384 John Bachman. 



but he gave neither sign nor clue, by which they 

 could be identified. 



There were no traces at " Mars Bluff" of a bloody 

 w r ar; but the hearts of all were sorely anxious. 

 Most of the railroads had been destroyed, families 

 were separated without the means of communica- 

 tion, and rumors of disaster and death were rife. 



During these days of bitter suspense, Dr. Bach- 

 man's devices to keep up his spirits were pathetic. 

 He taught a class of young people Botany ; the prep- 

 aration for the lesson and the drive to the place of 

 meeting, Dr. G.'s, proved a happy diversion from 

 brooding thought. 



On Sunday afternoons he preached to the negroes, 

 AVe find in a note book, this entry : 



Sunday, May 7th. Dr. Bachman preached on the 

 Ten Commandments. The negroes attended from all 

 the neighboring plantations and formed a large and 

 attentive congregation. At the close of the services, 

 one of the women, from Gen. Harllee's plantation, 

 brought a pair of socks that she had knitted for 

 him the offering of an humble heart grateful for 

 religious instruction. 



In April, Gen. Lee's army the last hope of the 

 Southern Confederacy, surrendered. 



Dr. Bachman had sought but failed to communi- 

 cate, by private hand, with the scattered members of 

 his family. At length the oppressive silence was 

 broken. Letters reached him containing assurances 

 that all his immediate family were safe. Rumor 

 asserted that a fire had laid waste a large portion 



