our confinement, we had the company of several officers, one at a time. They behaved civil, but were full of talk and foolish imaginations concerning us. Let me never forget my Master's kindness in a time of need: I had talk enough for them all, which they could not gainsay or condemn. At length they concluded, yea, one of them told me, that I was a crafty fellow, chosen by our Yearly Meeting in Pennsylvania to survey the southern states, to the disadvantage of our country, and for the advancement of the British troops, or words to that effect. We were often pressed to promise to go home, which I as often punctually refused; giving them reasons for it which they could not answer. "We gave ourselves up to the captain on Sixth day in the afternoon, and on First day morning following, about an hour or two before day, there was a great stir in the camp, the officers riding to and fro, ordering the soldiers to make haste and parade ready to march. When our captain had got his men in order, with many prisoners, he honoured us so much as to rank us next to him, and so he marched on with his naked sword in his hand, and we following him. We marched near twenty miles, and then encamped. When we first set out, I was thoughtful how we should get along, for several reasons, if they marched far. We had eaten sparingly the day before, and then had but a little more than one biscuit and a little piece of meat between us both, and had our bags and great coats to carry; and what made it seem more trying, the sand was deep and slavish, and my boots stiff and heavy. The thoughts of these things, for a time, seemed grievous. I began to inquire for my [Divine] Master, and when I had found him, I conversed with him as though he was present, and told him as though he knew it not, that I had left my dear wife and all that I had that was near and dear to me, for the love I had for Him, and did entreat that he would not leave me now in a time of trial and he was pleased to hear me, and with an encouraging language, conveyed to my understanding, as with these words, Fear not, my servant, I will be with thee.' The praise of all be given to Him, for he is worthy he did fulfil his promise to my admiration. "We marched fast. I ate but little more than half a biscuit that day, and yet could not perceive myself hungry or weary. I found freedom to be cheerful in conversation with the captain and with his men. The officers passing and repassing, generally took notice of us. Some of them asked how we were. I answered as I felt, with as much cheerfulness as I could. We were now encamped in the wilderness under guard, but had liberty to walk out, one at a time. I went out that afternoon, from tent to tent, amongst the officers, making known to them our circumstance, where we desired to go, and what our business was. One of them promised to let us go in the morning. I returned to my companion, laid down by him, but could not sleep, although I had not slept much for several nights. Remarkable it appeared to me that I should be well, and hearty and lively, without much food or sleep. My dear friends, search for the reason: I believe it to be the Lord's doings, and it is marvellous in my view. "The next morning I went to seek the officer who had promised to give us our liberty, and after some time found him, and put him in mind of his promise. He seemed to quibble, and put it off. I thought he intended to weary me out, that so I would promise to go home. I went to the head officer, and made my complaint, and he, in a friendly way, told me we should soon be released. Soon after, that officer who had promised us a permit, called me to his tent, and wrote a pass for us; and when he had read it to me, my spirit was raised with zeal for my Master's honour, and so I told him, that I was not to fear or he frightened by men when in my Master's cause. Must we indeed go right home without a guard? Nay, send a guard with us for the safety of thy country. Yes, we have concluded to go homeward about one hundred and fifty miles, to a settlement of Friends about New Garden, and when we have visited them, if I find my mind easy to return home to my wife and children, I shall be glad; but if I find my Master hath any more service for me in this part of the country, I desire to be enabled to return to South Carolina, if not to Georgia, visiting my friends; and if I should return through this army, when thou seest me ride on, then remember what I tell thee now. Officer.—If you return here again, you may expect severity. Answer-I do not fear what your army can do to me, for I know that you can have no power over this body, except you receive it from above for some good end.' He then looked me in the face, and perhaps saw the tears begin to run down my cheeks: he gave me his hand, and wished me a good journey, got on his horse, and rode off. "Our horses were given to us; we parted with our captain (of the provost) as with a friend, and with a raised voice bid his men farewell, and wished them a better way of living, which they returned, with gladness for our release. We had about sixty miles to a friend's house at Pedee, from whence we came. I thought our being amongst them was no disgrace to our society. O how good it is for us to live near the Truth! Walking in the Light, we should be at no loss to know what to do, nor where to go, nor how to behave ourselves before men for the glory of God, and for the safety and peace of our souls. I have been much preserved in such a state since I left you: I am unworthy of such great kindness. The thoughts of the many days, weeks, and months, which, in time past, I have spent in the unnecessary cares of this world, do at times grieve me: that, and the sense I have of the state of the churches, is the greatest affliction which I meet with. I find hard work amongst Friends in these southern provinces, but have been helped by my kind Master, to proclaim his great name: although in a clumsy and uncustomary way, I generally feel relief to my burdened, troubled soul. "I am in a few days intending to set out for South Carolina again, not knowing what may befal me there. My greatest concern is, that I might be profitable to my Master. I cannot see the end of my journey, nor the road home, so clearly as usual. It may be you may see my face no more; and if it be so, I entreat you, in that love which I feel for you, that you show kindness to my dear wife, and watch over my children for good. The reason of my beloved companion leaving me-I first proposed it to his consideration for your sakes, lest you might be uneasy; and after considering and looking at it, [he] found freedom so to do. It is no small cross for me to part with him: we have travelled together in love, as brethren in tribulation. My love to you all, my friends and neighbours. "New Garden, North Carolina, "Fifth Month, 6th, 1781." "ABEL THOMAS." After this, with his companion, Amos Lee, (who would not leave him though set at liberty,) he proceeded on his further service. "When we came near South Carolina, we were told that the country was all in an uproar. Scouting parties from both sides were riding to and fro, killing one another, and also peaceable men which they found travelling, except they knew them to be on their side: and that they had determined to take no prisoners, which we found to be in a great measure true. When I heard this sorrowful news, it took deep hold of my mind; for I had entertained a thought that I should die in that country; and as times were, I thought I should not die a natural death, but that I should be barbarously cut down by the light horse. I searched deeply to know whether my concern was right, and my Master was pleased to manifest to me, that it was his will I should go forward. We travelled on, visiting meetings, and generally alone, inquiring the road. Friends were fearful. They were advised by the most moderate persons in power, to stay on their farms, except going to their particular meetings. We met with none of these cruel men, although we could hear of them almost every day, until we got within ten miles of the British garrison at Ninety-six. We then approached a large scouting party upon a hill: we could see them afar off, and when we came up to them, we found they were much afraid. We showed the major our certificates, and asked him if we might go forward. He said he would not hinder us, if we would venture our lives; for the rebels (as they called them) had got between them and their garrison, and were killing all before them. I told him that I did not trust altogether to man for preservation. We rode on, but had not gone far, until he and a negro came riding after us. He ordered his negro to ride on some distance before, and if he saw any man, to ride back and tell him. The major rode in between me and my companion. I felt uneasy in my mind while he rode there, and we endeavoured to shun his company, but could not. His negro wheeled round his horse, and hallooed to his master, · Rebels! rebels" The major stopped, and turned about to run; then calling to his man, asked How many? He answered, two.' He wheeled back again, and out with his pistols, and rode furiously towards them; but found they were his own men. "We travelled on, lay in the woods not far from the garrison, and next morning, passing through the town, were detained some time by the picket guard. Being conducted to the head officer, he appeared kind to us, and invited us to breakfast with them. I acknowledged their kindness, but told them I desired not to be detained then, for I expected to be called to an account for passing through that place. They, with sorrow, signified they would not detain us to our hurt; and we were told a few hours afterwards, that General Green surrounded the garrison. We visited the meetings on towards Georgia, and were told, it was as much as our lives were worth to go over Savannah river; that the Indians and white people were joined together in their bloody designs. We had been so remarkably preserved hitherto, that we did not much fear them: rode the river in great danger, the water being so rapid, and the bottom so rocky, that I never rode in such a dismal place before. It was well we had a pilot who led us amongst the rocks; for I thought if our horses had stumbled, they must have been washed away by the rapidity of the stream; but we got over safe, and travelled on towards the settlement of Friends: and while riding a small path in the wilderness, two men overtook us, and in a furious manner, with great rage, ordered us to stand, and with terrifying language were raising their guns to shoot us. I desired them to stop a little while, that we might clear ourselves of those high charges. They gave us a little time, but soon broke out in terrible rage, with blasphemous language, and one of them was cocking gun. I desired them to have a little patience; I had something to say: and so we remained for about ten minutes. Then they turned round to consult between themselves privately. I heard one of them ask, if they should kill us; the other answered, 'I hate to kill them :' and after some more private discourse, turned to us, and ordered us off our horses; they got on ours, led their own, and so rode off. his "Our pilot riding a mean beast, his habit also being mean, they said but little to him, and took nothing from him. Being now left in the wilderness, we soon came to a conclusion to return to Friends at Long Cane, from whence we came; but how to cross that large and rapid river Savannah, we could not conceive: it looked unlikely that we could ride two at a time on so weak a creature, neither could we wade it. We sought for a canoe, and seeing one on the other side, called, in order to get over. A young man came to the canoe, and inquired who we were-asking if we were rebels. My companion told him we were friends to the rebels. He then said, we were damned tories, and should not come over. We then went down the river, to a place where some had forded in low water. My companion and pilot stripped themselves, and being good swimmers, they got on the weak beast, with their clothes between them, intending if the creature sunk, to swim out, and if they got safe over, one of them would come for me. I could see but little of the horse until they got to the other side, which was, I suppose, about two hundred yards: sometimes the water ran over the saddle, and my companion coming back for me, we also landed safe, then travelled on to William Miles's, from whence we came and a kind friend he was to us. "This was a trying time to me; not so much on account of the loss of my property, as for the absence of my Beloved, who had been my preserver and conductor. I was afraid I had offended him in going so far. I endeavoured to keep still and quiet in my mind, and soon perceived I must return to that bloody place again: and when I made it known to my companion, it was grievous to him, and after a time of silence, he told me we had been so remarkably preserved whilst we were within our prescribed limits, he thought we had no business there; if we had, it appeared to him unlikely that we should have been stopped: and further, that I had not liberty by certificate to visit the meetings in Georgia. This discourse from a valuable friend, so highly esteemed by me, and also by his friends in general, struck me deeply. I told him I desired to look more deeply into it. This was the next morning after we came to the aforesaid friend's house. I inquired for work, and kept closely at it for two weeks, my companion not being able to do much; my desire was, to keep him and myself from being chargeable. At that time I could see no way home, nor the time to go back again. For several days I was in great distress, and there was none to help me; often looking towards my dear wife and children, mourning for me, and I not knowing how long I should be detained there, or whether ever I should see them again. "One night as I lay bemoaning my sad condition, as though I had offended my Master, whom I had loved above all, I cannot express the anguish of my soul at that time; and in the depth of distress, a language livingly sprang in my mind, Stand still;' a language, which I understood at Camden when a prisoner there, was now with life revived and renewed, 'Fear not, my servant, I will be with thee,' O, how was my troubled soul revived! All doubts and fears vanished away, and in this pleasant and favoured state I said, 'It is enough, Lord! I want no further confirmation; I will go or will stay at thy word; only be with me.' Indeed, the place where I was seemed so pleasant, for some time after, that I thought I could live there all my days, if it was his will, without being much concerned about home. I soon informed my companion, that I intended to travel towards Georgia, and that as, by his discourse a few days before, he thought he had no business there, I should leave him at his liberty; but desired he would stay here for me a certain time, and then return, if I came not. After serious consideration, he told me he could not be easy to let me go alone, and if I went, and died, he would die with me. A day soon appeared for me to travel on, and also to write a letter to General Green, who was then about thirty miles off, fighting against Ninety-six. He soon read my letter, and granted my request, as follows: 66 "Mr. Abel Thomas, and Mr. Thomas Winslow, Long Cane. "Gentlemen, Camp, before Ninety-six, June 7th, 1781. "Your letter of the 6th is before ine. From the good opinion I have of people of your profession, being bred and educated among them, I am per shaded your visit is purely religious, and in this persuasion have granted you a pass; and I shall be happy if your ministry shall contribute to the estabJishment of morality and brotherly kindness among the people, than which no country ever wanted it more. I am sensible your principles and professions are opposed to war, but I know you are fond of both political and religious liberty. This is what we are contending for: and by the blessing of God, we hope to establish them upon such a broad basis, as to put it out of the power of our enemies to shake their foundation. In this laudable endeavour, I expect at least to have the good wishes of your people, as well for their own sakes as for ours, who wish to serve them upon all occasions, not inconsistent with the public good. 66 Gentlemen, "I am, "Your most obedient humble servant, 66 NATHANIEL GREEN." "Head Quarters, June 7th, 1781. Abel Thomas has General Green's permission to pass and repass through this country, behaving with propriety. 66 NATH. PENDLETON, Aide-de-Camp." "We set out early in the morning on foot, serious and deep thoughts attending my mind. We seemed like sheep going a second time before the slaughter, without any outward obligation: travelled about twelve miles, crossed Savannah river, and came up with a colonel and his men, who had got there the night before. A captain looking earnestly at us, began to examine what our business was, and hearing the account we gave, (slender indeed in his view,) viz. to visit our brethren at Wrightsborough,' he appeared surprised and mistrustful; asked us for a pass, which we gave him he ordered us to follow him, and led us to the colonel. Our certificates, General Green's friendly letter, and permission, being read to him, they asked why we were travelling on foot. We told them we were robbed not far from that place, about two weeks before. They said they had heard of us down at Augusta, and if we would stay, they thought they could find our horses, for they knew who had them. And as I was describing my horse, a soldier said he thought my horse was in the company; and I soon found the horse, saddle, and bridle: for that wicked man had just ridden up. I informed the colonel; who had him immediately taken and put under guard, and then sent out a scout after the other, who had my companion's mare, saddle, and saddle-bags, and confined him also, which greatly surprised them. They sent for us, and desired we would forgive them. We inquired where our goods were. They readily informing us, we told them, that all we wanted was what we had lost, and that they would repent and amend their ways of living; that we could forgive them, and do them a kindness if it lay in our power, although they had injured us. They appeared low in their minds, for the colonel declared they should be hanged, as many accusations of their wickedness and barbarity came against them. : "We got the principal part of our goods, lodged with the soldiery that night, and next morning rode to Friends' settlement, I hope with thankful hearts, and visited the meetings of Friends both at Wrightsborough and at New Purchase and finding my mind clear, turned my face homewards, and as I rode, a hope renewedly revived, that I should see my little family again. I felt them near to my heart, although by computation eight hundred miles distant from them. We crossed Savannah river, and travelled towards Ninety-six, where the armies were fighting; and when we drew near, became doubtful how we should pass, as the cannon were firing fast, and the road we were in leading immediately to the British garrison, we knew of no way to escape; but a friendly man overtook us, and told us that he would pilot us round, and a difficult path it proved; sometimes we were |
