing a boat. Leaping into it, I ordered him at point of my pistol to paddle off for Haddrell's Point. The frightened negro promptly obeyed, exclaiming that we should be lost, as no boat could live in such a storm. He paddled stoutly, however, and I betook myself to bailing the boat of the water that had dashed over the bows. But there was another danger worse than the stormy water. The British galleys were lying in the stream, and it was impossible to escape their watchfulness. They would be sure to hail me. What should I do? Then came the idea of acting the drunken sailor, as acting had served me well so far. I began singing and huzzaing lustily, now a stanza of some popular song, then "God Save Great George, Our King"--mixed with silly jests. Soon the galley hailed: "Who goes there?"

" "Tom Jones, by your leave," cried I, and said I belonged to one of the galleys but was too drunk and the ; water too rough for talk. This I embellished with huzzas for the King, the Command ant, and any British officer whose name I could think of, claiming to be brave as any of them when sober. Of course they let such a drunken fool go--I was not worth shooting at.

" 'Now, the jail, the storm, and the galleys were safely passed; and, landing at Haddrell's Point, I gave the boatman a guinea--and found myself once more one of Marion's men.'

"A shout went up from the listeners, and the General gave Captain Capers another hand clasp, saying:

" 'Such wit and courage might defy all of King George's men,

and by it we shall win at last.'

-

"After acknowledging the congratulations "given him, Captain

Capers said soberly: 'But General, I have a sad piece of news that

came to my ears on my way to the Pedee. Your bold scout, An-

64

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

drew Hunter, of St. David's Parish, has been captured by his bitter enemy, the Tory Fanning, and we well know what his fate will be. It was rumored that he was to be hanged this morning.'
"Andrew Hunter, the boldest, most fearless scout, in the hands of Fanning, the reckless marauder! This was calamity, indeed. Hunter's home was on the west side of the Pedee, and a few days before, he had left Marion's camp to visit his family. He thought, not of danger, but his mortal enemy, Fanning, who lived in the same neighborhood, hearing he was at home, followed with a com pany of Tories. They surrounded the house and surprised Hun ter, who was taken prisoner. Without even a mock trial, it was
decided that he should be hanged. "Brave Andrew Hunter hanged like a knave! Marion's eye
flashed fire, and his men knew that look meant woe for Tory Fan ning. It would be rescue or vengeance.
" 'To your saddles, men!' rang out Marion's command. In an instant the cavalry was ready, booted, spurred and armed, await ing the words, 'Mount! Ride!'
At that moment their attention was arrested by that peculiar shrill whistle and the sound of a horse's feet coming through the morass--urged on by a rider, who evidently knew the way.
" 'Halt! Who goes there ?' called the sentinel. The horseman did not stop, but answered lustily, 'Marion's scout, Andrew Hun ter!'
"Breathlessly the men stood, foot in stirrup, and, before their leader could speak, a wild shout of joy went up from the island camp. Then expectant silence fell, as the horseman came to view, and rode to the place where the General stood. He dismounted and advanced, cap in hand.
" 'Do my eyes deceive me!' cried Marion, stepping quickly for ward. 'Can that be Red Doe, Fanning's blooded horse, of which he is so proud?"
" 'None other, my dear General,' replied Hunter. 'Red Doe, the finest, fleetest animal on the Pedee, now belongs to Marion's scout, the rebel, Hunter.'
" 'But, man,' ejaculated Marion, 'Captain Capers brought the news that you were to be hanged at daybreak by the rascally Tories, and my men are just mounting to ride Fanning's way.'
" 'Thanks, my General,' returned Hunter, with a bow. 'When Marion rides, Tories tremble. But this time, vengeance is mine.

MARION--A KNIGHT OF THE FOREST

65

Fanning loves his mare, Red Doe, as much as he hates the rebel, Hunter. Let him live to rue this day.
"He who fights and rides away, May live to fight another day,' is a good old saying. Rebel Hunter rides away and Tory Fanning will call it to mind before this war is over." "'Were you caught? How did you escape? Tell the story!' demanded the General; and the men, off duty again, crowded around to hear another thrilling adventure. " 'As the rumor had it,' said Hunter, 'I was surprised at home and captured by Fanning and his gang of cut-throats. Jubilant enough was the rascal Tory to have caught me, and to see me "a prisoner, while he rode as free as a lord on his fine mare, Red Doe. His Lieutenant rode the mare's mate, Red Buck. " 'Hanging is too good for the rebel,' said the lordly Fanning, 'but hang him we will when we have had breakfast. No use in' missing a meal for the pesky varmint.' " 'The knave's word was law, so I was put under guard on my front piazza and my cook ordered to get breakfast. When it was ready, Fanning threw the reins of his mare's bridle over the limb of an oak tree and betook himself to the dining-room. I was left under guard, pacing up and down, waiting to be strung up. You" may be sure my wits were at work, though I feigned to be dull' and dazed by the sudden misfortune. Watch a guard, and there always comes a time when he is unmindful of his prisoner. My eyes were sharp, and when that moment came, I sprang from the piazza, and on to the mare's back before the guard could blink, and was tearing down the road before he could catch his breath to yell. I rode like the wind--and no Tory living can match it. I had the best horseflesh under me--a thoroughbred and a scout well met. In a minute I heard the pursuit and the cries, "Hunter's escaped! Hunter's escaped!"' " 'My good neighbor Fanning left his hot breakfast, with curses, I warrant; and I heard the dastard yell: "Shoot high, don't hit the mare!" '"I bent low in the saddle and made direct for Mars Bluff Ferry. I had to cross near an old mill. The dam was broken, and, with blood-thirsty Tories following in my tracks, it was impossible to go around. To escape the mare must make a tremendous leap, but

66

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

it had to be risked. I slacked speed a bit for her to gather strength, then rushed her forward--as Marion's men know how to rush a good steed. She cleared the chasm with a bound 1 Not a cow ardly Tory durst follow. They had to find another route to the ferry. Onward I sped, plunged into the river and swam Red Doe across the stream. As the mare scrambled up the bank, the trooper who was following on Red Buck, appeared on the opposite shore. I yelled defiance at him, and rising in my stirrups, shouted:
"'Tell Captain Fanning that the mare is mine, and he must catch Hunter before he can hang him!'
" 'The mare and her mate parted to meet no more. I headed straight for Marion's camp on the Pedee; a stinging pain in my back tells me I have brought with me a Tory bullet, as a memento of the ride.'
" 'Three cheers for Hunter and the Red Doe 1' cried the men lustily.
"After dressing his wound, the soldiers returned to their beds beneath the boughs to await the next call to arms.
"Such were the men that Marion led to victory, and such the spirit that saved the southern colonies from British rule."
"Is that all, Grandmother?" asked the children. "Did Fanning ever get Red Doe ? And did the Hessian boy go back to Charles ton and find Judith?"
"No, Fanning never recovered Red Doe. Hunter rode the mare during the rest of the war, and she took him safely out of many a close place and saved his life by her sagacity and fleetness. Fan ning regretted the loss of the mare more than he did the escape of Hunter. He tried first by threats, then by offers of reward, to get her back, but without avail. He offered one thousand dollars in gold, and then seven negroes. The Tory Fanning was so hated after the war, that he emigrated to Canada, where he lived to an advanced age. When General Marion admitted Major Gainey and the band of Loyalists under him, to terms of allegiance to the American flag, Fanning was especially excluded. Red Doe was tenderly cared for until she died of old age. She was buried on the bank of the Pedee River, where a sandstone slab marks her grave to this day. The gallant Captain Capers, too, lived many years after the war in honor and happiness and loved to tell of the days when he was Marion's scout. And Goss Gottus, the Hessian

MARION--A KNIGHT OF THE FOREST

67

boy? He was one of the happy band that re-entered Charleston on the fourteenth of December, 1782, when they were crowned with success, and the fair City by the Sea, freed from British rule. You may be sure that he sought Judith Hallowell. She met him with smiles of happiness, for he no longer wore the red coat.
" 'I have fought for liberty, and the Colonies are free,' said the young man, proudly, "and now I have come to claim you. Your country is free, Judith, but you are my prisoner for life!"
So Goss Gottus became one of the founders of the German Empire in the United States.
"Now, son," said Grandmother, "my tale is told. Throw an other pine knot on the fire and read to us The Ballad of Andrew Hunter. I found it in an old book today."
THE ESCAPE OF ANDREW HUNTER.
The story, comes down from the days of old Of Marion's scout, so fearless and bold. He laughed to scorn the price on his head, And called it a "Crown of Gold" instead.

He went on his way, whether right or wrong; His heart was warm and his will was strong. When the longing came o'er him for bairns and wife, He sought their kiss at the risk of his life.

But alas for the scout so brave and true!-- The history of Judas is ever new-- There were dastards then as there are now, And the love of gold is the cause, I trow.

They had dogged his steps in fear and dread, From the camp in the swamp to his home and his bed; So he waked one day from his fatal rest With his enemies' bayonets close to his breast.

He scanned the faces, so fierce in their hate, And his heart beat wildly at the thought of his fate. They jeered and derided him, called him a fool, Said they would eat before hanging him as breakfast might
cool.
!**
t

68

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

The guard let him out and sat down to wait, While Hunter paced restlessly, pondering his fate. Each tread brought him near the steps, broad and low, Where, champing her bit, stood the famous "Red Doe."

And his glance sought his guard as he inwardly spoke. To think was to act, as he dashed for the "Doe," Not far from the door stood her mate, the "Red Buck," And the scout as he saw them thanked God for his luck.

"I take chances of bullets instead of the rope," Who leaped wildly ahead through the midst of the foe. "Hunter's escaped!" rang the clamorous cry, While their captain, with curses, bid them shoot high.

"Don't hit the mare!" "Ht can't cross the bluff!" The bullets sang round him and the riding was rough, But Hunter sped on in mad haste for the bluff-- To reach it in safety would be more than enough.

For over the bluff leaped the high-blooded mare, While his foes stopped shooting to wonder and stare; The "Doe," like her rider, was gallant and bold. Hunter gave her the rein, wound her mane in his hold,

And as he neared the high bluff, with the waters below, With a wild, mocking shout he looked back at the foe. And as the "Doe" and her rider swam across the Pedee There rang o'er the waters the cry, "I am free!"

The "Red Buck" whom Hunter had freed as he passed, Neighed shrilly in recall of his mate going fast. She answered his call while clambering ashore, And they parted just there to meet nevermore.

For Hunter exultingly whirled his cap in the air And called o'er the waters to his foes gazing there: "Go tell Captain Fanning--that Tory accursed-- That before the said hanging to catch Hunter first.

MARION--A KNIGHT OF THE FOREST

69

"Better hold the 'Red Buck/ or I'll have both today, For the 'Red Doe' is mine to be kept for alway," And scornfully laughing he rode off on the mare Which afterwards, ever, was his pride and his care.

And 'twas said that in time she shared his alarm, For when he would sleep with her rein on his arm, That at any strange sound she'd jerk sharply about, As if alert to the danger which threatened the scout; And he, starting from sleep, would ride off in haste, For he knew by the "Doe" there was no time to waste.

When the fierce war was ended and America free, The "Doe" and her master still roamed the Pedee. Fanning, the Tory, offered slaves and red gold-- "In return for the 'Doe' he would pay sevenfold."

"Dog! Hound!" said Hunter, "Dare he parley with me-- He who imprisoned my wife because I got free? Tell him 'if ever again on him I lay eyes,' The score is bitter and one of us dies.

"No, never again shall he have the 'Red Doe/ My freedom and life to her do I owe. She shall live out her life in close touch with me, And in dying shall sleep beside the Pedee."

Fanning blustered and swore and to fight was quite keen. "Swords in Charleston!" On the Citadel green, Like the true knight of old Hunter rode to the fray, But Fanning took care to shun the array.

They have long passed away, the scout and his foe, And on the banks of the Peedee sleeps the "Red Doe." But the story still lives, and is told as of old, Of Hunter, the scout, so fearless and bold.
MRS. SAM'L J. BLACKWELL.

THE SPIRIT OF MARY WITHERSPOON
was talking again of Marion, for the children wanted to hear all she could remember about
^^ our knight of the forest. "If it were told as it should be," said Grandmother, "the true history of Marion and his men would be as full of adventure as the legends of Robin Hood and as noble in chivalry as the stories of King Arthur and his Round Table. In Arthur's time, to say of a courtier 'He is worthy of a place at the Round Table,' was proof of his nobility. Marion of Carolina was as pure and brave as Arthur; and to say of a Revolutionary patriot he was worthy to ride with Marion, meant that he, too, was without fear and with out reproach. "Among Marion's men were two brothers named John and Gavin Witherspoon. Gavin was a Captain, and both brothers de lighted in adventures. They were ever ready for danger in any form and met it with coolness, strength, and courage. "Once when Marion was camping at White Marsh, he sent Captain Witherspoon with four men to find out about the enemy. Now Marion's men generally found what they went after; and you may be sure they soon stirred up the Tories and had them chasing 'rebels' in a way that kept warfare so lively in South Carolina. After a time Captain Witherspoon and his men had to hide in the Pedee swamp, for the Tories were hot on their trail. While hiding, they discovered a camp of the enemy, and our bold Captain, leaving his men, undertook to watch the camp, and if a chance came, make an attack. He crept near and found seven Tories sleeping close to a pine tree that had been torn up by the roots. They were lying on the ground at the butt end of the tree with their guns piled against the branches near by. Captain Witherspoon, creeping along the ground with the noiseless move ment of an experienced scout, reached the guns and gently took possession of them. The seven Tories opened their eyes to see in the dim light the bold figure of a patriot soldier standing over them commanding in fearless tone :
' Surrender, or you die 1' "Now the Witherspoon men were big and strong and ac
tive, as well as brave, and Captain Witherspoon spoke as if he had a regiment at his back. We cannot blame the Tories for obeying this command and throwing up their hands. It was indeed np time

h.v
"Coward ! Co and meet him.' Courtesy Harper's Magazine.

THE SPIRIT OF MARY WITHERSPOON
for dispute when looking down the barrel of a flint and steel rifle with one of Marion's men at the other end! So Captain Witherspoon took seven prisoners to White Marsh camp.
"The return of Witherspoon's and other scouting parties, stirred Marion's camp to new life and zeal; for these parties told what they had seen; how the Tories had ruined the country with fire and sword. Plantation homes that had sheltered patriots were burned to the ground and the inmates plundered of all their pos sessions. The Tories were killing all livestock, and particularly sheep, that supplied wool for the colonists, and destroying the looms on which the cloth for their clothes was woven. In this way the enemy was robbing them of both food and clothing and leaving them destitute. Then, too, there were stories of greater cruelty and crimes against the weak and unprotected. Xo wonder brave blood mounted high and these soldiers needed no other call to arms than the shrill whistle of Marion. Like the Highland chief, Roderick Dhu:
"He whistled shrill, And he was answered from hill to hill. "This meant that Marion and his men would ride day and night, helping the distressed and fighting the Tories. Homeless patriots were hiding in swamp and thicket; there was no money, no shelter, no clothes, no provisions for the soldiers. It seems that Marion and his men might have joined the Continental army under Gen eral Greene where there was a pay list and a commissariat. At that time, Greene was just coming to help in Carolina. But Marion's men would not desert their leader, and it was fortunate for Carolina that they did not. Under no other general could the\have ridden and fought as they did--half starved, but tireless, fear less. What mattered it if they had to live on sweet potatoes and a little lean beef with salt when they could get it. Salt was now worth five hard dollars a bushel and scarce at that. Never in Marion's camp had there been feast or revel. These men knew hardship. Now began in the woods and swamps of Carolina, the bitterest struggle for independence that was known in all the thir teen colonies. Patriots, hunted by Tory raiders, had to hide in hollow logs and be fed secretly by the women. It was a time of sorest poverty. The wives, sisters and sweethearts of the men who rode with Marion matched them in spirit and daring. John Wither spoon's second daughter, Mary, helped cook and carry food to the

74

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

soldiers. She and a younger brother would steal out at night and find the hiding places of the starving men. Mary was a soldier's sweetheart, too; she was betrothed to one of Marion's most gal
lant men, Captain Conyers. "There was a British commander named Watson, whom Marion
looked after with vigor and vigilance, giving him little rest and no peace. When the patriots had powder enough there would likely be a fight. Powder, like salt and other necessities, was very hard to get. If the powder horns were empty, Watson did not know it; for Marion's men made a brave show against all odds. Marion with thirty men once routed Watson who had one thousand and two hundred. The British never knew until afterward that they had met such a small force. It seemed true of Marion's men that the strength of one was the strength of ten.
"Sometimes when our leader could not go himself, he sent a Witherspoon on Watson's trail. Once Watson took refuge at a plantation home where Mary Witherspoon was staying. He could very easily take possession of a dwelling and make it headquarters; but this time he soon found himself in a state of siege, for Marion's men surrounded the place. Captain Conyers was one of them. He was a sort of knight-errant of his brigade and was noted for his bravery and horsemanship. He would ride out every day and chal lenge the British post like a knight of old calling his enemy to combat. He did not wear plumed helmet and shield, but his skill and courage were so well known that not a Red Coat ventured forth to meet him. You may be sure Mary Witherspoon had no smiles for gay Red Coats; the humblest patriot soldier was a hero to her; and she was proud of her gallant sweetheart. When he went riding by, the British would say, 'Take care, there is Con yers !' One day a British officer who did not enjoy the sight of the man he was afraid to fight, tried to make fun of such display of valor by a rebel. This was more than a high-spirited Witherspoon could stand. Mary had no weapon with which to resent insult, except her tongue, and with fine disdain for British regulars, she pulled off her shoe, and throwing it at the Red Coat, cried, 'Cow ard, go and meet him 1'
"It was this loyal spirit in the women 'of the Revolution that inspired soldiers to stand all hardships and not to give up. The romance of Mary Witherspoon had a happy ending, for she and Captain Conyers were married and lived in Carolina long after the good old colony became a free state under the American flag.

r
r-v

"AT THE BEND OF THE ROAD."

DANIEL MORGAN AT COWPENS

HE children asked Grandmother for another story of the

Revolutionary War. After hearing of the perilous ride of

Rosanna Farrow, and how Marion's men rode and fought,

they wanted to know something of the victory of the patriots.

"It is a long lane that has no turning" said Grandmother, "and

this saying was true of the struggle for independence in Carolina.

After Charleston fell into the hands of the British, there was a long

lane of suffering and fighting. What caused the 'turning' that

came after a while? Well, there was General Greene, and more

than all, the help given the cause by such leaders as Marion. There

is a little story called 'At the Bend of the Road,' which gives

another reason for the turning of the long lane.

"At Edgefield, S. C., there lived Elizabeth Martin and her seven

sons, Bartly, James, John, William, Edmund, Marshall and Mat

thew. Mrs. Martin was one of the sterling patriots who believed

that a country worth claiming is worth defending. So she said to

her sons:

" 'Go, boys, fight for your country; never let your country be

dishonored. If I were a man, I would go with you!'

"Two of the sons were married and left their wives, Rachel

Clay and Grace Waring, with the mother while they went to war.

These daughters proved that they too were true patriots.

"One evening news came to the Martin home that important

dispatches were being sent up the country to the.British com

mander, and that the couriers would pass that way. Would it

not help the Cause of Independece for General Greene to get these

papers intended for his enemy?

" 'Let us waylay them!' said one of the fearless women.

r-

"Quickly Grace Waring and Rachel Clay donned their hus

>

bands' clothes and taking the flint and steel rifles down from the

rack, they posted themselves at a bend in the road, where the

courier must pass.

"Soon horses were heard, and, in the dusk, three horsemen

were seen coming--the courier and his escort of two British sol

diers. They were cantering along, when suddenly two figures

sprang from the roadside, and two long rifles were in the faces of

the startled soldiers. A bold voice called: "'Halt!'

78

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

"With, not only bullets, but bayonets threatening them, the frightened soldiers obeyed the stern command. Perhaps Marion or the rebel Clarke of Georgia, was upon them! The very thought
brought terror. " 'Surrender!' said the voice behind the rifle. 'You are my
prisoners!' "Now, rebels with rifles were always more than trained British
regulars could stand, and surrender they did--throwing down their arms and giving up the papers. The disguised patriots then calmly gave the courier and his escort paroles and disappeared in
the darkness. "Grace Waring and Rachel Clay made a short cut through the
woods, and soon a messenger was speeding away to General Greene's headquarters with the important papers.
"An hour after, three paroled Red Coats stopped at the Martin home, and asked a night's lodging. They were entertained by Mrs. Martin and her daughters-in-law.
'"Were you not sent with dispatches to British headquarters?'
asked Mrs. Martin, innocently. " 'Yes,' was the surly reply. " 'Why, you have not been to Ninety-Six and back?' asked she
in seeming surprise. I imagine there was a twinkle in her eye, and that Grace and Rachel had to hide their smiles, as the men
answered soberly: " 'We were waylaid by two rebel boys, who took our papers
and made us prisoners; here are our paroles.' " 'How strange!' exclaimed the good lady. "Captured by two
rebel boys! And had you no arms?' " 'The first I knew, one of those long rifles the rebels know so
well how to handle, was in my face,' replied the Red Coat. 'There was no time to use arms!'
"It is a wonder the women could keep the joke, but they did, and the men left next morning without learning that the bright handsome young women were the same 'rebel boys with rifles,' who captured their dispatches the evening before--just at the bend in the road.
"Well, when I think of that long lane of trouble, I think of the turning and of Grace Waring and Rachel Clay standing at the bend in the road, with their rifles, scaring and capturing British regulars! You may be sure nothing contributed more to turn the

GENERAL DANIEL MORGAN.
From painting by Hinckley in Cullom Hall, West Point.

DANIEL MORGAN AT COWPEN

81

fortune of the patriots than such bold deeds--and the old flint and

steel rifles.

"There was Daniel Morgan, of Virginia, who knew so well how

to train the raw militia. What they and their long rifles did has

an important place in a history of the Revolution.

"General Greene was a wise commander, and showed it when

he made Morgan his right-hand man.

"This handsome military looking soldier had already suffered

many fortunes of war. He had the confidence of General Wash

ington, as well as of General Greene. Early in the war he had

been sent with the expedition under Arnold against Quebec. There

is no more glorious scene of the Revolution than that of big Dan

Morgan at the siege of Quebec--leading the way, sword in hand,

through the dim streets one winter night amid falling snow--fight

ing like a grand knight of ancient days. It was said that if all

I it

the men with him had followed Dan Morgan's lead, Quebec would

have been taken, and in after years Great Britain would have had

no possessions on this Continent, for Canada would have been a

part of our Republic.

"It nearly broke the heart of this American soldier to surrender

his sword that winter night, and he suffered in exile; but luckily

for the patriot's cause, he returned to the Colonies in time to do a

hero's part for independence.

"The Continental Congress in June,i775, had called for ten com-

>

panics of riflemen. Any man who joined one of these companies

must be able to shoot a squirrel through the head as far as the

animal's eyes could be seen--so they had to be good marksmen.

Daniel Morgan was made Captain of the First Virginia company

.

on June 22; and early in July he raised his company of ninety-six

hardy woodsmen, and left Winchester, Va., for Boston.



"These rifle companies were the first raised by Congress, first

to obey the summons of their country, and Morgan's company was

first to reach Boston. So he was the first Captain of the first Com

pany of the Continental Army to bear arms in the cause of inde-



pendence. He kept the lead, and before the close of the war was

known as the ablest commander of light troops in the world. He



knew when and how to act, and did it boldly; so no wonder he

was General Greene's right-hand man.

"Daniel Morgan took the woodsmen, dressed in rough hunting



shirts and skin caps, with their tried friend, the flint and steel rifle,

82

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

and trained them until they were ready to face any number of fine
and boastful Red Coats. "Once upon a time, before the turning in the long lane of trou
ble, Morgan and his men were camping near the bank of the Pacolet River. It seemed then that the British would conquer Carolina; and Tories, eager to share plunder and success, were forming com panies to help crush the rebellion. From his camp, General Mor gan sent Colonel William Washington and his bold dragoons to scatter these companies. Two hundred Tories were defeated at Hammond's store, and soon after another party under Bloody Bill Cunningham--the most notorious Tory raider--was broken up by Morgan's men.
"Now, Cornwallis, at Winnsborough, heard of this with alarm. The battle of King's Mountain, where Ferguson and his Red Coats had been destroyed by rough frontiersmen was fresh in his mind. So Cornwallis determined to stop Morgan, and sent Tarleton after him.
"Tarleton was known as a cruel commander, and had a much larger force than Morgan. Nothing better pleased Tarleton--a blood hound kind of man--than to run down, catch and tear to pieces a weaker foe. And nothing pleased Morgan better than to meet such an enemy and give him a fair fight. Morgan cooly laid his plans. He selected a battlefield and began training his men for the fray. There was an open place on Broad River called the Cowpens--for it had once been used for grazing cattle. Here Morgan decided to meet Tarleton.
"Big, strong Daniel Morgan made up his mind that here on the Cowpens British rule should end in Carolina.
"Now, Tarleton and his fine troops were hurrying as fast as they could to find Morgan--to surprise and bring confusion to the Continentals. 'Short work/ thought Tarleton, for his regulars-- the flower of the British army. Cornwallis was waiting twenty miles away, at Turkey Creek. Tarleton had promised his Com mander-in-chief, that as soon as the fight was over, and Morgan captured, he would take the rebel prisoner to dine at Turkey Creek.
"The night before the battle, Daniel Morgan walked among his men, telling them over and over that victory depended on them and their rifles. 'A steady hand and clear eye--and nothing to fear!'

DANIEL MORGAN AT COWPEN

83

"On the morning of January I7th, Morgan and his men ate

breakfast as usual, and then they formed the lines of battle. These

lines were arranged according to strength and training. On the

highest point were placed the best troops; on the second, the cav

alry, and next the militia--Georgians and Carolinians. And sixty

picked men from each command, the very best marksmen, were

put right in front. Then the patriot and the rifle were ready at the

bend of the road.

"Daniel Morgan said one last word to them: 'Let us see now

who shall be most entitled to credit as brave men, the boys of

Georgia or those of Carolina.'

"Hardly had he spoken when the enemy appeared to view. The

fiery Tarleton rushed forward to overwhelm the rebels."

"What happened then?" asked Gentleman Junior, eagerly, as

Grandmother paused. "Did Tarleton capture Morgan and take

him to dine at Turkey Creek?"

"Not a bit of it," continued she. "Only the very fastest kind of

a horse saved Tarleton from dining to his heart's content at the

expense of General Daniel Morgan. The patriot and the rifle won

the day!

"It was Colonel James Jackson, of Georgia, who, in face of the

whole army, at the utmost risk of life, seized the colors of the 7ist

British regiment, captured the commanding officer of Infantry and

carried him to General Morgan as a prisoner of war.

"Colonel William Washington pursued Tarleton, and it was

then he needed a fast horse.

"Once after the battle of Cowpens, Tarleton spoke sneeringly

of Colonel Washington in the presence of some ladies.

[>

"'I have never seen this Colonel of yours,' said he rudely.

" 'If you had looked behind you at the battle of Cowpens,' said

one of the ladies, 'you would have had that pleasure.'



"So the boastful Tarleton got as good as he sent, all around.

And Daniel Morgan and his riflemen found the turning of the long

lane, which led at last to victory for the colonies.

*

"After Cowpens, hope came back to the despairing patriots

Tories lost confidence in the power of British arms. They no lon

ger formed parties to help crush the rebels. At last Cornwallis

was driven out of the Carolinas. Then came the surrender at

Yorktown.

84

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

"General Daniel Morgan, hero of Cowpens, was awarded a gold

medal by Congress. Some English writer has said of this battle

of Cowpens, 'It was the sole disgrace to British arms in America.'

"Big Dan Morgan and the old flint and steel rifles conquered

the finest British troops and showed the world that for victory, it

is the man behind the gun that counts.'

*

CHARLES PINCKNEY. From Jervey's Life of Robert Y. Hayne.
The McMillan Co.

CHARLES PINKNEY--A FOUNDER.
FTER the surrender at Yorktown, what was there for American soldiers to do?" asked Gentleman Junior one
__ evening. "No more battles, like glorious old Cowpens, nor grand rides on fine horses, like those of Marion's scouts--nor anything!"
And the boy gave a sigh of regret. "Nothing to do!" replied Grandmother. "There was a great republic to be founded on the continent, and who must do it but the men who had fought for independence? Our patriots knew how to make laws, as well as win battles; and when they laid down the sword they took up the pen. Some military men, like Washington, went from battlefields to become statesmen, builders of schools and colleges, and leaders in the work of civilization. Many retired to plantation homes but were ready to serve their country in times of peace as well as war. John Sevier was for nineteen years governor of Tennessee; Isaac Shelby was governor of Kentucky; John Clarke of Georgia; and, in Virginia and Caro lina, the men who had helped win independence did great work in upbuilding the country. ''The most important event of American history after the Decla ration of Independence was the framing of the Constitution of the United States. "The seven years of war had brought before the world com manders like General Washington, and men of military genius like Daniel Morgan, Marion, Sumter, Elijah Clarke and all those bold patriots who brought defeat to the powerful armies of Great Brit ain. Now that the thirteen colonies were free states, the3* must be made into a free republic to preserve the liberties so dearly won. "When Carolina was overrun by the British in 1/80, a hand some young man just twenty-two years old, named Charles Pinck ney, was taken prisoner. The year before, he had been elected to represent Christ Church Parish in the Provincial Legislature. His father, Colonel Charles Pinckney, an accomplished lawyer, had raised the first liberty pole in South Carolina, and the swords of the Pinckneys did valiant service. Two cousins, Charles Cotesworth and Thomas, were generals in the patriot army. "With other prisoners, Charles Pinckney was given parole, and sent to St. Augustine on the schooner Pack Horse, where they were

88

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

kept for sometime. These high-spirited patriots thought tKe enemy had no right to give paroles and still hold them on a prison ship; so Charles Pinckney wrote a protest to be sent to the authorities. Thus the first essay known to come from his pen was written on
board a prisonship. "A few years after, when the tide of fortune had turned, Pinck
ney asked for mercy and liberty for the conquered Tories. He did not think it right to take a man's private property because he had been defeated in battle. Might does not make right.
" 'The victory of a patriot,' said Pinckney, 'is a triumph for his country, and not for himself.'
"After the surrender at Yorktown, when Charles Pinckney was only twenty-seven years old, he was elected to represent Carolina in Congress which met at Philadelphia.
"The thirteen states were now joined together like friendly com munities, each with its own laws; but it was seen that to become a republic, there must be laws governing them as a whole--and a union under one Constitution.
"It was James Madison, of Virginia, who first took up this sub ject in earnest. He was interested in the commercial development of the country and found that several states could not have even a canal together--between the Potomac and the Deleware rivers-- without an understanding about laws governing traffic. In 1786 he wanted the five states most concerned to send delegates to An napolis and discuss the matter.
"This idea of getting together and making laws for the whole country was put before Congress and led to the appointment of a Convention to meet at Philadelphia in May, 1787, for the purpose of framing a Constitution for the United States. The leading pub lic men of the thirteen states came to offer their talents in making laws to protect the rights of the people and establish wise gov ernment for generations to come.
"The most gifted men of the country drew up different plans to put before the Convention. The wise and careful James Madison gave the Virginia plan, formed by himself and the other delegates from that state. The brilliant Alexander Hamilton, of New York, gave another plan. The youngest member, and the most striking in ability and eloquence, Charles Pinckney of Carolina, offered a plan written by himself.

CHARLES PINKNEY--A FOUXDER

89

"Then for days and weeks, the Convention studied, talked, struggled over the matter of making the best Constitution from all these plans. It was a gigantic contest of minds and wills. Grand old Benjamin Franklin looked on and wondered. The wisest hesi tated, and no one could foretell what was best to make a nation great and keep it great for generations to come. Hamilton, the exiled Briton, could see no way of ruling except on the plan of the old monarchies; others thought only of freedom for the people and rights for the states.
"It was the masterly intellect of Pinckney, who found the se cret of government for a republic;--how to balance power, how to protect, how to make strong. In that battle of ideas, that conflict of passion and reason, there stood the figure of the youngest mem ber--master of Constitutional Government.
"It was not known then, but in after years when the secrets of the Convention were given to the world, it was found that it was the Pinckney draught of the Constitution that won over others; it was his pen, more than any other, that made the genius of that work--his mental force that stamped forever on his country's his tory clear ideas of government new to the whole world. When some trembled and hesitated--not knowing what to do Charles Pinckney, the statesman with vision, stood eloquent and strong, holding the minds of others. One by one the delegates of the Convention put their names to the paper. Their work was com pleted, and the Constitution of the United States was submitted to the States for ratification.
"Now, how came it, that this great American statesman should have been born and reared in the Southern colony of Carolina?
In colonial days a gentleman from Boston named Josiah Ouincy visited Charleston and said he had never seen such a fine place; that in grandeur, splendor of buildings, equipages, commerce, num ber of shipping--indeed, almost everything--it surpassed all he had ever seen or expected to see in America.
"We know what Carolina dared and achieved for the cause of independence, and how the British laid waste her riches during the seven years' war. Yet such was the life and spirit of her people, that in the days of peace she continued to dare and achieve for the building of a republic.

90

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

"More than a hundred years ago, there stood in historic old Charleston a mansion where lived Charles Pinckney. He was a scholar and a gentleman with exquisite appreciation of the beauti ful in art and nature. He was proficient in Latin, Greek, French, Spanish and Italian. His collection of paintings, statuettes and models made his home as interesting as an art gallery or a museum. His fine library occupied an entire suite of three large rooms. It was richly carpeted and hung in tapestry and the ceiling was decor ated with classic designs. The library contained 20,000 rarest books collected from every part of the world and written in every language.
"The master of the house was accustomed to receive his friends in a room peculiarly his own. Two large, old-fashioned, richly carved chairs stood on either side of the fireplace. A table of ebony wood inlaid with mosaic stood in the center; a bust of Benjamin Franklin was over the door, and on the ceiling, in beautiful fresco was Ganymede flying with his cup. A heavy, carved mahogany case occupied one corner; in this cake and wine were kept, which, on the arrival of a visitor were always placed before him. The crest and arms of the Pinckney family were inwrought over the chimney. The room overlooked a garden of choicest flowers, guarded by a bald eagle, in which were seen two beautiful flamin goes with their rich plumage--both presents from Moorish ladies. In this room Charles Pinckney spent his social hours, and, over a glass of old Spanish wine, he would entertain his friends in de lightful converse.
"Here was our first and greatest President entertained in May, 1791.
"A brilliant reception was given Washington by Charleston. A large barge, richly decorated and manned by twelve masters of American vessels, dressed in sky-blue jackets, met the President at Haddrell's Point and brought him in state to the city. It was a serene and beautiful morning; and all vessels in port had out their bunting; there were military guards, corps of artillery and crowds of gay people to meet the barge at the landing. This bright, charming scene of the first days of our republic and the manner and style in which the first President was entertained is handed down in tradition. The mansion of Charles Pinckney was thrown open and illuminated by lights of varied colors, which

Silhouette, CKas D. Carr and family, Charleston , Cut in 1839 by William Henry Brown
the famous Artist,

CHARLES PINKNEY--A FOUNDER

93

burned day and night. The garden was arranged as a promenade, and a whole week was spent in the pleasure of music, dancing and feasting--when Washington was the guest of honor.
"Here in the quaint old room with carved chairs and Franklin's bust over the door, met and talked the two most remarkable men born on the New Continent: Washington, whose sword and heroic character won American independence, and Pinckney, whose pen framed the Constitution of the greatest republic of modern times. One a planter of Virginia, the other a planter of Carolina. With sword and pen they founded a nation.
"In the same room, before Washington entered it as guest, at the inlaid table on which was offered cake and wine, Charles Pinck ney had drawn his plan of the Constitution of the United States. Here he had written essays signed Republican, which shaped the political thought of the day. The pen of Pinckney is one of the most powerful in American history.
"Charles Pinckney also did notable work in making the Con stitution of his own state. He traveled much in Europe and was four times elected governor of Carolina. This leading statesman of his time, was a Southern planter. He owned seven plantations and nearly two thousand negroes. The two men who did so much to found our republic, were aristocrats, in the truest sense of the word. A great statesman must see and understand the life of all classes, from lowest to highest, as Charles Pinckney saw them com mingled during the fortunes of a seven years' war. As master of many slaves, he studied how to protect the ignorant, as only one could who had the care of these beings. And his every thought, spoken and written, was for Justice and Mercy.
"A part of his inheritance was a farm obtained by his father as fee in a long-disputed law case. This was called Fee Farm and contained about twelve acres; it was converted into a garden and used as a place of retreat. Here was built a villa, surrounded by a garden, with fountains, shrubbery, artificial lakes and fish ponds. This quiet retreat might suggest eloquence to an orator and high thoughts to the earnest statesman--for even then it was an historic place.
"An avenue a mile long, with a grove of luxuriant oaks, led the way to the rustic villa; and just in the center of the grove was the very spot where the father of Charles Pinckney had raised the

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GRANDMOTHER STORIES

first Liberty Pole in Carolina. While camping on this ground in command of the regiment he had raised and equipped from his own purse, Colonel Pinckney had contracted a disease from which he died in 1782, at the age of fifty-two years. He was buried at this villa. No wonder the place was made sacred to Charles Pinckney by memories of his boyhood and by the labor of his father, whose sword had been so gallantly drawn for his country.
"One summer day at Fee Farm, in 1801, Pinckney and a few friends were talking and regaling themselves with olives, almonds, pistachio nuts and light wines, when a messenger came from Presi dent Jefferson notifying him of his appointment as Ambassador to Spain. So our Carolina planter and statesman became a brilliant diplomat at European courts.
"From a fragment of a journal which escaped destruction, we learn that Pinckney mingled with distinguished society: there were dinner parties at M. Talleyrands, and visits to Madame de Stael-- written about in the clearest, simplest style--bright and lucid as a mirror.
"Charles Pinckney, the Founder, was a man upon whom heaven showered her gifts. Distinguished in ancestry, possessing fine in tellect, vigorous health and large fortune, he devoted his best talent and energy to founding our republic. His name, linked with the honor and fame of his day and race, has been too little known to our generation. No memorial of bronze or marble has been erected to him. Other wars and revolutions have swept over the South, destroying landmarks and memories. The ashes of Charles Pinck ney are in the family burying ground--the spot unknown.
"The Charleston mansion where Washington was entertained, and great state papers written, years ago passed into the hands of strangers and was torn down. The very earth where stood this historic dwelling, was used to form one of the fortifications of White Point Battery during the War between the States, when Carolinians fought for their rights under the Constitution.
"Alas! the relics of this home are few, the library and art treas ures broken and scattered! A fire in i86r, destroyed all valuable papers and a Life of Pinckney in manuscript.
"Charles Pinckney--patriot, statesman, orator, a founder of our republic, and noble man of a noble race--needs no memorial but that immortal work of his pen--The Constitution of the United States."

MERIWETHER LEWIS.
From minature painted from life. Owned by Mrs. Caroline Meriwether Goodetf Founder of the U. D. C

A PATHFINDER OF THE WILDERNESS

ANY years ago," said Grandmother, "before the Revolution

ary War, there lived in Albemarle County, Virginia, a

____ wonderful teacher named James Maury. He was a serene

old man, Rector of the parish, who gave his energies to a little

school during the week, and to services in church on Sundays.

>-<

"His was an obscure school, where he taught the boys and girls

from the plantations around, yet it was a great school. Three

of the boys became Presidents of the United States; five of them

signers of the Declaration of Independence; this famous paper was

also written by one of them. "There hung on the wall of this schoolroom, a map of the

American continent: there was at that time no United States.

"One day with his pupils about him, the old schoolmaster was

standing before this map. He pointed cut the Mississippi River,

which had been partly explored; out the existence of the Missouri

River was then legendary, and the vast Northwest was an un

known country.

" 'Here is the great river of the new continent,' said the old

man; 'but look, it cannot be the only one. There must be a large

river in that direction: mountains are there, and beyond them

must be a stream to correspond with the mighty river on this side

of the chain.' We know from physical geography, that a chain of

mountains calls for a stream made up of many rivulets.

"So with eager eye and shaking finger, he showed his pupils

just where the stream was, and of the highway to the Pacific, that

would some day be explored, connecting two oceans and making

possible the greatest nation on earth.

"One of the pupils who listened to this schoolmaster, was a little sandy-haired, freckle-faced boy named Thomas Jefferson.

James Maury was a great teacher, for he thought big thoughts, and made young minds understand and remember. Thomas Jef
ferson never forgot that day's lesson. He grew up to be one of

America's leading statesmen. He wrote the Declaration of Inde

pendence, and did much for the cause of the colonies. After the

Revolution was over, he was sent to represent the new republic

at the court of France.

""While at Paris, Jefferson met John Ledyard, of Connecticut,

a man of genius and of fearless courage and enterprise. Some

years before Ledyard had gone with Captain Cook, the British

o8

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

explorer, on his third and last voyage around the world. After this, he tried to fit out an expedition to the Northwest Coast of North America, which had never been explored. He came to Europe to get help, but nobody would take it up. He made a friend of Thomas Jefferson, who amid the splendors of the French court had not forgotten the lessons of his Virginia schoolmaster. Jefferson told Ledyard of the great river that must lie beyond the mountains, and the advantage it would be to the United States to extend its territory and establish trading posts in the far West. He told him that he might carry out his original plan by a jour ney through Northern Europe, Asia, and across Behring straits to the western hemisphere. Ledyard consented to try it, and Jeffer son wrote a letter to Catherine II. of Russia, asking permission for the explorer to pass through her dominion. For some unknown reason, Catherine did not answer this letter, and after waiting five months Ledyard gave up the project. But Thomas Jefferson die! not. A few years afterward, he was President of the United States
"While Mr. Jefferson was Minister to France, his family had been left in Albemarle County, in care of a good neighbor, Nicholas Lewis, who was a grandson of Nicholas Meriwether, one of the early settlers. Mr. Jefferson knew what good training plantation boys have, so when he became President he sent for Meriwether Lewis', a grandson of Nicholas, his old friend and counsellor, to be his private secretary.
"Young Meriwether had gone to the same kind of school as that taught by Mr. Maury many years ago. In fact, he was taught by a son of this good man; also by 'Parson Waddell,' a famous blind teacher. Besides this, Meriwether had the experience that comes from the sports of plantation life. He was a handsome, fearless boy, and loved the out doors, the woods and the moun tains. When only eight years old, he would go out with his dogs at night and run game in the forest. His father died while he was quite young and his mother, Lucy Meriwether, married Captain John Marks and moved to Wilkes County, Georgia. Meriwether was left in Virginia, at Mr. Waddell's school.
"Ever since the Revolutionary War, a highway had been open between Virginia and Georgia. Over this road Elijah Clarke and his men had marched to help fight the battles for independence, and for the last siege of Savannah a company of Continental troops

A PATHFINDER OF THE WILDERNESS

99

under Colonel Posey marched from Virginia over the same route. "After the war there were many carriage trips between friends
and kinspeople in the two states. As there were no towns and few taverns, these traveling parties would often camp in the woods at night. Once when such a party was sitting around a camp fire an alarm was given that Indians were about to attack. Every body was in panic, ready to run screaming through the darkness-- perhaps into the very arms of blood-thirsty savages--except Meriwether Lewis, who was then a schoolboy. He quickly snatched a pail of water and threw it on the fire. Then the frightened folks had to stop in total darkness and listen--which they should have done at first. Meriwether was sensible; for if Indians were com ing, darkness and quiet were the best safeguard.
"Another time, when he was visiting at 'Clover Fields,' the Meriwether home in Albemarle County, as he returned from a hunt and was crossing a meadow, a mad bull rushed at him. Meri wether instantly raised his rifle and shot the animal dead.
"So this fearless boy grew up into a fearless man, with a strong will to carry out any undertaking; and this was just the kind of a youth that Mr. Jefferson wanted at the White House.
"Besides the quick presence of mind, Meriwether had the train ing which comes from managing a large plantation. Being the eldest son, he inherited 'Locust Hill.' This old home in Albe marle County was situated on a high plateau, commanding a mag nificent view of the beautiful mountains of Virginia. The build ing was of logs big and comfortable in the stlye of Colonial days. Meriwether's mother came here to live after the death of Captain Marks; Meriwether went to Georgia to bring her and his brother Reuben, traveling i na carriage built at Monticello by Mr. Jeffer son's mechanics. At an age when most boys are in school, Meri wether had charge of a large estate, and was the comforter and adviser of mother and brother.
"But the love of adventure was strong in this young Virginian, who had roamed the woods at night when other little fellows of eight were tucked in their trundle beds. So when the Whiskey Rebellion broke out, he volunteered for military service. At the end of this campaign, he entered the regular U. S. Army. Soon after Mr. Jefferson called him to Washington, to act as the presi dent's private secretary.

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GRANDMOTHER STORIES

"When Thomas Jefferson became President, the United States was a belt on the Atlantic seaboard of thirteen weak and poor communities, occupying territory which in few places extended back more than a hundred and fifty miles from the coast. We did not yet know that we were a nation. The map of the American continent still showed immense regions practically in possession of savages. In the territory west of the Alleghenies, there were more Indians wholly untamed than people of European blood. It was not believed then that an emigrant would go across the Mis sissippi in a hundred years. No one seemed to have the least idea how soon the white man might possess the West--unless it was
Thomas Jefferson. "When the golden chance came to purchase from Napoleon
Bonaparte the vast territory known as Louisiana, Mr. Jefferson sent James Monroe, of Virginia, to France to secure this superb domain for the United States. Thus did two pupils of good Mr. Maury proceed to carry out big ideas.
"The territory known as the 'Louisiana Purchase,' is made up of the present states of Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Min nesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Montana, Wyoming, besides the greater portions of Idaho, Colorado, Okla homa and Indian Territory.
"For many years Mr. Jefferson had sought a chance for explor ing the West. Now, when so much of the unknown region had been added to the United States, he began at once to plan the ex pedition across the continent. The Government took up the mat ter, and Mr. Jefferson selected as leader of the exploring party the young man from Albemarle County, his private secretary.
" 'I have no hesitation in confiding the enterprise to Meriwether Lewis, said the President. 'Why? because he is known to be a man of courage and firmness and perseverance; because he is a born leader of men; because he has studied the character of the Indians, and how to deal with them; because he is a skilled hun ter, and understands all the lore of the woods, and because he is honest, liberal, exact and truthful.'
"Young Lewis at once went to Philadelphia to take a course of study and to superintend the manufacture of the best arms and implements. He must learn about plants and minerals, and know how to keep a record of his discoveries in a way to be of service

A PATHFINDER OF THE WILDERNESS

101

to the government. "On Monday, the I4th of May, 1804, at four o'clock of a rainy
afternoon, an odd-looking craft slowly entered the current of the Missouri River at a point where it pours its yellow tide into the Mississippi. This strange vessel was fifty-five feet long, and pro pelled by twenty-two oars. It also had a square sail, which was hoisted when the wind was favorable. In the bow and stern of the boat were little ten-foot decks, with cabins beneath. The space between the decks was filled with lockers or boxes, which could be lifted up for a breastwork in case enemies should attack the boat. Great boxes and bales of goods had been carefully packed below. These boxes held tools, household goods and uten sils, guns and ammunition. You would have wondered at the laced coats, cocked hatsy medals, flags, knives, beads, looking glasses, bright handkerchiefs, and many things explorers could net need; but these were presents for Indians. These ambassadors to wild tribes must use every means to keep peace with them. At the side of the large boat were two small row boats. In these and in the larger vessel, were Captain Meriwether Lewis and his friend and associate, Captain William Clark. Nine young men from Ken tucky, fourteen soldiers, two Canadian boatmen, an interpreter, a hunter and a negro servant belonging to Captain Clark, forty-five in all. It was like a little army of civilization going out to conquer the wild West.
"For many days the explorers worked their way up the river, passing creeks and islands they described in their Journal, and gave such queer names as 'Turkey,' 'Nightingale,' 'Lark,' 'Buffalo,' from objects they happened to see about them. While the boats moved up the river, the hunters were on shore plunging through brush wood, climbing up cliffs, crawling into caves and searching for game. They would hurry ahead of the party on the river, fix a camp, shoot and bring in their game, then wait for the rest of the party to come up. Sometimes a hunter would not be seen for days, weeks, and be given up as lost. Then suddenly he would re appear, gaunt, half starved, lame, ill, but plucky and ready for an other hunt the next day.
"The days were full of exciting adventures. The Captains killed rattle-snakes, gathered herbs and fruits, and wrote descrip tions of the country. Whenever a strange animal or bird could be

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GRANDMOTHER STORIES

caught, it was 'cured,' as a specimen, and sent back to Washing ton. They also made observations, drew maps, wrote up their journals, and prepared messages for the President.
"The first council with Indians was held with the Omahas. The place was called Council Bluff, and was near where now stands the city which bears that name. Our Captains were much pleased with this first council, for they made friends of the Indians. All the summer they pressed on to the west.
"When the weather grew cold, and the stream was becoming blocked with ice, the explorers went into camp for the winter. This camp was sixteen hundred miles above the mouth of the Mis souri, with five friendly Indian villages of the Mandan tribe within reach. Some of the men began felling trees for log huts; others were building boats to carry messages, with maps and letters, back to St. Louis. A blacksmith shop was set up, and the merry ring of the smith's hammer seemed, to call Indians from near and far, loaded with corn and supplies. These they gladly exchanged for axe heads, tomahawks and bits of sheet iron cut into arrowheads.
To the party of forty-five men was now added a French interpreter and his Indian squaw wife, Sacajawea. The hunters brought in game, and all went well for a while. Christmas day came. First, they ran up the American flag and saluted it with a shot from their big gun. Then they cooked and ate as good dinner as the rough camp afforded--and Christmas festivities were over.
"Meriwether Lewis and his party spent two Christmases and two Fourths of July in the wild country. In that time they suf fered all kinds of hardships from cold, hunger, and dangers from savages and wild beasts. After the first winter camp, sixteen men were sent back, carrying maps, messages and huge boxes of speci mens to President Jefferson. In the boxes were: Stuffed ante lopes, one weasel, three squirrels, skeleton of prairie wolf, horns of mountain ram, tail of a deer, skins of various animals, Indian bow and arrow, tobacco seed, box of plants, box of insects, and many other things.
The rest of the party turned their faces westward and pushed on. Late in May Captain Lewis caught his first glimpse of the Rocky Mountains. 'The object of all our hopes, the reward of all our am bitions'--said he. The scenery grew rugged; the banks in some places were three hundred feet high. Again the country become

A PATHFINDER OF THE WILDERNESS

103

more level, as they went on. They reached the mouth of a large riv er of which they had not heard; this stream they named Marias. Now they were face to face with a great problem: which river was the Missouri? They must decide this. Men in canoes were sent up each river to measure the depth, while others were sent by land to discover the general direction in which it flowed. The two cap tains climbed to the top of a high hill from which they saw great herds of buffaloes and antelopes, with prowling wolves following each herd.
Now, one of these rivers was found to be yellow and turbid, just as the Missouri had been all the way; the other clear, cold and rapid as if it came from the mountains. Which was the Missouri? At last the captains decided that the clear stream was the Missouri; the men did not think so, but were willing to trust their captains. And the captains were right.
One morning, sometime later, Meriwether Lewis was going ra pidly through the woods, when he heard a distant muffled roar. Hurrying on for seven miles he was delighted to find the magnifi cent falls of the Missouri. Climbing to the top of a hill, he saw the calm river above the falls --deep enough to carry a boat, and there near the banks, was a heard of a thousand buffaloes. He shot one for his men's supper and stood with his rifle unloaded waiting for it to fall. Suddenly he saw a huge bear not twenty steps away. With unloaded rifle he could only run for his life. Across the open plain he fled--the bear, open-mouthed, close be hind him. Thinking of the river, he leaped into the water, and turning with the gun raised as a club, faced the bear, only a few yards behind him. Frightened by by such defiance, the great beast turned and fled. Such adventures and such narrow escapes were frequent.
Thus did Meriwether Lewis discover the Missouri falls; and onward through perils and hardships, did the explorers seek the source of this river. They waded streams, often up to their arm pits, dragging heavy canoes, plunging through underbrush, meet ing buffaloes and all manner of wild beasts, narrowly escaping with life. They slept anywhere, and often went hungry. Once when lost, and with nothing to eat, Captain Lewis saw a strange Indian at a distance. He knew not if he would prove friend or foe. As the Indian came nearer, Captain Lewis took his blanket

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GRANDMOTHER STORIES

from his bag, held it out a moment by two corners, then unfold ing it spread it on the ground. This was the sign of friendship from the white man, and the Indian accepted it and gave help to
the explorers. At last they found what they knew was, without doub't, the
source of the Missouri River, never before seen by white man. A clear, icy stream trickled at their feet. One of the men stood as tride this stream, and said: Thank God I have lived to put one foot on each side of the Mis
souri River! On, on, they must go through the trackless west, over mountains,
to discover other rivers.
One day a young Indian called Captain Lewis into his tent and gave him a piece of smoked salmon; this showed they had reached the Columbia River. No other water produced such fish as that, now for the first time tasted by a white man. The explorers buried their saddles upon the banks of the Columbia, making what is called a cache. This requires hard and careful work. First the men found a dry, high spot; on the grass they drew a small circle twenty inches across, and carefully lifted out the sod. A hole a foot deep was dug straight down, then widened out like a big ket tle, six or seven feet deep. As fast as the dirt was loosened, it was lifted up and out in some kind of vessel, and laid carefully on a cloth; not a bit of it must be allowed to fall on the ground. This dirt was then carried away and dropped into the river. A floor of dry sticks was laid in the bottom of the kettle-like hole, and some hay or a dry buffalo skin spread over it. Then the saddles and other things they wanted to leave behind, to be found safe on their return trip, were put in, a skin spread over them, and the sod put back so carefully that no one could see the least sign.
"After making this cache they entrusted their horses to the Indians, and having made canoes embarked on the Columbia. When they reached the narrows and rapids of the river, the bag gage had to be transferred by land, the canoes let down by water --the hardest kind of work. It is impossible to mention half of the thrilling adventures, narrow escapes and heroic endurance of our explorers.
"Just a month after starting on this canoe voyage, tide-water lapped the sides of the little crafts. A heavy fog hid the banks of

A PATHFINDER OF THE WILDERXESS

105

the river and made navigation dangerous. "But one day in November the fog lifted--and oh joy! The
waters of the Pacific sparkled in the sunshine before them! "This was November 15, 1805, one year and six months after
leaving the Mississippi River. They had reached the object of all their labors, the reward "of all anxieties. The way to the broad Pacific had been found, lofty mountains crossed and great rivers discovered, just as prophesied by the Virginia schoolmaster, so many years ago.
"And this was but half of the expedition. They must make their winter camp on the strange coast, then return. On the 23d of March, 1806, the explorers turned their faces eastward.
"The homeward journey was full of peril and adventure. On horseback, in canoes, on foot, these plucky men pushed their way again across the continent. Captain Lewis was once wounded and helpless for days; there was sickness and many hardships. But at last they reached the country of the Mandans, where they had made their first winter camp two years ago, and here the party began to break up.
"After every trial, all were now well and happy. There had been no death, and one addition to the number, a baby of the French interpreter's wife. Sacajawea had proved as plucky as the men, enduring hardships without a murmur. The baby was nine teen months old when they reached the Mandans. Leaving Saca jawea with her people, Captain Lewis pushed on to the country of the white man. Early in September they saw some cows grazing. Indians do not keep cows, so this was a sign of civilization, and the sight caused every man to shout for joy.
"The last entry in Captain Lewis' Journal was written Septem ber 23, 1806, as follows:
" 'Tuesday 23d--Descended to the Mississippi and round to St. Louis, where we arrived at twelve o'clock; and, having fired a salute, went on shore, and received the heartiest welcome from the whole village.'
"They had been gone two years, four months and ten days, had been given up as lost, and their return was welcomed with re joicing.
" 'Never,' said Mr. Jefferson, 'did a similar event excite more joy throughout the United States.'

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"And so the American continent was explored; and so came true the dream of the old Virginia schoolmaster, who many years before had taught little plantation boys to think great thoughts and do great deeds for their country.!'

"BIG SAM" AND PADDY
HE children were gathered around a map spread on the table, and their eyes followed Grandmother's knitting needle as she pointed out the places of interest.
"At the time of the Revolutionary War," she said, "in Georgia, only a strip of land along the west side of the Savannah River was settled, and the two important towns were Savannah and Augusta. The battle of Kettle Creek, right here in Wilkes County, was as far west as the war extended, and if the partiots had not made a bold stand then, the colony might have gone back under British rule, and there would have been no state of Georgia.
"As soon as the war was over, the population began to grow. Soldiers belonging to the Continental line in Virginia, who were sent to help in the siege of Savannah, saw the fertile lands in Geor gia, and came here to make their homes.
"Treaties were made with Indians to get new lands, but in 1790, white settlements did not go beyond the Oconee River. Not far from this line was the Creek Agency, where lived Colonel Benja min Hawkins, sent by the United States Government to look after Indian affairs. During the Revolutionary War, when General Washington's headquarters were in New Jersey, Colonel Hawkins had been on his staff and acted as interpreter of French. He was a highly educated man, and represented his native state, North Carolina, in Congress. He might have been a leading statesman, but he gave up everything for this work among the Indians, and was the best friend they ever had. He made his home in the .midst of the red men, and tried to teach them civilized ways; he wanted them to be friendly with the whites, and both to live to gether in peace. He taught them to plant cotton, to weave and spin, to milk cows and to churn butter, so they might become home-loving and give up the wild, roaming life.
"On the south of our little state, was Florida, owned by Spain, and on the west were Indians and Spaniards. And worst of all, the British were trying to get the Indian tribes to join together against us to keep our settlements from extending- further west; so there were terrible times along the frontier.
"Tecumseh, the great Indian chief, was forming a confederacy among different tribes to kill all the whites, and the British at tacked our sailors on the sea. Then was brought about the War

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GRANDMOTHER STORIES

of 1812, and Georgia and the frontier states had an important part

in it.

.

.

"General Andrew Jackson, of Tennessee, was the leading sol

dier of that time.

"Among many brave and strong men, was one named Sam

Dale, \vho lived in Ge'orgia and was known as an Indian fighter

throughout Alabama and Mississippi. In time of peace he had

many friends among the Indians, who called him Big Sam, be

cause of his unnsual size and strength. His birthplace was in

Rockbridge County, Virginia, but his parents had moved to Geor

gia when he was a little boy. There w'ere brothers and sisters,

and their home was a cabin in the wilderness. Here father and

mother died, and the children were left alone.

'"Sam was the eldest. How desolate he felt without a friend

in the world! He.went one night to his father's' grave in the dark

woods, and kneeling there prayed for help and guidance in taking

care of his brothers and sisters. God did watch over him; while

there was much hard work and many trials, Sam prospered and kept

a home for his loved ones. He grew .up to-be a brave man, kind to

the weak and innocent, but a fierce fighter of Indians when there

was war between them. He was just and nq't cruel, and they had

great respect for him. Many 'times he sat by their fires and smoked

the pipe of peace. Big Sam had a fine, benevolent eye, and like

the Indian, his foot fell lightly on the ground and turned loither

to right nor left. He was tall, square-shouldered and muscular;

his face and manner grave; he spoke slowly, in low tones, and sel

dom laughed.

"It was toward the end of December, 1814, that Sam Dale was at the Creek Agency on business. Late that night an express ar rived from Washington City, with dispatches for General Jackson, who was supposed to be near New Orleans, preparing for defense against rumored British invasion.
" 'Express' in those days meant a letter carried by a courier on horseback. Several years before this, Colonel Hawkins and other government officials had established a mail route from Washington City through Georgia and the Creek Nation to New Orleans. Over this post road the mail was carried by regular agents driving a two-horse coach, but they were very slow. When there was im portant government business, a special courier rode express.

"BIG SAM" AND PADDY

109

"This December night the express came from Secretary of War with dispatches that should reach General Jackson as quickly as possible. General Mclntosh, who commanded the Georgia troops in that vicinity, was at the Creek Agency with Colonel Hawkins and Sam Dale, enjoying the hospitable fireside and talking over the perilous times. These dispatches from Washington must be im portant, so Sam Dale was urged to take them on to New Orleans. No one could be a faster or safer courier than Big Sam. A deso late wilderness, a cruel and revengeful people lay on the route, but he agreed to undertake the trust.
"He needed a horse suitable for such a .ride, so Colonel Hawkins gave him one of his. Georgia-bred animals of hardy stock, compactly built and noted for wind and muscle. It is not the fast est horse that can hold out longest. Paddy was the one for the trip---'neither fine nor fast--but he had bottom.
"Big Sam and Paddy set out before the dawn of the next day, taking only a" blanket, flint and steel, pistols, and a wallet of In dian meal as food for ma'n and horse.
"Look at the map, and you will see that it was a long journey from the Creek Agency across the states of Alabama and Missis sippi to New Orleans. It took them seven days and a -half to reach Madisonville, on the Tchefonta "River. Here Big Sam engaged a fishing smack to take him across Lake Pontchartrain. You may find this lake on the map, but the name of the town has been changed.
"Landing at Fort St. John, he found Quartermaster-General Piatt, who put Dale on a fine, fresh horse and sent him to head quarters under care of an orderly; there he learned that the Gen eral was below with the army, in front of the British 'on the plain of Chalmette. Galloping through the city down to the river side, he heard the roar of artillery, and giving his horse to the "orderly, Dale rushed to the entrenchments.
"He was just in time tp see one of the notable battles of his tory, the one that secured forever the American continent from in vasion. Many times in after years did Sam Dale describe the mag nificent sight that met his view from the entrenchments overlook ing Chalmette. On each side the American soldiers stood silent and resolute. The enemy was advancing in columns, with loud cheers. The martial approach to our lines--the fearful recoil as

i io

. , GRANDMOTHER STORIES

whole detachments were swept away by discharges from our works and broadsides from the Carolina--a war vessel anchored on the right--the heroism of the officers who rushed to the front waving their swords, rallying their men in the very jaws of death, and cheering, died--was a spectacle so sublime that it silenced for a moment the clamor of the battle-field, and inspired everyone with awe and admiration. There was a pause in our ranks--for several minutes a dreadful stillness prevailed. Not a gun was discharged; not a shout heard. Then there burst forth along the whole line a blaze of fire, a crash of small arms, a deafening roar of artillery; and, when the dense smoke rolled away, the field was covered with dead and wounded, and the British columns were in full retreat! Not flying ingloriously, but staggering back like men under unex pected and overpowering blows. The terrible grandeur. of the scene impressed the veteran soldiers of Napoleon, a number of whom were in the American ranks. You may imagine its effect upon Sam Dale, who had been trained from boyhood to the am buscades of the wilderness and to the hand-to-hand encounter of the frontier, where a reeking scalp was the only evidence of the fight. He had seen his first great battle--an event next in impor tance to the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. For the world was convinced, after the victory of Andrew Jackson at New Or leans, that Americans could maintain the independence won by Washington, and the confederacy of States was henceforth reck oned as a power to be respected.
"It was midnight after the battle before Sam Dale could de liver the dispatches to General Jackson, then seated in his room at headquarters. The General tore them open and exclaimed:
" 'Too late! Too late! They are always too late at Washington!'
"Dale then stepped forward and congratulated him on his vic tory. The General rose, shook him by the hand, and answered modestly:
" 'If those fellows on the other bank had done their duty, it would have been a glorious day.'
"Major Chotard, a gallant officer, one of his aides, said:
" 'General, as there is little fighting to be done in the Creek Nation, Dale wishes to remain with our army until the British are driven from the country.'

"BIG SAM" AND PADDY

in

"'Are you broken down by your ride?' asked the General, turn-

** ing to Dale.

*

" 'No, sir, but I desire to be near you,' was the reply. Brave

men love a strong leader. General Jackson had been given the

name of 'Old Hickory' by his devoted soldiers, and Sam Dale felt

.+

the same admiration for the hero of New Orleans. Holding up the

dispatches and Big Sam's credentials from Colonel Hawkins, Gen

eral Jackson turned to his officers and said:

*

" 'This express has come from Georgia in eight days. From

Mobile our expresses are often fourteen days on the way. Chotard,

don't speak to me of stopping Dale. No, sir; you must return to

the Agency and 'Oh to Milledgeville as fast as you have come. In

an hour, Major Reid will deliver you your papers.'

*

"He then inquired as to General Mclntosh's command, depreda-

.

tions of Indians, etc. While answering these questions, Dale was

frequently interrupted by the scout who rode express from Mobile;

Dale had passed him at St. John. When the General had finished

>

his inquiries, he turned to the scout and said:

" 'Now, sir, what do you know?'

"'Nothing now, sir; Dale has told you all.'

*

" 'Yes, I thought so,' said the General. 'You are too slow a

traveler to bring news. Chotard, write me an order to Piatt to

mount Dale on the best horse he has.'

" 'And what,' asked Big Sam, 'is to be done with Paddy ?'

^

'"Paddy? Who is Paddy?'

" 'The pony, General, that brought me from Georgia.'

*

" 'You don't mean to say, sir, that you rode one horse all the

^ way from Georgia in seven days?'

" 'I mean nothing else, General.'

" 'Then, sir, he won't be able to go back.'

r

"'Paddy is like myself, General, very tough.'

" 'Well,' said Old Hickory, 'I know Big Sam doesn't talk with

* a forked tongue. Now tell me how far you can ride that horse in

,,

a day.'

" 'Seventy or eighty miles from daybreak until midnight--with

light weights.'

t

"'Light weights?'

" 'Yes, sir; an empty stomach and no saddle-bags.'

" 'Very well, Dale; that will do. Chotard, give Dale my au-

ii2

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

thority, should his horse fag, to ask any man he meets to light, and if he refuses, to knock him off and seize his horse. And I know Big Sam will do it!'
"Big Sam and Paddy set out at daylight. After crossing the lake, they met an officer, who, as he approached, asked Dale where he was from.
" 'Headquarters,' was the reply. " 'Well, you must stop and tell me the news.' " 'I can't stop; if you want news you must travel my way.' " 'Sir, you don't know me. I am Colonel Sparks, of the United States Army. You must stop.' " 'And I, sir, am Sam Dale; and when I am under orders to ride, I stop for no man.' "The Colonel bit his lip, but wheeled his horse and rode with Dale for several miles. He was, indeed, a distinguished officer-- handsome and dashing. He had married Ruth Sevier, daughter of Governor Sevier, of Tennessee. When parting from Colonel Sparks Dale asked him whether he had been right or wrong in refusing to halt. " 'Right, Dale, and I ask your pardon.' "When Colonel Sparks related this incident to Old Hickory at a dinner table, the General said: " 'There isn't a man living who can stop Big Sam when he's on duty, and, Sparks, if you had stopped him you ought to have been shot.'
"On the third day after crossing the lake, Big Sam and Paddy halted at General Winchester's quarters, in Mobile. It was night, and an orderly aroused the General. Dale handed him the dis patches, and he said his reply would be ready by daylight. At sunrise it was not ready. Dale was told to call at ten o'clock; at that hour Winchester said he must wait until twelve o'clock. Dale replied that if the dispatches were not ready he would go without them. At twelve, precisely, he rode by and the papers were handed him. There was no ferry boat over the Alabama River, so Paddy and Big Sam had to swim the stream, which was very full. They crossed in the same way all the large streams, which were high, and to add to the discomfort, it rained incessantly, freezing as it fell. They camped under trees for a few hours at night and the fifth day from Mobile, reached Fort Decatur, on the Tallapoosa.

"BIG SAM" AND PADDY
You may find this river on the map. General Macintosh's army was encamped there. It was a bitter cold night, and Dale's clothes were frozen to his body. As he rode up, he was chal lenged by two sentinels, who said he must report to the mainguard half a mile to the right before he could be admitted into the main lines. Dale replied:
" 'I would be dead before I got there. I am freezing. Fire the alarm, but don't shoot me. You know me and my business/
"One of the sentinels ran forward to tell the General, and Dale rode on to headquarters. General Mclntosh met him fifty yards from the Marquee and demanded his name. Then he said, 'Light, Dale, light.'
"Perceiving Big Sam's frozen condition, the General aided him to dismount, put his arms around him and helped him in. He had a rousing fire made and whiskey set before the traveler. Dale was not allowed to speak until he had drunk a pint of hot coffee and his exhausted energies were somewhat restored. Then he pulled out the dispatch; but the General threw it on the table, saying, 'You must tell it!'
"Big Sam then told the story of New Orleans and Old Hick ory. The officers came in half dressed, and men stood in masses around the door. As they listened to the account of the glorious victory, veteran soldiers wept like children, then shouted like mad men. Big Sam had to stand there telling the story over and over until daylight, when the General put a guard at the door to keep the men out so he could sleep.
"The next day, Major Woolfolk, who was stationed at Fort Jackson, applied to General Mclntosh for supplies, for his garri son was starving. The General said he had barely enough for his own command. The Major turned away in tears. Dale said:
" 'General, you are on your way to Mobile; I have a thousand bushels of corn housed near Fort Claiborne, on your route. Give Major Woolfolk what he needs for his men, and take mine when you reach my place.' The General accepted this generous offer, and told Dale to examine the army stores and see what could be spared. He reported twenty barrels of flour and five thousand pounds of pork. General Mclntosh afterward said that this was one of the most gratifying incidents of his life. Big Sam saved

ii4

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

from starvation the soldiers of the American army, and that is as noble as winning a battle.
"The next morning on faithful Paddy, Big Sam set out for Milledgeville, the capital of Georgia. On the third day, at sunset, he arrived there, and immediately waited on Governor Peter Early and delivered the dispatches. The Governor, who was as generous and patriotic as Big Sam, and a statesman of high repute, warmly invited him to be his guest. But travel-worn and fatigued, the scout preferred to go to the inn. He had scarcely gotten to bed be fore he was serenaded, and the whole town was in a blaze of light from bonfires and torchlight parades. Thus did Georgia's people receive with joyous celebration the news of Old Hickory's victory --when Big Sam and Paddy rode express from New Orleans to Milledgeville."

The "Host Kriciul." ll;t> KiM liiruiiiiitiu1 Inuli .111 ihi- Iniinl Siiilo I'nr :u-iu;il .xcnin1 mi ;i li;nlri>:nl

THREE ^WHISTLES AND WHAT THEY MEANT

JEORGIA, the baby state of the original thirteen, was worth

counting during the Revolution and after," said Grand-

M

i-arg^i mother.

fhen the Constitution was written, this state was only a

'*

narrow strip west of the Savannah River, with about 98,000 in-

>

habitants--the youngest branch of the family and a frontier. Only

a few years after Fort Cornwallis was taken from the British,

**

great things began to happen on our soil.

i

One event was started, in a way, by this robust young state

making a Georgia planter of General Nathanael Greene, who be-

fore the Revolution had been a blacksmith. The sturdy Rhode

>

Islander was a poor man, and when the war was over, he said

he had not where to lay his head. Georgia presented him with

Mulberry Grove, a plantation on the Savannah River. Here

he spent his last days in peace and honor. After his death Mrs.

Greene lived there in hospitable style, with her latch string on

the outside--as we used to say in olden times. Well, there came

a young man from New England who pulled Mrs. Greene's latch

string, and that brought about unexpected happenings. The young

man was named Eli Whitney; he was a poor school teacher with



no school to teach and no way to make a living. You remember

that Mrs. Greene was kind-hearted, and she was sorry to see a

smart young man with nothing to do. She urged him to try to

*

make a machine for cleaning cotton of seed.

Now such a machine was not first thought of by Mrs. Greene.

Mr. Joseph Eve, the son of a Loyalist, of Pennsylvania, and most

*

intelligent man, had made a cotton gin while living in the Bahama

Islands during the Revolutionary War. It was a simple machine

for taking seed from long staple cotton. There were two pairs of

*

rollers with teeth in them, placed one over the other and fixed in

,,

a frame. The drawings of this first gin were long preserved in

the Eve family. Judge William F. Eve, of Augusta, has the

*

beautiful old mahogany desk at which his great-grandfather sat

when he drew the plans of the gin. After the Revolution the

model of gin was brought to Goose Creek settlement near Charles

ton. Joseph Eve afterward moved to Augusta and operated his

gin on Butler's Creek seven miles from town.

But it had been found that the short staple cotton better suited

ii8

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

our soil and climate, and a machine for taking seed from this kind
was the need of that day. The rich plantations in South Georgia, from which barrels of
rice had been sent to Massachusetts during the Revolution, were again under cultivation. Hogsheads of tobacco were rolled to the Augusta market, but there were no bales of cotton. Men with a mechanical turn were trying to devise a machine for short staple cotton. Mr. Joseph Watkins, a planter who lived at Thorneville on the Savannah, was said to have made a model. Tradition says Mrs. Greene took Eli Whitney to see this. Any way, Whitney went to work and made a model that was an improvement on others. Whitney's patent, while a clumsy affair, soon led to the practical saw gin. It was at Augusta that the first cotton gin was put to work. This invention was the most important indus trial event following the Revolutionary War.
At the time of the surrender of Fort Cornwallis, Augusta was an Indian trading post with fields of corn growing around the
pioneer homes. In a few years it grew to be a straggling village.
Just across the river on the Carolina side, at the thriving little town of Hamburg, were most of the shops and markets of Au gusta folks where they carried on trade, crossing the river daily by ferry boat. At this early day there lived a man on the Geor gia side of the river who had enough" native genius to advance the world's commerce. This was William Longstreet, inventor of the steamboat. He was'a poor man, and had married Hannah Ran dolph before coming from Upper Freehold, N .J. There is pre served a letter from Hannah Longstfeet, dated 1787, telling of their simple little home, but kind neighbors among the village folks; and that, as a grievance 'Billy'--her husband--was always 'projecting' with a steam machine. Hannah no doubt thought he could find employment more profitable for him and his growing family. It was the next year that Longstreet received from the State of Georgia a patent on a newly constructed steam engine invented by himself. He wrote letters to the' Independent Register and
Georgia Gazette (1876) about this steam machine; telling the num ber of strokes it could make per minute, and saying that he ex pected to improve this invention, so that it would revolutionize commerce.
"This was ten years before Robert Fulton received a similar

. THREE WHISTLES AND WHAT THEY MEANT 119
patent from the State of New York. Two years after, Fulton went to Europe to study, and this same year Longstreet wrote a letter to Governor Telfair of Georgia, telling of the hopes he cherished for the invention of a steamboat, on which he had been working, saying:
" "No doubt you have heard it laughed at, for I have only shared the fate of all other projectors."
"He said he had not been able to put his invention into prac tical shape for lack of suitable material--but 'Necessity, the grand science of invention/ had furnished him the idea of making his entire boat of wood.
"You must remember there were no foundries or machine shops then in this country, and the-only raw material Longstreet could get for his project was the wood standing in the forests around the village. Of course sensible people laughed at a man trying to make a boat propelled by steam, with nothing to work with but native timber, native genius and his two hands.
There is no reason to believe that Governor Telfair or any body gave Longstreet the least help or encouragement. But he was a gueer kind of genius, with faith in his own ideas;.and say ing, 'I'll show them I can do it/ he worked away on his steam boat.
"The very month Longstreet had written to Governor Telfair, another son was born to him and Hannah, whom they called Au gustus. The fond mother wrote "some years later:
" 'Augustus is going to school, and can read and write, and often makes observations that would surprise you. James runs his father's cotton machine, and Gilbert is learning the hatter's trade.'
Thus wrote Hannah in 1798. "Building wooden steamboats, however wonderful, did not feed and clothe a family; so Longstreet had to apply steam to another new invention--the cotton gin. The first Whitney gin known to history was put up on Rocky Creek, a few miles from Augusta, on what is known as the Phinizy place. This gin was run by water. Only three years after Whitney's patent, Longstreet was running a public gin by steam, that could clean 1,000 pounds of cotton a day. .This was the first steam gin. Longstreet found it more profitable than steamboat invention.

120

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

"But William Longstreet had no idea of giving up the project

of showing people he could make a steamboat.

*

"When Augustus Longstreet was a lad, there was assembled

.on the banks of the Savannah River a crowd of people laughing,

jeering, and singing this comic song:

" 'Can you row a boat ashore,

Billy Boy, Billy Boy?

Can you row a boat ashore

Without paddle or an oar,

Charming Billy?'

"Billy Longstreet, the projector, was going to show his fellow

citizens that he could row a boat by steam. The laughter of the people was changed to wonder as they saw moving on the water

a curious craft, without paddle or an oar.

"This was in 1804--three years before the Clermont appeared

on the Hudson. "William Longstreet was without rich and powerful friends;

he did not go about borrowing other men's ideas; he had not the

means to patent and introduce steam navigation. But out of raw material, unaided and unencouraged, he made and ran on the Sa

vannah a practical steamboat. He showed the people he could

do it, and that was what he started out to prove. I like this queer

genius who knew what he could do, did it, and was satisfied.

"He was not disappointed because he did not win fame and

riches; for he had that 'merry heart' which is a 'continual feast.'

The cotton industry brought prosperity.

>

In 1808 the Fourth of July was celebrated in Augusta by mili

tary display of the Independent Blues and Troop of Horse, and other local companies.- Congratulatory messages were exchanged

on the return of the day which gave freedom and happiness to our

country. Good order and social harmony prevailed. In the even

ing there was a public banquet at the home of William Long-

street, who was now recognized by his fellow citizens as Inventor

of the steamboat. Among the toasts offered at this festive board was this one: Agriculture and Commerce--Twin Sisters--though noiv

separated, may soon te united in indesoluable bonds.

It was steam navigation and the steam cotton gin that united

agriculture and commerce, and the inventive genius of Longstreet

had aided commercial progress.

r

FIRST STEAMSHIP.
* 4.

II

THREE WHISTLES AND WHAT THEY MEANT 123
The Longstreets prospered, and soon had a summer home out on the salubrious Sand Hills--called Westover. The son Augustus inherited his fathers' merry heart and original mind, and became famous as a writer of humorous sketches.
In Georgia Scenes, Judge Augustus B. Longstreet wrote the first dialect stories known to American literature.
The next step in America's commercial progress was the rail road. Hamburg, S. C., across the river from Augusta, became the scene of a notable event. It was the terminus of the first railroad.
The first railroad built for locomotive use was planned by Caro lina brains and built by Carolina enterprise. It extended from Charleston to Hamburg; and was for some time the longest road in the world. The engine--called Best Friend--was the first loco motive made in the United States by native mechanics, for which credit is due Mr. E. L. Miller, of Charleston.
"The first railroad was very curious and interesting. The trial trip was made in November, 1830. Just across the Savannah from where years before the people had gazed in wonder at Longstreet's steamboat, crowds now gathered to await the arrival of the first train. A platform was erected, and hundreds of people were on it to obtain a better view of the strange sight.
"As the train came up, the engineer opened the exhaust valve, the steam escaped with a roar, and crowds on the platform became terrified. There was a panic, the platform broke down and some were killed, many injured.
"Old people have often described the first railway coaches, which were so different from what we now see. Imagine an im mense barrel-shaped affair, with seats on the sides. The passengers entered at one end, and the conductor walked on an outside platform and collected fare through openings like pigeon-holes. When there was traveling by night, which was rare, a fire of lightwood was made on a flat car and pushed on ahead to show the way.
It was over this road that the U. S. Mail was first carried by a train.
The first railroad accident remembered by Augustans, was the killing of a fireman by a bursting boiler. This fireman, was a negro slave, who it seems had been left in charge of the engine. Being unused to such new-fangled inventions, he became alarmed by the hissing noise of escaping steam. He thought the noise

124

' GRANDMOTHER STORIES

should be stopped at once, and undertook to do this by sitting on the safety valve! Of course the poor fellow never knew what caused the explosion that ended his life. I believe, it is said, that his master sued the railroad for the loss of his negro, which was doubtless the first railroad damage suit.
The first railroad schedules, given in Augusta newspapers, were a curious guide to travelers. The notice would state that a train would leave Hamburg sometime after twelve o'clock--or any hour that seemed probable. Nothing more definite could be foretold of such a strange contrivance as a steam train. It seems that faith in steam as a motor power was not yet fully established. There was a lurking fear that steam would give out just any time. So the train was fitted up with sails, in an ingenious manner, that the old reliable sea breeze might help, if necessary, speed the loco motive from Charleston to Hamburg. You know a train with sails must have been a funny sight.
The first steamships that crossed the Atlantic were fitted up in the same way with sails, and for the same reason.
It was from the City of Savannah, Georgia, in 1819, that the very first steamship crossed the Atlantic. This steamship was called The Savannah. It was a Georgia enterprise of worldwide interest.
"The invention of the gin made Cotton King of the South. Steam navigation and railroad transportation, made Commerce King of the United States.
"From the site of the old Revolutionary fort on the bank of the Savannah, where stands historic St. Paul's Church, have been heard in times past, the whistle of the first steamboat, the whistle of the first cotton gin and the whistle of the first locomotive. These three whistles marked the greatest events in the commercial progress of the Nineteenth Century."

DR. FRANK R. GOULDINC.
By Mr. Gardner Smith.

>

4

THE BUILDERS

HE children were in the library reading Marooners' Island.

Grandmother in her room was sewing, hemming a cam

bric frill in the old-fashioned way with a fine cambric

needle. Twilight was coming on, when the door opened softly and

Daisy-girl came in. She was very quiet and stood silently looking

into the fire.

"What is it, dear?" asked Grandmother.

"Simpson is dead," replied the child soberly.

"Who is Simpson?" And Grandmother drew the little figure

to her lap.

"He was Doctor Gordon's friend, and the Indians killed him."

"Doctor Gordon! Oh, you children are marooning with that

wonderful old gentleman ! I have been sitting here sewing with

my little silver bird and thinking of the story that belongs to the

two together."

Daisy-girl's face brightened at once.

"A story, Grandmother, about this dear little bird? I always

thought it the very nicest thing in the leather work-box. See how

fast it holds your frill!"

The other children were coming in, for story was in the air.



They gathered around the sewing-table, admiring as they had done

.

many times, how securely the silver bird, which was screwed to

the side of the table, held in its beak the cambric, while Grand

mother put in stitches. Now she opened its beak by pressing a

spring, and taking out the frill, folded it away.

"Long time ago," said she, "when there were no sewing-ma

chines, all garments were made by hand, which seems very slow

to us now. In large cities, like New York and London, sewing

women made garments by the dozen for merchants who sold them

at high profit. Men eager to get rich oppressed the workers. I

remember reading in Godey's Ladies' Book a sad story of a poor

woman who tried to live on starvation wages, making a dozen

shirts for a shilling. About this time the tender-hearted English

poet, Thomas Hood, wrote the Song of the Shirt, which made

him famous. The sewing machine was patented the very year

Thomas Hood died, in 1845. But it was years before this that the

plan of the first sewing-machine was \vorked out in the brain of

a young Georgian, who was a student at the State University at

Athens.

V

128

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

,,

"Back in the thirties, two young men were at the University,

who afterward became Presbyterian ministers of more than local

,

renown. One, William McWhorter, was a quiet student, who de

voted heart and mind to books, and in after years became profes

sor in old Erksine College, Due West, S. C. The other young

man, Frank R. Goulding, of restless, energetic, inquiring turn of

mind, was always trying to solve some problem to lighten labor.

r

Among his new-fangled machines, was one which would do the



sewing for a family much faster than it could be done in the old-

fashioned way. He was enthusiastic about this invention, which

was a simple lock-stitch mechanism, turned by hand. But it did *

the work. The young inventor's pride was such that he showed

it to everybody, and talked about it on all occasions. There came

from the North a young man to winter in Georgia, who made the

*

acquaintance of the inventive student, and soon learned all about

the new way of sewing. Being of shrewd mind, the Northern visi

tor saw at once a scheme to make money--something of which. *

young Goulding had not thought. The visitor returned North, taking with him the idea of the sewing-machine. A few years after, news came that just such a machine had been patented by

EHas Howe, the shrewd young man who had visited in Georgia.

"Young Goulding's fellow-student, William McWhorter, though

several classes behind him, never forget the origin of the sewing-

machine. As teacher, wherever he saw Elias Howe mentioned as inventor, he would close the book and give his class the true story, always ending with--

" 'Now, boys, remember it was not Elias Howe, but Frank R.

9

Goulding, who invented the sewing-machine.'

"Goulding had taken pride in his invention, but was slow to

put it on the market. He knew that sewing women were poorly

*

paid, and thought that machines, making work easy and cheap,

might make wages even lower. He was mistaken. It was gener

ally believed at one time that machinery to lighten labor was an



enemy to working people. When manufacturers in England did

away with the hand-loom, the weavers thought they would starve. No one could imagine in olden times how machinery would take

the place of hand work--the world getting busier and busier, with

wages for all.

"Some years after the model of the first sewing-machine was

*

THE BUILDERS

129

made, Doctor Frank R. Goulding was a minister, living at Bath, near Augusta, Ga. His wife was frail, and there were several children. He often watched the mother sitting at a table with a little silver bird holding her work, as she made garments for the children. No doubt it brought to mind the invention of his stu dent days. It was like making the little bird take the needle in its beak and carry it back and forth through the cloth to save tired fingers. So Doctor Goulding went to work and made such a machine. It was the first practical sewing-machine and it worked beautifully. In 1842, three years before Howe's patent, Doctor Goulding wrote in his journal:
" 'Having satisfied myself about this machine I laid it aside that I might attend to other and weightier matters.'
"Doctor Goulding lost fame and fortune by not patenting his invention. For my part, I think it a blessing to children, that he put his sewing-machine to work and then turned to other matters. He wrote books, not for fame, but to please and instruct his own children. At his home on Bath, he used to sit at a table out under the trees writing stories; and when a chapter was finished he would call his young folks and read to them. That is the way Young Marooncrs came to be a book."
"Our Young Marooncrs!" exclaimed the children who did not know that they had been listening to the story of their favorite author.
"The very same; Doctor Goulding invented the sewing-machine and wrote delightful books for children."
"Grandmother," said Gentleman Junior, "did not inventors like Doctor Goulding, make history as well as did the soldiers who fought battles?"
"Yes; they were among the builders of our country. "Long ago, when there were no railroads and steamboats, little machinery and no cotton gins, our country was very different from what it is now. Inventions transformed the face of the earth, and right here on Georgia soil, some of the most important were made. "While Doctor Goulding was putting his sewing-machine to work, Doctor Alexander Means, a native of North Carolina and teacher in the quiet little village of Oxford, was experimenting with electricity. He predicted uses for it not then dreamt of; that it would run horseless carriages and be used as motor power

130

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

in many ways. His gentle face would beam with enthusiasm as he talked of the coming Electrical Age. People smiled and called him a dreamer. Doctor Means made the first electric light in the basement of his home; and there ran little cars by electricity. His grand-daughter (Mrs. Minnie Capers Hardin), remembers the dancing dolls moved by the strange power, which he made to de light the children. This was done before Edison was born. Doc tor Means was a profound student. He entered the Royal Insti tute in London, and studied with the great Farrady. These two minds together worked on the discovery of the uses of electricity.
"In 1848, Doctor Means was delivering lectures in Georgia on Electricity as an Illuminating Agency and Motor Power.
"He convinced no one; some thought him insane. He was a Prophet of the Electrical Age, and with means to carry on experi ments, he would have been a great inventor.
"Such old-time students and thinkers, working in quiet places, unknown to the world, were up-building our country in all good ways. They may well be called Heroes of Peace.

DR. CRAWFORD W. LONG. Discoverer of Anesthesia.

THE KNIGHT WHO CONQUERED PAIN

|F all the knights of history," said Grandmother, "we owe

the largest debt of gratitude to the one who conquered

__ pain."

"Oh, Grandmother, how could any knight do that?" cried the

children.

"Could he fight pain on horseback with a sword?" asked 1,'ttle

Miss.

"Ah, my dears, all battles are not fought with swords; and he

who protects the distressed, maintains the right and leads a stain

less life, may well be called a knight. I will tell you the story of

a Georgia boy who grew up to be a benefactor of his race, then

you will see how he won the title of The Knight Who Conquered

Pain.

"His name was Crawford W. Long and he lived in a small out-

V

of-the-way village called Danielsville. His grandfather, Captain

Samuel Long, had been one of General Lafayette's officers at York-

town, and after the Revolutionary War he came to Georgia to live.

The Captain's son, James Long, was a profound scholar, a student

of law, and he became one of the -leading men of our Common

wealth. He was for years a member of the State Senate and an

*

intimate friend of William H. Crawford, Georgia's greatest states

man of that day. That's why James Long named his son Craw

ford.

"Crawford Long had a very quiet old-fashioned home, and like

many little Southerners, had a negro playmate, who followed his

young master everywhere. On one of' these rambles, Crawford

^

fell into a stream, and unable to swim, would have drowned but

his black companion, John, jumped in and saved him. In after

years when the negroes were free, the master still loved "Uncle

John"--as he was then called--took care of him and supplied his

every want.

"When Crawford Long, who was destined to be a doctor of

renown, was only five years old, he took part in his first surgical

operation. He and his little sister were playing a game: he had

a hatchet and she would put her hand on a block and snatch it

away just before he came down with the hatchet. Once she was

not quite quick enough, and the hatchet nearly cut off three fingers.

The little brother was much distressed at this unexpected amputa-

134

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

tion, but showed his nerve by carefully holding the bleeding fin-, gers in place until a doctor could bind them up. Fortunately the child's fingers were thus saved, but they were stiff for life.
"Crawford Long was a good student. The first school he at tended was the one in the village that had been established by his father. When he was fourteen years old he entered college at Athens.
"During his college life he had as room-mate a small, pale boy in whose dark eyes burned the fire of genius; his name was Alex ander H. Stephens, and in after years he became known to the world as one of Georgia's wisest statesmen. These two room mates were life-long friends.
"Crawford Long graduated with an honor at the age of nine teen. He then taught school for a year, and decided to be a. doc tor. His medical studies were to begin at Lexington, Kentucky.
"When a Georgia boy went away to college in those days, he must travel in a coach or on horseback--unless it happened that he was going from Augusta to Charleston--for the first railroad had been built only about five years. The route from Danielsville to Lexington lay over a mountainous country; so Crawford Long packed his saddle-bags and started out into the world on horse back.
"After a year at Lexington, our young student traveled on to Philadelphia, where he took a course at the University of Penn sylvania. Then he made another journey in search of knowledge --this time to New York for hospital training.
"After that he came back to Georgia, and at the little village of Jefferson, near his boyhood home, he began the practice of medicine.
"Under a big mulberry tree on the village street, was a small wooden shop where young Dr. Long kept his drugs and saw pa tients. He did not have office-hours like a city physician; there were no calls by telephone; and everything was very quiet and slow about the little shop. But no man of to-day could be any busier than the old-time country doctor. All his hours belonged to the people, and at any moment day or night, a messenger might appear in breathless haste for the doctor to 'Come quick!' Ten, twenty, even thirty miles he had often to journey, over rough roads, in all kinds of weather. The faithful doctor slept at any time he

THE KNIGHT WHO CONQUERED PAIN 135

got a chance, ate anything he could get, forgot his own comfort

and gave mind and body to the work of relieving pain and healiag

the sick.

"Such was the life of Dr. Crawford Long. To village and coun

try people for miles around, he was like a good knight, always rid

ing to their aid--not with a sword, but armed with knowledge and

skill for the fight with pain.

"There were never truer knights than such old-time country

[>

doctors.

"A highly-educated man like Dr. Long might have gained dis

tinction anywhere, but the years of his young manhood were given

to his own people. While a medical student he had been offered a

position as surgeon in the navy, but he refused this because his

old father at home needed him. So Crawford Long went not into

*

the world to seek fame and fortune, but went about doing good.

.

"Though a rather silent, thoughtful man, Dr. Long, like most

Georgia folks, loved fun. The little shop under the mulberry tree

became a favorite resort for the young men of the village. They

liked to talk with the doctor and watch his experiments.

"At that time in Athens, and other places, lecturers on Chem-

*

istry were telling about a new gas--nitrous oxide. It was called

t

'laughing gas,' because after anyone inhaled it, he would laugh and

cut up in a ridiculous manner. It was like being tipsy in what

*

seemed an innocent way. In class-rooms the students would have

'laughing gas parties,' and it was very amusing to the sober ones

to watch the antics of those who inhaled the gas.

*

"One winter, evening in 1841, a party of students came to the

little shop and asked the quiet young doctor if he couldn't let them

have a 'laughing gas party.' Now this country village was remote

from cities and all conveniences of science and art, so there was

no. way of making nitrous oxide. But Dr. Long said he had some

sulphuric ether, which would produce much the same effect; the

students said they would try that.

"The chief difference between a scientific mind and an ordinary

mind, is that the one observes more accurately than the other.

.The students who inhaled a little ether saw that it made them act

as did the laughing gas, and thought no more of it. But the young

doctor saw more and thought longer. He noticed that while a

student was under the influence of the gas, he received bruises

136

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

which caused no pain. It was enough to make him think--for he was on the eve of a great discovery. On other winter evenings there were 'laughing gas parties' in the little shop; but to the young doctor who was devoting his life to the fight against pain and sickness, these parties became scientific experiments. Time and again he watched the boys hurt themselves, seemingly (after inhaling the gas) only to prove that they did not feel it at all! The fact was clear that this gas caused insensibility to pain. Then why might not a surgical operation be performed without pain? The idea grew until Dr. Long decided to put it to the test.
"A young man of his acquaintance named James Venable had a small tumor on the back of his neck, and he consented to inhale ether and let the doctor cut it out. So on March 30, 1842, in the little shop under the mulberry tree, was performed the first pain less surgical operation with the use of ether. Mr. Venable declared when he came to, that he had not felt the cutting at all--proving that the surgeon's knife might do its work without terrible suffer ing hither considered necessary.
"This village shop was the scene of one of the most important discoveries of the nineteenth century and the one that brought the greatest blessing to suffering humanity.
"This young Georgia doctor was the knight who first conquered the pain of the surgeon's knife.
"There are different ways to treat such discoveries. Some men would have kept it a secret and tried to patent the idea so as to make a fortune from it. Others would have gone to Congress and asked for an 'appropriation' as reward for the service to mankind.
"Had Dr. Long lived in a city and had his experiments been made in a large hospital, his discovery would at once have become known to the medical world.
"If the event of discovering ether had taken place in the days of telegraph and daily papers, the wonderful news would have gone flashing-over the wires all around the world, and Dr. Long would have awakened the next morning to find himself famous.
"But in those slow old Georgia days, men thought and worked in obscurity without counting the reward of fortune or fame. Young Dr. Long was both modest and unselfish; he did not real ize the importance of haste in publishing his discovery to the world, nor of taking any credit to himself. He at once told all the

THE KNIGHT WHO CONQUERED PAIN 137
physicians within reach about it, that they might experiment on the same line, resolving that when the matter was fully established by older heads, he would write an account of it for the medical journals. He even started this account--but many calls to 'come quick!' and much hard work, caused it to be put aside. So some years passed before the world learned that it was a young Georgia doctor in his little village shop, who first used ether in surgical operations.
"What a grand discovery it was--to conquer pain and save countless lives!
"During the War Between the States, Dr. Long had charge of hospitals; then he saw what a priceless boon was the discovery of ether, when thousands of suffering soldiers prayed for a whiff of the blessed gas to make bearable the work of the surgeon's knife.
"All the years of Dr. Long's life were those of a good knight. He was an old-fashioned Georgia gentleman. His pleasures were simple; reading Shakespeare's dramas, or an absorbing game of whist, was evening recreation. His home during the latter part of his life was in Athens, where society was delightful. Dr. Long wrote humorous sketches for the papers and had many jests with friends. He had the good custom of Southern homes of reading aloud to his children, and many happy hours were spent this way. Sometimes he would take the little folks in the carriage for a day's picnic at the old plantation home near Jefferson.
"Every night at bedtime the Bible would be placed on the read ing-stand, and a chapter reverently read to the family. His neigh bors, white and black, loved and trusted him. So he lived the 'stainless life'--great, noble and a benefactor of his race.
"Like a true knight, he died with his armor on, at the bedside of a patient.
"Yes, children, there are other glorious conquests besides those of the battle-field. Crawford W. Long, Hero of Peace, well de serves to be remembered as "The Knight Who Conquered Pain."

"THE PATHFINDER OF THE SEAS"
F all the horses that took heroes and heroines on famous rides, there is not one that did as much for the world's progress as Fanny, the gray mare from Tennessee," said
Grandmother. "There were rides that saved forts, and rides that helped to
victory in battle; but Fanny carried her curly-haired boy rider straight to the highway of fame, and brought from a Tennessee plantation a benefactor to the world at large. He was just nine teen years old then, and his name was Matthew Fontaine Maury.
"He was born in Virginia on January I4th, 1806--the very year Meriwether Lewis returned from the expedition across the conti nent ; he was a grandson of Thomas Jefferson's good schoolmaster, James Maury. When Matthew was five years old, the family moved to Tennessee. People traveled in wagons in those days, and the little boy liked to walk beside the wagoner, or ride awhile on the back of his big sister, Matilda.
"Tennessee was then a wild state, and here the Maurys lived in the old time way of early settlers. The cotton fields gave the boy physical training, and a raccoon or bear hunt with the negroes and hounds brought from Virginia, was his only sport. Night and morning the family came together and read the Bible, verse and verse about, and so were learned lessons he never forgot.
"When he was twelve years old, Matthew had a fall from a high tree, which hurt him so badly his father said he might go to the Academy instead of plow; so this fall gave him a chance for more schooling than he would otherwise have had.
"There was an old cobbler who lived not far from the Maury home, who worked out mathematical problems at odd times. When the children's shoes were sent to be mended, they came back with little x's and y's scratched all over the soles. The cobbler had used them as slates. The old man could peg away at shoes and study problems at the same time. It made Matthew want to be a mathe matician too. He wanted above all things to join the United States Navy; his older brother, John Minor, had entered the Navy as midshipman when only thirteen years old, and his career was one of active service and romantic adventure. But his life had been lost in strange seas, and the father objected to losing another son this way. So for this first journey he would not give Matthew a cent, nor even his blessing.

MATTHEW FONTA1NE MAURY,
Scientist.

I*

fr

THE PATHFINDER OF THE SEAS

141

I>

But young Maury's determination was strong; on a borrowed mare, with nothing but that wonderful brain of his, a good supply of pluck, and thirty dollars he had earned teaching school, he started out. He promised to sell Fanny at the end of the journey, and return the money to the friend in Tennessee.
"The ride took two weeks, and was over a rough, lonely road. On the way Matthew fell in with two merchants going to Balti more to buy goods. Both took a liking to this lad riding a gray mare to find his fortune; and when they reached Bristol the mer chants took Matthew aside, separately, and offered to let him have from their purses the money he needed. But these kind offers were declined, for the youth had an independent spirit; only fifty cents was in his pocket when he reached Caroline County, Virginia, and the home of his uncle, Mr. Edward Herndon. The very first thing Matthew did was to sell Fanny to his uncle and send the money back to Tennessee.
"Virginia people, always hospitable, welcomed the young kins man, and a dinner was given by his cousin, Mrs. Reuben Maury, in his honor. When ice cream was handed Matthew, he took a spoonful of the strange sauce and passed on the rest. All the ways of the world were new to him. I wonder if Ann Herndon, his little cousin thirteen years old, laughed at the boy from Ten nessee? Anyway, nine years afterward she married him. So Fanny, the gray mare, had carried him straight to the very hap piest fortune.
"But just now Matthew was thinking of his life work, and how to become a naval officer. There was no Xaval Academy then, so young cadets must start to work and study on board a man-of-war. Here, after leaving his Virginia friends, young Maury soon found himself on duty--and a student at the same time. On February i, 1825, he was appointed a midshipman on the frigate Bmndywinc, and his first cruise was on the coast of Europe and in the Medi terranean Sea.
"There was a. famous passenger aboard, the Bmndywine, for this ship had been appointed to carry back to France, Marquis de La Fayette, who was a visitor to the United States. You remem ber the brave help La Fayette gave us. in the struggle for American Independence. Now in times of peace and prosperity he had come to visit old friends of the Revolution, and was the honored guest

142

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

of our republic, feted wherever he went. "The French nobleman noted on his homeward trip, a little
middy who walked the Brandywine absorbed in study. Before going on duty ,Maury would chalk on the round shot in the quar ter-deck racks, diagrams in spherical trigonometry, and while pac ing to and fro, he was working out problems in his head. La Fayette was interested in the student who used every scrap of his time learning something, and had many kind talks with him. The old hero of the Revolution could not then imagine what the name Maury would stand for in American history; and that the curlyhaired middy who studied as he walked, would bring more fame and advancement to his country than any man since the days of Benjamin Franklin.
"Maury, like Franklin, learned the laws of Nature, and solved problems that had never been thought possible. And like Frank lin, he was self-taught.
"The next cruise of our young middy was on the sloop-of-war Vincennes, around the world. After that he passed with credit the naval examination, and was made master of the sloop-of-war Falmouth.
"Secrets of the ocean were found out by Maury, and he was already writing his book on Navigation, which became a textbook in the U. S. Navy. From the very first Maury thought great thoughts, and was a teacher of natural laws.
"The manuscript of this book was carried to Philadelphia for publication. Maury lived in a garret on bread and cheese while getting the book to press. But after his big ideas became better understood, he had every honor of two continents given him.
"After thirteen years of service, Maury was promoted to the grade of Lieutenant, and made astronomer and hydrographer of an exploring expedition to the South Seas. On receiving the ap
pointment, he went to Philadelphia to study; in a little plank house in Rittenhouse Square, he soon became expert in the use of the telescope and other instruments.
"He had now been married several years and had two little daughters. His next cruise was to survey the Southern harbors; and hanging on the wall of his cabin were two baby shoes, to re
mind him of pattering feet at home. Never in his life did he for get those who loved and trusted him. When he was a middy, get-

THE PATHFINDER OF THE SEAS

14.^

ting only nineteen dollars a month, he sent regularly half of it to his sister Matilda, who used to ride him on her back when he was a little fellow.
"His unselfishness caused him a painful accident soon after this cruise of Southern harbors. He had been to Tennessee to visit his parents, and was traveling back in a stage coach. It was bitterly cold, and Maury gave up his seat inside the coach to a poor woman who could not stand the exposure. The road was very rough, and he fell from the coach breaking his knee; this lamed him for life. But like the fall from a tree when a boy, the accident gave him a better chance for study. It was really fortu nate for our country that he could go on no more long cruises.
"The United States authorities had found out that Maury's ideas on navigation were the best in the world, and he was given a government position at Washington, to take charge of the de partment of charts and instruments. More and more big ideas came from his wonderful brain, which soon changed the depart ment of charts into a naval observatory of national fame. Here he began the study in a scientific way of all nautical subjects; the sea, the atmosphere, currents, winds and rains.
"Here he made the first sailing charts, and established the Weather Bureau.
"It seems strange that no one had ever thought of how to make sailing charts until Maury did it. Suppose that, for land travel, there were no maps or roads, but that everyone who went across the continent had to find the way, like Meriwether Lewis did with
his exploring party. It took this party more than two j-ears to go to the Pacific ocean and back. Think of every traveler making his own way across the country without a sign-post or path to guide him, and the time and danger each journey would cost. But this is the way commerce was carried on across the waters before Maury's navigation charts came into use. The ocean was like a trackless wilderness, and every seafaring vessel had to find its own course. Now, Maury knew that winds and currents are governed by laws, which if learned, would mark a path for ships. How to
use these laws, nobody had ever known. In past years, sea cap tains had carried a 'log' on every voyage; a log is an instrument for measuring the ship's progress, and in the log-book was written just the direction the ship went, how fast and all about it. After

144

-GRANDMOTHER STORIES

each voyage the log-book was stored away, and that was the end
of it. "Suppose that Meriwether Lewis had made a map of the route
across the continent, just for his own use, and then put it away, and let every traveler after him do the same, each one taking a compass and exploring the strange land, without knowing any thing of the route taken by others. This was just what the seafarers had to do when there were no sailing directions given them. No wonder so many ships were lost and wrecked.
"All the log-books of the government ships were stored away in Washington as so much rubbish. Maury thought if'these records were studied and compared, a chart might be made showing the shortest and safest route across the ocean. Besides, if a new log book were given the captain of every ship, more could be learned about sea routes. This plan was carried out. He got out all the old log-books, and with much labor went through them.
"At last the first chart, with sailing directions, was made. Like many new things, nobody believed in Maury's charts at first. We may imagine old sea captains shaking their heads and saying:
'"'What do I want with new-fangled charts! Can't I find my way across the ocean with a compass, just as Christopher Colum bus and all good sailors after him?'
"Yes; but Columbus was shipwrecked, as were countless others who lost their way on the high seas.
"Now, a certain Captain Jackson, commanding a ship out of Baltimore, had faith in Maury and his big ideas, and determined to use the new chart and follow the new track. His voyage was a complete success, and made in just half the time because of these charts.
"Then people began to say what great things charts must be, to save so much time and money. What a wonderful help to com merce !
"A few years after this, scientific men of Europe met in London to honor Matthew Fontaine Maury, the great American scientist, who had done marvels by his practical studies, lessening the dan ger and expen: e of sea voyages and advancing the interest of com merce.
"Maury beet me the highest authority on navigation. He marked out a gre;.t circle route to China, showing the best coaling

THE PATHFINDER OF THE SEAS

145

stations. Then tkere were his 'steam lanes' across the Atlantic, to prevent collision v.'ith steamers, other sailing vessels and icebergs, particularly in the dense fog off the banks of New Foundland. These 'lanes' were twenty-five miles wide, and, like double tracks for locomotives, made travel safe and quick.
"When the San Francisco, a government ship, with hundreds of United States troops on board, foundered in a hurricane and was driven from the path of navigation, it was not known how to find the lost vessel; government authorities called on Maury to do it. He looked over his charts, and knowing the laws of winds and currents, made a cross with his blue pencil at a certain place and said:
" 'It is there.' "Sure enough, there the wreck was found and the survivors rescued. "Now, there was growing wide-spread interest in this way of using scientific knowledge. In 1851 Maury was writing many papers and making many addresses on how research could be fur ther developed. He was telling the people about a plan for study ing meterology. This long word means atmosphere--its moisture, winds, rains, which envelopes the earth like a great basin; and every plant and animal that grows thereon depends on it for life. The changes of the atmosphere, we call weather. In ancient times, the weather was foretold by 'signs' that we never think of now; and droughts and floods and storms seemed sent without any rea son, so no one could be prepared for them. Maury knew that natural laws govern the atmosphere.
"In the past some learned men had studied these laws. Benja min Franklin once observed that storms moved northeast from Philadelphia. Thomas Jefferson, at Monticello, and James Madi son, at Williamsburg, had made observations in 1772-1777, and drawn conclusions of their own.
"Such scattering observations were of no practical use, and Maury wanted to make this knowledge of real help to the people, especially to farmers. His Geography of the Seas had resulted in sailing charts; and he said the same kind of study applied to the laws of the atmosphere, and observations gathered from stations, all over the country and sent out by telegraph every day, would be a practical guide to agriculture and other industries. He wanted

146

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

other countries to understand the great benefit it would be if all worked on the same plan; so he suggested calling different nations together, that they might talk about it. In 1853, at Brussels, under the auspices of King Leopold, there met a Congress for this pur pose. Men from England, Russia, Belgium, France, Holland, Sweden and Norway, Denmark, Portugal and the United States traveled to Brussels to hear the scientific plans of our 'Pathfinder of the Seas.'
"As a speaker and writer, Maury had a clear, strong, beautiful way of expressing ideas, and as the learned men listened to him, they saw what a fine plan he was laying before them for a coun try's development. There were at once established throughout Europe investigating boards to form a system of observation.
"So the plan of what is now known as the Weather Bureau, was first given to the world at Brussels in 1853 by Matthew Fontaine Maury.
"At this Congress at Brussels, Maury also extended his plan for studying the seas. It was taken up by Prussia, Spain, Sardinia, the free cities of Hamburg and Bremen, the republic of Chili, the empires of Austria and Brazil; and the Pope at Rome wanted flags worn at the mastheads of vessels from the states of the Church whose masters would help in this work of studying the seas.
"All these ships were like floating observatories on the high seas; and, though enemies in some ways, all nations became friends in this plan for the benefit of mankind. It was a great work and brought the world together for peace and prosperity.
"Maury returned to his old post at Washington laden with honors and rich in fame. Orders of knighthood were offered him, and medals struck off in his honor.
"Humboldt declared that he had founded a new science. "Go to a Weather Bureau Station in any of our cities, and see the important worlc that is being done for the whole country, and remember that it was originated at the Naval Observatory at Washington, by a scientist of international fame, who was once a little middy, walking and studying on the deck of the Brandywine. "Another great event of the fifties was the laying of the At lantic Cable. Your school histories teach that it was done by Cyrus W. Field. When the first message was sent by cable, a dinner was given in New York in honor of Mr rField. As hero of

THE PATHFINDER OF THE SEAS

14?

the occasion, he was called on for a speech. He arose and said: " 'I am a man of few words: Maury furnished the brains, Eng
land gave the money, and I did the work.' "This very short, honest speech, tells to whom the world is in
debted for the Atlantic Cable. Maury prophesied the still-water plateau under the Atlantic, conducted the deep-sea soundings to prove it--gave the plan in every detail. He even invented, as sisted by Col. John Mercer Brooke, machinery for laying the
cable. "Mr. Field was a patient workman, and England's money was
needed; but without Maury's brains, work and money would have been in vain. The carpenter, the brickmason and the materials are necessary for building; but these must wait on the architect, be fore there can be an edifice.
"Our Maury was the architect who furnished many plans to make his country strong and prosperous. He was a scientist with vision. As head and spirit of the National Observatory, he seemed to see just what was needed all over the land.
"The Southern Literary Messenger, published at Richmond, carried his writings abroad. These he called Scraps from the Lucky Bag, signed 'Harry Bluff.' The 'Lucky Bag* was the brain of America's greatest architect, and the 'scraps' the marvelous plans that did so much for the world's progress.
"There were plans for a United States Naval Academy and many improvements for the Navy; plans for lighthouses on the Florida coast; for a study of the Gulf Stream; for learning the habits of the Mississippi River; for water gauges to be used on river steamers--and other plans of help to the country.
"Maury loved all the beauties and wonders of nature. In the dead of the night, when the noise of the city was hushed, he would go alone to the Observatory and look through the telescope at the stars. He studied the laws of the heavens and wrote a book on astronomy. When a little middy he had learned to put to good use every scrap of time; and this made possible a great life work. He seemed always studying, writing thinking big thoughts for his country--yet he found time for home and his children.
"Let us take peep into the Maury home at Washington: "The day started and ended with his children. It was the father's habit when dressing in the morning, to seat the youngest

148

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

of the family upon the bureau to hold his shaving brush. The others stood around ready to do something for him, and listening to his jolly stories--about life in Tennessee when he was a boy; of the first journey on Fanny, the gray mare; and how after he had sold her to his uncle, he rode her over the Virginia hills. One of his cousins on her black pony, Rosabel, and he on his 'darling Fanny,' as he called the good mare, would take long rides, talk ing of the lifework that lay before him--when he should join the Navy. Happy young dreams that more than came true!
"At breakfast time and for an hour after, the father heard the children's lessons. The girls would tell him, one at a time, about the lesson; and he never asked a question out of the book. Then followed a delightful little lecture that was as good as a story.
"Often he would take out the whole family for a walk, and gather fruit, nuts or bright-colored leaves. Then he would make a 'Tennessee arm,' as he called the long stick with a crutch in the end, for pulling down high-hanging fruit.
"In the evening the father sat at the marble-topped centertable, with the light falling on his bald head and shining curls, writing, while the children danced or romped about. There was 'Nannie Curly,' 'Groggen,' 'Davy Jones,' 'Tots,' 'Glum,' 'Brave' and 'Sat Sing.' These were the nicknames he gave them, for he liked all kinds of fun.
"He enjoyed the little folks, and they never bothered him. Some times a mischievous youngster would climb up the back of his chair and try to curl his hair with a pencil. Or when he was walking back and forth dictating to the daughter who wrote letters for him, some of the children would take hold of the ribbons of his Japanese dressing gown, and drive the 'Pathfinder of the Seas' like playing horse--saying, 'Gee,' 'Whoa!' 'Get up, sir!' He really looked more like a jolly Santa Claus than a scientist who wrote geographies.
"Well, a sad change came to this happy, busy home. The War between the States spoiled many plans. Lieutenant Maury, like Robert E. Lee and other true men, gave up high position and suc cess for the defense of the South. It was hard to leave the Gov ernment to which he had given long years of labor. But duty was the law of Maury's life; and Duty called him to the defense of home and honor,

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149

"On June 10, 1861, Maury was made Chief of the Sea-coast, Harbor and River Defenses of the South. He re-introduced sub marine torpedo warfare, inventing a sure method of explosion by electrictiy. This work done by Maury for the Southern Confeder acy, was appropriated by the General Government, and led to the establishment of the United States Torpedo Corps--making an other contribution by Maury to the Nation's Navy.
"The wonderful brain that founded the National Observatory, the Naval Academy, the Navigation Charts, the Weather Bureau and the Atlantic Cable did more for the United States Govern ment than any other American scientist that ever lived."
"More than Franklin, Grandmother!" exclaimed the children. "Yes, more than Franklin," said Grandmother, "and every young American should know it. Get a pencil, Son, and we will make a list of the practical works and improvements planned by the brain of Matthew Fontaine Maury, and it will show his place among great Americans."
The List of Maury's Works. 1. The National Observatory. 2. The Naval Academy. 3. Navy Yard at Memphis, and other improvements. 4. First Observations on the Flow of the Mississippi and a system enabling information sent by telegraph to captains of steam ers and others. 5. Enlargement of Illinois and Michigan Canal. 6. Plan for Disposition of the Drowned Lands along the Mis sissippi belonging to U. S. Government. 7. Plan for Ware-Housing System. 8. First Study of the Gulf Stream. 9. Wind and Current Charts. 10. "Physical Geography of the Sea, and Its Meterology." 11. "Lanes" for Steamers Crossing the Atlantic. 12. General Maritime Congress at Brussels. 13. System of Deep Sea Sounding. 14. The Atlantic Cable. 15. The Weather Bureau. 16. Naval Submarine Battery Service. 17. Books on Navigation, Geography, Astronomy, and "The Physical Survey of Virginia."

UPON THE PARAPET OF FORT SUMTER
HE trouble with most stories of history is, that they do not begin at the beginning," said Grandmother. "The Revo-
____ lutionary War did not start at Lexington, nor was the war for Southern independence in the sixties caused by firing on Fort Sumter--as you might think from the school histories. I will tell you the story of Fort Sumter, and let us see if we cannot find
the begininng. "At Bunker Hill, the first battle of the Revolution, the patriots
had retired defeated, but not conquered. The battle of Fort Moultrie, fought by Carolina's sons, was the first victory won for the Cause of Independence. It was glorious news that General Moultrie sent the Continental Congress in June, 1776. Patriots at Phila delphia were debating whether or not to sign such a bold docu ment as the Declaration of Independence. No wonder they bright ened up and took courage when they heard of the victory that cleared Carolina's waters of British ships. This news was better than the eloquence of John Witherspoon for trembling knees and doubting hearts, and our good 'Signers' dipped their quill pens into the ink horn and put their names to that paper written by Thomas Jefferson--making it the most famous public document known to American history.
"At the end of the Revolutionary War, in the treaty of peace, Great Britain acknowledged each Colony to be a Nation in itself, independent of her and of each other. The Thirteen States were then as independent of each other as is France of Spain. The Constitution of the United States was formed for the purpose of binding together these thirteen weak communities in a way that each one might live and prosper and be protected from the out side world.
"The British were very slow to believe that the Colonies would stay free and independent. On the frontier, Indians and Tories kept up the warfare, on the seas, no vessel of the States could sail without danger from British seamen. Our sailors were imprisoned and our cargoes seized. England had yet to be taught that we could maintain, as well as found, a free republic on the American Continent. It took the War of 1812 to settle that question for all time. Now the New England States did not want to declare war against Great Britain the second time. They said it would cost to

A Fort that was never surrendered.

FORT SUMTER.

UPON THE PARAPET OF FORT SUMTER 153
much; and manufacturers said, war was bad for trade. The manu facturing states were so opposed to the War of 1812 that they called a Convention at Hartford and talked about separating from the Union, in order to keep out of trouble. But as the Southern States had the spirit to hold the independence they had won, and could be counted on to do most of the fighting, it was finally de cided to stay joined on to us.
"After the War of 1812 was ended by Andrew Jackson's victory at New Orleans, the country built up so rapidly that Colonial times seemed far in the past. New states and territories were added to the union, which brought new problems to the government.
"For nearly a half century, the leading statesmen had lived in the South. For twenty-five years after Washington, the powers of government had been well balanced between the sections. But tariff laws were made which so favored the manufacturing states, that they flourished as no people had ever done before. These laws protected the industry of North and taxed that of the South. This gave power to one section over the other, and politicians used this power unjustly.
"We know there had been put into the Constitution of the United States a marvellous amount of wisdom and justice, which should have been held by each State as a sacred legacy from the founders of our republic. But when commerce and power came to be considered more important than law, the bond between the States was weakened. If the Constitution could be put aside, there was nothing to keep the States under one government.
Wise men saw this, and William H. Crawford of Georgia said it would be better for the North and South to separate while it could be done peacefully. This was in 1824. Richard Henry Wilde, another Georgia Statesman, said that already the South had come to be the Ireland of America. This meant that the weaker section was being forced to pay tribute to the stronger without rights of government. By managing in different ways to have Western states settled by a population that would vote with the North, that section had grown stronger politically as well as com mercially. When the North became so strong politically as to elect a president of the United States who did not receive a single vote from the Southern States, the rule of one section by the other was established. This was in 1860. The South now felt as had the Colonists before the American Revolution--that taxation with-

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out representation is tyranny. Many true men who loved the Union, and the Nation they had helped make great, were grieved. Politicians and newspaper writers stirred up strife, and there was much bitterness on both sides. The North and South had once been like two brothers, together building a great republic under the same protecting government. But the brothers fell out; and the history of the world, from the days of Cain and Abel, has shown that no feud can be so deadly as family feuds. If brothers cannot live in peace in one house, it is best for one of them to build a separate house. This is what the South wanted to do; to leave the old government that belonged to both, and build a new one in the Southern States for our branch of the' American family. Now, since the North had grown big and strong, it had changed its mind about the right of the sections to separate if they could not get on together. The South was wanted in the Union, for the sake of revenue; and the great water course, the Mississippi, was necessary to Northern commerce. Yet the people of the South could not give up the liberty for which their fathers had fought. So, it came to pass, that at Charleston, was signed the first act of Secession--which was much like a second declaration of independ ence. The men who signed the act of Secession in Charleston in 1860, were as true patriots as those who signed the Declaration of Independence at Philadelphia in 1776.
"When two brothers who have lived together decide to part, they should divide their goods without quarreling. The Southern brother withdrew from the government home at Washington, giv ing up army and navy and all stores of arms--everything that was on Northern soil, asking to be allowed to go in peace. The new government was at once founded, and called the Southern Confed eracy. Of course, after this, Federal troops had no right to stay on Southern soil. There were now two Nations, and the Federals were like a thief in a stranger's house.
"Federal troops were withdrawn from some of our forts and arsenals, but not from Fort Svmter. And here begins our story of this old fort.
"The government at Washington promised that Fort Sumter should be evacuated, but instead of keeping this promise, pre pared to re-enforce the garrison. A fleet of eleven vessels was sent with men and supplies. This meant that the Federal government

UPON THE PARAPET OF FORT SUMTER
was going to make war on the Southern Confederacy to force the South back into the Union.
"If a man finds a burglar on his premises, who refuses to go when ordered off, but instead sends for accomplices and fire arms, there is but one thing to do--make him leave. The Federals would not give up Fort Sumter, so the Confederates were forced to make them give it up.
"News was sent out from Washington to Montgomery, the Capi tal of the Confederate government, that this fleet was on its way to help hold Fort Sumter. Our Southern President, Jefferson Davis, who had been calm and patient, sent General Beauregard, at Charleston, orders to take the fort.
"Surrender was demanded of Major Anderson, the Federal Com mander. He refused to surrender. Beauregard ordered the Con federates to take the fort. Then was Fort Sumter fired on ! Moultrie opened the fire, and every gun at Fort Johnson, Battery Gregg and other batteries, joined in--Sumter was enveloped in smoke, and bombarded by fifty guns.
"Out of the smoke there came a flash ! Anderson had answered ! "A brave Northern brother who must hold the fort--as com manded by his government, fired back at the brave Southern broth er who must take the fort--as ordered by the Confederate gov ernment. "One brave man honors another, though an enemy. Without a word of command, every Southern soldier mounted the parapets of the batteries and gave three cheers for Major Anderson! "Soon after, the white flag went up, and Anderson had surren dered--without a drop of blood being shed. On April i4th, Major Anderson and the Federals marched out of the fort with colors flying and drums beating, bringing with them company and private property, and saluting their flag with fifty guns. The Confederates gave to the Federal garrison all honors of war; their men were sent North with every attention to their comfort. "Firing on Fort Sumter simply meant: "'You have no right here, brothers; return to your own gov ernment.' "The one who begins war is not he who fires the first gun, but he who makes the firing1 necessary. "The North would not let the South go in peace--75,000 men

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were called for at Washington to subjugate our land. So began the War between the States--when brothers must fight brothers for what they believed to be right.
"Again Carolina's sons defended her soil from an invading army, and men as heroic as Moultrie of the Revolutionary War, held her forts against the Federal fleet.
"Five miles from Charleston lies Morris Island, facing the broad Atlantic to the east, and divided from James Island by a wide marsh and a winding channel. It is a bare and desolate tract of land, scarcely rising above the level of the water. Yet, during the summer of 1862, this parched and sterile island was the most im portant spot of ground in Carolina--the point toward which all hearts and eyes were turned. Under the burning rays of the South ern sun, the best and bravest soldiers of Carolina, Virginia and Georgia, were fighting in defense of the dear old city. Week after week shells from the Federal besiegers swept like hailstones over the island. Battery Gregg and Battery Wagner replied loudly, and the guns of Fort Sumter joined in the awful concert, keeping up a fire upon the enemy's camps, assaulting columns and fleet.
"Battery Wagner stood in defense of Fort Sumter, and was the fiercest point of attack. Under the bombardment from the Fed eral fleet of iron-clads and monitors, it was being knocked into a sand heap. The enemy approached nearer and nearer, and time and again the Federal commander expected surrender.
"But the defenders of Charleston would not give up. The forts might be battered down, but valiant hands kept aloft the Confed erate flag. There was one obstacle that the Federals could not surmount--could not break or batter down--that was the deathless will of the Confederates. What the men suffered, words cannot describe. Fire from monitors and iron-clads, thunders from the batteries made an artillery fight grander than a thousand Fourths of July rolled into one. The mortar shells fell thick and fast. The Parrott guns were so near and loud, that the men in the forts could not hear their own guns. Shells were bursting everywhere, the hats of the soldiers were covered by sand thrown up by the shells. Sometimes men would die just from shock and noise. There were men down in the bomb-proof holes nearly dead from heat and thirst; and the poor wounded ones had to be kept there for safety. Water was brought from Charleston for them to drink, but not in

UPON THE PARAPET OF FORT SUMTER 157
sufficient quantity; and that in the wells on the island was not good at all. It was almost as much as a man's life was worth to go to a well for water. Yet to see the wounded suffering for a drink--with fever and a parched tongue--was more than the brave soldiers could bear. A tender bond of brotherhood bound these men together, and the humblest was as brave as the proudest. A simple-hearted boy from the backwoods of Carolina, devoted him self to bringing water for the sick and wounded. He was nick named 'Aquarius, the Water Bearer.' Each trip he made to a well was at the risk of his life. Both heels of his shoes were carried off by shells; from that time he walked barefoot.
" 'There is danger in shoes,' said he smiling grimly. "Returning from another trip, he held up one full jug and only the handle of another, saying simply: "'Oh, a shell took it!' "The shell was just as likely to have taken his head. This heroic boy risked his life every hour of the day to give cups of cold water to his dying comrades. "Such heroism in the ranks equalled the courage and skill of the commanding officers, many times proving nobility of soul in humble guise. "In the ranks of Company K of the First Georgia, was a man from Bulloch County named Sturtevant. He was sickly and un prepossessing in appearance. His comrades said he looked like he had been 'dug up.' How one looks who had been dug up, I do not know; but it was no compliment. Sturtevant was not hand some, but a plain backwoodsman, and one looking for a hero would hardly notice him at all. One day he was on guard duty, and had been posted on the rampart at Fort Wagner near the flagstaff. He was told to watch every movement of the enemy, so that the Confederates would know when they were getting ready to attack Fort Wagner. Lieutenant Cyrus Carter put Sturtevant on duty, and then went his rounds to see what the men were doing. At the end of the tour he went back to relieve sentinel Sturtevant. As the Lieutenant crossed the parade, he thought sure he would be struck down before reaching the other side; for shells were fly ing all around and tearing up the ground almost from under his feet. He expected to find private Sturtevant sheltered behind the parapet, where he could watch as ordered. But no; Sturtevant was

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calmly walking back and forth upon the very crest--saying by way of explanation--
"'I want to see good down there!' "The flag staff had been shattered at his side, and with a strip torn from his shirt he had tied the colors to the stump and was bearing it aloft! He wanted the enemy to be sure our colors were not down--making of himself a living flagstaff that might any moment be shattered by a deadly shell. "There were so many heroes in these stormy days, that deeds of thrilling daring were a part of everyday life, often unnoted and unrecorded. Hundreds of soldiers brave and devoted, with one heroic will defended the forts of Charleston, the dear old city, and the land loved more than life by the patriots of American inde pendence. "Battery Wagner tried to save Fort Sumter. But the time came when the long distance guns, carrying two and a half miles, fired over Wagner and began battering down the walls of the old fort. Great masses of masonry fell as each shot struck, and it seemed that in a short time only a pile of ruins would mark the spot. Then the splendid skill of General Beauregard was shown. He rapidly withdrew all guns that might be used for defense at other points, and from the very ruins of Sumter built new fortifica tions, building up at night what was battered down during the day. Behind the debris of fallen walls new batteries were placed; and upon the parapet still floated, proudly, the Southern flag. The enemy looked amazed at a fort that would not stay battered down, at a flag that would not be furled. Sumter was never surrendered.
"But Wagner could no longer be held. The Confederates knew this and kept the secret. One dark night phantom-like forms stole out to the water's edge. Not a sound from an oar, not a word betrayed the fact that the Confederates were evacuating Wagner. Few of the men themselves knew that the last gun had been fired from that battery. They had been ordered to silently change the garrison--and they obeyed. With admirable order the heroes of Wagner and Gregg spiked their guns and embarked from Morn's Island. Captain T. A. Huguenin, of the First South Carolina, was left at Wagner for a short time with twenty men to keep up a slow fire, to deceive the enemy. A train of powder was laid to blow up the powder magazine as soon as all were out, and the Captain's

t.

UPON THE PARAPET OF FORT SUMTER 159

men were to touch it off. It was wonderfully well done. Cool ness, resolute courage and judgment on the part of the officers, and perfect obedience from the men--made the whole thing a suc cess. How skillful and well trained were the men who rowed the boats! Keeping abreast with oars interlocked, they moved silently across the water, bearing the soldiers of the batteries.
"Captain Huguenin, the last to go, barely escaped, being wounded in his knees, and having to wade up to his armpits to reach a boat. The Federals were now firing on the escaping garrison.
"Federal naval and land batteries, monitors and iron-clads, the power of overwhelming numbers and every art known to war, had been devoted to the destruction of the forts on Morris Island. The Confederates did not surrender. Now the enemy could only claim a deserted sand heap.
"Sumter seemed a mere rubbish heap, but there was life and power behind the old fort. The Federals could not believe that a battered down fort could be held. They demanded surrender.
" 'Come and take it!' was the reply sent by the Confederate commander, Major Stephen Elliott.
"Then the Federals planned an assault.
"About 2 o'clock one afternoon, Clarence L. Stanton was of ficer on the deck of the Confederate ship Chicora. A signal officer named Daniels stood near, watching some signalling being made from the Federal flag ship. Turning suddenly to Stanton, he said:
'"Fort Sumter will be attacked tonight!' " 'How do you know ?' asked Stanton. " 'I have just read a message from the flag ship,' replied Daniels. "By shrewd strategy, knowledge of the Federal signal code had been learned; Daniels read the message, and Sumter prepard for the attack.
"Even Dahlgren's picked men, sent by the Federals, could not stand before the reception the Confederates gave them. All the boats of the attacking party were sunk or disabled. By quickness in taking shelter under the walls of the fort, only three men were killed. Major Elliott made prisoners of thirteen officers, one hun dred and two men, captured four boats and three stands of colors. He captured as many Federals as there were Confederates in the fort. One of the flags taken, was the United States flag that ilajor

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Anderson had saluted with fifty guns, when he surrendered Fort

Sumter to the Confederates in April, 1861! This was the famous

v

flag that had been fired on that momentous day in April--the first

shot in the War between the States. For four long bloody years,

the Federals had tried in vain to plant that flag again upon the

parapet of Sumter. Now it was captured by Confederates--and

the Southern colors still floated over the historic old fort.

"Charleston never fell until Sherman's army swept through

Carolina and the dying days of the Confederacy were at hand.

"How Charleston was defended, is a story of heroism, unsur

passed in the world's history.

"Fort Sumter stands in history--triumphant--an imperishable

monument to Southern glory."

From old daguerreotype:

ZORA FAIR, A little ante-bellum girl.

ZORA FAIR
i HE children were discussing heroism. "It is not what is done, but what one iries to do that
makes it heroic," said Little Miss decidedly. "Suppose," said Gentleman Junior, who liked argument, "that Agnes Hobson, who carried the dispatches from Stephen Heard to General Greene, had been caught by the Tories; suppose that dog had barked just as she climbed out of the window, and the men had caught her r afore she got to Silverheels--would she have been a heroine?" "Of course!" cried Little Miss and Daisy-girl together. "But they might have found the dispatches hidden in her hair, she would never have reached North Carolina, nobody would ever have heard of her. Tories would not have called her heroine, but spy; in war spies are hanged." "If Agnes Hobson had never been heard of she would have been a heroine," maintained Little Miss, stoutly. "Would she not, Grandmother?" "Yes, dear, if she had failed, she would have been no less brave. She risked her life for her country, and that was heroic, no matter what the result. I will tell you the story of Zora Fair, which shows the true heroic spirit. "The home of this young girl was in Charleston, among pa triotic, high-spirited people, and she was a true Carolinian. The War between the States brought many changes, even at the be ginning. Homes were broken up, and every energy devoted to the defense of the South. In Charleston, Mr. Abram Crews, of the large mercantile firm of Johnson, Crews & Brawley, was de tailed by the Confederate government to run the blockade to Europe. The Federal navy possessed the seas and blockaded the ports of the Southern States, so we could not carry on commerce with the outside world. Not being a manufacturing people, we depended on supplies from Europe, and the only way to get any thing was to run the blockade--that is dodge warships and smug gle goods through the ports, as all nations have done in time of war. Even medicines and the necessaries of life were contraband of war, and could only be had by running the blockade. It was perilous to do this, but there were men ready to risk anything for the South.

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"Charleston was exposed to many dangers, so before becoming a blockade-runner, Mr. Crews wished to remove his family to a safe retreat. He had friends at Oxford, Ga., a remote village in Middle Georgia, the site of Emory College, and here it was decided they should go. This village gave a warm welcome to many refu gees during the war. From Charleston came the Rutleges, Stevens, Capers, Crews--all families well known in church and state. With Mr. Crews' family came a niece, Zora Fair, who had been entrusted to their care. This young girl was of medium height, slender and frail looking, but her spirit was strong and her powers of endur ance wonderful--as future events proved. Zora was very graceful, and walked with rapid, gliding step; her face was fair, eyes brown, soft and deeply reflective when in repose, but bright and spark ling when animated; smiling lips, expressive of sorrow or joy 5 a face that could be merry or sad. Zora loved old people, little children, and her country! The blood of Carolina's patriots was in her veins; how her heart burned to do something for the'Cause of the South.' But what could a delicate girl do ? Every day she might be seen going to and from the railroad station at Covington, a mile from Oxford, just to wave her hand at the carloads of Con federate soldiers that might pass. She attended the daily prayer meetings held in the village church and visited the hospital. The College buildings had been converted into hospitals, and the wo men of the village lavished every attention upon the wounded Con federates. But all that Zora could do seemed very little to her.
"Down the village street from the Crews' home, was Dell De light, a beautiful place where dwelt the Murrell family. It was a handsome colonnaded house, embowered in trees, shrubbery and flowers. There were magnificent elms and locust trees in stately rows from the side gate to the back 3'ard, with a wide walk be tween. In front the ground was laid off in plots, where bloomed many sweet, rare flowers. And there were nine crab-apple trees, with the fragrant blossoms of white, pink and crimson. At Dell De light, governors, senators and bishops were entertained; the hum blest minister and his family were ever welcome to its hospitality, as were the soldiers who wore the gray. Night and morning prayer was offered for all beneath that roof. Such was the old-time Geor gia home.
"Mrs. Robert U. Hardeman, the married daughter pf the family

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165

lived here. Her husband was for many years State Treasurer of Georgia. Mrs. Hardeman had a mind and spirit in full sympathy with the young girl from Charleston; they often met and talked of the Cause dear to both.
"One summer morning in 1864, there sat on the wide piazza of Dell Delight, a group of ladies chatting of passing events. Zora Fair was there, and she was saying, as she had said many times, how she longed to be of real service to her country. The conver sation was interrupted by a two-horse wagon being driven rapidly to the gate and stopping. A woman was the driver; she sprang out and almost ran up the walk to he steps. There was a basket on her arm; she had eggs to sell. Zora asked:
" 'What is the matter that you are in such haste?'
" 'Why I am always in a hurry,' replied the woman. 'I have to be. I do not have time to comb my six children's hair until after supper. I plow one horse, and my boy, twelve years old, plows the other; my girl ten years old, cooks for us. John, my husband, is fighting for us at the front, and I am helping him back at home. Our children must be fed and clothed, and the place kept free of debt, so John will not worry about us.
"The good woman talked all the way to the gate, then climbed into her wagon and rattled away as if the house were oh fire. Zora followed, listening and praising her energy, telling her she was in deed helping to fight for her country.
"When the girl returned to the group on the piazza, she said sadly:
" 'See how useless I am! I cannot do as much as that poor wo man. Brought up to do nothing but amuse myself and live in ease, I am no better than a butterfly! Oh, if I could only do something to save the South!'
"While these friends were talking in the quiet village home, the cannonading began in Atlanta, forty miles away. The Gate City of the South was falling before Sherman's guns! The booming of cannon was heard at Oxford. How excited were all the villagers! Zora was almost wild with anxiety; with clasped hands, and lips moving in prayer, she walked up and down the piazza.
" 'The Confederates must drive the Yankees from our soil!' she cried. 'The Southern people shall never be subjugated. I know

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GRANDMOTHER STORIES

the Carolinians are unconquerable; they have never known de feat!'
"But hours and days passed, and no hope came to loyal hearts. Raiders, riding in squads from Atlanta, told of Federal victory, and "began to terrorize the inhabitants by acts of pillage and violence. The war cloud hung dark and threatening over Georgia throughout the summer and fall, and all this time Zora's heart burned within her to do something to save her people from destruction.
"It was early in November when the desire that was conturning her cotild be no longer repressed; she resolved to make one desperate effort. It would at least relieve the terrible suspense--the weight of impending evil. Zora determined to go as a spy to Sherinan's camp zmd learn the worst. She got from an old negres.-i the necessary outfit for a disguise and secreted it in her room. One Thursday night after the family had retired, she prepared for her trip. First she cut off her pretty long brown h?ii and crimped the short ends to make it look like a mulatto's1 ; she stained her face, neck and arms with walnut juice, tied up her hair in a big bandana, such as black mammies wore before the war; put on an old ragged shawl, <uiu bundled up to hide her slender figure. The weather was auite cool, so this did not make her uncomfortable. She put some soft rags in her mouth to make her look fuller in the face, and to help disguise her voice. She could talk negro dialect, as she had heard it all her life, and she no doubt looked much like an old negiess as she stole down the back stairway and started on her forty mile walk. Zora was a fine pedestrian, and thought nothing of a daily stroll of several miles. She soon reached Yellow River; the bridges had been burned, and there was no way to cross except on an a par tially destroyed milldam. Zora knelt and asked God to be with her, and then on hands and knees crawled on the charred timbers across the rushing water. Reaching the opposite side in safety, she gave thanks to her Heavenly Father, and went bravely on her way. She walked rapidly all night. Once a' kind man gave her a lift in his wagon, thinking her a poor old darkey. Zora felt that her dis guise was sufficient, as she was not recognized by a native coun tryman.
"When she reached the pickets around Atlanta, she told well her tale of woe; she was an 'ole nigger 'oman' looking for her hus band who had run away to go to 'Marse Sherman.'' Such seekers

ZORA FAIR

167

were common at that time, and she was allowed to pass without comment. Zora cautiously made her way to the General's headquar ters. She asked all who accosted her if they had seen anything of her 'ole man.' She was dismissed as a simple creature not worthy of notice. When she reached headquarters, a fine colonial man sion on Peachtree street, afterwards known as Leyden House, she asked to see 'Marse Gineral Sherman' himself. She was laughed at and thrust aside; but she persisted. In a quiet, humble way she begged to speak to the General. At last she was allowed to enter the house, and to wait in one of the rooms until he was at leisure. The supposed old negress, huddled in a corner, looking as stupid as possible, was left for an hour, unnoticed. The Gen eral was in an adjoining room talking with his officers. He wastoo busy with war plans even to think of a negro. Tired of wait ing, she stole away, and was forgotten. Zora's keen ears had served her purpose; she heard at headquarters all she needed to know. She learned that the inhabitants of Atlanta, regardless of age, sex or condition, had been ordered to leave the city, that it might be destroyed by fire; she learned the plan of the March to the Sea; that Sherman was to divide his army of 70,000 men to go by Macon and Milledgeville, and to meet and lay siege to Savannah. The horrors of war were to be carried into the heart of Dixie, where there were no armed men to oppose this great army--only old men, women and children. The people of Georgia had already seen enough of Federal raiders to know that they would not be spared. No wonder Zora Fair trembled when she knew that the route of this march led by Covington and Oxford, and her one thought was to hasten home. Before the gray dawn of another day, she was passing the pickets on her return. When she reached a sentinel, she gave the password learned in Federal lines. He looked at her sharply and said:
"'Haiti'
"Perhaps in giving the password her silvery voice had betrayed her. Zora did not halt, but quickened her step. Again the com mand rang out:
"'Halt!'
"She went swiftly on. The sentinel fired, and Zora fell among the weeds at the roadside. No one came to investigate. Her ruse saved her. After lying quietly for a while, she crept cautiously

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GRANDMOTHER STORIES

away on hands and knees, and when out of range walked rapidly on her way. She stopped to rest and sleep at humble homes of white people willing to befriend an old darkey. Sunday morning she reached Oxford. Her poor feet were blistered and swollen, her delicate body very weary; but her soul was aglow with patriot ism, her spirit strong. How her friends rejoiced at her return! And with what interest and wonder did they hear of her visit to Sherman's camp. Zora Fair had walked eighty-two miles in less than three days, and risked every peril. Her one thought on that weary walk home had been, 'Oh, God, what can I do to turn Sherman back!'
"General Hood, the impetuous Confederate fighter, had re treated into Tennessee and left the way open for that dreadful March to the Sea. Zora thought if she could only send her mes sage to General Joseph E. Johnston, the wary and skillful com mander, now at his home at Lincolnton, N. C., he would surely find a way to turn Sherman back. With Johnston to face, Sher man would not dare invade her loved Southland! Ah, that would have made a different tale! But little did she know of the fatali ties that beset the brave Confederates. With the faith and loy alty of a child of the South, Zora, without rest or delay, wrote a letter to General Johnston, giving every detail of Sherman's plan as she knew it. Artlessly she signed her own name! The mail bag containing the letter addressed to General Johnston, was cap tured by Federal scouts before it had gone far on the way; they learned that Oxford harbored a rebel spy, named Zora Fair, and began at once a search for her. The first house in the village was Dell Delight; here the Federal soldiers went from room to room'.They noticed an old-time tester bed with curtains around it, and peering behind, saw a door that led into the attic. They were elated, thinking they had found the spy's hiding-place. Instead of Zora Fair, they found barrels of flour, meal, potatoes, peas, apples! Mrs. Murrell had already sent a secret messenger to the Crews home, bidding Zora to flee at once. The girl went to a neighbor's house, but did not leave the village. She was standing on the veranda when a Federal came by. Graceful, gentle, refined, she asked the soldier in her low, sweet voice, why they were so eager to find the spy, as her attempt had failed and General Johnston would not get the letter. The man replied hotly:

ZORA FAIR

iCo

V-

"We will hang her if we find her, and burn the house that dares

shelter her!'

"Zora felt that this was no idle threat. The soldier passed on,

never dreaming that this proud-looking young girl was the spy.

He no doubt expected to find a buxom country lass, bold and dar

ing enough for such an adventure. The threats of the Federals

were angry and harsh; and Zora's friends, fearing, she might be

betrayed into their hands, begged her to get out of harm's way.

At last she consented to go out to The Rock, a romantic spot two

miles from the village. It was a lovely place in spring time, fes

tooned with yellow jessamine and bright with honeysuckles and

many wild flowers--a picnic ground and trysting place of young

people in happy days of peace. But in bleak November it was

cold and cheerless for a delicate fugitive with blistered feet and

aching limbs. Here Zora remained three days, while the search

for her in the village continued. After nightfall, she would seek

shelter at some farm house. The Federals were enraged because

they could not find the spy. The household at Dell Delight

watched anxiously every Blue Coat.

"At last the search was abandoned and Zora returned home.

What nursing and tender care did the poor worn out girl receive

from her frieads!

"Along the road from Atlanta to Covington had spread the

news like an electric flash--'Sherman is coming!' All knew it meant ruin.

"Gentle folks in quiet village and country homes, tried to pre

pare for the invading army. Children thought the packing and hiding of valuables lots of fun; the}' played the Yankees arc com

ing, storing away their beads and coral necklaces with as much

care as grown folks did silver and jewelry. They waved toy Con

federate flags, and felt like glorious little 'rebels.' George Wash

ington had been called arch-rebel by the British; and now General

Robert E. Lee and all the gentlemen they knew were called rebels; so they were quite proud of the title.

"It was a bright day, November i6th, when troops of Federal

soldiers galloped over the Atlanta road by Shitoh Church on Yel

low River (where Zora Fair had crossed the milldam) and reached

Rose Hill, a plantation home. Blue uniforms, brass buttons and

fine caparisoned horses glittered in- the sunshine, as with jangling

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GRANDMOTHER STORIES

spurs the troopers rode through the wide gates of Rose Hill. Autumn roses were in full bloom, making gay the large garden. The horses trampled the flowers beneath their feet, and the sol diers stooping, gathered sprays of roses to stick in their hats and bridles. It was a bright picture--like a carnival of roses--so soon to change to a carnival of destruction. All the barns, gin houses and cotton were burned and all the livestock -killed. Two little girls of the family caught their pet chickens and shut them up in a closet for safety; and when the Yankees left these were the only fowls on the place.
"At Dell Delight, in Oxford, the invaders took every loaf of bread, pound of meat, and all valuables; killed-all the turkeys and chickens, cows and calves. They ransacked the house from garret to cellar, rummaged through every drawer and closet. The lady of the house could only watch them--hardly daring to move. Why, do you suppose? She wasn't afraid. She was too high-spirited for that. Well, the reason she dared not move was that she had around her waist a quantity of family silver, spoons, knives and forks, it being concealed under her crinoline skirt; and she was so afraid it would jingle! Federal fondness for Southern silver as 'trophies' of war, was already well known.
"You may be sure Sherman's army made a great change at Dell Delight. Not much was left on which to use a silver fork or spoon. Even the good cook, Aunt Silvey, simple soul, went off in the army wagon, because she was promised a silk dress when they got to Macon among rich people. Perhaps Aunt Silvey's Georgia bis cuit had been tasted, and she was considered worth enticing away. There was not a live hog left on the place; even Betty, the little buttermilk pig that had been fattened from the kitchen and was a pet of Mrs. Hardeman's small son, had disappeared. After the Yankees had been gone an entire day, there was not a pig to be seen--and then Betty crawled out from under the kitchen!--very hungry, but happy that she did not furnish pig roast for invaders. The little boy cried for joy, and said, "Oh, Betty, I am so glad the Yankees didn't get you!'
"Betty was a refharkable pig. She not only saved herself from Yankees, but prolonged her life in a most curious way. As the only porker on the place, her importance was not without painful misgivings as to future hog-killing times. The family did not

ZORA FAIR

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have a scrap of meat on the table for months after Sherman's

march; what had not been destroyed was given to the negroes,

who worked on the plantation, as they needed it more. But when

it came to sacrificing Betty, riot one of the family would consent

to it. The Murrells ."were gifted musicians, and when the young

men of the family returned from the war, they began to practice

on musical instruments for the College commencement. They

formed a brass band in the village, and young Mr. Murrell blew

the bass horn. Whenever he went up to his room to practice,

Betty would mount the back stairs and go to the door.to listen,

turning her ears about to catch the sounds and grunting with sat

isfaction. As soon as he hung up the horn, she would go slowly

'

back down stairs and into the yard. It was a compliment that a

-f ' musician could appreciate. So Betty grew stout and kept out of

the smoke-house, because of her ear for music! Such taste put her

in sympathy with the family: not one could be induced to eat of

Betty!

"Many were the tragedies and heartbreaks when Sherman

'smashed things to the sea,' but none more touching than the grief

of Zora Fair over the desolation of our beautiful land. She had

risked her life to turn Sherman back--and failed. It was like a

butterfly against a hurricane. The girl seemed crushed. The

fatigue and exposure of her experience as a spy seriously injured

her health. She returned to Carolina to spend her last days, and

there died a few months after leaving Oxford.

"The villagers never forgot the brave-spirited refugee from

Charleston. She failed, but she was a true heroine.

MISS MARY AND "JOHNNY REB"
HE bravest horse I ever knew?" said Grandmother in re ply to the children's questions. "So you think horses have bravery, like men and women? You are right, and
there is the story of 'Johnny Reb' to prove it. He was not a fleet Arabian steed like Silverheels; nor a fiery young colt, like the one that carried Rosanna Farrow to the rescue of her sons; and he did not make a dashing gallop like the good animal which Ruth Sevier rode in pioneer times. But Johnny Red had the heroism of long endurance, like the soldiers of the Southern Confederacy, for whom he was named. His story is told by the heroine who tested his courage, and I will give it to you as nearly in her own language as I can.
"At Decatur, Ga., a town near Atlanta, there is a quaint old home of ante-bellum days. It is a faded house standing just as it did in 1864, when Atlanta was burned by Sherman, and Garrard's Cavalry made this dwelling headquarters. It was then the home of Miss Mary Gay, a brave woman, who did much for the Confed erate cause. More than forty years afterward she still lived there --a gentle, cultured old lady, with many memories of war times.
"After Atlanta was burned and Sherman's army had laid waste the surrounding country, many people suffered for want of food. At Miss Mary Gay's home, there was nothing to eat but a small quantity of corn, which had been picked out of the cracks of bureau drawers which the Federal soldiers had used as feed troughs and gathered from around the camp after Garrard's cavalry left. This corn was washed and dried and ground into coarse meal in a poor little mill that had by accident escaped destruction.
"What sweet potatoes were to the patriot soldiers of Carolina during the Revolutionary War, Indian corn was to the Confederacy. This grain, which in earliest Colonial days had been found to give a strong, sound and nourishing diet, could be eaten in many forms, and it saved our people from starvation during the four year's war. There was hoe cake and corn pone, when meal could be had. Hom iny, which is an African word, had long been a staple dish in the South; in oldest records, it was- called Cream of Maize by Lord Bacon. Big hominy was made from the whole grain. Roasting ears, as we call the green corn, was a succulent food much liked by hungry Confederates. Soldiers under Stonewall Jackson once

r-*>
MARY GAY.

MISS MARY AND "JOHNNY REB"

173

marched sixty miles in two days on three ears of green corn apiece for rations.
"One day Miss Mary's mother came to her greatly distressed, and told her of a young mother with little children, who had noth ing. The children were crying for bread. Miss Mary at once put on a, pot of mush to cook for these destitute ones. She also baked hoe-cakes. With a plate of cakes tied in a snowy cloth, and mush in a tin bucket, she went in search of the mother and children.
"The poor woman was sitting on her doorstep, her baby in her arms, and two children beside her crying piteously for something to eat. Miss Mary was so happy to be able to feed them. She then asked the mother if there was no one to whom she could go for protection while her husband was away in the army. She said a sister of her husband lived near Madison, nearly fifty miles away, who had a home and would take her and the children in, if they could only get there. The railroad had been destroyed; there was not a horse, buggy, carriage or vehicle of any kind left in that sec tion of country. The mother with little children, could never reach Madison on* foot. But Miss Mary did not despair.
"There was a faithful old negro in the village, named Uncle Mack, who loved his white folks too much to follow the Yankees. Miss Mary went to Uncle Mack and told him she must have a vehicle of some kind. He promised to make her one out of odds and ends of those that had been demolished and scattered about over the streets of Decatur. The next thing was an animal to pull whatever Uncle Mack should manufacture. Miss Mary was quite sure he would put together something on wheels, so she de termined to get a horse.
"The next morning, with some if the village girls, she went out to the 'cane brake,' where the wornout horses of the Federals had been turned loose, as better ones were found to take their places. From the number grazing here, Miss Mary selected one, and the wornout Yankee horse was caught and put into 'rebel' service. His most conspicuous feature was a fine pair of eyes--large, brown and lustrous. On each of his sides was branded the telltale let ters U. S. On his back was an immense sore, telling of hard ser vice. Miss Mary took him home, and began to make his acquain tance. About twelve o'clock noon, Uncle Mack appeared pulling something that baffles description.

i7<3

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

''It was not a buggy, carriage nor wagon; but it was on wheels, and that was most important. This nameless vehicle was so funny looking, that Miss Mary could not keep from laughing, and won dering how long it would hold together. She thought, if she got in it, she would very likely have a fall. But Uncle Mack declared that it was better made than it looked to be, and was ready for a journey. She told him to 'hitch up.' With great dignity, good Uncle Mack acted the part of groom, tying the old horse to the ridiculous turnout, with bits of rope and pieces of old sacks for harness. Miss Mary cut a sly glance at her mother, who had come out to view the scene, and as their eyes met they burst into laughter--and tears too, for it was sad as well as ridiculous to have to journey in such style.
"Our heroine was not to be daunted by appearances; she'gath ered the rope reins in her hand and led the old horse away. Be cause of past association, she called the steed 'Yankee.'
"She went to the residence of Doctor Holmes, where Maggie, the young mother, and children were awaiting her. Maggie's trunks were put into the vehicle, and a chair for her, as she had to hold her baby; the two other children nestled at her feet. Miss Mary walked and held the rope reins.
"Poor 'Yankee' seemed to feel the importance of his mis' '"on. and jogged along at pretty fair speed. His driver did not fir..'.! it easy to keep pace with him. Miss Mary felt like a patriot, and indeed, she was one, for she loved her native land, and gladly shared the hardships of the soldiers who were defending it. As she journeyed on, a sad scene met her eyes.
"Not long ago, many pretty homes had dotted the landscape; now not a sign of them remained, except the chimneys--'Sherman's sentinels' they were called. 'General Starvation' now reigned over this country.
"It was a slow journey, for the old horse could not keep up his brisk gait. The children grew restless, pent up in the wagon; they wanted something to eat; and there was nothing to give them. When night came, they had gone only eight miles'. Not a living thing had they seen since leaving Decatur--not even a bird; the only sounds were the horse's feet on the rocky road, and the mother humming a song to her baby.
"It was a dark night. Miss Mary had to trust to the instinct

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177

of the horse to guide them; she followed where he led. At last a faint glimmer ahead, gave them hope. They soon reached a cabin. Miss Mary dropped her ropes, and going to the door, knocked--at the same time saying, 'It is Mary Gay.'
"The door was quickly opened, and showed the sweet face of a friend, a mother, who with her young boys, had taken shelter in this cabin. Miss Mary and her proteges were kindly welcomed by this good woman, who was willing to share with them. The children were told that supper would soon be ready.
"One of the boys drew from the bed of ashes roasted sweet potatoes, took them to the table and peeled them. Then he went outside and drew, a pitcherful of sparkling persimmon beer. How good this frugal repast seemed to the hungry travelers! Miss Mary thought of her mother at home with nothing to eat but a little coarse hominy, and so wished she could have one of the sweet yams and a drink of beer. After a while the good lady of the cabin made a pallet for the children. The boys brought in wood with which to keep up the fire during the night, and then retired to their bed of seed cotton in the back of the cabin. The three ladies, with shawls around their shoulders, tried to sleep sitting in chairs. The next morning the old horse was found none the worse for his toil. He had fared well, for there was a partly eaten pumpkin, some ears of corn and fodder near by.
"After breakfast Miss Mary and her party bade adieu to the kind friends who had sheltered and cared for them. There was a bond of affection between them all, for fathers, husbands and brothers were away in the army, fighting for their beloved native land.
"The old horse walked faster, and seemed to appreciate every attention shown him. He and Miss Mary had already formed a friendship that lasted to his dying day. The road was rough and hilly, and more than once he seemed to need a word of encourage ment.
"Nothing of interest happened on the second day of the trip. They passed through a desolate country. The woods had been robbed of their beauty, the fields of their produce; homes lay in ashes, and not a bird, not an animal was to be seen. In one spot, where once stood a home, a dog crouched beside the solitary chim ney, keeping guard over the ashes. He would allow no one to

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

approach. Poor faithful watch dog! he would never again be

warmed and fed from this hearthstone.

"The second night they reached the home of Mr. Montgomery,

a friend of Miss Mary. Here she and her proteges were given

food and shelter; and an early start next morning enabled her to

reach Social Circle--a point on the Georgia Railroad beyond the

reach of raiders' destruction: Here the mother and children took

the train for Madison.

"Miss Mary, wishing to see them safe to their destination, left

her horse and wagon in the care of a Mr. R--.

The next morning she returned to Social Circle and found that

her horse had been sent to a sorghum mill to grind cane! It was

afternoon before she could get him back, and he was broken down

instead of being fresh for the journey.

"Miss Mary took occasion to purchase such articles of food as

she could take home: a sack of flour, for which she paid one hun

dred dollars; a bushel of potatoes, several gallons of sorghum, a

few pounds of butter and meat. This was a heavy load for a poor,

jaded horse, so Miss Mary walked every step of the way back to

Decatur. To give 'Yankee' the needed encouragement, she walked

by his side with her hand on his shoulder--an act of endearment

he seemed to appreciate, and showed it by the expression of his

large brown eyes. She talked to him, too, telling him they were

getting nearer home every step. She did not believe he was a

Yankee, but a captured Confederate. Though worn out, he had

the same spirit of not giving up, as did the soldiers who wore the

gray. If a tuft of grass was seen by the roadside, the horse was

permitted to crop it; or if a muscadine vine with its tempting ff
grapes, was discovered, he nibbled the leaves of low shrubbery,

while Miss Mary gathered fruit for the dear mother at home.

--f

"Poor patient 'Yankee' did the best he could, and his'mistress

did all she could to help him. But the time came when he could

no longer quicken his pace at the sound of a friendly voice. He

needed food; his strength was spent.

"Miss Mary was looking forward to finding lodging at the home

of her friend, 'Uncle Henry Clark,' whose place she had often

visited. They reached the site of the plantation settlement, and

she stood amazed--bewildered! She felt as if she would sink into

the ground, so keen was the shock of disappointment. At last she

AN OLD-FASHIONED FIREPLACE IN MISS MARY GAVS HOME.

I

MISS MARY AND "JOHNNY REB"

181

wept like a woman in despair. This is what she saw: elegant rose wood and mahogany furniture, broken into a thousand fragments, covered the ground as far as eye could see. China and glass seemed to have been sown broadcast. The home had disappeared--scat tered to the four winds in ashes and smoke. Not even a chim ney was left to mark the spot. Such was the work of the vandal army on its March to the Sea.
"Gone forever was this home of the old South, with its gentle manners, gracious hospitality, and Christian graces. No wonder Miss Mary wept! She said water ran from her horse's eyes. Was it tears?
"Near the site of the 'big house/ stood a row of negro cabins, occupied by the slaves who had belonged to the place. The mas ter and mistress who had cared for these ignorant black people in sickness and health, teaching with unending patience the first les sons of civilization, were now homeless.
"Miss Mary turned away. She remembered that a Mr. Fow ler lived further on, and she would try to reach his place. Her poor dumb friend turned a pleading look upon her; he seemed to ask how she could expect more of him. But what could she do but move on?
"She urged the horse to make another effort; he again turned .that look upon her--beseeching and pathetic. It frightened her, but she did not know it was a last appeal, and 'Yankee,' despair ing of making her understand that he could not move on, delib erately laid himself down in the road. Miss Mary knelt by his side and told him the true state of affairs and begged him not to desert her now. She told him it would be cruel to do so and used every argument she could think of to stir him to renewed effort. All in vain. 'Yankee' did not attempt to rise, and his large lustrous eyes seemed to say:
"'I have done all I can!' " 'Lord have mercy upon me!' was all Miss Mary could say. She rose to her feet and saw an object approaching which proved to be a man on mule back.
"'Oh, sir,' cried Miss Mary, 'I know the Lord has sent you herel'
"He was a Confederate soldier who had been wounded, and was on parole--a friend and willing to help her. He went to the

182

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

.'

C

l

negro cabins and asked them to take care of Miss Mary and her

turned with him. He said to Miss Mary: 'These are old house

prostrate horse for the night. Two negro men, with lanterns, re-

servants of Mrs. Clark, and will prove worthy of trust.'

t

"How comforting it must have been to be met at the cabin door by a black mammy, and warmly welcomed to the humble abode; no doubt she was happy to have a 'white lady' to wait on once more. Miss Mary was given an easy chair in the corner, and Mammy assured her that no harm would befall her while under her roof. The chair was one saved from the wreck of Mr. Clark's furniture; his books were piled on the tables and many articles from the destroyed home were recognized. But Miss Mary had no censure for these family servants. No wonder their ideas of honesty were confused! Yet she knew their natures so well, and the long-established bond of affection between them and their white folks, that she did not hesitate to trust them in every par ticular. Her groceries had been brought into the house and care fully stored away.
"Miss Mary sat and read a while; the kind-hearted mammy thought she must be tired and sleepy after such a trip, and begged her to rest. Mammy was too well trained to offer _a white lady one of her beds, but bustled about devising a place fit for her guest. Two large cedar chests were placed side by side; out of these chests, once belonging to the 'big house,' were taken Mrs. Clark's fine bed linen, nice clean quilts, snowy counterpanes and feather pillows; and Mammy made a bed upon which Miss Mary declared, 'a queen might have reposed in comfort.' She and the black mammy were the sole occupants of the room that night.
"At dawn of day our traveler was up and ready to continue her journey. The first thing she saw when she opened the door, was 'Yankee' standing and eating; but he was too weak to pull the wagon. Miss Mary hired one of the negro men to take her grocer ies to Decatur. He drove an ox to her wagon. She paid him one hundred dollars for the service. That was in war-time money-- you remember the sack of flour cost a hundred dollars.
"Mammy gave Miss Mary a good breakfast, and she and 'Yan kee' took up the march home.
"As Decatur came to view, there ensued a scene which baffles description. Women and children, with tin cans picked up from

MISS MARY AND "JOHNNY REB"

183

the Federal camping ground, ran after Miss Mary begging for something to eat--just enough to keep them from starving. Not one was turned away; before the poor, rickety, cumbersome wagon had reached its destination, its load was much lighter.
"Faithful Uncle Mack had done his work well, and that queer looking vehicle--called a wagon, though it was like no wagon ever seen--held together and served its purpose. But for the sorghum grinding, 'Yankee' would have held out too.
"You may be sure Miss Mary took the best possible care of the old horse, and this was not the only trip he made to succor the destitute people about Decatur. When provisions were again needed to keep her mother and neighbors from starvation, Miss Mary planned another foraging expedition. She went to Uncle Mack, and asked him to harness 'Yankee' to the vehicle again. Only Uncle Mack knew the mysteries of that harness. He made all as secure as possible, and they started on their mission.
When the poor neighbors saw her passing, .they ran out with sacks, begging her to bring them something for their starving children. She took all the sacks given her, rolled them in a bun dle, tied them to the cart, and amid blessings and good wishes went on her way.
"As Miss Mary walked beside 'Yankee,' she noted with joy ho.w much her kind treatment had improved him. His ribs did not show so plainly, his coat had become soft and silky, and the sunlight brought ou,t the pretty tints from light to deepest brown. The long black tail, which had once hung limp and lifeless, was now gracefully moved from side to side, and his glossy mane waved like a maiden's tresses. His gentle face, lighted by large brown eyes, would have attracted an artist like Rosa Bonheur. In com pliment to his improved strength and beauty, Miss Mary patted his silky coat, and stepping lightly into the wagon seated herself in the chair fastened there. 'Yankee' seemed to feel the compli ment, and started off at a brisk gait, which was kept up until he reached a hill.
"They were passing through a most desolate country, ravaged by war. Miss Mary looked at her noble horse and wondered why she should call him 'Yankee/ Would this gentle and brave ani mal trample upon the weak and defenceless? Had he not, on the contrary, given his failing strength to their service? So she de-

184

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

cided to change his name. If battle ships are christened why not war horses? After rejecting several names, 'Johnny Reb' came to mind. It touched the right chord! Miss Mary, you know, had a secret belief that her horse was a captured Confederate. The sol diers who followed Robert E. Lee were called 'Johnny Reb.' What more honorable name could he bear?
"With gentle hand she made him bow his head, and with the clear water of a brooklet, Miss Mary christened 'Johnny Reb,' and consecrated him to the services of the Confederacy.
"On the return trip from Social Circle, Miss Mary and 'Johnny Reb' came very near being captured by Yankees. She was halted by a party of Federal soldiers, and waved her bonnet as a flag of truce. The Federals asked her where she got her horse branded 'U. S.' Then she told the story of 'Johnny Reb.' The men laughed, and cried:
" 'Hurrah for Jeff Davis and the Southern Confederacy!' "They could but honor a woman so true, and showed their re spect by giving her an escort to Decatuf."
Grandmother paused, but the children were not satisfied. "What became of 'Johnny Reb'?" they asked. "Is that all?"
"My dears," said Grandmother, "I wish such a brave horse could have had an easy old age, with nothing to do but crop grass and rest in a comfortable stable. But 'Johnny Reb' was true to his name, and gave his life for the Cause his mistress loved so devot edly. With the best care and light work, he might have served it longer, but he had to obey the commands of 'General Starvation.
"One day about three months after the last trip to Social Cir cle, a man came to Miss Mary, and said she must let him have the horse and wagon to go to Gainesville to get provisions for his family. Miss Mary had been so fortunate as to procure by some means, a real wagon, which, with 'Johnny Reb,' constituted the com missariat of the community. Time and again had they brought food to starving people.
"Gainesville, in a mountainous region, was too far for such a trip. Miss Mary knew that her horse had not much power of en durance left. But the man's family was starving; he was desper ate, and said if she did not consent he would take the horse and wagon anyway. Who could blame him? The country had been foraged for miles around, and was bare of produce. Gainesville

MISS MARY AND "JOHNNY REB"

185

was the nearest point where provisions could be found. Miss Mary told the man that 'Johnny Reb' was a wornout horse, and could not serve his purpose unless very carefully used. He must walk be side the loaded wagon as she had done. With this caution, she let him go.
"Days passed and Miss Mary awaited 'Johnny Reb's' return with much anxiety. At last one day a neighbor came and told her they were coming; and it was said by those on the watch, that the driver was riding on the loaded wagon. It was evident that he had proved a hard master. As soon as Miss Mary saw her horse, she knew he was nearly dead. His every movement was dejected; his head drooped, and it seemed that he could harly lift his feet.
"When left alone with him, she put her arms around him and wept; she said tears were in 'Johnny Reb's' eyes, too. He seemed to know that he had made his last journey. He laid himself down like a gotid warrior, under one of the oak trees on the lawn. Miss Mary made some gruel for him, and tried to feed him with a spoon. The brown eyes looked at her gratefully, but he could not take nourishment. His mistress put a pillow under his head, covered him with a blanket, and after many loving pats and words of en dearment and gratitude, she left him for. the night.
"The next morning she found brave 'Johnny Reb' cold and stiff. He was dead."

THE LAWN WHERE "JOHNNY REB" DIED.

A GIRL OF GOLDEN HEART
"The knightliest of the knightly race That since the days of old,
Have kept the lamp of chivalry Alight in hearts of gold;
The kindliest of the kindly band That, rarely hating ease
Yet rode with Spottswood 'round the land, And Raleigh 'round the seas--
\Ye thought they slept!--the sons who kept The names of noble sires,
And slumbered while the darkness crept Around their vigil-fires;
Iiiit, aye, the Golden Horse-shoe knights Their old dominion keep,
Whose foes have found enchanted ground. I'ut not a knight asleep!" --Frank O. Tichnor.
" 'There is no land so fair As old Virginia;
And I believe that Happy Land, The Lord's prepared for mortal man, Is built exactly on the plan
Of old Virginia.' "This quaint little rhyme seems quite true," said Grandmother. "To my eyes, no spot of earth can be more beautiful than the Val ley of Virginia, and none richer in romance and heroism. "It was nearly a century after the settlement of Jamestown, that Governor Spotswood, at the head of a troop of horse, first explored the hitherto unknown country beyond the mountains. Upon his return he presented to each of his bold companions a golden horse shoe, inscribed with a legend in Latin which means, 'He commands to cross the mountains.' This caused them to be named in history, 'Knights of the Golden Horse-shoe.' It was in August, 1716, that these early Virginians first looked down from the heights of the Dlue Ridge upon the fair land, then inhabited only by red men. They may have said as did Daniel Boone when

MISS T1LLJE RUSSELL.

A GIRL OF GOLDEN HEART

189

he stood on the summit of the Alleghanies--'I own the wild beasts in a thousand valleys.' For this was true by right of discovery. They saw a magnificent country, watered by many streams--none lovelier than the Shenandoah, which is an Indian word meaning Bright Daughter of the Stars.
"Since the time of the Knights of the Golden Horse-shoe, Vir ginia has been the home of men more daring--whom patriotism commanded to cross many mountains of difficulty, and to reach heights of glorious achievement. More than a century after the days of Spotswood, valiant men of the same race defended the soil of Virginia; men of noble spirit--knights of golden hearts. These were the soldiers in gray who followed the immortal Lee and Jackson.
"How the Confederate soldiers loved the dear old valley! They loved its varied landscape, its bending orchards, its cool springs and crystal streams, and its genial, hospitable people. And like true knights, they loved the women of this patriotic land, so de voted to the cause for which the soldiers fought.
"The history of the town of Winchester in the Shenandoah Valley is replete with romantic stories of the war. Happy were the soldiers who could spend a few hours in this old town when free from hostilities. The aristocratic mansions opened for their entertainment; and among the girls there would be such rubbing and scrubbing, sewing and shining, to make all things festive for the soldier boys! How lovely were Winchester girls in calico or homespun dress, as they sang Dixie or Maryland, l\Iy Maryland! What delightful moonlight walks and dances--when the cruel war could be forgotten for a moment of pleasure!
"One summer evening, a gay party of young folks had just be gun to have a good time; the darkies were tuning the fiddles and cream was freezing in the back yard--when a courier dashed up to the gate.
" 'Prepare to move in an hour's time!' cried he; and that com mand changed everything. The music ceased, merry voices were low, and there were brave smiles through tears, at goodbyes that must be said. As they rode away from the gate, a Major said:
" 'Confound the Yankees! I wish they would behave them selves and let us have a little fun.'

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GRANDMOTHER STORIES

" 'And to think of all that nice cake and ice cream!' said an other boy in gray.
"Soon the camp was all astir; the long roll beat, the order rang (iut:
" 'Fall in!'
And soldiers in gray left the happy retreat for battle. Never did men fight with more courage and desperation. They knew what was at stake: the dear old town, the hospitable homes they had just left, the whole Valley, the land they loved must be pro tected from an invading army. No other cause can so fire the blood and nerve the hand, as that for which fought these Knights of Golden Hearts.
"But the bravest soldiers led by Jackson, Lee and Ashby, could not save the Old Dominion. There was a warfare more cruel than bullets and bayonets, waged against the beautiful Valley of Vir ginia. The Federal general, David Hunter, conquered with fire brand. Under his orders, the Virginia Military Institute, where our Stonewall Jackson had taught lessons of honor and patriotism to Virginia's sons, was burnt. Hunter also burnt the homes of Governor Letcher and many citizens, destroying the entire con tents--women and children barely escaping with their lives.
"Then came Sheridan and his 'barn burners,' laying waste the substance of the Valley. General Grant had given orders that he make the Valley so bare of food that a crow flying over it would have to carry rations. Sheridan obeyed orders, and stated in his official report that he had destroyed over two thousand barns filled with wheat, hay and farming implements, and over seventy mills filled with flour. There was desolation throughout the Valley of Virginia. No one can describe the suffering of women and child ren left homeless and starving!
"When the town of Winchester fell into Federal hands, the girls who sang and danced in happy days, were ready with tender hands to nurse sick and wounded brought from battle-fields. In loyal devotion they shared the soldiers' glory. There is a story of one girl of golden heart, worth recording for future ages:
"It was in 1864, when General Ramseur, commanding a Con federate force near Winchester, was suddenly attacked by Federal troops under General Averill. After a sharp encounter, the Con federates were forced back through the town. The battle-field was

r>
i V

From an old painting.

RANDOLPH RIDGELEY I. A Hero of the Mexican war.

A GIRL OF GOLDEN HEART

193

near the residence of Mr. Rutherford, about two miles distant, and the wounded were gathered in his house and grounds. Among them was a boy named Randolph Ridgeley, son of Lieutenant Randolph Ridgeley of the Mexican war.
"Eighteen years before the War between the States, a match less young officer under General Taylor in Mexico, had won the title of the Bayard of the United States army; for he was, with out fear and without reproach.' Lieutenant Ridgeley once raced his horse on the sea wall of St. Augustine, and leaped into the water unharmed. His brilliant feats of daring won the admira tion of comrades; and such daring brought victory to the American flag at the battle of Resaca. His home was Elk Ridge, near Balti more, and his father, a courtly gentleman, was a friend of John Randolph of Roanoke--for whom the son and grandson were named.
"Now in another war, Randolph Ridgeley the Second, had been desperately wounded. After the fight was over, General Averill, the Federal commander, reconnoitered that part of the battle-field where lay the young soldier. Stopping, he looked at the youth, and seeing intelligence in his countenance, asked:
" 'Can you tell me the strength of the Confederates on this part of the field?'
Young Ridgeley returned the General's gaze calmly, and replied:
" 'Sir, you surely do not expect a Confederate to answer such a question 1'
" 'I do expect it, sir, or I would not have asked it,' said the General sternly.
" 'Then you will be disappointed, for I shall not answer it.' There was no mistaking the spirit of the prostrate Confederate.
" 'What is your name, boy ?' demanded the baffled General, not without rising respect.
" 'Randolph Ridgeley.' " 'Are you related to the late Captain Ridgeley, distinguished in the Mexican War?' " 'I am his only child,' was the reply. " You are fighting on the wrong side, boy 1' exclaimed the General.

194

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

"" "

"I am fighting on the right side--the one my father would be
on had he lived.' "General Averill had no reply for this confident assertion, but
he lingered by the soldier boy. '"Would you like something to drink?' he asked kindly. "Young Ridgeley was suffering intensely, and gratefully re
ceived the brandy put to his lips by General Averill. Then calling the Federal surgeon who had charge of the field, the General or dered him to examine Ridgeley's wound, and see that water was
given him to drink. "The surgeon found that the wound was a bad fracture of the
thigh, requiring, it seemed, amputation, and as he could give no immediate relief turned his attention to others.
"For three days and nights the wounded boy lay on the ground, sleepless from pain. Many wounded needed attention, and the Federal surgeons could not do it all. They wanted nurses. Ask ing for pencil and paper, young Ridgeley wrote a note to Doctor Love, of Winchester, asking help in dressing wounds and caring for the sick. There was prompt response, and more than twenty ladies came out on this errand of mercy. With them was an ex tremely pretty and attractive young girl named Tillie Russell. It happened that she stood near where Randolph Ridgeley lay, when a surgeon passing by, remarked:
" 'That boy will die if he doesn't get some sleep; he has not slept since the battle.'
"To Tillie Russell, the suffering soldier boy was a stranger; she had never seen him before that day and might never see him again. But she was a girl of Golden Heart, devoted to the Cause of the South, and glad to offer her services to the care of any sol dier who wore the gray. Kneeling beside Randolph Ridgeley, she tenderly lifted his head from the haversack of 'hard tack1 that had been his only pillow through long hours of agony. Then she sat beside him, letting him rest on her arm. She was so sorry for the poor boy, as she bent over the damp brow, trying to comfort him. Her gentle touch seemed magical; soon the restless tossing ceased, and she knew from his regular breathing that he slept. She feared to move a muscle, lest she disturb him.
"It was a beautiful moon-lit night. Nurses passed to and fro, putting water to fevered lips. Death too, came among the suffer-

"WOMAN'S DEVOTION" Photograph of original painting.

A GIRL OF GOLDEN HEART

ers, and relieved the agony of many; moonbeams fell on still and rigid features, while blessed sleep rested on Randolph Ridgeley. Tillie Russell's arm grew very tired with the weight of the sleeper; but life was stealing back into the pain-racked body, and perhaps the boy .dreamt of home and mother.
"The surgeon in charge had been inquiring for some kini of red material, to make a flag to indicate that Mr. Rutherford's home and grounds constituted a hospital. Tillie Russell gave him the red knitted shawl she wore as protection from the chill and dew. Loosening her hair, she let it fall about her neck and shoulders-- while her shawl did duty as hospital flag. Slowly the hours passed; the dews of midnight dampened the hair of the young watcher. She ached with the burden, but would not give up her charge. All through the long night, Tillie Russell held the head- of the wounded boy, so he could sleep. At dawn when the surgeon made his rounds, he found her on duty as he had left her the evening before --and Randolph Ridgeley's life was saved 1
"The heroine watcher was ill from the fatigue of that night on the battle-field. Her arm was almost paralized, and for days she could not lift her hand. For weeks she lay suffering, but cheered by the thought that she had saved a soldier to her country.
"At the home of Mr. Robt. G. Conrad in Winchester, Ran dolph Ridgeley lay for many weeks, battling for life--and won.
"Tillie Russell has been immortalized in story by that charm ing Virginia writer, John Esten Cook. Years after the Confeder ate war passed into history, an artist named Oregon Wilson, of New York, read of this romance of the battle-field, a romance more beautiful because true, and was inspired to paint a picture show ing the spirit of devotion that belonged to our women during the war. This painting is of a young girl with strong, tender face, her hair falling over her shoulders and her arms supporting a wounded soldier. The artist called the picture Woman's Devotion. It was exhibited at the Philadelphia Centennial, and at all the larger cities East and West, impressing those who saw it as an object lesson in heroism.
"This Girl of Golden Heart served in other ways the cause to which she was ever loyal. A few months after the night watch, a Confederate soldier (Captain R. J." Hancock, of the Louisiana Infantry) was brought into Winchester wounded and a prisoner.

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GRANDMOTHER STORIES

He was notified that when he was well enough he would be sent

to Fort Delaware, one of the most hopeless of Northern war pris

ons. The citizens of Winchester were permitted to bring food

and comforts to Confederates. By good luck, Captain Hancock

was placed in that ward in the hospital which was in charge of

Miss Tillie Russell. "One Monday morning Miss Russell and her little sister Lucy

came to bring breakfast. With it was brought a letter, which had

somehow passed the enemy's lines and fallen into Tillie Russell's

hands. Captain Hancock read the letter; it was from a young lady

in Southern Virginia, to whom he was engaged to be married. He

turned to Miss Russell and, giving her the letter, said:

"'It is from my sweetheart; we were to be married this fall,

and here I am badly wounded, with nothing to hope for if I ever

get well--but a Northern prison.'

"Tillie Russell read the letter, and then said in the most deter

mined way:

*

" 'You do as I tell you. I will feed and nurse you to health

and see that you get out of this place. You shall never go to a

Northern prison!

"This girl of the Shenandoah had the spirit and devotion of

'Stonewall.' Captain Hancock said she reminded him of the great

and decision brought hope to his heart; he trusted her and de

spaired not.

leader as she spoke so calmly of what she would do. Her courage

"One evening a few weeks later, a simply dressed man, wear

ing the badge of a hospital attendant, and with a market basket on his arm, passed quietly out of the building and was seen no

more. Thus disguised, Captain Hancock reached the Confederate lines in safety. A month after, at a home in lower Virginia,

there was a wedding--which ended the war record of a Captain of

the Louisiana Infantry. The surrender of General Lee soon fol

lowed, and peace settled over the land.

"The Valley of Virginia suffered much and long during the war. It was the battle-ground of Northern and Southern armies; its

rich lands helped feed the Confederates; and the generous barns

supplied forage for many troops until destroyed by Sheridan.

"Now plenty again smiled on the war-stormed valley. Ruined homes were rebuilt, barns went up as by magic, stout fences were

"RUSSELL". Photographed from life. Thi horse won eighty thousand dollars on the turf.

A GIRL OF GOLDEN HEART

201

repaired and every trace of war vanished. The Shenandoah was once more
'A land of failing herds and fruitful fields-- All joys that peace and plenty yield.' "Once more pleasure and sport made gay the life of old Vir ginia. Famous for thoroughbreds in men, women and horses, there were ever representatives of her soil bearing the names of noble sires. "At the race courses at Long Branch, Saratoga, Gravesend, Coney Island and Washington, some of the finest thoroughbreds in horseflesh came from Ellerslie farm near Charlottesville, owned by Captain Hancock, formerly of the Louisiana Infantry. Those who scanned the programs of the races learned that the blue rib bon went time and again to a beautiful racer, named Tittie Russell. Year after year there would be a Russell from Ellerslie to carry the colors to victory. Few knew the romantic story of why the horses of beauty and speed bore proudly the name of a Winchester girl of Golden Heart. The superb horses of Ellerslie were a rare living memorial to " 'Woman's Devotion.'"

SWORD OF RANDOLPH R1DGELY 1.
The scabbard iof gold and inscribed as follows: "Citizens of Baltimore to Lieutenant Randolph
Ridgeley. Third Artillery. U. S. A., Palo Alto Resaca de la Palm, May 8,9. 1846.

A NATHAN HALE OF ARKANSAS
| RANDMOTHER," said Little Miss one evening, "did all knights of chivalry ride fine horses like Stephen Heard's
__ Silverheels?" Grandmother put down her knitting and drew the little girl to the stool at her feet, while the other children took their usual places for the evening talk and story. "So you think, dear, there is connection between fine horses and chivalry? In olden times when knights in armor rode prancing steeds, chivalry meant the cavalry that bore arms in protection of the king's dominion. Those like King Arthur and Round Table Knights, were high born, high-spirited and ever ready to draw sword in defense of right. But in our times, when we speak of chiv alry we mean the spirit of self-sacrifice, and not outward things. It is the noble heart that wins the title. "You remember the story of Sir Phillip Sydney--how he passed the cup of water from his own fevered lips to those of a dying com rade, saying, 'Friend, thy need is greater than mine.' This act is held up to the world as showing the true and beautiful spirit of chivalry. War, with all its horror and cruelty, awakens in some hearts this light of love. This was true during the four years of the Confederacy, and stories of the chivalry of the soldiers in gray are a glory to them. Once, towards the last of the struggle, after Hood's defeat at Nashville, a wornout Confederate brigade was marching in Tennessee. The weather was intensely cold, and tht whole earth covered with snow. Many of the men were barefoot, and there were not half a dozen overcoats in the brigade. They reached Columbia about nine o'clock--at least the head of the col umn did--but the lame and the halt were coming up by ones and twos all night. "Early the next morning, when the company formed to march through the town, the First Georgia took the lead. In the first file of fours, was a young fellow of about twenty, who on the march the day before had been compelled to throw away part of his baggage, because he was too weak to carry it. Like a true soldier, he threw away his blanket,which meant protection against the cold, and kept his musket. Now he marched at the head of the regiment, though his trousers were worn to a fringe from the knee down, and his barefeet cracked and bleeding, left their mark upon the frozen road. At this moment a private of cavalry came riding by; he

A NATHAN HALL OF ARKANSAS

203

turned and looked at the poor fellow so ragged and needy--then,
reining his horse, threw his leg over the pommel of the saddle and took off his shoes. Throwing the pair down at the lad's feet, he
saki:" 'Friend, you need them worse than I do'--and galloped away." "What jolly pluck!" cried Gentleman Junior. "They might have
been brothers to Sir Phillip Sydney." "It is the same spirit of chivalry, wherever found," said Grand
mother. "There are more ways of dying for one's country than on the field of battle. You have read in your history of Nathan Hale-- called the Martyr-Spy of the Revolution. He was one of the cap tains General Washington sent into the enemy's lines to gain need ed information. He went disguised as a loyalist schoolmaster, and after staying awhile in the British camp, was suspected and arrest ed as a spy. The papers proving this were found hidden in his shoe, so he was tried and hanged. This was merely the fortune of war, and what every spy must risk--just as the soldier risks his life when he goes into battle. Nathan Hale was handsome and brave, and when sentenced to die, he said he was sorry he had only one life he could give for his country. There have been other martyr patriots in American history--none greater than the boy of Arkan sas--David Dodd. He had the chivalry of Phillip Sydney and the heroism of Nathan Hale. More than this, he chose death rather than betray the confidence of--not a friend, but an enemy. He was not a tried soldier, like Nathan Hale, trained to the hardships of war, but just a boy seventeen years old. He was born in Lavaca County, Texas, in 1846. When he was a child the family moved to Little Rock, Ark. He was a student at St. John's College when the war began, and had to leave his studies and work in a telegraph of fice. When the Confederates were repulsed at Little Rock and driven south in December, 1864, many loyal families went too-- the Dodds among them. When they had reached Camden, a small town sixty miles from Little Rock, David's father found it neces sary to send him back to attend to some family affair; as he was under age for military service, it was thought there could be no dan ger to him. David went to Benton, spent a few days there, then rode on to Little Rock, having received a pass through the Confed erate lines from General Fagan, who was a personal friend of the Dodd family. General Fagan thought that as the boy was to make

204

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

the trip anyway, he might act as spy. So he asked David to bring back what information he could gain regarding the strength of the Federals, and their plan of campaign. Also to bring from the Con federate authorities at Little Rock, a report prepared by them. You may be sure the boy was proud of this trust, and the chance to do something for his country, even if he was too young to go to battle. We can never know just what happened at Little Rock, when Da vid was there as spy. It is said that his sweetheart, a little girl of sixteen years, knew of his errand from General Fagan and helped him get information from the Federals. No doubt she and David, in happier times, had been schoolmates, he carrying her books, as gallant boys do, playing and dancing together, and sending valen tines and loving each other as innocent gay school children should. Now that David was trusted as spy by a Confederate commander, he was a hero to the girl, and she wanted to help him be more than a messenger--to do something that would count for the cause of the Confederacy. It was thought afterward that a Federal officer on General Steele's staff must have written a report betraying se crets of war and given it to the girl, which she gave to the boy .spy. It is a mystery yet; but we know someone gave Federal secrets to David, and he left Little Rock with important papers for General Fagan at Camden. He had a passport, so he got safely through the Federal lines. Then something happened that changed everything. A terrible storm overtook him, and before he reached the Camden road he lost his way and wandered back to the picket lines. Having given up the passport, he had none to show, and the sentry would not listen to his explanation about losing his way. He was taken back to Little Rock a prisoner. David knew his danger if the Federal report was found on him, and he tried to destroy the paper; but the guard caught him in the very act, and it was taken from him. When they reached head quarters, and the paper was found to contain all about the Federal army at Little Rock, David was known to be a spy, and he was hurried to prison. The next day he was tried and condemned to be hanged. But he was told if he would give the name of the Federal from whom the secrets had been obtained, he might go free. This Federal was a traitor, and if found must die the death of traitors. Now it would have been very easy for David to betray the confi
dence that had been given him, or his little sweetheart, and thus

A NATHAN HALE OF ARKANSAS

205

save himself. General Steele thought sure he would do this. But no; David said it would not be right. The man who had given him Federal secrets had trusted him, and he would not betray a trust. When the news got out that David Dodd, the bright boy, who a few months ago was a student at St. John's College, was held as a spy and condemned to be hanged the very next day, hundreds of men and women thronged headquarters and watched for hours to see General Steele and beg for David's life. There were many sad hearts in Little Rock on that bitter cold day in January.
" 'If he will give the name of the traitor, the boy may go; if not, he dies.' This was the answer of the Federal General to the petitions that he spare the young life.
'"I will not tell.' That was David's answer to the General's demand.
"There was something strong in David Dodd that made him hold honor dearer than life. So he made his choice. He was not a spy sent out by his commanding officer, like Nathan Hale, who must accept, as does every soldier, the chances of war. David was just a boy, sent by his father on an errand, and brave enough to undertake a service for his country by bringing dispatches for General Fagan. By doing this, he risked his life. A mere boy, who in time of peace would have been playing ball, doing sums-- happy and free--why should his life be taken? He thought of mother and home, and the little sweetheart. Life looked bright and full of hope to one so young. But must not even a boy be true to his word and never tell what was given him in confidence?
" 'Strange!' thought General Steele when he heard that David Dodd would not give the name of the traitor. 'Just a boy, too!'
"So the General went to David himself: 'We do not want to hang you, lad/ said he kindly. 'Just give me one name--of the man who wrote that paper--and you will be pardoned and sent home. Do you not know I must find the traitor in my camp?
" 'The information was given me in confidence,' said David; 'it is not honorable to betray confidence even from an enemy.'
"Still the General plead with him to save his life. " 'I will die/ said David, and that was all. "The cruel law of war must be obeyed--a spy must be hanged. "So in front of St. John's College, where a happy schoolboy

206

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

David had once walked free, a rude gallows was built. "Again General Steele went to him and said: 'Tell me the name
of the traitor, and you shall live.'
" 'I will die,' said David calmly and for the last time. "He had written a letter to his mother, telling her of his perfect willingness to die for his country.
"And so ended the life of one of the youngest and truest martyrpatriots known to history.

GENERAL GABRIEL J. RAINS.

THE FAME OF AN INVENTOR AND "A LITTLE YELLOW DOG"
|T was just a common little yellow dog," said Grandmother, "but he saved human life, and was at the beginning of some very important events in history.
"We must go back to the year 1840, when the U. S. Govern ment was trying to conquer the Seminole Indians in Florida. The Cherokee Nation had given up all claims to their native soil and had been removed from Georgia. But the Seminoles were uncon querable. They hated the white man and all the ways of civiliza tion ; so they fled to Florida and hid in the hammocks and swamps. Here they were hunted and many killed but were never subdued.
"Whether or not it was right for our government to do this is not the question; it was the duty of United States soldiers to obey orders and fight Indians. To the red man, it seemed cruel and un just, and we cannot blame him. Still civilization means law, and the country could not be given up to savages. Florida is now c beautiful cultivated state; but at that time it was a fit hiding place for Seminoles.
"In April, 1840, the Seventh U. S. Infantry was stationed at posts in the interior of the peninsula, and the country had been di vided into squares of twenty miles each. Headquarters were at Fort King, commanded by Colonel Whistler; and Captain Gabriel J. Rains commanded at Fort Micanopy, just twelve miles distant.
"There was an Indian village within sound of the drums at Fort King, but it was so surrounded by swamps that it had not been dis covered by the soldiers at the fort. The Indians k~new how to fool the white men and made them believe that the village was twenty miles away. Following the trails shown by Indian guides, one would have to travel that distance to reach it--when in fact it was not a mile from the fort.
"Colonel Whistler was deceived in this way, and believing the village nearer Micanopy than Fort King, he asked the Commanderin-chief, General Zachary Taylor, to let him exchange headquarters with Captain Rains.
"It happened in this way, that the Colonel's command, consist ing of several companies of infantry and dragoons, was transferred to Micanopy; while Captain Rains, with his small number of men,

2io

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

was sent to the important and dangerous post near the hostile vil lage. The Captain soon discovered the situation and reported the mistake that had been made; but he was unheeded.
"The Indian Spies, who watched every movement of the enemy, very soon found that the force at Fort King was small, and at once they became bold. Captain Rains' men were so frequently waylaid and killed, that it was dangerous for them to walk around the post. At last two were murdered in sight of headquarters. The Indians fought from ambush, and not in fair open field; so something must be done to stop these assassinations.
"Here was a handful of United States soldiers surrounded by hundreds of savage warriors, with no means of protecting them
selves. In the first year of the war, (December, 1835), on a march from Tampa to Fort King, Major Dade's entire command of one hundred and twelve U. S. soldiers had been massacred from ambush by eight hundred warriors of the Seminole tribe. Here was an other small command in constant danger of being destroyed withwithout a chance to fight for life. Then the pages of history would have had another dreadful Indian massacre to record--and that would have been an end of it.
"But fortunately, Captain Rains was a man of wonderful re sources. He had genius for invention and knew about an instru ment of destruction called the torpedo, which had never been suc cessfully used in warfare. The idea was to place a quantity of pow der in some kind of vessel and arrange a primer so it would explode if pressed or struck in any way.
"Suppose my tea cannister was filled with powder and a long friction match put in it with the end exposed so a slight blow would ignite the powder; there would be an explosion. Anybody could put powder into the can, but to touch it off just at the right time, took ingenuity like Captain Rains possessed. Powder used in this way served as fire arms, at times, better than gun or cannon. Cap tain Rains was a fine chemist, and it was by the use of certain chem
icals that he made a very sensitive primer and constructed the tor pedo. With this strange invention, he determined to save his men from massacre. Taking the clothing of the two men last murdered from ambush, as covering for the torpedo, he placed one a mile from
the post, near a pond, where the Indian warriors came for water. "A day or two passed, then early pne night the loud booming

A LITTLE YELLOW DOG

211

sound of the explosion told that the torpedo had been found. Quickly Commander Rains and some dragoons who happened to be at the post rode to the spot where had been hid the deadly missile. All was still and not an Indian in sight. Where the torpedo had been, lay an opossum--dead. It appeared at first as if the little animal might have caused the explosion; but on examination it was found that a bullet had killed the 'possum. An Indian trick 1 The cunning savages had put the dead animal there after the explosion, which no doubt had destroyed one or more of their number. They were much terrified by such a strange weapon. A big gun hidden in the ground, that was fired with no man to pull the trigger was un heard of.
"This was the first torpedo ever made effective in warfare. "Early the next morning, Captain Rains, with sixteen men--all that could be spared from the post--went to the hammock where the Indians were thought to be hiding. He would send the men skirmishing through the place, which was covered with bushes and saw palmettoes. It was impenetrable except next to the forest road. Here lay concealed nearly two hundred savages all ready for action. But the soldiers did not know this.
"Suddenly, a little yellow dog that had followed them, began barking furiously and running into the thicket.
" 'There is our little yellow dog again!' exclaimed Captain Rains. 'See what he is barking at.'
" 'Nothing sir/ replied one of the soldiers--'unless it is a rabbit.'
"Then there must have been more than one rabbit, for now the dog was running and barking on the other side of the pond. The men saw nothing, but the animal's instinct told him that savages were near.
"Yes; and they were plotting to kill the small party of soldiers; only fear of another hidden torpedo delayed the massacre. The little dog continued to bark, as if determined to give the alarm.
" 'Sergeant Smith,' said Captain Rains, 'see what that dog is barking at!'
"The sergeant turned and followed the dog four or five paces, then shouted--'Indians!'
"The men who were close behind him fired their guns quickly. and in a moment the whole hammock was alive with Indians--

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GRANDMOTHER STORIES

yelling and shouting. The little party of soldiers was surrounded.
The Captain shouted: "'Men, clear the hammock, take to the trees and give them a
fair flght!' "The sergeant who had followed the dog, received the first shot.
With blood streaming from his mouth, he said:
" 'Captain, I am KILLED I'
"These were his last words. If it had not been for the warn ing given by the dog, the whole party would have been lost.
"While the brave Captain was rallying his men, he was badly wounded--shot through the body--but continued to command and encourage the soldiers until the Indians were driven away. He was then carried to the fort in the arms of his men. Nine of the sixteen soldiers had fallen, but the Indians were subdued and the fort saved, thanks to the torpedo and the little yellow dog.
"The Captain never forgot this dog. It had been soon after he took command at Fort King that he first saw the little animal. One night when going on his usual duty of examining the garrison and surroundings, a common little yellow dog had sprung upon him, bitten him and torn his trousers. It might have been in play, or a warning of Indians in ambush. The Captain did not then know what a friend this dog would prove, so keen to scent danger and ready to give alarm; he only thought it annoying to have him barking at his heels. The officers had also complained of the nui sance. So the little creature was ordered to be sent away or killed. No one thought of seeing him again--until the day in the ham- . mock, when he appeared on the scene and by his persistent bark ing warned his Captain that Indians were near. He was a faithful, affectionate dog, and I hope he at last received a pat on the head as thanks for his service.
"Another torpedo was put out, and forgotten, until a loud re port startled every one at the fort. This torpedo had been buried and covered by a red shirt--a fine plaything for a rollicking puppy. When the men went to the place, they found the little yellow dog, literally torn to pieces. His warning barks had saved Captain Rains and the fort; his death saved some other life, perhaps a poor Seminole.
"So the story 'of the first torpedo ended with the fight between sixteen U. S. soldiers and hundreds of Seminoles in Florida. The

A LITTLE YELLOW DOG

213

first torpedo successfully used in warfare prevented a massacre of the garrison at Fort King. The second killed the little yellow dog. A third one had been put out by Captain Rains. After he was wounded and unable to remove it himself, his men put a guard over it, for they were afraid to handle this new weapon. When talking about it afterwards, an officer asked:
" '{Suppose Captain Rains had died, what would you have done?' " 'We thought,' was the reply, 'of firing at the spot from a safe distance with a six-pound shot, and knocking the thing to pieces.' "The torpedo was then as strange to U. S. soldiers as to In dians. "This incident of the Seminole war is not recorded in general history, and might have been forgotten, but for the connection with future events of great importance. "Twenty years after, when our country was divided by the War Between the States, Captain Rains, now a general in the United States army, resigned his commission and joined the Southern Con federacy. He was a native of North Carolina and a graduate of West Point. Throughout the Indian wars, he had won distinction. He was among the first to be engaged in the Mexican War, being one of the defenders of Fort Brown in May, 1846. When the de mand for the surrender of this post was made by General Ampudia, Captain Rains gave the deciding vote against it, thereby saving the United States flag. "General Rains was known in the Northern army as a brave soldier, and also as an inventor of rare skill. When he resigned to join the Confederacy, his loss was spoken of with regret. " 'Rains is a man we cannot afford to lose,' said his former com rades. When his skill became known to the Confederate Govern ment, he was made Chief of the Torpedo Bureau at Richmond.
"It was June, 1862, after the battle of Williamsburg, Va. A brigade commanded by General Rains, formed the rear-guard of General Johnston's army and was trying to get his artillery and that captured from the enemy over a mud-slush. The roads of Virginia were almost impassable at times. The heavy artillery had to move slowly, and the brigade could do nothing to protect the army. The enemy were passing and shelling the road as they passed. This means that they were throwing shells in the ranks of the slowly retreating army and killing the sick and wounded

2i4

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who brought up the rear. . "Seeking to protect these poor soldiers, General Rains fell back and saw in the road, in a mud-hole, a broken down caisson. This is a carriage for conveying ammunition. It had been left here be cause it could not be pulled through the mud. He found in the caisson five shells, which he put in the hands of five soldiers, and went with them to the rear, where the Confederate cavalry guard was stationed. The Colonel was present, and under his supervis ion, they planted four shells in the road beyond a fallen tree. Gen eral Rains placed the shells in the earth, and after they were buried to the top, primed them with some of the sensitive primers--just as he had done in Florida years ago to protect his men from Indian massacre. Then he covered them lightly with soil, and the Con federates retired and left the roadway to the enemy.
"There were two explosions as the Federal cavalry came upon them. The effect was the same on these soldiers as on the Seminoles. They were appalled and checked instantly. For three days and nights the Federal army halted--afraid to move. So the four torpedoes placed by General Rains stopped the 115,000 men undei General McClellan and turned them from their line of march. Thus the rear of General Johnston's army was protected. Fear of the torpedo kept the Federals from ever using the road again.
"This was the first subterranean torpedo employed by the Con federacy.
"It was shown that two torpedoes could stop the advance of a great army; and it was found, that placed in rivers and harbors, this weapon could arrest the progress of a fleet of iron-clads.
"One memorable Sunday in April, 1865, General Rains and his family were dining for the last time in Richmond. Several officers were their guests; the gift of a turkey from a friend made a good dinner possible, and that had been rare in the besieged city, where food was scarce and high. While seated at the table with his guests, a messenger brought General Rains a note, which he read and put aside without comment. The note was signed 'Jefferson Davis,' and contained these words:
" 'Richmond must be evacuated. Prepare to leave at dusk.' "The dinner came to an'end with nothing to mar its gracious hospitality. The guests were left for a moment, and General Rains spoke quietly to his wife:

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" 'The city is to be evacuated. We leave at dusk with Mr. Davis; pack a satchel for each member of the family.'
"The furniture, silver, servants--everything was to be left, only necessary clothing and a few personal possessions taken; besides three trunks containing important papers of General Rains' official connection with the Confederacy.
"On the train that left Richmond at dusk, was Mr. Davis, mem bers of his cabinet and other officials; General Rains, his wife and seven children.
"The great Chieftain of the fallen Government, looked calm and dignified. Mrs. Rains remarked on his serenity.
" 'I have nothing to regret,' said Mr. Davis. 'I have done my best, and accept the fortunes of war.'
"With General Rains, were several members of his torpedo corps. One of the young officers had in his coat pocket a number of those sensitive primers that had made the torpedo service so effective. Accidentally the young man's pocket struck the arm of a seat. There was an explosion. Of course, there was no danger, with only a primer and no powder; but some one cried:
"'Torpedo!'--and consternation prevailed. "Secretary of War Mallory, a very stout gentleman, sought to escape through a car window, but his size was greater than the window; he stuck--midway--until some of the party extricated him. It was a ludicrous sight--the big Secretary of War in a panic over the innocent noise of a Rains' primer. "How heartily all laughed! Mr. Davis, too, and perhaps the little incident lightened the gloom of the passing hour, when so many hopes and fortunes were falling thick and fast. "At Danville, Virginia, Mr. Davis and his party were treated as honored guests of a devoted people. Here at his headquarters at the home of Major Sutherland, was written the last proclama tion of the President of the Confederacy. Before leaving Danville, news came of General Lee's surrender, and our party pushed on to Greensboro, N. C. At this place, a cottage was vacated for their use. From thenceforth, were they fugitives indeed, often without shelter, camping and cooking what provisions could be had. Some times a basket filled with nice things would be sent from a planta tion, or jugs of buttermilk, or tin pails of eggs brought to them by little negroes.

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"Part of the journey from Greensboro was made by wagons. When near Charlotte, N. C., a courier came to the wagon line and reported Federals bearing down upon the fugitives. Mr. Davis dismounted and with his officers, took his stand under a large tree; the military escort prepared for battle; not one would desert the Con federate Chieftarn.
"But this alarm proved to be false and the journey was con tinued.
"It was somewhere near Chester, S- C., that the fugitives halted for days. Here they lodged in box cars. The whole country was now at the mercy of the victorious army.
"The President of the Confederacy was called 'traitor' by the Federals, and capture meant imprisonment, perhaps death. To any home that sheltered him might be brought peril, ruin. So serious was the danger that Mr. Davis advised General Rains to bury all documents and other matter that might be called treason able by the enemy. Three trunks filled with records of the Tor pedo Bureau, General Rains had coated with tar or some prepara tion to preserve them, and buried. He made a memorandum of the exact spot, that they might be recovered at some future day.
"Soon Mr. Davis and his party were scattered never to meet again: our Chieftain to suffer in prison and irons, but to live in im perishable honor in the history of his country.
"General Rains never retraced the route of that memorable jour ney from Richmond. After his death, the trunks, which had been buried many years, were remembered by his son, and one was re covered. It is a queer old army trunk, which held safely through tragic days and long years, valuable papers, the records of Gen eral Rains' invention and services, and even boxes of those won derful primers of which he alone knew the secret. Thus was pre served the true account of the first torpedo of modern warfare-- and with it the story of a little yellow dog.

HOME OF THE RHINDS,
Augusta, Ga., From which the window weights were taken and molded into bullets
for the Confederacy.

THE*DAVID
HE children were so much interested in the story of the first torpedo, that they wanted to know more about it and what it did for the Confederacy.
"When the South undertook to fight the Federal government," said Grandmother, "it was like David going out to meet Goliath. And often during the long and cruel war, the torpedo was the stone in David's sling.
"In many ways did we find the value of little things, and of those new and untried. The young Confederacy, that must fight a Goliath, had to resort to all manner of shifts and devices to supply munition of war. The simplest articles were used in strange ways. Church bells supplied metal for artillery, and household silver was offered, not merely for currency, but to be made into explosives. Women of Virginia gave their jewels, their household plate and be loved heirlooms, that had been handed down for many generations, raising means to build a gun-boat to defend Richmond. Iron rail ings, old and new; scrap-iron about the houses, broken plough shares about the farm, iron in any shape, in quantities however small, was sent to the Tredegar Iron Works at Richmond to be put into the furnace and made into new shapes--into shot and shell for the defense of the land we love.
"At the beginning of the war, there was very little gunpowder in the South, and the Confederacy had to make its own powder. Colonel George W. Rains had charge of the powder mill at Au gusta, Ga. At this, time, it was the finest mill of the kind in the world, and the gunpowder made there the best. London papers gave an account of the Powder Works at Augusta; many distin guished gentlemen visited the place and admired the extent and capacity of these works. It was the excellent powder made here that helped save Fort Sumter and Charleston during the four year's war; for the armor of the Federal iron-clads gave way before pro jectiles hurled by the force of this strongest gunpowder. You may be sure the patriotic citizens of Augusta did everything possible for the success of the Confederacy. When if was known that Colo nel Rains needed lead for bullets, private property was readily of fered. In one beautiful old home, the mistress had the leaden win dow weights taken but and sent to the Powder Mill. They fur nished two thousand pounds of bullets. The windows were very

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troublesome after the sash weights were removed, but no personal comfort was considered in the matter of defending the South.
"Colonel Rains heard that the Army of Tennessee (before the fall of Atlanta), was about to run short of small arm ammunition, and he determined to send a large supply at once. Not having enough laborers at the works, he called on the ladies of Augusta to help make cartridges. This call was promptly answered, and women's skillful hands produced 75,000 cartridges a day*
. "Of all the achievements of the Confederates, there was none more wonderful than the use of the torpedo. From time to time in the past, efforts had been made by adventurous men, to get pow der to explode under water in a way to be of service in warfare. The idea was good, but they failed to carry it out.
"In 1813, when William H. Crawford, of Georgia, was travel ing to France, as United States Minister, he met Robert Fulton, of New York, and dined with him. At dinner they talked of the ex periment Fulton was then making for 'fixing cannon under water' --as he called it. Crawford wrote about it in his Journal, saying that Commodore Decatur approved of the plan, and he hoped to hear of Fulton's success in the course of a year. The Georgia statesman never heard of the success of these experiments, though he lived until the year 1834. The torpedo was a failure until taken up by the Confederates early in the sixties.
"Commander Matthew Fontaine Maury, as Chief of the Seacoast, Harbor and River Defenses of the South, introduced the tor pedo into the Confederate Navy. Many opposed the use of this weapon because it was unknown to warfare.
"Maury, being thoroughly scientific, devised a marvellous tor pedo system, calling for electrical apparatus. His trial experiments to explode under water were made in his bedroom, at the home of his cousin, Robert H. Maury, on Clay street, Richmond. He used very small charges of powder, submerged in an ordinary wash tub. With torpedoes of his own device, constructed and operated under great difficulties, Maury mined the James River, several times at tacking the Federal fleet at Old Point, and leading the first attack in person.
"Just before this time, the Federals had attempted to lay a cable across Chesapeake Bay to Fortress Monroe but failed. They left a roll of wire, which later was washed up by the waves, and found

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by a friend of Maury, who gave it to him for his electrical torpe does. The wire, which in this unexpected way fell into Confeder ate hands, made possible the defense of James River, which kept out the Federal fleet. The electrical torpedo was considered the more desirable kind, but there could be no electrical apparatus without insulated wire, and there was none of this in the South. If there had been enough wire, every river and harbor might have been protected, as was the James River. This might have changed the fortunes of war. So, in 1862, the Confederate government or dered Maury to Europe to perfect his system of torpedo defenses, and to get the necessary material. His department in the Navy was left in charge of Lieutenant Hunter Davidson.
"General Gabriel J. Rains, of the Seminole War in Florida twenty years before, and now Chief of the Torpedo Bureau at Richmond, might well have been called a veteran in this service. His skill was well-known to General Lee. It was in the summer of 1862 that Lee sent for General Rains and said to him:
" 'The enemy has upward of a hundred vessels in James River. We think they are making an advance upon Richmond, and if there is a man in the Confederacy that can stop them, you are the man. Will you undertake it?'
" 'I will try,' was the answer. "It was on the James River, opposite Drury's Bluff, that Gen eral Rains planted the first sub-marine torpedo of his own device, and the defense of Richmond from the Federal fleet was maintained. "When Lee surrendered, Maury was in mid ocean on his way home from England with a complete electrical torpedo outfit--too late to defend our land.
"Now, while all this preparation was going on, the little sensi tive primer made by General Rains was the main dependence for actual torpedo defense. So simple and easy to use, it did much of the work planned for the electrical system.
"Records prove there were sixty-eight Federal vessels destroyed by torpedoes during the war. Twelve were sunk in Mobile Bay. Only two vessels were destroyed by the electrical torpedoes; so we see what a great work was left to the sensitive primers.
"The great iron-clad Tecwmseh .was the first victim of the tor pedo. This vessel was leading Farragut's fleet and running close to Fort Morgan when she was struck. Instantly she careened and

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went down, carrying one hundred and fifty officers and men. With them lies Captain Craven, U. S. N.--one of the best and bravest of American commanders. When his ship was struck, he was at foot of the ladder leading up to the open deck, from which he could have escaped. But the pilot came running up, and instead of going ahead, the Captain stepped back, saying, 'After you, pilot/ and then went down with his ship. The pilot lived to tell of this noble
act of self-sacrifice.
"Eight of the TecumseU's men were out on her deck, when she went down. They leapt into the sea. Some of them were rescued by Confederates, others were picked up by Federal boats. When Admiral Farragut saw the Tecumseh sink, he took the lead of his fleet, and under fire from our guns, lowered boats to save the strug gling men. Seeing this, Captain Dick Page, commanding the Con federate forts, cried out:
" 'Pass the order to fire no shot at the boats that are saving drowning men!'
"It is the most glorious thing in war to protect a brave enemy. Amid heroism on both sides, the first great war ship was destroyed by a torpedo.
"The story of the torpedo defenses of Charleston by Confed erates is one showing highest courage and skill. The stationery torpedoes were fastened in a network of ropes around the harbor, and the Federal fleet lying outside dared not enter. The Federal Admiral was blamed by Northern critics for not steaming in and taking the city; but he knew how the harbor was protected, and that no vessel could stay above the surface a quarter of an hour in those waters.
"There were used all kinds of torpedoes; some made of beer casks, pitched inside and out with resin and coal tar; others were of tin, glass demijohns, copper and iron. The beer kegs'seemed the best kind, for they remained air-tight. One of them is said to have exploded in Charleston harbor after being under water four teen years. These kegs were filled with powder, and completed by the attachment of half a dozen sensitive primers, which would explode when struck and thus, set off the powder.
"Then there was the floating torpedo; that could be sent out to sea, and which was constructed so as to explode just at the right
time for the destruction of war vessels. No wonder these strange

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defenders were a terror to the Federal Navy. "The skill and ingenuity with which torpedo warfare was de
veloped by the Confederates was shown in their use of the first submarine boats. Visitors to Spanish Fort, near New Orleans, may still .see, half submerged in weeds and flowers growing on the banks of bayou St. John, a rusty vessel of curious shape. It is built of iron, about twenty feet long; besides a propeller at the stern, it is adorned on either side by strongly fashioned broad metal fins. This boat is an interesting relic; it is one of the first submarine torpedo boats constructed by the Confederates who first showed the world their practical use in warfare. Perhaps the most famous of these boats was the Hunley, which destroyed the Housatonic, a large Federal iron-clad. This queer-looking boat was made to dive under the water with a torpedo attached, and to strike the war ship beneath the surface.
"Captain Francis D. Lee, of St. Louis, an intelligent young of ficer of General Beauregard's staff and a member of General Rains' torpedo corps, originated the spar-torpedo, which is now in gen eral use in the United States army. Captain Lee claimed that by means of a torpedo fastened to a pole, and that to the end of a boat, and striking under water, any large vessel might be blown up. The Jlwilcy, called the 'fish torpedo boat,' was designed for this purpose.
"The story of the boat is most heroic and sad. At its first trial in Mobile Bay, the Hunley was swamped and the crew lost. The part of the boat called fins was designed to work so as to lower and raise it; but something went wrong, and the boat failed to rise to the surface. The crew shut up in this strange prison suf focated at the bottom of the bay.
"The loss of the first crew did not stop the use of the torpedo boat. It was raised, and eight men at once volunteered to try it again. The second time something went wrong; the boat was again swamped, and six of the eight men were drowned.
"At last it was decided that Charleston Harbor would be a bet ter place for such service. The Hunley was sent by rail to Charles ton to be used in defense of that city. General Beauregard turned the boat over to a volunteer crew, known as the 'Hunley and Parks Company.' This crew practiced diving and raising many times, until one evening in the presence of a number of specters on the

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wharf, the boat sunk and remained sunk for days--thus drowning a crew of nine men. This made twenty-three brave lives lost by the Hunley. The boat was raised, and the bodies of the crew buried in Charleston Cemetery. A monument with suitable in scription marks the spot.
"This torpedo boat was again refitted. Captain Dixon, a Kentuckian, now took charge of it, and other fearless men made up the crew. The Captain was moved by high principle in making this venture. He had taken active part in the construction of the Hunley, had caused other men to perish by danger he had not shared, and now he resolutely demanded this opportunity to risk his own life. These men would shut themselves up in the torpedo boat, and with a lighted candle to test the air, sink beneath the water to see how long they could with safety stay there. It was found that in twenty minutes the candle would cease to burn-- showing the air exhausted. Then the pumps must be vigorously worked to supply enough air to sustain life. The men agreed that when one of them decided he could stand it no longer, he should say, 'UP'--which would be taken as a signal to raise the boat to the surface.
"One afternoon they went down, down. The candle flickered out and thick darkness prevailed. The men worked the air-pumps, but uttered not a word--something was wrong with the pumps-- a quantity of seaweed clogged them, as was afterward found. The air was exhausted. But so plucky was each man of that crew, that no one would be first to give the signal for raising the boat.
"Not a word was said--except an occasional 'How is it?' be tween Captain Dixon and the men at the pumps, until, as the voice of one man, the word 'UP' was spoken by the nine men. Then followed a few dreadful minutes--waiting to see if the fins of the fish-boat would work, or if all would stay at the bottom. This time the surface was reached--and fresh air! How sweet it seemed to the half-suffocated men! The sun had been shining when they went down, and the beach lined with soldiers.
"It was quite dark when the boat rose. There was only one man left gazing at the spot where the Hunley had last been seen. A light was struck and the time taken: they had been under the water two hours and thirty-five minutes. The solitary soldier said they had been given up, and a message sent to General Beaure-

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gard that the torpedo boat had sunk and all had again been lost. You may be sure the crew was gladly welcomed by their comrades ashore.
"Some weeks after this brave experiment, the following news was published in the papers:
"'The submarine torpedo boat, Hunley, on the night of February
17th (1863), sunk the sloop-of-war Housatonic outside the bar off
Charleston, 8. 0. No news of the torpedo boat.' .
"The Housatonic had lain close in shore on soundings. One moonlight night the Hunley, with Captain Dixon in charge went on its perilous mission. The outlook on the big sloop saw some thing strange moving in the sea. The chains were slipped and engines backed--when the crash came. The big vessel sank three minutes after being struck. The torpedo in exploding, tore off the whole stern of the ship, which sank upon a sandy bottom without losing a man. The Hunley disappeared forever. Several years af ter the war, the United States government sent wreckers in sub marine armor to examine the wreck of the Housatonic. They re ported the torpedo boat lying on the sea's bottom about one hun dred feet from its victim. The crew no doubt had died of concus sion, killed instantly, as fish are, by the force of an explosion. Had Captain Dixon raised the boat to the surface before touching off the torpedo, he and his men might have escaped.
"The records of war contain no story of daring to surpass that of brave Captain Dixon and his crew.
"Thus was one of the large vessels of the blockading fleet de stroyed. Every other blockader, taking fright, fled, and the port was open for several days.
"The bombardment of Charleston by the Federal fleet went on month after month. Day after day the Monitors and a tremen dous war vessel called the New Ironsides, would take their places directly opposite Port Sumter and pour out a steady stream of shot and shell. The work of a monitor was terrific; a cloud of smoke, a deafening roar, with the rush and noise of an express train--and a huge shell would pass overhead and explode, tearing down the walls of the fort until it lay in ruins.
"The New Ironsides was the most formidable ship of the fleet, a veritable giant of an iron-clad. She is said to have carried at bow and stern two hundred pound Parrott guns and nine Dahlgren

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guns on her sides, which were fired in rapid succession. To silence this ship seemed a feat too daring to contemplate, but the Confed erates defending Charleston were ever ready to offer themselves
for any hazard. "Mr. Theodore Storey, of the city, had built at his own expense
a small cigar-shaped boat called "The David." It was designed ex pressly to attack the New Ironsides--the Goliath of the fleet--and Lee's spar-torpedo would be the smooth stone in David's sling.
"The David was about twenty feet long and five feet wide across the middle, made of boiler-iron, cigar-shaped, noiseless and smoke less. It was propelled by a small screw worked by a diminutive engine, and was only about as long as our library, and could easily have been brought into the front hall. Filled with a spar-torpedo charged with seventy-five pounds of powder, it was going out to meet the giant iron-clad of the Federal fleet. Lieutenant Glassel, of Virginia, took charge of the David; the crew consisted of C. S. Tombs, engineer; James Sullivan fireman, and J. W. Cannon, pilot.
"On a hazy night about eight o'clock, these four fearless men were ready to start on their desperate venture. It chanced that upon the wharf lay a pile of lightwood; as the little boat was ready to leave, some one standing near said, 'You had better take this lightwood--you may need it!' The engineer ordered the fireman to 'Pitch it in'--but they did not know then the value of a pine knot.
"The David ran slowly out of the harbor; her steering wheel and smoke-stack were alone visible; yet bearing a torpedo, it was more to be dreaded than a seventy-four gun ship.
"The night was dark, and it is thrilling to imagine our David thus stealing out to slay a giant. The New Ironsides was reached about ten o'clock. It was a moment of breathless suspense. Cap tain Glassel stood in the hatchway with his gun ready.
'"Who comes there?' cried the officer on the big ship. "A shot from the David was the answer, which meant, 'An enemy!'
"There was the roll of drums, a call to arms, and excitement on the deck of the iron-clad. The next instant the torpedo struck: a flash like forked lightening, with a noise like thunder--and the big ship was wrecked from stem to stern. Fortunately for her, the shock was received against her inner bulk head, where the thick-

r-

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timbered side saved her from destruction. "A huge wave rolled back upon the David, and poured down
the smokestack putting out the fire and sweeping off Captain Glassel and fireman Sullivan. One swam to the anchor chains and the other to the buoy, where, after a while, they were found by the enemy. The Captain was picked up by a Federal transport schooner and taken to the guard ship Ottawa, lying outside the rest of the fleet. He was ordered by Admiral Dahlgren to be put in irons--that_is, handcuffed and chained like a criminal. But Cap tain Whiting, commanding the Ottawa, was a friend of Glassel's and got him released on parole.
"Fireman Sullivan was taken by the crew of the New Ironsides and put in irons. He was kept in a dark cell until sent to New York with Captain Glassel to be tried and perhaps hanged for using v a vessel of war not recognized by civilized nations. The Confed erates made the torpedo known to nations--and the United States government soon after the war had a Torpedo Corps to study and perfect this branch of military service. But our brave Glassel and his fireman escaped, though they suffered for many months in Northern prisons. They were finally exchanged for the Captain and a sailor of a Federal steamer--Isaac Smith, a heavily armed gunboat, captured in Stono River by General Beauregard."
' And what became of the David?
"When the big wave swept over the little boat, the Captain cried out to his crew to swim for their lives. After swimming around for a while, engineer and pilot saw that their craft was still afloat and drifting with the current. They scrambled aboard, found that the bull's eye lantern had kept burning through all.
"Now was shown the value of a lightwood knot; for with this 'fat pine' taken on just before leaving the wharf, they were enabled to kindle a fire. There was soon a blaze, which raised steam in the little boiler. A perfect rain of bullets fell upon the brave little boat, and rifle shots riddled the smoke-stack, as it left the big ship. But the flood tide favored it, and, thanks to an armful of lightwood--the David-, pierced by thirteen bullets from the New Iron sides, reached the Atlantic wharf about midnight. The New Iron sides never fired another shot. She remained sometime at her an chorage off Morris Island, evidently undergoing repairs. She was then towed to Port Royal and aftenvard sent to Philadelphia,

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where she remained until destroyed by fire after the war. This was one of the most daring feats of naval history.
"The giant New Ironsides was silenced by the little David, which escaped; and two of the crew were saved from capture--owing to the value of a pine knot.

fl-

THE BEGINNING AND END.OF A GREAT NAVY
|N the War between tne States," said Grandmother, "the Southern Confederacy was not only like a David without armor fighting a giant clad in mail from head to foot,
L.UL me young warrior was fettered by the blockade ai ' hindered in many other ways.
"In 1861 the tederal Navy had ninety vessels, and money to buy and build new vessels of all kinds and to strengthen its power in every way.
"The Confederate Navy was only a name. Our government had not a single ship-of-war, and was without the means to buy. The only ship yards were at Pensacola and Norfolk, and these were captured at the beginning of hostilities. There were few skilled mechanics; and little raw material for shipbuilding, except the trees standing in the forests. We had few seamen, for ours was an agiicultural country; For starting a navy, the Confederate States had a small number of trained officers like Buchanan, Semmes, Brown, Tatnal, Moffet, Brookes and others of extraordinary gifts.
"How the Confederates founded a navy, built and remodeled vessels of war, and how under command of these officers they con quered the seas and carried the Southern flag around the world, is a story strange and thrilling.
"The letters G. S. JYV first written in 1861, in four years came to stand for all that is glorious in Naval warfare.
"A great people, cut off from the outside world by blockading fleets, were thrown on their own resources for the defense of their land against an invading army. Then the genius of race was shown.
"The young Confederacy led the world in ship-building, in the science of navigation, in invention and bold enterprise.
"G. S. N. became a terror to the enemy's commerce. Our sea men, like Paul Jones of Revolutionary times, did brilliant deeds for liberty. Now, as in the Revolution, private enterprise of patriotic citizens was the strength of our cause.
"The Tift brothers, of Georgia, undertook the building of a vessel called Mississippi for the purpose of keeping the river clear of blockade. It was planned to be the largest vessel in the world, built of, native pine, by house-carpenters. It was famous, though

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never finished. Descriptions of it sent a thrill of terror throughout the North. But the Federal fleet reached these waters, and the Mississippi had to be destroyed to keep it from falling into the
enemy's hands. "When -the Federals had to give up the navy yard at Norfolk
they bur ' it--just as our forefathers in the Revolution had burnt the firs', ivy yard to prevent its falling into the hands of the British, A steam frigate called Merrimac was sunk; the fact that it was not destroyed, gave a new direction to naval warfare. The Confederates, eager to use every material within reach, raised the sunken ship, and hauled it into dry dock for repairs. But this was not-all; with energy and ingenuity they went to work to change the Merrimac into a new kind of vessel. Secretary Mallory, G. S. N., told Lieutenant John Mercer Brooke to help plan an iron-clad war vessel. Brooke was a genius; he had helped Maury invent the machine for laying the Atlantic Cable. Now he and Commander Maury of the Confederate Navy worked together to .devise the fighting ship, which became the wonder of the whole world. It was called the Virginia--the first iron-clad; for the Merrimac was re-christened, as well as remodeled. The sides were covered with thick wood, then with heavy iron, and another layer of wood, so that no shot could go through.
"The first Iron-clad known to warfare was planned, made and manned by Confederates. The most famous naval battle in Ameri can history was fought at Hampton Roads when the first Iron-clad came very near destroying the Federal fleet.
"The fame of this strange vessel had gone abroad, and her trial trip was awaited with breathless suspense. At last one night early in March, 1862, a thrill like an electric shock went through the Old Dominion, from Sewell's Point to Suffolk--at the news, 'The Vir ginia is going out tomorrow 1'
"It was a fine picture spread out before the eyes of the eager watchers at Hampton Roads that spring morning the 8th of March. The expanse of sparkling water was hardly ruffled by a breeze. To the north lay the Federal shipping at anchor with the red em bankment of Newport News and the gray battlements of Fortress . Monroe and the Rip Raps as a background. Off Hampton bar there rose a forest of masts and smoke-stacks of the Federal fleet. This peaceful scene was changed when majestic but ungraceful Virginia

THE BEGINNING AND END OF A GREAT NAVY 233
hove in sight, attended by five wooden vessels of the James Rive}' Squadron--Tucker leading in the Patrick Henry closely followed by Jamestown and three little gunboats. Before the fight began, Cap tain Buchanan, commander, made a speech to his men and said:
" 'The eyes of the whole world are upon you this day, and in the good old name of Virginia, let every man do his duty.'
"That duty was bravely done. On this March the first Iron clad added to the fame of the good old state. Six Confederate ves sels with twenty-nine guns met two thousand eight hundred and ninety men with two hundred and thirty guns. Vessels of the Federal fleet were burned, sunk, riddled, scared off, peppered, dis abled, and the fort silenced--all because of the wonderful iron-clad Virginia. Further disaster to the Federals was prevented by the arrival of the Monitor, a new kind of vessel built to fight the Vir ginia. These two strangers could not destroy each other--they fought a drawn battle, then the Monitor got beyond the reach of the Virginia's ram, in water too shallow to be followed, and so saved herself.
"Our first iron-clad was a great fighter, but unseaworthy; and she could only fight what was within her reach.
"There was excitement in the North for fear the Virginia would steam at once to Washington City and take the capitol. If she could have traveled as well as she fought, she might have changed the fortune of the Confederates. But her engines were unreliable, and she drew twenty-two feet of water: so after a glorious career of two months, the first Iron-clad had to be destroyed by her own men, because she could not get across the bar of James River.
"There is another way in which nations may fight each other on the seas, beside naval battles like that of Hampton Roads. This is by the destruction of commerce. The blockade made by the Federal government destroyed the commerce of the South. If you should shut up and lock a store, allowing no one to enter, the mer chant could not carry on trade any more than if his goods were burned. The power of the blockade destroyed our commerce by shutting us off from the world of trade. The only way the Con federacy could reach the enemy's commerce, was to find merchan dise on the seas, capture it, and take it from the way of trade.
"Ever since the Middle Ages, nations at war have treated each other in this destructive manner. When the American colonies

234

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

determined to be independent of great Britain, they at once began war on English commerce. Like our Confederate States, the Colo nies were without a navy, so they seized every British vessel they, could and started out on the seas to conquer. Before the Declara tion of Independence, Congress ordered private vessels taken and turned into ships of war, and such was the first notable act of Paul Jones, hero of the Revolution.
"Under authority of their government the Confederates in the sixties did just as their Revolutionary fathers had done--which was perfectly right according to the law of nations. Commander Paul Jones, of the Revolution, did brilliant things on the high seas. His career was one of daring adventure.
"He was called pirate by the English; and the commanders of privateers of the C. S. N. were so called by their enemies--though our seamen were honest and law-abiding and never cruel to a con quered foe. A pirate is a bad sea-robber who burns ships and kills sailors just to get money for himself. Commander Admiral Semmes and other privateer commanders of the C. S. N. were only fighting the enemy's sea-power, and did not rifle pockets nor steal private property.
"In the winter of 1860, Commander Raphael Semmes, of Ala bama, U. S. N., Secretary of the Light House Board at Washing ton, was listening with aching ear and beating heart for the first sound of war between North and South.
"It was on good St. Valentine's day when love missives were being sent all over the land, that a messenger brought a telegram to the Semmes home. This was the first note of war--the call of the Confederate Government to Alabama's son to return and aid in the defense of his native land. Without delay his answer was sent :
" 'I will be with you immediately.
"'(Signed) R.. Semmes.'
"He sent in his resignation as Commander in the.U. S. Navy and, for the defense of home and honor, went South.
"Admiral Semmes began at once his great work for the Con federacy. It was at New Orleans that he found the Sumter. The Confederate Navy officers were looking for light fast steamers to let loose against the enemy's commerce, but there were defects found in all of them. The Swmter was condemned, for she could

THE BEGINNING AND END OF A GREAT NAVY 235
carry but five days' fuel and had no accommodations for the crew
of a ship of war. " 'Give me that ship/ said Raphael Semmes; 'I think I can make
it answer the purpose.' "The Slimier was then only a dismantled packet ship, as unlike
a ship of war as possible. But her lines were easy and graceful, and she had a sort of saucy air about her, as much as to say she would like service afloat for the young Confederacy.
"On the 7th of June the commander received his sailing orders. Sjemmes wrote the Secretary of Navy that he had an excellent set of men .on board, though they were nearly all green, and would need some practice and drilling, to learn to handle the guns well. And if they were so fortunate as to reach the high seas, they might be relied upon to do its enemy's commerce the greatest injury in the shortest time. How the crew of the Slimier was trained, and how this pledge was kept, is a story of determination and devotion in commander and men unsurpassed in naval history.
"All was ready, but the port was guarded, and the Sumtcr must run the blockade before beginning service afloat. She lay at the head of the Passes for days, waiting for a chance to escape. The Powhatan, Brooklyn and other Federal vessels were on guard. None of these fine ships dared attack the light and jaunty little Confed erate craft. The.-Su.mter lay there like a mouse waiting to run away from cats who seemed afraid to pounce upon her.
"One bright Sunday morning the crew was thinking of nothing but the usual muster, when a boat containing one man--a fisher man or oyster man, so common in these waters--suddenly appeared alongside the Sumter. The solitary boatman pulled rapidly under the stern and, hailing an officer on deck, told him that the Brooklyn had broken the blockade by going off in chase of a sail. Now was the chance for the mouse to run away, while the cat was at play! All was excitement aboard the Sumter. In ten minutes steam was hissing as if impatient to set the engine pounding. Men were rush ing around double quick in eagerness to get up the anchor, and in a few minutes the little craft, that had lain for days as still as a mouse, was ready to run away. Her head swung off gracefully with the current, and she bounded forward like a thing of life on this race which would decide whether she must stagnate in the marshes of the Mississippi, or reach the glad waters of the dark

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blue sea. At the last minute the pilot failed his Commander, and said he knew nothing of this Pass, (a I/ Outre). Commander Semmes had no idea of losing a chance of escape, and with high courage he determined to run the Pass without a pilot.
"Now, the Brooklyn liad not chased out of sight. She had only gone off seven or eight miles, and no doubt her telescope had been on the Sumter all the time. When the black smoke was seen com ing out the smokestack of the little Confederate craft, the blockader hurried back to the place of guard.
"Brooklyn and Sumter were now about the same distance from the bar. Which would reach it first? Then began a most exciting race.
" 'Not the least chance of our escaping that ship 1' exclaimed an officer on the Sumter. 'Why, the Brooklyn is good for fourteen knots an hour! And we can make but ninel'
"But the commander had faith in his little craft--now in a race for her life.
"He had put out a signal for a pilot, hoping it would be seen at the station. Yet this was no pleasure race, and who would run such risk of capture?
"Presently a boat was seen to shove off from the pilot's station, pulled by four stout negroes, and in the stern sat the longed-for pilot! A brave heart had answered the call of a brave commander.
"Another sight cheered the waiting Sunder: on the balcony of the pilot house, which had been built in the very marsh on the edge of the river, stood the pilot's young wife, waving him on to his duty. Our gallant Commander lifted his hat to his fair country woman, who was sending him help in this hour of danger.
"A moment more, and the tow-line had been thrown the boat, and the new pilot was aboard the Sumter. As the ship swept by the light-house wharf, other fair hands waved encouragement, and sailors' eyes brightened; for they knew admiration and good wishes followed the Confederate flag and its defenders.
"It was a half mile to the bar. Here a Bremen ship was lying a-ground with just enough room for the Sumter to pass. With a bound the bar was crossed, and our flag was on the high seas! Speed was slackened for an instant. The young pilot must return to the station.

THE BEGINNING AND END OF A GREAT NAVY 237

" 'Now, Captain, you are clear--let her go 1' cried he--and with

a hearty hand clasp the two parted.

"The Brooklyn was now three or four miles distant, the Sumter

fi

just out of reach of her guns, with nothing to spare. Thick vol-

^

umes of smoke could be seen pouring from the smokestacks of both

*

ships. Firemen and engineers were doing their best, and the race

*

was on!

"Both ships set their sails; then a rain came up and they were

hidden from each other. When the rain blew off and the Brooklyn

re-appeared, she seemed fearfully near.

"Even at this time of peril, Commander Semmes admired the

fine appearance of the pursuing ship. She was no made-over craft

for the defence of a desperate people, like the Sumter ; but one fully

equipped with the power and wealth of the old navy. On her deck

stood an anxious crew of officers, many of them with telescopes

directed toward the Sumter. Was there not a thrill of admiration

for the dauntless little craft, that was running the. gauntlet of a

stronger foe ? They, too, were Americans, risking all for the sake of

country. The crew of the Sumter expected every moment to hear

the whiz of a shot. The Commander ordered the paymaster to

get his public chest and papers ready to throw overboard in case

of capture.

"Her engines were now working beautifully; the breeze, too,

favored her. Semmes saw with joy that the Brooklyn was falling

more and more to leeward; when she fell into the wake of the

Sumter, she would be compelled to furl her sails. This she did in

half an hour. The race was going to the Sumter, for she could hold

her sails. Commander Semmes said that the most beautiful sight

he ever saw at sea was the Brooklyn as she let fly all her sheets at

once, then furl all her sails from courses to royal.

"The Sumter now began to gain on her pursuer. In a short time

the chase was abandoned; the baffled Brooklyn returning to Pass

a L'Outre, and the Sumter bounding away on her hazardous cruise.

No gun of triumph was fired in the face of the enemy. Confederate

powder was too precious for that. But the crew was sent aloft and

three cheers given the Confederate flag. It rang across the waters

--the rebel yell of free-born Americans, ready to fight for honor

and glory.

"The story of the Sumter and Alabama, two famous cruisers of

the Confederate navy, has been told by Admiral Raphael Semmes.

238

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

His 'Service Afloat' is unmatched in daring and deeds in naval
history. "There were many thrilling experiences of Confederate cruisers. "No adventures of romance can compare with the Cruise of the
Shenandoah. "The brave young Confederacy had to fight the whole world,
and it called for plots and secret dealings, for treachery was our
direst foe. "Captain James D. Bulloch, of Georgia, represented the Confed
erate government in Europe. He purchased the Sea King, a vessel built for East Indian trade and then on her maiden voyage. What had this to do with the Confederate navy? Let us see.
"The Sea King had set sail for Madeira, when in September, 1864, Lieutenant Waddell, C. S. N., received from flag officer Barron, at Paris, a letter of instructions. He must go to London and sail on the steamer Laurel to Madeira. The Laurel had on board a cargo that looked like merchandise, but really was cannon and munition of war. On October iQth, the two vessels, that had started from different ports, and seemingly with no connection, met off the coast of Funchal and recognized each other by a secret signal. A transfer of cargo was quickly made from the Laurel to the Sea King; and raising the Confederate flag over her, Lieutenant Waddell christened her Shenandoah--after the beautiful valley so loved by Virginians. The crew was made up in part of young Confederates sent abroad for service--all ready to defend the South. Our flag unfolded itself to the favoring breeze, and amid the cheers of a handful of brave-hearted men, the Shenandoah started on her long cruise.
"How she carried to many foreign ports news of a people fight ing for independence, how she upheld the honor of her flag in all seas, and took many prizes is a story that cannot be told now.
"The following June, the Slienandoali was in Arctic waters, when Captain Waddell captured two whaling vessels just from San Fran cisco and first learned the news of Lee's surrender in April. He could not know that the Confederacy had fallen, for he read also President Davis' proclamation from Danville, declaring that the war would be carried on with renewed vigor. Believing that there was still a Cause to fight for, the Slienandoali continued her cruise.
"So on June 29, 1865, the Confederate flag was flying in the Arctic ocean; that day the cruiser's prow was turned away from

THE BEGINNING AND END OF A GREAT NAVY 239
the pole and she passed southward through Behring Straits. On July 5th, they passed Aleutian Islands, one of which was a volcano in a state of eruption. This was the last land seen by the Shenandoali. for many days. In mid-ocean, separated by thousands of miles from a friendly land, these bold seamen knew not if they would ever reach a safe harbor.
"On August 2d, the Shenandoali chased and overhauled a British v bark, thirteen days out from San Francisco en route for Liverpool.
When the English Captain was asked for news of the war, he re plied in asotnishment:
"'What war?'
" 'The war between the United States and the Confederate States.'
" 'Why,' said he, 'that has been over since April. What ship is that?'
" 'The Shenandoali, of the Confederate States Navy.' " 'There is no Confederate States Navy,' said the Captain. 'Your ship is without a country, without a government!' "True! and the exiled cruiser must seek a European port for safety. "It was in November, 1865, when the Shcnandoah steamed up Mersey River, still bearing aloft the Confederate flag. A British Navy officer boarded her and gave Captain Waddell official information that there was no longer a Confederacy, and that the Southern States were again a part of the United States. The Confeder* ate flag, now representing neither a people nor a country--an em blem of an era that had closed--was sorrowfully lowered. This historic act took place at 10 a. m., November 6, 1865.
"The Shenandoali was turned over to the British government. She was sold to the Sultan of Zanzibar and was lost in the Indian Ocean in the year 1879. In her cruise of thirteen months, she ran 58,000 miles and met no accident; for a period of eighteen months she did not drop anchor. She carried the Confederate flag around the world and bore it aloft for seven months after the Confederacy had fallen. The Shenandoali destroyed more vessels than any other ship of war known to history.
"One more scene of the end of the Confederate Navy: "One day early in April, 1865, about four o'clock, as Admiral Raphael Semmes was sitting down to dinner on board his flag ship in the James River, a special messenger came from Richmond bear-

240

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

ing a sealed packet from the Navy department. "Our bold commander of the Sumtcr and Alabama, after the cap
ture of his vessel by the Kearsarge in the English Channel, and the narrow escape of himself, was now in command of the James River
fleet. "The sealed packet contained a letter from Secretary of the
Navy Mallory, telling that Richmond would be evacuated during the night, and that Semmes must burn his ships, provision his men, and join General Lee's army! Used to emergencies, he was not dismayed at the direful order. Being no more than five miles from the enemy's lines, night must come before the order could be obeyed. The sun was now shining brightly, and all seemed peace
ful and fair this spring day. "Flag-of-truce boats were still plying between Richmond and the
enemy's headquarters, carrying backward and forward exchanged prisoners. As the boats passed coming up the river, filled to over flowing with our poor fellows just released from Yankee prisons, looking wan and hollow-eyed, the prisoners would break into most enthusiastic cheering as they passed the Confederate flag. It seemed to welcome them home. They little dreamed it would be lowered that night--forever--and the fleet blown into the air.
"Two hours after dark, when the whole horizon on the north side of the James was glowing with fires of Richmond's evacuation, Semmes prepared to burn his fleet. Officers and men worked like beavers. A thousand things must be done to change sailors into land soldiers in the twinkling of an eye. The genius of Semmes
did not fail him. "At three o'clock in the morning, a little squadron of wooden
boats containing the men of the Confederate Navy was moving up the river by the light of burning iron-clads. They had not pro ceeded far before an explosion like the shock of an earthquake took place, and the air was filled with missiles. It was the blowing up of the flag ship "Virginia. Fuses were of different lengths, and as the shells exploded by twos and threes, and by the dozen, the pyro technic effect was grand. The explosion shook the houses in Rich mond and waked the echoes of the night for forty miles around. It was like the last knell of the dying Confederate Navy!
"Semmes and his sailors escaped from Richmond, with the aid of a 'little iron horse, 'and after a railroad cruise of thrilling adven ture, with Sheridan and his cavalry on their trail, reached Danville,

THE BEGINNING AND END OF A GREAT NAVY 241
where our noble Confederate Chieftain made his last stand for the Cause of the South.
"The last of the great battles of the war was fought on April 6th. General Ewell's depleted ranks were enveloped by the masses of Sheridan's infantry and cavalry, and came to a stand for their final resistance to the overwhelming thousands of the enemy. The naval brigade-soldiers who had worn the letters C. S. N., held the right of the line, where it repulsed the assault of the Federals with steady, rapid fire. General Ewell and his staff were captured, and he passed the order of surrender to his troops. Commodore Tucker, commanding the naval brigade, did not believe the order, and saying:
" 'I can't surrender,' continued the fight. "The second time he was sent the order to surrender. His men had kept up the fight fifteen minutes after the other soldiers had lowered their arms, and the naval colors were the last to be laid down. "The bravery of the sailor-soldiers was observed along the Fed eral lines, and when the G. S. N. did stop fighting, the enemy cheered long and vigorously the gallant Americans who did not know how to surrender! "A glorious record was made by the men of the C. S. N. They had sought every opportunity to fire a shot or strike a blow for the liberties of their states; they had unflinchingly obeyed orders lead ing them into combat against out-numbering enemies; and from the day when the Virginia swept Hampton Roads to the day when they stood an embattled line in the last fight of the war, they made a stainless record as hard and honest fighters, obedient subordi nates, and loyal patriots. Of the heroes of the G. S. N., it has been said:
" 'Gashed with honorable scars, Low in Glory's lap they lie; Though they fell, they fell like stars, Streaming splendor through the sky.'"

A TWICE TOLD TALE OF FORT DELAWARE
| HE children called Grandmother's trunk old Curiosity Shop. When it was open it looked like a cabinet of drawers and
_ held many curious things. Folded away in one drawer were samplers of fifty year ago, when little girls used the needle, working mottoes on canvass; in another drawer were old laces and the cap in which great-grandfather had been christened. Another held coral necklaces and bracelets with gold clasps that were so fashionable in the Land of Used-To-Be. One day when Little Miss was turning over those old-time ornaments, her rummaging fingers found at the bottom of the drawer a black finger-ring quaintly carved, like a cameo, and a tiny basket, perfect in shape and finish, and so small that it could be hidden in a thimble.
"Is this a mourning ring, Grandmother?" asked the child. "And what factory could have made this fairy basket?"
"Ah, my dear," said Grandmother, "those trinkets were made in a factory that has been closed forever. The workmen were Confederate soldiers, and the factory Northern war prisons. Those little trinkets--the ring made from a gutta percha button and the basket from a peach seed--are mementoes of sad days, and remind ers of the loving thoughts of home-sick prisoners. They were cut with pocket knives for sister or sweetheart far away in Dixie-land. Put them in my work basket, and I will tell you a story about the prison life of the war."
When the children gathered around the fireside that evening, Grandmother needed no urging to tell the promised story.
"We think of soldiers as marching to battle, or on the field in the midst of the fray, and thus meeting pain and death. Yet the worst suffering of the war was when our soldiers bore no arms, could take no weary marches, and were shut up in Federal prisons. Here for months and months our brave men were starved, frozen and treated with every conceivable cruelty. To be kept in prison is bad enough, but this was not all. The Confederate soldiers were called 'Rebels,' and persecuted by their enemies to make them take the oath of allegiance to the Federal Government--just as our fore fathers in the Southern Colonies had been persecuted by Tories during the Revolutionary War, when they were called rebels to the British crown. It was cruel and unlawful persecution that caused the great misery of the Northern prisons. Yet, such was

THE BEGINNING AND END OF A GREAT NAVY 243
the spirit of Southerners--loyal and light-hearted--that even in prison they were undaunted. Instead of sitting and bemoaning their fate, they tried every means to keep life and courage. The Federal guards often noted the surprising fertility of their minds, and were astonished at the ingenuity of 'Johnny Reb.' Behind the somber walls, useful and pleasant employment was found. At Point Lookout various industries were carried on. One of the pris oners, a South Carolinian, turned schoolmaster, and had six hun dred pupils. There was also a Sunday school, where the fine music was much praised. Besides different kinds of literary pursuits, there was the manufacturing of woodenware, like tubs and bas kets, made from cracker boxes. There were rings made from but tons, chains of wood, and little baskets from peach seed, to be worn as watch charms. These trinkets were often sold to buy much needed food. At Point Lookout, a prisoner could buy a cup of coffee and a piece of fried rat for twenty-five cents. This may sound like a joke, but these half-starved men were glad to get rats to eat. The prisoners devised engines to drive turning lathes, and thus made pen-handles, bodkins and other articles. The first en gine was indeed a curiosity. It was made by a Georgian. The boiler was constructed from an old camp kettle, the mouth, or spout, being plugged up with wood. The pistons and connecting rods were of wood, and the valves and heads contrived from old mustard boxes. It does not seem possible that this could be done, but it was, and in a short time there were seven of these engines in different parts of the camp. They whistled every morning be fore starting to work--like city machine shops--and told of life and activity in prison walls.
"Another remarkable curiosity was a clock made entirely of bone. When it was completed, it was placed inside a Confederate canteen and exhibited to anyone for a cracker! Poor prisoners, they were always hungry.
"Many of them were educated gentlemen; the daily bulletins posted about the camp proved that some were accustomed to writ ing for the press. There were portrait and landscape painters, and fine pictures were produced. One The Prisoner's Dream of Home --was greatly admired, but money could not purchase it from the owner.
"There was one subject which occupied the thoughts of the prisoners, and aroused every resource of mind and body--and that

244

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

was how to escape from prison. There were thrilling experiences of attempts and' failures and sometimes of success. At Johnson's Island, Lieutenant Charley Pierce, a brave, talented, charming young Southerner, was leader in all the entertainments, minstrel shows and ball games among the prisoners; he was also most dar ingly persistent in his efforts to escape. He tried tunnels and rope ladders, but some mishap repeatedly overtook his plans. His last trial for freedom was remarkable in plot and execution. He ob tained in some way a Federal uniform, which he concealed in his bunk. Then he set out to make an imitation gun; he made the stock from wood, the barrel from tin cans, and a piece of handle of a camp kettle was turned into a gun lock. He was fortunate enough to find .an old rusty bayonet, which as part of his gun looked like polished steel. How he managed to stain the gun to look like a real one, nobody ever knew. It took him five months to finish it, and it was a marvel of mechanical ingenuity. At last all was ready. By a clever plot, a rumor of attempted escape among the prisoners was started, which caused the Federal guard to be doubled. As they made the rounds of inspection one evening, a, young Confederate, in borrowed uniform and with his hand-made gun, unobserved, fell in with them. All went well until, after com pleting the rounds, the guard was called up for inspection. The officers examining the accoutrements of the men found that one had no cartridge box.
" 'How is it, sir, that you have no cartridge box ? You are a fine soldier! No cartridge box! Let me see your gun!'
"The gun was passed, from the unflinching but defeated Johnny Reb. One oversight had betrayed him; he had forgotten to add a cartridge box to his outfit. The inspecting officer was so struck by the ruse that he allowed Lieutenant Charley to try it on the senti nel at the gate. He passed without challenge. The daring young rebel was then taken before Colonel Charles W. Hill, of the H2th Ohio, who showed himself a humane officer. He admitted the pris oner's right to attempt escape, complimented him on his courage and strategy and condemned him to no other punishment than the removal of his disguise and money. Colonel Hill took the ha^ndmade gun as a trophy, which was afterwards placed among the ar chives of the state of Ohio.
"Now I will tell you of Fort Delaware^ another Federal prison --a story1 which has often been told around Georgia firesides. The

A TWICE TOLD TALE OF FORT DELAWARE 245
hero of this story was private Bryan, from Screven County; he had suffered all the hardships of Northern prisons, but had never lost the merry twinkle in his eye. A true Georgian is both plucky and fun-loving. Fort Delaware was on an island of that name near the coast of New Jersey. The fort was surrounded by a broad, steep moat. Two transports stood at the eastern and western entrances, and in each door a sentry, day and night. The prisoners' quarters were situated on the western side of the island; officers were con fined separately from privates, and they were not allowed to speak to each other except through the favor of the guards. It was one of the prison's rules that if they did not promptly obey any order given them by a sentinel, officer or men in charge of them, they would be shot.
"The men's quarters were built of white pine boards, and laid out in several rows of buildings, with streets between. In the summer these houses were rather comfortable, considering there was not a shade tree in the island fort; but in winter it was cold and bleak, with blasts of icy wind that found the way through the threadbare rags of the poor captives. There was no .fire to warm by, and not half enough to eat. During bitter cold weather the men had to lie in their bunks all day, wrapped in the thin bedding, not to keep them warm, but to keep from freezing. Some poor fel lows' feet were frozen, and their toes dropped off. The little food given them was so unclean as not to be fit to eat.
"Private Bryan had been sent from the prison Camp Chase,
where he had been ill with pneumonia and typhoid fever, and then rheumatism--from which he never fully recovered. The prisoners' barracks at Fort Delaware were divided into sections, and troops from different states were quartered separately. The Georgia bar racks, to which Bryan belonged, was on the northeast side of the square formed by the prison quarters. Just inside of the levee sur rounding the fort was a wide moat; and under the levee at inter vals, were flood gates (like those on a rice plantation) for admitting at uptide, water upon the island. Small ditches conveyed the water thus let in, from the moat all over the island, wherever needed, es pecially into the prisoners' quarters, where on either side of the street was a ditch, affording water for toilet purposes. One of. these ditches once served another purpose vastly more important --in the opinion of three of the prisoners at least. Along the east ern shore of the island were the residences of General Schoeff and

246

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

other officers, while near the extreme south end, stood a hotel; and here and there scattered over the island appeared a milk shanty or ice cream saloon or private bakery--establishments where poor prisoners might spend what little money they could get. They sometimes relieved the dull monotony of prison life by going out to work for a few hours. In that way they could get out of the prison pen for a little while. And such is the panting desire of the human mind and body for freedom, such the necessity of the hu man constitution for change, and so degrading is imprisonment, that to escape from it by a few hours hard work was felt to be a
blessing.
"One afternoon in July, 1864, Bryan, with a number of other prisoners, was taken out 'on detail' to unload a schooner which was lying just below the wood wharf, laden with bricks. They worked until near sunset without completing the job, and were to return next morning to finish it. Bryan and a prisoner named Meeks, for more than a week had been concocting plans of escape, and on one or two occasions had been on the eve of starting, but were prevented by illness or unfavorable weather. With this in mind, both observed that the schooner they were unloading had a nice yawl attached--the sight of which suggested freedom--and they determined to make an attempt that very night. They must try to get that yawl! The island was a mile and three quarters from the Delaware shore, and more than a mile from New Jersey. As swimming ashore called for more strength than a half-starved prisoner could muster, the yawl was their chance! A significant wink from Bryan, with a nod toward the yawl floating so tempt ingly at the stern of the schooner and a wistful glance toward Delaware--and Dixie--informed Meeks of his feelings, purposes and plans.
"It was understood, and the two plotters made bricks fly, al ready lighter hearted and stronger at the mere thought of touching free soil and breathing purer air. As soon as they 'knocked off work, Bryan went to Meeks and said: 'Tonight is the night!' He agreed, and as if carelessly strolling around, they began to make a thorough inspection of the place, with escape in view. When they returned to quarters, it was decided that it would take four stout men to row the yawl with such speed as they wished to make; so they must find two other men of proper spirit, strength and resolution for the scheme. There was a sharp-faced, dwarfish

A TWICE TOLD TALE OF FORT DELAWARE 247
boy of about seventeen, who attracted attention by his intelligence; and it was known that he intended to escape from the island at the first opportunity. The subject was broached to him. He readily agreed to join the plot, and said he could do the piloting and steer ing. Still another of stout heart, strong arm and steady nerve was wanted. A fourth conspirator was found and seemed to enter into the matter with zest. It was resolved to await patiently the hour of moonset, which was about one o'clock. They would have to work very fast in order to escape, leave the island and reach Dela ware between this hour and daylight. At bedtime they retired, all to one bunk, and continued to rehearse their plans. There were conflicting ideas as to how it should be done; so it was decided that Bryan should be leader of the expedition. All agreed that death would be better than life in Fort Delaware, and with this desperate resolve, each was pledged to try for liberty. The lad of seventeen named Clarke, was a valuable ally, being cool, shrewd and fearless. Meeks supplied the qualities of caution and consid eration. The fourth soon turned deserter, lacking the requisite courage. About one o'clock a heavy cloud appeared in the north east; this was fortunate for the adventure. The-four prisoners in search of liberty issued from the Georgia barracks into the street on the south side, and after looking carefully around for police, stealthily glided under the Alabama barracks into a ditch--con-, venient for their purposes, for it extended to the outside of the barracks. There was water in the ditch, and mud, making a very slick passage-way; and there was a sentinel just beyond the bar racks for the capture of such foolish navigators as might try the ditch exit. Just beyond that loophole, and all up and down and around the barracks, was a continuous line of Blue Coats, ever on the alert for restless and wandering 'Johnny Rebs.' This was the situation, and the determined prisoners were to risk crowding through the loop-hole. As I said, they slipped into the ditch into the slickest of mud. The ditch had some large stakes driven in at the mouth--as farmers drive stobs in a ditch under a fence to keep hogs out of the field. Because of the softness of the mud, Bryan, who was ahead, in less than five minutes, had scooped out a hole around the stobs large enough to admit his body. He stuck his head under to try the capacity of the hole and quietly slipped through. A small bridge connecting two walks paved the sentryway just beyond the barracks. Watching for a chance when each

248

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

sentry was at the opposite end of the walk, Bryan crawled under
the little bridge. Soon he heard Clarke say: "'Bryan is out!'
"Bryan then slipped on for about twenty yards, lying flat on his stomach, moving by inserting toes and fingers in the mud and pushing very gently forward. He passed in this way under a wagon bridge, and then about thirty yards further, where he awaited the coming of the others. In a few minutes a slight rippling and splashing in the ditch announced the arrival of Clarke. He said he left the other two under the barracks. Several anxious minutes passed--then Meeks joined them. The fourth adventurer, after receiving a mud bath, turned back. The three more courageous ones followed the ditch about fifty yards further, to where it dis gorged into one of thirty feet width, swam across this and crawled out. With erect posture and bold front, they walked directly across the island toward General Schoeff's house, until they reached the road in front. Following this until nearly opposite the fort, they turned in a southeasterly direction until they reached the large moat encircling the island immediately within the levee--delight edly surprised at their success so far. They had passed between two sentinels, and now approached the levee, which gave the sen tinels stationed thereon an extensive view. This brought them to the necessity of going on all-fours; they crawled about fifty yards to the large moat, in which the water, owing to low tide, was not more than three feet deep. Entering the moat, they passed under a wagon bridge which afforded shelter. The western end of the bridge rested upon the levee--and now had come the greatest peril. The levee was about twelve feet high, and of some breadth, with sentinels stationed every twenty yards. The top of the levee was perfectly bare and covered with white sand. The chances for getting across undiscovered seemed a hundred to one against them. Any dark object would show plainly on the white sand; it appeared a hopeless venture either to walk or crawl across. But it must be risked now or never. On this side of the levee was prison, mis ery, starvation, maybe death--on the other a chance for liberty. It was worth the risk. The wind was blowing pretty stiff, and Bryan noticed it gayly hurling pieces of old newspaper across the levee. This natural movement did not seem to attract the attention of the sentinels, and suggested to him the idea of lying flat lengthwise, and rolling across. He whispered this idea to Clark, who mo-"

A TWICE TOLD TALE OF FORT DELAWARE 249
tioned it to Meeks. The first two immediately prostrated them selves and began to roll. Clarke went straight over. Bryan, being more barrel-shaped, did not roll so well, taking a somewhat cir cular course. So when he brought himself up to take his bearings, . he found he was sitting about midway the levee--gazing inno cently at a sentinel, who to his excited imagination seemed to be taking a squint at him. Poor Bryan expected to see a flasli, hear a crash and feel a smash--as he expressed it. But seeing Clarke on the other side of the levee was encouraging; he rolled again as fast as possible and was soon there--without a bullet! Still Meeks was behind and exercising his usual caution--unnecessary when swiftness meant safety. Several times Bryan crawled to the top of the levee and whispered, 'Come on!' But Meeks lingered. Finally, mustering all his courage, he crawled on all fours, very slowly and carefully, as if going through a forest where the breaking of a twig or rustling of a leaf would cause alarm. As a matter of fact, the ground was perfectly bare. No sound could be made or heard, and the only danger was being seen! Luckily, we are not always lost by a foolish act; for in spite of this one, Meeks got across as safely as those who had rolled with the wind.
"The next risk was to get out into the bay without being dis covered. A few steps brought them to a wood pile which afforded shelter for their movements; then on to the wharf. The schooner V was unguarded--as a careful reconnoissance assured them. Bryan waded through the water and untied the yawl. Meeks joined him, and together they pushed the boat to where Clarke was waiting and took him aboard, with their baggage, consisting of Meeks shoes. The other two had remained shod through all, Meeks re moving his shoes for his ridiculous cat-like Walk across the levee. Meeks now swam on one side of the boat and Bryan on the other until they got a hundred yards out in the bay; this was more noise less than oars. The tide was rising and the wind blowing to favor them.
"Fairly launched and pulling at the oars, they had their first feeling of freedom, and sweet it was! They could breathe natu rally once more, and they were full to overflowing with joy. They joked, laughed and cried, and could hardly refrain from shouting in their gladness. After twelve months amid the want, filth and degradation of a war prison, release was bliss. But vigilance was not relaxed. They landed as they desired, about a quarter of a

250

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

mile above Delaware City, so as to avoid the detectives always stationed there. They piloted their way through a strip of marsh, and discovering a small creek, drove the boat into it. This they followed as long as it continued the desired direction; when the course turned toward the city, the boat was abandoned, and they plunged afoot into the marsh.
"At last they set foot on firm ground, turned and bade adieu to old Fort Delaware! Dawn was distinctly seen above the fort, re minding the fugitives that no time must be lost in finding a hiding place for the day. They had landed in a wheat field, from which the ripe grain had been cut, and some flowers had sprung up among the stubble, which to long-imprisoned senses, smelt most delight fully and invigoratingly sweet. Continuing the journey across the field, they came to a public road, which they followed for -about five miles--passing neat farm houses, where inmates were still abed. They were looking for trees or shubbery to conceal them, and at last spied a clump of trees which appeared to be on a water course. As they crossed the intervening wheat field, they resorted to the ancient custom of gleaning, for the day's sustenance. On nearing the trees, they rejoiced to find a stream of water and near it a big log on fire by which they might dry their wet clothes. Not until seated around this fire did they observe how muddy, dirty and black they were. Nothing could exceed the uncomliness of our fugitives at this time, and they were sport for each other. With grimy faces and mud-stiffened hair standing on end, they looked more like midnight demons than human beings. The ludi crous sight was the subject of wit and mirth, and many jokes were cracked as they rehearsed the experience of 'snaking' through ditches--as Clarke called their mode, of exit. Never had there been such mud as that! Bryan said while 'snaking it' he felt as if he were on an enormous bed of clabber, which quivered at the slight est pressure. It seemed very funny after they were out of it! They had indeed escaped from prison, but that was not the end of trou ble. It was a long way to Dixie, and they were without shelter, food or.friends, and in constant danger of being re-captured. For several days they lived by gleaning a little grain from the stubblefields, picking blackberries at night and lying all day in beds of leaves, trying to sleep, but very uncomfortable and hungry. Once, while in hiding, a little darkey and his dog running a rabbit came by. The rabbit was 'treed in a hollow log"--as we say in Georgia

A TWICE TOLD TALE OF FORT DELAWARE 251
--and it reminded one home-sick fugitive of the many happy rab bit hunts he and the little darkies of his father's plantation had had together in those blissful days when cruel war and prisons were unknown. He thought of the rabbit stew and corn bread black 'mammy' prepared for hungry boys, and, oh, he was so hungry! He wished he was a barefoot boy again with something to eat besides Delaware wheat and blackberries. Once the night-wanderers found an Irish potato patch and grabbled a few; but the tubers were small and watery and only made them long for sweet Georgia yams--so satisfying to hungry folks. They were afraid to make a fire, as it might attract attention, so they tried, with poor success, to eat raw Irish potatoes.
-N "They were now near the French Broad River, only twenty miles from Fort Delaware. One day timidly and despairingly, they knocked ;at the doo.r of a nice country home and asked for some thing to eat. The farmer who opened the door had a kind face and generous heart; he took them in--dirty, prison-worn as they were. Perhaps he guessed that they were Confederates; there were many friends of the Southern cause in Delaware. Anyway, this old gen tleman proved as hospitable as a Georgia planter. He invited the three gaunt, sad-looking stragglers into the dining room and sat talking with them while food was being placed on the table. Cold ham, biscuit and butter seemed a feast to the half-starved men. But the old gentleman said they must wait until fresh coffee was made. They assured him that so long had they been deprived of this beverage that they would not miss it from the bill of fare. It had been more than a year since they had enjoyed a square meal. 'The more reason for coffee now,' declared their good Samaritan. So the famishing guests waited as patiently and politely as they
could--until a big steaming coffee pot made its appearance, borne by the fair daughter of the house, and they were invited to the table. In shirt sleeves and unkempt, Bryan felt a pang of mortifica tion at receiving a cup from this young lady's hands, but the pangs of hunger overcame all else for a time. He smiled in after days to think with what rapidity ham and biscuit disappeared on that oc casion. Once taking a short respite to observe the motions of Meeks and Clarke, Bryan gazed in astonishment at the celerity of their ardent operations. They sat facing each other, and the rapid* ity and regularity with which their forks were raised up and down as they solemnly used these instruments with unity of purpose,

252

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

looked as if they were working a lever. "Our fugitives never forgot the charity of this farm home, which
made them feel that kind hearts are everywhere under God's skies. "After other adventures, their wanderings brought them to the
west bank of the Susquehanna; they crossed this stream in a boat, and saw the town of Havre de Grace beautifully spread out before them in the moonlight. The upper part of the town lay in their path. Slowly and with much vigilance they proceeded, threading the alleys and cowpaths instead of the frequented streets. Not a soul did they see--as the outskirts of the town were passed. The path they were following led into a highway, and they were just congratulating themselves that now they were safely over two difficulties, the waters of the Susquehanna and the sentinels of Havre de Grace, and were feeling glad generally. Oh, for a warn ing voice to tell of danger! In the midst of exultation, they were suddenly confronted by two dark objects which bore an exact re semblance to Federal pickets. The first glimpse stopped them, and for a moment they gazed in silent astonishment--trying to ascer tain if the objects were soldiers or negroes. Then there rang out the unwelcomes word--
"'Halt!'
"The Yankee voice was unmistakable to Southern ears. What should they do? The road was belted by a strip of woods on one side, and on the other a fence row studded with shrubbery. Should they not run and risk being shot?
" 'Who comes there?' demanded the Yankee voice, with all the authority that belongs to a Federal uniform.
" Travelers,' replied Bryan promptly. " 'With or without the countersign?' " 'Without the countersign.' " 'Then you must wait for the Corporal to pass you through.' "He called and a sergeant soon appeared. - The impulse to run urged, but a stronger apprehension of death forbade. "The blight of hope struck by that word 'halt' seemed to para lyze Meeks and Bryan. They stood rooted to the spot. Clarke, who was behind them, ever quick and ready, had been off in the twinkling-.of an eye, and was already snugly concealed in the bushes unobserved by the Federals. When the sergeant appeared and de manded of the two disconsolate figures who they were, the reply that they were citizens of Havre de Grace was not satisfactory.

A TWICE TOLD TALE OF FORT DELAWARE 253
" 'Well, gentlemen,' said he, I do not know you, and, of course, cannot permit you to pass. But come to the camp with me, and maybe someone there will know you.'
"Alas, they were both strangers and enemies to all! They were again prisoners. Left under guard, Bryan and Meeks lay down to rest and make the best of a bad situation. They were glad Clarke had escaped and wished him happy and speedy safety. In a short time the picket that had halted them, called again for the sergeant, who posted down, perhaps to bring in some other unlucky straggler. He soon returned with--Clarke! The two friends were amazed, and Clarke himself seemed hardly able to account for the mishap. He said while hiding in the bushes, he realized that he should get out of the picket range as soon as possible, and recalling the way they had eluded sentinels on the levee at Fort Delaware, he thought he would again try the plan of rolling out of sight. So down the road he rolled--got up dizzy and dazed, took the wrong course, and walked straight back to the pickets! The fortunes of the three friends were again united.
"No, they were not taken back to Fort Delaware, but had many other adventures, until at last an end came to such hardships--and the war was over.
"Early one summer morning in 1865, a horseman was riding through the pine forests of Screven County, Georgia. A little after sunrise he was passing a farm house where an old negro was feed ing stock. The traveler called :
" 'Howdy, uncle!'--in the familiar Georgia way--and rode on. But the old man ran to the gate crying:
"'Is date Marse Bobbie Bryan? I b'lieve it is Marse Bobbie! It is Marse Bobbie!!'
"The exclamations grew so loud that the young man stopped his horse and said:
" 'Hush! Uncle Jake, I don't want the folks here to know I am come. I want to get home to mother first.'
" 'I ain't gwine ter hush my mouth!' declared the old servant. 'Ise gwine ter tell everybody you is here! Here's Marse Bobbie done come home!' he yelled at the top of his voice.
"The inmates of the farm house ran out with joyful welcomes, surrounding Bob Bryan and asking many questions. And a mes senger sped across the fields to tell father and mother that their son,

254

GRANDMOTHER STORIES

they mourned as dead, was alive. The young man would not tarry, and within a short distance from home met his brother coming to greet him. The brother pulled the poor, worn soldier boy from the horse--looked him in the face crying: 'O Bob, is this youl' and throwing his arms about him, wept.
"A little further on was the mother, running to meet him. Words cannot tell what that meeting was. Home and mother had been the longing thought of the prisoner starving in Fort Dela ware ; it had nerved him to escape; it was his sleeping and waking dream as he lay a weary fugitive on the ground with leaves as his only shelter; it had been his one hope through every hardship and despair.
"Now, at last, Fort Delaware seemed a bad dream, and home and mother a beautiful reality.

INDEX
Alabama, The, ....................................................... 240 Albemarle, 'County .................................................. 97 Aleutian Islands .................................................... 239 Alexander, Samuel .................................................. 48 Anesthesia, discovery of............................................. 136 Anderson, Mrs. S. T. L., acknowledgement to.......................... 13
Major Root. .............................................. 155 Athens, Annals of .................................................... 10 Atlantic Cable, laying of............................................. 146 Augusta, Government moved to....................................... 28
" a straggling village......................................... 118 " military display ............................................ 120 Averill, General ..................................................... 190 Balfour, Colonel ..................................................... 61 Bath, near Augusta,.................................................. 129 Battery Wagner ..................................................... 156 Beauregard, General ................................................. 155 Behring Straits ...................................................... 239 Best Friend, first locomotive........................................... 132 "Bonnie Kate" ....................................................19, 45 Boone, Daniel ....................................................... 186 Boston, Siege of...................................................... 27 Bowen, Commodore ................................................... 27
Boyd, the Tory....................................................... 40
Brooke, John Mercer..............................................147, 232 Brooklyn, race with Swnter- ........................................235-236 Brown, Colonel, Tory................................................. 29 Bryan, Mrs. R. B., acknowledgement to............................... 13
Private Bob ................................................245-254 Bulloch, Captain James B............................................. 238
Burgoyne, General, at Saratoga....................................... 27 Camp Chase, Federal War Prison..................................... 245
White Marsh................................................... 70 Candler, Colonel William..........................................42, 45 Cameron, J. W., Pilot of David- ....................................... 22G Capers, Captain William.............................................. 55 Cappleman, Mrs. Josie Frazee, acknowledgement to.................... 14 Carter, Lieutenant Cyrus............................................. 157 Chandler, Daniel ..................................................... 10 Cherokee Corner ..................................................... 40
Nation ..................................................... 209
Clark, Captain William................................................ 101
Clarke, Betsy ........................................................ 41 Colonel Elijah ....................................28, 33, 45, 48, 98 Hannah .....................................................39-47 John ........................................................ 40 Sarah ....................................................... 41
Clay, Rachel ......................................................... 77 "Clover Fields," Albemarle Co......................................... 99 College, First Female Chartered....................................... 10 Conyers, Captain .................................................... 74 Congress, Continental .................... J..................... 28, 81, 150
at Brussels (1853).......................................... 146 Conrad, Robt G...................................................... 197
Cook, John Esten, Virginia writer..................................... 197
Cornwallis, Fort ............................................29, 36, 46, 117 Cotton Gin, First Whitney .. .T ....................................... 119
" First Steam ............................................. 119 Council, President of Executive....................................... 28

Craven, Captain, TJ. S. N.............................................. 222 Creek Agency ............................. 10 Creek, KetUe, BatOe of........................................... -40, 107
Butler ........................................................ H7 " Goose ........................................................ 117 " Rocky ........................................................ 119 Crawford, Wm. H.............................................133, 153, 220 Dale, General Sam.................................................108-114 Danielsville, Ga. ..................................................... 133 Danville, Va. ........................................................ 215 David, cigar-shaped boat............................................226-227 Davis, Jefferson ..............................................214, 215, 216 Decatur, Commodore ................................................. 220 Decatur, Ga. ......................................................... 172 Declaration of Independence...................................97, 150, 154 Dell Delight, old-time Georgia home................................... 164 DeKalb, Baron ....................................................... 57 Dillard, Captain ...................................................... 48
Sarah ....................................................... 48 Dixon, Captain of the Hwiley- ........................................ 224 Dodd, David, Martyr-patriot........................................... 203 Dooly, John .......................................................... 40 Barley, Governor Peter................................................ 114 Edgefield, S. C........................................................ 77 "EHerslie Farm," near Charlottesville...................................201 Elliott, Major Stephen................................................ 159 Eve, Joseph ......................................................... 117
" Judge Wm. P.................................................13, 117 Ewell, General ....................................................... 241 Fagan, General ...................................................... 204 Fanning the Tory.................................................... 64 Fargo, Dr. Louis W., acknowledgement to.............................. 14 Farrow, Rosanna .................................................... 49 Ferguson, British officer............................................45, 48 Fields, Cyrus W....................................................... 146 First Ship, The Savannah- ............................................ 124 Fogartie, Loyalist gentleman.......................................... 62 Fort Brown .......................................................... 213
" Delaware, Federal War Prison...............................198, 244 " King ........................................................... 209 " Sumter fired on................................................. 155 Franklin, Benjamin ...............................................142, 145 Franklin College established. .........................................* 10 Fulton, Robt ..................................................... .118, 120 Gates, General ....................................................... 55 Gay, Miss Mary...................................................... 172 Georgia Independent Register and Gazette, (1786)....................... 118 Georgia, newly settled State.......................................... 27 Georgia Scenes, first dialect stories.................................... 123 Glassel, Lieutenant of David- ......................................... 226 Gottus, Goss, Hessian boy..........................................57, 66 Goulding, Dr. Frank R., Inventor of the Sewing Machine................ 123 Grant, General, orders to Sheridan.................................... 190 Greene, General Nathanael...............................33, 45, 47, 77, 117
" Mrs. Nathanael............................................ 47, 117 Hallowell, Judith ..................................................58, 67 Hamburg, S. C.....................................................H8, 123 Hamilton, Alexander ................................................. 88 Hammond, Major Harry, acknowledgement to.......................... 14
" Samuel ................................................. .28, 48

Hampton, Captain Edward............................................ 42

" Roads, Battle of...........................................232,233

Hancock, Captain R. J..............................................13, 197

Hardeman, Mrs. Robt. U............................................13, 164

Hawkins, Colonel Benjamin........................................... 107

Heard, Fort .......................................................28, 33

"Heardmont" ......................................................33, 36

Heard, Governor Stephen............................................. 28

Hickman, Dr. Chas. W., acknowledgement to........................... 13

Hill, Colonel Chas. W., Federal officer................................. 244

Hobson, Agnes ....................................................... 33

Hood, General ....................................................... 168

"Hornet's Nest," Wilkes Co......................................40, 42, 45

Horry, Major Peter................................................... 61

Housatonic wrecked by Hunley. ....................................... 225

Howe, Elias ......................................................... 12S

Havre de Grace....................................................... 252

Huguenin, Captain T. A............................................... 15S

Hull, Dr. Henry...................................................... 10

Hunley, Torpedo fish-boat...........................................223-225

Hunter, Andrew Marion's Scout ...................................... 64

ballad of ............................................ 67

" David, Federal General....................................... 190

Herndon, Ann ........................................................ 141

Edward ................................................... 141

Indian Corn .......................................................... 172

Jackson, General Andrew ..........................................108,150

Colonel James ........................................28, 36, 45

" Stonewall, Soldiers under.................................... 172

.................................................. 190

Jefferson, Thomas ............................................97, 100, 145

Johnson's Island, Federal War Prison................................. 242

Johnston, General Joseph E........................................... 168

Jones, Paul, of Revolution,........................................231, 234

Journal, Wm. H. Crawford..........................................13. 220

Kcarsarge ........................................................... 140

King's Mountain, Battle of............................................ 45

"Knights of the Golden Horse Shoe"................................... 1S6

Lafayette, Marquis de................................................ 141

Langworthy, Edward ................................................. 28

Laurel ............................................................... 238

Ledyard, John ....................................................... 97

Lee, Captain Francis D................................................ 223

" General Robt E......................................... .148, 169, 184

" Light Horse Harry.............................................. 36

Letcher, Governor, home destroyed.................................... 190

Lewis, Meriwether .................................................98-106

"Leyden House," Atlanta.............................................. 167

"Locust Hill," Meriwether home....................................... 99

Long, Captain Samuel ................................................ 133

" Dr. Crawford W..............................................133-137

Longstreet, Hannah .................................................. 118

"

Judge Augustus B......................................... 120

"

William, Inventor of Steamboat....................118, 119, 120

Louisiana Purchase .................................................. 100

Macintosh, General .................................................. 113

MacWhorter, Mrs. Sarah A., acknowledgement to...................... 13

Madison, James ................................................... 88, 145

Mallory, Stephen R................................................215, 232

Marion, General Francis.............................................. 55

t 1

Marks, Captain John.................................................. 98

Martin, Elizabeth and her seven sons.................................. 77

Massachusetts, Port Bill ...........................................48, 118

Started the War...................................... 27

Maury, James .....................................................97, 138

John Minor .................................................. 138

Matthew Fontaine, .................................... 138,232, 220

Works of................................. 149

Matilda ...................................................... 138

Roht. H. ..................................................... 220

Mrs. Reuben ................................................. 131

McWhorter, John Lee, acknowledgement to............................ 13

Rev. William ............................................ 128

Means, Dr. Alexander, Prophet Electrical Age.......................... 130

Meriwether, Lucy .................................................... 98

Nicholas .................... ........................... 98

Miller, E. L........................................................... 123

Milledgeville, Ga. ................................................ .111, 114

Mississippi, built by Tif t brothers....................................... 231

Mitchell, Miss Frances L., acknowledgement to........................ 13

Monticello ........................................................... 99

Monitor built to fight the Virginia- .................................... 233

Moore, Dr. Noel, acknowledgement to................................. 13

Morgan, General Daniel............................................... 81

Moultrie, General ..................................................61, 150

"Mulberry Grove" .................................................... 117

National Observatory ................................................. 147

Navigation Charts, Maury's........................................... 143

Navy, Confederate States founded..................................... 231

.Vi'ti- Ironsides, war vessel............................................. 225

New Orleans, Battle of................................................ 109

"Nollichucky Jack" .................................................. 20

"

Log palace on .......................................... 45

............................................ 18

Ninety-Six, S. C..................................................48, 50, 78

Olmstead, Col. Chas. H., acknowledgement to.......................... 14

Oxford, Ga. .......................................................... 164

Page, Captain Dick................................................... 222

Phillipps, Harvey Witherspoon, acknowledgement to................... 13

Pedee River ......................................................... 55

Pickens of South Carolina............................................. 40

Pierce, Lieutenant Charley............................................ 244

Pinckney, Charles ................................................... 87-94

Point Lookout, Federal War Prison................................... 243

Powder Works at Augusta............................................ 213

Quebec, Siege of...................................................... 81

Quincy, Josiah ....................................................... 89

Railroad, First built for locomotive use............................... 123

Rains, General Gabriel J.......................................209-216, 221

Colonel Geo. W................................................ 219

Ramseur, General .................................................... 190

Randolph, Hannah ................................................... 118

" John of Roanoke........................................... 193

Revere, Paul ......................................................... 18

Richmond, Evacuation of.............................................. 214

Ridgeley, Randolph.of the Mexican War............................... 1 93

the Second ...................................193-197

" Mrs. E. G., acknowledgement to............................. 13

Round-O, S. C., American Army Camp at............................... 47

"Russell" (horse) .................................................... 201

Russell, Miss Lucy ................................................... 198 Miss Tillie ................................................191-201
Sand Hills, near Augusta............................................. 123 Savannah, Capital young State........................................ 28 Secession First Act of................................................ 154 Semmes, Admiral Raphael, C. S. N.........................234, 237, 239, 240 Seminole Indians in Florida........................................... 209 Sevier, Catherine .................................................... 45
General John ...........................................18, 42, 45 Sevier, Ruth ........................................................18-29 Shciiandoah, Cruise of.............................................238, 239 Shenandoah, Valley of................................................ 189 Sheridan and his "barn burners"...................................... 190 Sherman's Camp, (1864) ............................................. 166
" plan of "March to the Sea".............................167, 181 Sherrill, Catherine .................................................... 19 Shipp, J. E. D., acknowledgement to................................... 13 Southern Literary Messenger- .......................................... 147 Smith, Cordner, Artist................................................ 14 Smythe, Mrs. Leila Rains, acknowledgement to........................ 13 Sparks, Colonel ...................................................... 112 Spotswood, Governor ................................................. 186 Springs, Cedar ....................................................45, 48 Stanton, Clarence L................................................... 159 Stratton, John Paul, acknowledgement to.............................. 13 Steamboat, Invention of............................................... 118 Stephens, Alexander H................................................ 134 Storey, Theodore .................................................... 226 Sullivan, fireman of David- ........................................... 226 Sumter, Privateer C. S. N..........................................234-237 Sturtevant, First Georgia, Company K................................ 157 Gorleton, Colonel .................................................... 56 Taylor, General Zachary ............................................. 207
" Mrs. Frances Long, acknowledgement to....................... 14 Tecumseh, Indian chief............................................... 107 TecHmsch, Ironclad ................................................... 221 Telfair, Governor Edward...........................................28, 119 "Thorneville" on the Savannah........................................ 118 Torpedo, Bureau at Richmond......................................... 213
" defenses ................................................... 222 First Sub-marine of Rains' device............................ 221 First Sub-terranean ......................................... 214 "Fish-boat" ................................................. 223 Sub-marine re-introduced by Maury.......................... 149 Introduced into Confederate Navy............................ 220 Kinds used ................................................. 222 Spar invented ............................................... 223 U. S. Corps.................................................. 149
Tredegar Iron Works................................................ 219 Tucker, Commodore ................................................. 241 U. S. Naval Academy, Plans for....................................... 147 Van Doren, Mrs. Lucy Maury, acknowledgement to..................... 13 Virginia, first Iron-clad............................................232, 241 Virginia Military Institute............................................ 190 Waddell, Captain James I.............................................. 238 Waddell, "Parson" James............................................. 98 Wall, Mrs. Annie Macintosh, acknowledgement to..................... 13 Waring, Grace ....................................................... 77 War of 1812.......................................................... 150

Washington, Ga. ........................

"

General George ........^...

Watklns, Joseph ........................

Watson, British Commander.............

Weather Bureau ........................

"Westover," Longstreet home............

Whitney, Eli ...........................

Wilde, Richard Henry...................

Wilkes Co. .............................

Williamsburg, Va., Battle of..............

Wilson, Oregon, Artist...................

Winchester, Va. ........................

Witherspoon, Gavin .....................

"

John ......................

"

John, the Signer...........

"

Mary .....................

Wyeth, Dr. John A., acknowledgement to..

.............. 28 .27, 41, 90, 93, 107 .............. 118 .................74
.............. 146 .............. 123 .............. 117 .............. 153
............. 28 .............. 213 .............. 197 ...........81, 189 .............. 70
............. 70 .............. 150 .............. 73 .............. 13