382 John Bachman. 



With a heav}' sheathed sword one of them struck 

 him several times on his left arm near the shoulder, 

 causing great agony. The account of the cruel 

 treatment received, has been preserved in his own 

 words.* But why harrow the reader by further 

 details ? We would rather bury the past, and spread 

 over it the mantle of charity. 



Amidst pathetic scenes, the ludicrous side of the 

 picture was not entirely wanting. When the trunks 

 were to be sent into the woods, by close packing, one 

 was left empty. Dr. Bachman had received a present 

 of a pair of new shoes, which he needed greatly and 

 valued in proportion. These he determined should 

 not be sent awa}^ — yet if he wore them, they would 

 most likely be taken from him. He decided ^to 

 leave them in the otherwise empty, open trunk, 

 beneath the tray. The trunk was kicked about by 

 the soldiers, and, to his intense satisfaction, pro- 

 nounced by them empty, and the new shoes were 

 saved. 



Early the next morning (Sunday, March 5th), Dr. 

 Bachman held a short religious service with the 

 famil3^ Soon after the large smoke-house near Mrs. 

 Ellerbe's kitchen was set on fire by the soldiers. The 

 providential direction of the wind and a supply of 

 wet blankets, saved both the kitchen and the family 

 mansion. 



While the smoke was wreathing over the smoke- 

 house, a tree took fire, and our attention was at- 



* The Rise and Fall of the Contederate Government, by 

 Jefferson Davis. 



