Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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A PRIVATE'S B Last Days ot' the 1 bu J. W. MATT SOX, LATE OF CO. fi., ORR S MED: 1 Thc personal experience of a pri vate soldier in the Confederate army may not bc of much interest to the public. Still I have concluded to give you some of, my recollections of the closing scenes around Petersburg. Virginia, as I saw them. I now write from memory. I belonged to McGowan's Brigade, which was moved from the lines, three miles west of \ Petersburg, to a position on the White Oak road, west of Burgess Mill, on March 20, 1865. We occupied a posi-' tion in the line cf works some six or seven miles west of Petersburg, be tween Burgess Mills and Five Forks, On March 31st McGowan's and Gra cie's Brigades, both commanded by Gen* McGowan, attacked the enemy in our front and drove them hand somely about one miie. The eneury was heavily reinforced and turned our flank, forcing the Confederate troops to retire to the breastworks with a small loss. . % ' April first our command was hot en gaged except in picket firing , but on our right .the hattie of Five Forks was fought in which the right wing of our army was defeated, and a large num ber of prisoners taken, leaving our right flank exposed to thc enemy. We remained in the works during the night of the first ignorant of the situ . atioa on our right. We could hear rumors that Gen. Bushrod Johnson's command was captured and scattered, . but did not know that all on our right Was crushed. April 2d, soon after daylight, we could hear heavy firing in the direc tion of Petersburg. The artillery fire was yery heavy, and the roar of mus ketry was incessant. We could hear the rebel yell and the cheering of the . enemy. The cheering of the enemy gradually passed to bur left, facing the town, which plainly indicated to us that our line was broken. During thc time the heavy firing was going . on between us and Petersburg, the line we occupied was quiet. When the sun was two or three hours high we were ordered to "fall in." We quiet y filed out of the works, not .knowing what move we .were to make, but we soon found that the works were to he abandoned. After going a short distance, we found artillery in mud holes] to roll out, for the horses were not able to pull the pieces. When we reached Southerland's Station, on the South Side road, we threw up light earth works, and awaited he enemy. We did not have to wait very long for in a short time we* could see the enemy advancing in force. They took shel ter in a ravine a few hundred yards in our front. Our forces calmly awaited the charge which we knew they were preparing to make. Soon they assaulted the forces on our' right and were handsomely re pulsed. Their next aove was in our front and they were driven back to shelter in the ravine. After an hour " or two of suspense, we were again at tacked in ourfront and a flanking col-, umn sent to our left. We were out numbered and forced to retreat before - we were entirely surrounded. We re tired in some confusion in the direc tion of the Appomattox river without any' Organization! The commands were scattered. Officers and men were confused, knowing nothing of the bridges or the position of the enemy. We soon reached the Appomattox rivet, which we found very much swollen from recent rains. We start ed up the river to find a crossing, but had not gone far until we met others ?coming down the scream, who report ed that the enemy had reached the j river above and all chance of escape was cut off in that direction. This re port proved false, as part of the men pushed on up the stream, and escaped .capture. We then attempted tc make our way down the river to Petersburg and join the forces defending the town, but we had not gone far until we met others who reported that the .enemy were in force between us and Petersburg. We were now surround ed on all sides by the cneiny and the river. To cross by swimming was our only chance, and the chances were against us to the other bank. So all present decided that surrender was our only course. It was now late in the evening, and we could hear the bugle calls of the enemy on the hills around us. After holding a council of war. we decided to surrender un conditionally. We had slept but very^ittle for sev eral nights and as night approached we pitched our muskets and cartridge boxes into the canal and went to sleep without putting out a guard of our own, for we knew the hills were well guarded by others. Monday morning, April 3d, wc awaited results, and carly in thc morning a detachment of Yankees came up thc river to where wc were aud demanded our surrender. We were marched bul; to the public road near Southerland's Station. Thc RECOLLECTIONS. W >r A.roimd Peters rg-_ REGIMENT DP RIFLES, IN ABBEVILLE [UM. road was crowded with blue coats go ing west pushing on after the retreat ing forces of Gen. Lee. "We remained on the road side some time waiting for the troop to pass, and after the main columns had passed us we brought off the rear, following thc course of thc South Side railroad and we marched several miles during the day. After night we still followed cn until about ten o'clock. During the march at night I saw several good chances to escape, but did not make the attempt. "We were told that Gen. Lee's forces, were surrounded and we would be re leased in a day or two. We could tell by the movements of tbe troops that Gen. Lee was not surrounded. Occa sionally we could hear the roar of can non in front and thc foroes would in crease their speed. Thursday the order o : march was made the same. "Wu marched most of the day and at night were put out in an open field crowded together and a heavy guard placed around us. Our rations were exhausted by this time. A scanty supply was issued on the morning of the 2d. The troops we followed did not have rations enough to divide with us, for their wagon trains were not up. and they were grumbling at a fearful raie, but they divided rations wita the prisoners while they had them. "While Lee's veterans were on starvation, the Fed erals were not much better until the supply trains caught up witt them. "Wednesday morning, April 5th,. we were marched ont into the road, ex pecting to follow the troops in their line of march as we had done for two (jays. The infantry guards were re placed by cavalry, and we parted com pany with the main irmy somewhere near Burkeville Junction, I think. We were started in the direction of Petersburg over the same route we had traveled Monday and Tuesday, but our progress was blow on account of the supply trains pushing on after the army. , During the day we me,t hundreds of wagons heavily loaded with army sup plies. The teams were fat and sleek, well equipped in every respec t. With the supply train there were more troops than Gen. Lee iiad in the army. The white troops treated us ki ndly during the trip,, but we mei a brigade of colored troops that weie insolent' and said some things that would have brought on a first class fight under more favorable circumstances. Wc were in no condition to resont the in sult and treated them with contempt. We reached Petersburg footsore and hungry after four days of marching, and we were quartered in a warehouse at the Weldon, depot until Saturday morning when the comr-assioned offi cers were separated from us and marched away. The city was quiot f.fter nine months of seige. From June, when Gen. Butler came so near capturing the city, not a day passed that the roar of cannon and rattle of small arms could not be heard somewhere along the line. Near the crater the skirmish lines were near together and a continual fire was kept up. We would go to sleep at night wi h the crack of the sharpshooter's rifle ring ing in our ear, wake up in the night we could still hear it, and every few minutes the battery at Howlett's House would send a shell into the Dutch Gap canal to let the enemy know that they were still awake. On Saturday morning, April 8th, we were marched out of our quarters, ordered into line and marched through thc earthwork;; east of town, passing near the famous cra ter, and on to City Point on James River, where wo found a good-sized army loafing around and having a reg ular jubilee. Rations were issued tc us consist ing of salt pork and army crackers. Before we 'could cook our meat we were ordered on board of a steamer and put under guard of negro troops. The pork was so salty that only huo gry men could eat eat it. If wc had known that a sea voyage was ahead of us, some of us would have tsken less of the pork the first meal. About the middle of thc afternoon our vessel moved out down the river. The trip down the James river was pleasant, except we were too much crowded to bc comfortable. The com fort of the passengers was not consid. ered by the officer in charge. . None of the Confederates secured cabin or stateroom passage on the trip. Neither did we go to tho dining room to take our meals. After get ting out on thc ocean Saturday night not many of thc crowd wanted any meals. A strong east wind com menced blowing during" thc night, which made it interesting on board. The steamer pitched and tossed and rocked at a fearful rate. My head was dizzy, my stomach w: .s too full, and I had lost control of the salt pork. At first the situation alarmed me. After a few hours I was indif thc storm had no terrors to i was sick and very sick, with ph company along that line. Our < once was a rough one in the 1 the vessel, and accommodation wholly inadequate for the occasi BOur negro guards were not ah the voyage did not agree with any better than with us. The hue of their countenances ind trouble in the stomach. Sunday night and Monday ou age was not so rough. Still thc of us were sick. Sometime c Monday night the vessel ancho the bay of New York. Ta morning we viewed New York, I lyn and Jersey City frcm our ] ship. From New Yfork we WON ried to Hart's Island, in the din of Boston. The prison was a one, not completed. The island small, sandy, barren place, new buildings were put up, we very much crowded. The da^ landed we were put in a ward v lot of fellows from Petersburg, whose business was to steal everyi in sight. The first time we left the qua to answer roll call we did not tah knapsacks and haversacks with and when we returned what . clothing we had was gone. I reco\ my clothing, but lost my blanket. Our rations consisted of army ci ers mostly and one-third pounc day waB our allowance. Meat ws sued in small quantity. "White soup was served for dinner, consis mostly of water. Coffee for breal was dished out without sugar, did not fare sumptuously every by any means. It was a tough, '. life.all around. Gen. Lee sui dered his army before we rea* prison. "We expected to be released short time, but weeks ran into moi before the oath of allegiance wa fered us, and our parole taken. Our time was principally taker in daylight examining our clothin, order to keep the soldiers' pest d to the least number possible, and they grew and multiplied. On June 18th we were relea from*prison and were required to t the oath of allegiance before we w paroled. The first boat left the land Sunday morning, going to 1 ton Head, S. C. All that were s out on the first boat reached he without delay. The b lance of us the second boat did not reach " New York in time to catch the ste? er that day. We were quartered the barracks at Castle Garden eij days, waiting for the next steamer, ing South. During our stay in N York our bill of fare was all we coi ask. The barracksowere where the Fed al troops were fed as they pass through the city on their way hon Confederates, white and colored F< erais ate at the same time. The was no discrimination on account color or previous state of servituc The negro troops passing through t city were given the same accommoc tions that the white troops receive We were not in a condition to pi our company and adapted ourselves the situation. Our eight days stay thc city was pleasant and enjoyed 1 all who were well enough to trav around. We were allowed to go o into the city without a pass. V promenaded Broadway daily and we generally treated kindly. L. K. Bo' inson and myself visited Centr Park one day. Our style of dress a tracted considerable attention fro: the crowd in the park that day. VI were not fashionably attired by an means and we could see that we'wei out of date. At one place where a large force c workmen were putting up a building we were halted by an Irishman an questions asked, what we were doin there, where we were from, etc. He then called to the men at worl to come quick and see a genuine John ny Beb. We were soon surrounds by a crowd that seemed to never tiri of asking questions and looking at us We were thc first Confederates som< of them had seen. Now and then w< met mon who still had on their wa: paint and seemed to bc spoiling for J fight. One was asked if he was in thc Federal army. Ile admitttd that he was not, said he was not able. Ile would have been in the thickest ol thc fray if his health had been good. We told him the front was a very un healthy place. Our trip from New Y*ork to Hilton Head was a pleasant one compared with our trip going North. The sea was smooth. The steamer was large and well loaded, running smooth and steady. We had very little seasickness on the trip. One Confederate died on thc trip. Ile died at night, when no one knew it on board. The next day at 12 m. his body was consigned to thc ocean. The body was sewed up in canvas and weights attached. A plank was run out from the vessel with the body un it. After a brief burial service read by the captain, the plank was tilted, thc body shot over the side, and Avas lo.-t tu view. Wc landed at Hilton Head and re mained one dav. At that time it wa s a gloomy looking place. The wen was very warm and the place sec to be swarming with negros, flies gnats. A few Federal soldiers stationed there. From Hilton Head wc were sci Charleston by boat, for the ste! from Xcw York could not c Charleston harbor. The dept! water was not sufficient to float a sei so large. So we were transfc to one that could cross the bar the tri]) was made in a few houi the bar. There we waited sc'\ hours for flood tide so as to cross bar. Thc famous Fort Sumter in r was viewed with considerable inte as wc passed, as also Fort Moul and Sullivan's Island. Quite a cha had taken place since we .saw t last in April, 18G2. We landed in Charleston Satui evening, July 1st, and were marc from the wharf to the comissary partment of the garrison and d about one day's rations of cracl and pork. We spent the night at S. C. Railroad ' depot. The n morning (Sunday) we boarded the ti J for Orangeburg, the terminus of road then. Sherman's array had destroyed road oabove Orangeburg. Our ti reached Orangeburg in the afternc We made enquiries and found would have to walk to Alston, S. The G-. & C. road was destroyed fi Columbia to that point, a distance twenty-five miles. Our experience on this tramp i rough. The weather was wai Along the route we came alkwas de late and in ruins. Sherman's sei nels, chimneys, standing along t road showed where once was haj families and prosperity, now ruin a desolation. The destruction was cc plete. Our rations were short, a nothing along the road to replen: with. Some green fruit was all could find. We reached Columbia July 4 early in the morning and crossed t river in a boat where the Congai bridge once stood. At* the C. & depot we rested a short time. It 1 ing a national holiday the day Vi celebrated with considerable noii We could hear the bands playing town and wild cheering going on. \ concluded not to take part in the ce bration, as we were more anxious reach home. We heard that the trains from A ton to Greenville rnn up one day ai down the next. The next morni (Wednesday) was the day to go u We had to make it to Alston that di and night or wait two days longc Wo followed the railroad track up tl river, making slow time, for we we weak and out of rations. The roi was torn up and washed away and tl bridges all gone. The day was wart no farm houses along the route to gi1 us help. We would go a few mil and rest. The twenty-five miles wi hard to make. When we reached Alston Tuesda morning it was near leaving time f< the train. We called to the ferryman to con: after us. He was slow getting ove When we were about half way ov< the river the train pulled out. "So near and yet so far." When the boat reached the bank w landed in short order. As we clan bered up the bank the negro ferryma was demanding his pay. We had n money and no time to settle bills. S the ferry bill is still unsettled. Th train stopped at a road crossing a fei hundred yards from the river to tak on baggage. This delay enabled us t overtake them and board the train Captain Billy Smith, the veteran con ductor, was in charge and landed us ii safety at our destination in the after noon of July 5, 18bo. John Marioi Pruitt, L. K. Robertson. Gus Ashle] and John F. Williams were in th< prison with me.' All are still living except John Marion Pruitt. . The thirty-two years and more thal have passed since the Confederate armies surrendered seems like a dream. Many of thc heroes arc gone, Those of us still living are classed with the old men of the country. A few years more will thin om ranks. Our reunion here will soon bc over, leaving history to perpetuate the daring deeds and hardships of thc Confederate soldier. - M mn - - It is said that the daisy was never known in thc South until after the war. Now every part of the south visited by the Union army is covered with daisies. "Sherman brought them to us," it is said, "'aud tho march to the sea can be followed in the summer time by keeping where the daisy grows. The seed seems to have been transported in the hay that was brought along to feed thc horses. This is the only explanation that has ever been made of it." STATK OK OHIO, CITY OF TOLEDO, j LUCAS COUNTY, | FRANK J. CHENEY makes oath that he is thc seniar partner of the firm of F.J. CUEVEY&Co, doing business in the City ol' Toledo, County and State aforesaid, and thai said firm will pay the sum of ONE UUNDBEU DOLLARS for each and every case of CATARRH that cannot bc cured by thc use of HALL'S CATARRH CORR. Flt AN K .1. CHENEY. Sworn to before me and subscribed in my pr s eme, this Gib day of December, A. D lssc. [SKALJ A. W. GLEASON. Notary Publie. Hall's C:it3rrb,Cure is taken internally and acts directly on tho blood and mucous surfaces of thc system Scud for testimonials, free. Address, F. .1. CHENEY & CC.Toledo 0. Sold by Drusnlsts. 75c. He is Done With Negro Labor. Capt. Graham, who is the represen tative of those interested in the new* hosiery mill recently established at Hopkins, now to be Drought to Colum bia, yesterday talked interestingly of the removal. He said that thc mill was located at Hopkins in order to utilize thc negro labor which was so abundant in that vicinity. He wont oe to say that they had given the negro labor a thorough test and found that it was absolutely unfitted for the operation of the mill. In fact the negroes proved lazy and slow, and did not seem to "catch on," no matter how much instruction was given. With a full force he found that thc mill was steadily losing money. Then he cut the force to see if by operating only a portion of it, giving close attention to those emplo3'ed, the mill could not be made to earn expenses. This experiment also failed to make expenses, and a short time ago he shut the mill down altogether. He will now move the mill to Columbia and use only white labor. Capt. Graham had plenty of experi ence with l?bor in Columbia, being manager of the Columbia Hosiery mill and is satisfied that with white labor the new mill will pay well.-Thc State. If Water Never Froze. The whole ceremony of nature would undergo a startling change if water Dover froze. The world's climates would be revolutionized. The ice bound polar seas would cease to ex ercise their chilling influences, and consequently the currents of the ocean might either cease or be turned aside in different directions. Thus the Gulf Stream would seek other shores than those of Britain, and the climate there .might be sub ject to the extremes of heat .and o.old noticeable in other countries of the same latitude. The iee-bound rivers of the North, notably those of Russia and Siberia, would be open for naviga tion, and Russia's activity as a sea power and a commercial nation might alter the whole world of commerce. Canada would become another coun try altogether. An immerse tract of land would be available for cultivating hardy plants, and Greenland might be what its name indicates..- The absence of icebergs off the coast" of Newfound land and Iceland'would result ina much warmer climate in those islands, where dow the crops often fall. Ice, too, plays an important part in the economy of nature. Thus, if wa ter never froze, snow, hail and hoar frost would cease. The loosening of soils and the disintegration of rocks by the frost, and many other now vital effects would be on the ons hand an in calculable dis?ster, on the other hand a great boon.-Pearson's Weekly. - A heart without love is like a violin without strings. - The man who talks most about himself says the least. T WX^jroi^ONE. Bv SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WE OFFER HOME AND FARM In combination with the ANDERSON INTELLIGENCER for $1.55, being the price of our paper alone. That isj for all new or old subscribers-renewing and paying in advance, we send HOME AND FARM one year free. HOJIE AND FARM has for many years been the leading agricultural journal of the South and Southwest, made by farm ers for farmers. Its Home Depart ment, conducted by Aunt Jane, its Children's Department, and its Dairy Department are brighter and better than ever. Renew now and get. this rreat journal for the home and the farm-FREE. The use of the surgeon's knife is be coming so general, resulting fatally in such a large number of cases, as to occasion general alarm. Mr. William Walpole, of Walshtown, South. Dakota, writes; "About three years ago, there came under my left eye a little blotch about the size of a small pea. It grew rapidly,and shooting pains ran in every direction. I became alarmed and consulted a good doctor, who pronounced it can ecer, and said that it 'must be cut out. This I would not consent to, having little faith in the indiscriminate use of the knife. Read ing of the many cures made by S. S. S., I determined to give that medicine a trial, and after I had taken it a few days, thc cancer became irritated and began to discharge. This after awhile ceased, leaving a small scab, which finally dropped off, and only a healthy little scar remained to mark the place vrh 2re the destroyer had held full sway. A Real Blood Remedy. ? Cancer is tu thc blood and it is folly t )c::ncct an operation to cure it. S.S.S. [gxsrcitteed purely wgsiable) is a real roaicdy for every -Ji?ca??pf thc blood. Sloops mailed free ; address Swift Spe cific Co., Atlanta, MS MKOmOli MD UVER PUIS! 100 for 25c. Why pay 25c. for 25 Pills when you can get 100 'just as good or bet ter for the same price. ?."4 . . ..' SMALL.SAFE^ Any time-day or night. HILL-ORR DRUG CO., ANDERSON, S- C. WE WON'T DECEIVE YOU ! We are in Business for the Money that is in it, and not for our health. During these panic times we propose to not only meet hut heat any price on anything in our line ! WE have a new. slick, nobby line of S oesi Boots, Hats, Cans, Jeans, Flannels, And everything in the line of' GENERAL MERCHANDISE needed for fam ily use. We have the best line of '.flour, Sugar, Coffee, Tobacco, Lard, Meat, Hams, Bice, Grits, &c, To be found in these parts, and "COST" isn't the word to express how cheap we are selling these Goods. We do a large business with a small force, and have been fairly success ful ; so if some men, with heavy expenses hereabouts, can sell for "Cost," we, can sell for less, even if we have to drink branch-water, while we are at it. So if you want to buy your Fall Shoes and Dry Goods WHERE YOU CAN DO THE BEST, Don't fail to see us, for we are in the ring, and in to stay, "Cost" or no "Cost." We have made up our mind on some things in regard to selling Goods for less money than other people who do a small business on heavy expense. Yours very truly and earnestly, BROWNLEE & VANDIVERS. R. LEWIS, OF BELTON, S- O. BEING now comfortably located in my two new and commodious brick Store Rooms, and having a larger and more complete Stock of Goods than ever fihown in this Town, I have decided to surpass even my own record for LOW PRICES. For instance 10,000 yards heavy yard-wide Sheeting at 4c. 10,000 yards Standard Prints at 4< 7-ounce AU Wool Jeans at 10c. Lace and Button Shoes from 623c. a pair np. Children's Shoes 25c. up. Whole Stock Brogans 98c. Pull Stock Dress Goods 5c. to 81.00 per yardf Men's 8uits $1.75 up. Boys'02i& np, And all other Goods cheaper than .you ever bought them-. MILLINERY GOODS-Ladies' Cloaks, Shirt?, Rugs, &c. in profusion. A complete line of Heavy and Fancy GROCERIES, including 500 Barrels of Flour bought before the rise. I cordia'ly invite all to call to see me and be convinced of my ability to serve them aright, ' r Remember, I always pay the highest Cash Price for Cotton. . Yours for low prices, ' <: R. A. LEWIS. Belton, a. C. Footwear I A good opportunity to fit up the Family with desirable, well-fitting and good wearing Shoes. IT is our pleasure to announce that we have spared neither neither pains or money to make our line of FALL GOODS the most desi rable and serviceable in the State, and we feel confident that our patrons will appreciate the fact that our Goods are manufactured expressly to suit the taste and fancies of this community. Every detail is carefully carried out with the intention of furnishing the public with a superb line of SHOES. We also carry a good line of: TRUNKS, And our prices are right. Give us a call when in need of anything in our line, and be con vinced of what we say. Tte Yates Shoe Co. Under Masonic Temple, Anderson, S. C. ,