John Washington's Civil War by Crandall Shifflett

Author:Crandall Shifflett [Shifflett, Crandall]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780807133026
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: Louisiana State University Press
Published: 2008-04-01T00:00:00+00:00

8

First Night of Freedom

April 18th 1862, Was “Good-Friday,”* the Day was a mild pleasant one with the Sun shining brightly and every thing unusally quite [sic]. the Hotel was crowded with boarders who was Seated at breakfast a rumor had been circulated amoung them that the Yankees Was advancing, but nobody Seemed to beleive it, until Every body Was Startled by Several reports of cannon.

Then in an instant all Was Wild confusion as a calvary Man dashed into the Dining Room and Said “The Yankees is in Falmouth.” Every body was on their feet at once, No-body finished but Some ran to their rooms to get a few things, Officers and Soilders hurried to their Quarters Every Where Was hurried Words and hasty foot Steps.

Mr Mazene Who had hurried to his room now came running back called me out in the Hall and thrust a roll of Bank notes in my hand and hurriedly told me to pay off all the Servants, and Shut up the house and take charge of every thing. “If the Yankees catch Me they will kill me So I can’t Stay here,[”] “Said he” and was off at full speed like the Wind. In less time than it takes me to Write these lines, every White Man was out the house. Every Man Servant was out on the house top looking over the River at the Yankees for their glistening bayonets could easiely be Seen I could not begin to Express My New born hopes for I felt already like I was certain of my freedom now.

By this time the Two Bridges crossing the River here was on fire the Match having been applied by the retreating rebels. 18 vessels and 2 steamers at the Wharf was also burning.

In 2 hours from the firing of the First gun, Every Store in town was closed. Every White Man had run away or hid himself Every White Woman had Shut themselves in doors. No one could be seen on the Streets but the Colord people. and every one of them Seemed to be in the best of humor. Every rebel Soilder had left the town and only a few of them hid in the Woods West of the town Watching. The Yankees turned out to be the 1st Brigade of “Kings Division,”* of McDowells Corpse [sic], under Brigader Genl Auger, having advanced as far as Falmouth they had stoped on Ficklins, Hill over looking the little town. Genl Auger discovered a rebel Artillery on the oppisite Side of the river, Who after Setting fire to the Bridge was fireing at the Piers trying to knock them down the “Yankees” Soon turned Several Peices loose on the rebels who after a few Shots beat a hasty retreat; coming through Fredericksburg a a [sic] break neck speed as if the “Yankees” was at their heels.

Instead of across the river Without a Ford, and all the Bridges burnt.

As Soon as I had Seen all things put to rights at the

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