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 Andrews 
 
 Life and adventures of Captain Robert W, Andrews
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES 
 
 'A N 's5nDojA.9 — ^^
 
 THE 
 
 LIFE AND ADVENTURES 
 
 OF 
 
 Capt. Robert W. Andrews, 
 
 OF 
 
 SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA. 
 
 EXTENDING OVER A PERIOD OF 97 YEARS. 
 
 REPLETE WITH STARTLING SITUATIONS AND INTEREST 
 
 ING INCIDENTS. TOGETHER WITH REMINISCENCES 
 
 OF THE WAR OF l8l2, AND THE RECENT 
 
 " UNPLEASANTNESS " BETWEEN THE 
 
 NORTH AND SOUTH. 
 
 BOSTON: 
 
 PKINTED FOR THE AUTHOR BY E. P. WHITCOMM. 
 
 1887. 
 
 T
 
 <
 
 /J 
 
 i 
 
 * 
 
 ^■^__^
 
 
 i
 
 Rk
 
 THE 
 
 LIFE AND ADVENTURES 
 
 OF 
 
 Capt. Robert W. Andrews, 
 
 OF 
 
 SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA. 
 
 EXTENDING OVER A rERIOD OF 97 YEARS. 
 
 REPLETE WITH STARTLING SITUATIONS AND INTEREST- 
 ING INCIDENTS. TOGETHER WITH REMINISCENCES 
 OF THE WAR OF l8l2, AND THE RECENT 
 " UNPLEASANTNESS " BETWEEN THE 
 NORTH AND SOUTH. 
 
 BOSTON: 
 
 TKINTED FOR THE AUTHOR BY E. P. VVHITCOMR. 
 
 1887. 
 
 (
 
 ^GGNTEiNT^S.i^ 
 
 • 
 
 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Frontispiece ,,.... 
 
 I 
 
 Title Page ...... 
 
 3 
 
 Contents ...... 
 
 4—5 
 
 Preface ...... 
 
 7 
 
 Childhood's Days .... 
 
 9 
 
 First trip to Boston in 1812 . 
 
 10 
 
 Ship-building in Maine, 1813 to 1815 . 
 
 1 1 
 
 Butchering in Buffalo — The Wager 
 
 12 
 
 First return home . . . 
 
 13 
 
 Second trip North .... 
 
 14 
 
 Return home, and subsequent trip to Illinois 
 
 15 
 
 Perils of the prairie .... 
 
 16 
 
 Arrival at Vandalia — The bee-hunters . 
 
 17 
 
 The panther and the bear 
 
 18—20 
 
 Trading for a horse .... 
 
 21 
 
 The intoxicated stranger 
 
 22 
 
 The two narrow escapes of Mr. Brooks 
 
 23—24 
 
 My first marriage — 1823 
 
 25 
 
 Detective work ..... 
 
 26 — 27 
 
 Running a hotel — The two strangers . 
 
 28 — 29 
 
 Waterie Swamp ..... 
 
 30—31 
 
 Dealing in horses . . . . . 
 
 32 — 36 
 
 The stolen horse .... 
 
 37 38
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CT 
 
 Followed by the sheriff . . . . 
 
 More detective work — A trip to New Orleans 
 
 The slave market 
 
 Trip to Alabama in 1835 
 
 Death of my wife in 1836 
 
 A romantic weddin^r 
 
 The recent war 
 
 Secreting valuables from the invading army 
 
 A week in the swamp . 
 
 The campfire .... 
 
 Sumter in ruins .... 
 
 Serving as chief of police in Sumter 
 
 Enforcing the law — The negro and the sword 
 
 A negro riot 
 
 Bitten by a rattlesnake 
 
 Trip to Texas 
 
 Third trip North 
 
 A narrow escape 
 
 " No concealed weapons at the hotel 
 
 Fido stolen 
 
 The condition of the negro 
 
 Return home — Two shots at a thief 
 
 Fourth trip to Boston 
 
 Clippings from the Press 
 
 References 
 
 My Children 
 
 39- 
 
 -40 
 
 • 
 
 41 
 
 42- 
 
 -43 
 
 
 44 
 
 
 
 45 
 
 
 
 46 
 
 
 
 47 
 
 
 
 48 
 
 49- 
 
 -50 
 
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 • 
 
 54 
 
 cane 
 
 55 
 
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 -57 
 
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 862513 
 
 A
 
 1.
 
 #PRE;FAGEi.^ 
 
 It is with somewhat of hesitancy that I place before 
 the general pubHc this story of my life, embracing a 
 period of ninety-seven years; as it may not prove of suf- 
 ficient interest to enchain the attention of those to whom 
 I am an utter stranger; but to my family, and to many 
 personal friends, I trust that it may be found agreeable 
 and instructive reading. 
 
 This history is compiled from notes made by myself, 
 during these many years, and is truthful in every respect — ■ 
 not in the least exaggerated. 
 
 I have, however, expressed some of my sentiments, by 
 placing them in the mouths of the several characters. 
 
 I am greatly indebted to Mr. Malton Downing, a Boston 
 journalist, for his services, in compiling and editing this 
 work; and also to Mr. E. P. Whitcomb, the publisher, 
 who has assisted me in many ways. 
 
 Hoping that this brief sketch of the long and eventful life 
 of a true American citizen may meet with favor, I am, 
 Yours, with respect, 
 
 Capt. ROBT. W. ANDREWS, 
 
 Boston, Mass., April, 1887.
 
 I
 
 -#ST0RY GF MY LIFE.^ 
 
 IT WAS in the little picturesque town of Statesburg, in 
 Sumter District, South Carolina, in the year 1 790, 
 and fourth day of July, that I first saw the light of day. 
 
 My parents had emigrated from Northampton, Va., 
 shortly before my birth, and settled in a pretty little cot- 
 tage on the Old Federal Road, which led from the North- 
 ern States through to Charleston, S. C. 
 
 My father was an industrious mechanic — a wagon and 
 carriage maker, — and carried on that business for many 
 years, or until he had reached the good old age of seventy- 
 nine years. He had brought up a family of twelve child- 
 ren, all of whom he started well in the world, for he had, 
 by industry and frugality, amassed a snug little fortune, 
 at least that is for those times. 
 
 It was in the month of October, 181 2, that the monot- 
 ony of my young life was for the first time broken in up- 
 on. It was then that a gentleman named Curtis Bruce, 
 an itinerant peddler, stopped at our house to rest. He 
 had two beautiful five-horse teams, and I thought them the 
 finest that could be had. His wagons were loaded with 
 cotton and wool cards, shoes and jewelry for the Charles- 
 ton market. While on this stop his teamster was taken 
 sick, and, after a long talk with my parents, I was em- 
 ployed to take his place, and drive one of the heavy wagons 
 to the end of the journey; and it was with ill-concealed 
 pride that I passed ni)' young associates on our way out 
 
 of my native township, which was destined not to ofifer 
 2
 
 lO LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF 
 
 me a permanent home for several years. At Charleston 
 we loaded cotton and furs for Boston, and began the then 
 long and weary journey to the North. In passing through 
 Statesburg the sick man was taken up, but as he was not 
 able to work I was retained. 
 
 x\s may be supposed, the country through which we were 
 obliged to pass was wild and uninhabited. We were heav- 
 ily armed to protect ourselves, not only from the profes- 
 sional highwaymen, but from many of the settlers, who too 
 often looked upon our loads and horses with covetous eyes. 
 
 On reaching Boston, Mr. Bruce, my employer, sold out 
 his freight, and went to his home in Marlboro, Mass., 
 where he bought more teams, and again loaded up for 
 Charleston, which we reached in due time. 
 
 On our return, loaded the same as before, we got as far 
 as New York, where we received an ofter from the govern- 
 ment to convey gold and silver to Boston. 
 
 Disposing of our goods, which we had brought from 
 Charleston, we took on the freight of precious metal, and, 
 under an escort of four army officers, proceeded on our 
 way. 
 
 We met with little or no trouble until we reached Bridge- 
 port, Conn., where we were detained nearly twenty-four 
 hours, having arrived there on Sunday, and it was against 
 the law " to travel on the Sabbath;" for it must be re- 
 membered that this was in the old Blue-Law times. 
 
 We reached Boston all right, however, and gave the 
 horses a long rest, in order to fatten them up. a little, in- 
 tending them for the market; for their long journey had 
 caused them to assume somewhat of an angular appear- 
 ance, and, in fact, it had been the habit of us teamsters, for 
 a week before reaching Boston, to throw our reins over 
 their hip-bones whenever we made a short halt. 
 
 But my employer, Bruce, was a stirring man, and could
 
 CAPT. ROBERT W. ANDREWS. I 1 
 
 not remain idle long; so we loaded up again, but this time 
 we turned our faces toward the State of Maine, which then 
 offered a good field for enterprising }'oung men. 
 
 Wiscasset was our first stopping-place ; then proceed- 
 ed nine miles up Dyer's River to a place called Newcastle, 
 and there opened a small store, and disposed of our goods 
 
 It was at this time that our attention was called to the 
 business which has given to the Pine Tree State a world- 
 wide reputation — ship-building. 
 
 The result of our labors in this line was one schooner 
 and one ship, both of which we launched, broadside to, at 
 high water. After two years in the ship-building business, 
 we returned to Massachusetts. 
 
 I had now contracted a love for a roving life, and could 
 not content myself on a farm, as my friend Bruce did ; and 
 a few months after leaving Wiscasset found me going to sea 
 before the mast, on the coast. 
 
 After a life of two years on the briny deep, my next 
 experience was in New York city, teaming materials for 
 the new market. 
 
 After eight months of this kind of work I went up the 
 river to Albany, thence through the canal to Buffalo ; and 
 then, after a short time, went back to Palmyra, N. Y., and 
 engaged work with a Mr. Colt, in the butchering business. 
 
 It was while here that an amusing instance occurred, 
 and one which brought in a few dollars to my pocket. 
 
 There were two men at work in the same establishment, 
 who greatly flattered themselves on their skill in skinning 
 sheep. 
 
 Now, these sheep were not slaughtered for the market, 
 but their carcasses, except hind (juarters and hearts, were 
 boiled up to make tallow for candles ; the quarters were 
 smoked for venison hams, and the hearts were sent to the 
 State's prison.
 
 13 LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF 
 
 Annoyed at the braggadocio constantly indulged in by 
 these men, I made a wager of one hundred dollars with 
 them that I could produce a man who could take off more 
 pelts in one day than cither one of them. My champion, 
 was sent for, and the twenty-second day of March, 1824, 
 was the time set for the test of skill. 
 
 At sundown our opponents cried " Hold !" and, on 
 counting the skins, it was found that my man had won the 
 bet by nineteen skins. This feat secured my friend a 
 good position in the same employment; and he and I re- 
 mained with Mr. Colt some time, receiving forty dollars 
 per month, and two dollars per night for watching the ket- 
 tles in which the meat was boiled — we alternating nights. 
 
 On leaving Palmyra, went directly to New York, and en- 
 gaged in the honey business, which I found quite profita- 
 ble for one season ; when the desire to again visit Massa- 
 chusetts took possession of me, and I started for Boston, 
 where a good offer to drive the stage from Marlboro to 
 Sudbury was offered me. I engaged in this work for 
 awhile, but it did not suit me, and I again started -South ; 
 this time traveling by water to Charleston, S. C, and the 
 one hundred and three miles to Statesburg I covered on 
 foot, making the distance in thirty-two hours, or from ten 
 o'clock in the morning of one day, to six in the evening 
 of the following day. 
 
 On reaching my former home I applied to my mother 
 for a night's lodging, but the seven years of my absence 
 had made such a change in my appearance that she did 
 not know me and said, "No, we do not keep a public 
 house, and do not take in travelers." 
 
 I had purposely assumed a very rough manner in ad- 
 dressing her, and it was no wonder that she was loathe to 
 admit any such a stranger as I.
 
 CAPT. ROBERT W. ANDRKWS. 1 3 
 
 "Well, ma'am," I replied, " I have walked from Charles- 
 ton and am very tired." 
 
 Now the old lady began to mistrust who it was, and 
 looking closeh" at me inquired, "Where do you live, young 
 man, when \-ou're at home?" 
 
 "In this district," I replied ; "Good night, madam, I must 
 find some other place to rest to-night," and turning away, 
 started to cross the road, when my \-ounger brother, who 
 had been listening to the conversation, called out, "That 
 is brother Robert!" 
 
 "Call him back, call him back!" cried my mother, now 
 thoroughly aroused. 
 
 I felt sorry that I had so played upon the old lady's 
 feelings, but she forgave me, and our re-union was a happy 
 one. I could not be contented, however, to remain long 
 in this quiet little place; and as soon as I could finish up 
 some business, which took me about a month, I again re- 
 sumed my travels. 
 
 During my stay at home, the arrival of my brother 
 James from the West lent additional pleasure to my visit. 
 My father was now dead, and my brother, who was carry- 
 ing on the carpentering business in Kanaka County, Ala- 
 bama, had come on to take the rest of the family back 
 with him to the West. After settling up my father's es- 
 tate, and receiving my portion, I started for McLeanberg 
 County, North Carolina, to visit my sisters, who had mar- 
 ried, and settled in that section. For several months I 
 traveled through the states of North and South Carolina, 
 trading horses. 
 
 Changing climates so often brought on an attack of 
 chills and fever, and I was obliged to come North. Sell- 
 ing my horse in Fayetteville, I took the boat to Wilming- 
 ton, and from thence to New York by steamboat. Here 
 I placed myself under the care of Dr. Ilildreth, to be
 
 14 I-IFE AND ADVENTURES OF 
 
 treated for an internal abscess in my side, the relics of the 
 fever. I had at this time, the year 1822, eleven hundred 
 dollars in my possession ; all but seven dollars of which I 
 put into the doctor's hands, with the request that should I 
 die, he would send it to my mother; but if I should re- 
 cover he was to deduct his fee and give me the balance. 
 He referred me to a boarding-house near his office, and 
 instructed me to call upon him every morning, when he 
 would set me to work at some light labor, such as mixing 
 medicines or rolling pills; this was to give me needed ex- 
 ercise and occupy my mind. He advised me to eat what- 
 ever my appetite craved, and as much as I wanted. The 
 question now was, and one upon which my life depended : 
 where was the abscess to break? If in the stomach, I was 
 safe; but if below, it would result in almost instant death. 
 One day, while seated at the table eating a hearty dinner, 
 the crisis came. The sensation was like an electric shock, 
 and my present hale and hearty condition goes to show 
 that the abscess found vent in the least vulnerable part. 
 The doctor was not only surprised, but greatly pleased 
 with the prospects of my now speedy recovery. It was, 
 however, two weeks before the kind physician gave me 
 leave to go out from under his hands. After paying my 
 board I said, "Now doctor, what do I owe you?" "Noth- 
 ing, my boy, nothing," he said. "When I find an honest 
 young man, I want to assist him ; follow the course you 
 have marked out, and you will grow up to be a true man 
 and good citizen." Which advice I have endeavored to fol- 
 low throughout my long and eventful life. 
 
 Dr. Hildreth afterwards introduced me to the Captain 
 of the ship "Sarah and Caroline," on which I shipped for 
 Boston as "able seaman." 
 
 On arriving in Boston I re-visited Marlboro, and again 
 drove the stage for about two years, between that place
 
 CAPT. ROBERT \V. ANDREWS. I 5 
 
 and SudburN'. Wantinfr to see mv own home ajjain, I 
 started for the southward by wav of staee-coaches ; this 
 was in the year of 1824. Upon my return to Statesburg, 
 I worked at carpentering, and employed three men and a 
 cook. While in this business I met Mr. IMiddleton 
 Brooks, who kept the tavern in Statesburg, who offered 
 me three hundred and fifty dollars and expenses to go to 
 Vandalia, in the State of Illinois, for his father. I had 
 then a "trotting horse," which I sold and bought one more 
 fitted for the trip. I left m)'- men in charge of ni}' carpen- 
 tering business, and, on June 5th, 1825, started for Illinois, 
 passing through Camblin and Lancaster, South Carolina 
 and Charlottetown and Salsbury, North Carolina, through 
 Brunswick County, across the Blue Ridge mountains, by 
 the Swannana Gap, into Tennesee ; passed through that 
 State and Kentucky, to the Ohio river, which I reached at 
 Hudson's Ferry. 
 
 I hastened to cross the stream, as there had been a 
 murder committed at Hudson's Ferry the morning of my 
 arrival, and I thought that I might be an object of suspi- 
 cion. It was nearly dark when I reached the Illinois side. 
 The place where I landed was rocky and mountainous, the 
 road leading through ledges and hills. 
 
 Soon after leaving the river, I was shot at. I ran my 
 horse for a mile and a half, until I came to the house of a 
 farmer named Nettles. I told him my story, and he gave 
 as his opinion, that it must have been the murderer who 
 fired the shot at mc, wanting to get my horse, in order to 
 make his escape. I stayed all night at the house of this 
 hospitable farmer, who would not accept any pay for his 
 kindness. 
 
 He asked if I was alone, and upon my telling him that I 
 was, he remarked thati w as the first man he had known
 
 I 6 LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF 
 
 to pass through that section of the country without a 
 companion. 
 
 At daylight I started in onto the prairie, with sixty miles 
 before me to make before sundown, or " lay out " and be 
 devoured by panthers. At noon I fed my horse on a fru- 
 gal meal, consisting of two loaves of corn-bread, and after 
 giving him a short rest, resumed my journey. Just as it 
 began to grow dark, I saw a light directly ahead, which 
 appeared to be some two miles distant. 
 
 Feeling quite pleased at having covered so much ground 
 since morning with so little fatigue, for I was scarcely 
 tired, and being assured that comfortable quarters for the 
 night were near at hand, I allowed the horse to jog along 
 at an easy canter. Half an hour after first making the 
 light, it was quite dark, and although I had ridden over 
 two miles, the fire for which I was heading seemed as far 
 off as before. It was then that the gentle evening breeze 
 bore to my ears a sound, which, I am not ashamed to ad- 
 mit, filled me with consternation and alarm : it was the 
 wild cry of the panther away to the right of the trail, 
 quickly answered by another on the left, and taken up by 
 one in my wake ; then others joined in, until it seemed as 
 if I was completely surrounded by the fierce beasts. 
 
 The grass through which the path led was as high as 
 the horse's back on which I rode, and through this heavy 
 growth of vegetation I could plainly hear the approaching 
 panthers, as they bounded towards me. 
 
 My horse also took the alarm, and shied and plunged 
 fearfully, as his keen scent detected the close proximity 
 of the ferocious brutes. But the animal had been well 
 "broken," and, with a soothing word and a gentle caress, I 
 succeeded in allaying somewhat of his fear. 
 
 As before stated, I was travelling at an easy gait when 
 first startled by the cry of the panther, and as I had been
 
 CAPT. ROBERT W. ANDREWS. 1 7 
 
 warned never to increase the speed of my horse when sur- 
 rounded by panthers, I summoned all the nerve and cour- 
 age I possessed, and kept my steed down to his usual easy 
 canter. 
 
 Oh, how slowly the time dragged, and how far away 
 the light seemed. 
 
 It was all of three hours after dark when I rode into the 
 circle of light which had been my beacon since sunset. Four 
 men stood beside the fire of a hunters' camp, with their 
 rifles in their hands, and peered out anxiously into the 
 darkness, wondering who or what it was that was approach- 
 ing them from across the prairie. 
 
 •' My God ! stranger, where did you come from?"' called 
 out the leader, as I rode into the full glare of the light. 
 
 "From the sixty-mile house," I replied. " And I am 
 bound to Vandalia. I was told I should find another house 
 hereabouts." 
 
 "And so you will, a quarter of a mile further on, but 
 you'd better stay with us," continued the hunter. 
 
 I thanked him ; but told him I thought I would push 
 on, as it was so short a distance, and I wanted to stable my 
 horse; and so saying, I bade them good-night, and con- 
 tinued on my way. Shortly after, and without any further 
 adventures, I arrived at the house of a kind and hospita- 
 ble farmer, where I remained one day and then proceeded 
 on my way to Vandalia, which place I reached at the ex- 
 piration of three days. 
 
 On arriving at Vandalia I inquired for Mr. Banning, 
 who was a son-in-law of old gentleman Brooks. Mr. Ban- 
 ning was then out in the forests, hunting honey with a small 
 party of his neighbors ; but I found the object of my jour- 
 ney in charge of the house. 
 
 The bee-hunter's outfit consisted of one horse and flat 
 slide, on which was lashed the barrel destined to hold the
 
 1 8 LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF 
 
 honey; also to this shde, or drag, was fastened a small 
 store of provisions and ammunition; and on their return 
 trip, the skins of animals which had been killed, as well as 
 some game. 
 
 The dense swamps throughout the state of Illinois af- 
 forded extensive homes for the wild bee, and the hunter 
 was always well rewarded for his labor. On finding a nest, 
 the honey was strained into the barrel, and the comb, for 
 the most part, thrown awa\' ; and when all of the party 
 had filled up their barrels, the return trip was begun. 
 
 After waiting one day at Vandalia, the party headed by 
 Mr. Banning returned, well laden with the result of their 
 hunt. 
 
 These hardy settlers proved genial hosts, and as the 
 only diversion in that then far-away country was to hunt, 
 a party was made up for my especial benefit, and after one 
 nisht's rest we started into the woods. 
 
 At a distance of some six miles from Mr. Banning's 
 house, my new friends had built a comfortable log cabin, to 
 serve as a place of shelter for themselves, their dogs and 
 their horses while on a hunt, as the panthers and wolves 
 were so plentiful that it would have been dangerous to re- 
 main in the open air over night. 
 
 A calf was taken along to be used as bait for the large, 
 fierce game for which we were in search ; and just before 
 nightfall, portions of the flesh of the unfortunate quadruped 
 were secured by chains to the house, one piece on either side 
 of the cabin. The reason for so fastening these pieces of 
 fresh meat was, that otherwise the panthers would have 
 pounced upon them and robbed us of our bait, before we 
 could get a shot at them. 
 
 Scarcely had the sun set, when the fearful cry of the 
 panther, and the long-drawn howl of the wolf resounded 
 on every side.
 
 CAPT. ROBERT W. ANDREWS. 1 9 
 
 First they came in single calls, which were quickly 
 answered by others, denoting that the fierce beasts were 
 gathering from near and afar, attracted hither by the 
 smell of the fresh blood of the poor calf. Closer and 
 closer drew our expected game, until with a graceful 
 bound, a magnificent specimen of a panther leaped into 
 the clearing. Scarcely, however, had he shown himself, 
 when the crack of a rifle bespoke his doom, and the fero- 
 cious animal la\' dead beside his wished-for feast. 
 
 The moon, which was nearly at its full, shed a bright 
 light into the clearing, and it was not long after the first 
 shot was fired, when the approaching cries, and the crack- 
 ling of the underbrush warned us that the hungry animals 
 were not in the least alarmed by the fate which had over- 
 taken their companion. 
 
 A panther, fully as large as the first-comer, crept up to 
 the tempting bait, placed there to lure him to his death; 
 but scarcely had he buried his sharp teeth in the savory 
 morsel, when an unusual disturbance in the forest warned 
 him that another one was coming to the feast. 
 
 The noise made by this new-comer told us watchers that it 
 was not a panther ; and sure enough, for the huge, shaggy 
 object which shuffled out from under the dark shadow of 
 the trees, bore the outlines of the bear ! The brute 
 paused for a moment at the edge of the clearing, as 
 though taking in the dimensions of his predecessor at the 
 feast, then, as though satisfied that he was the panther's 
 superior, he uttered a threatening growl, and rushed fran- 
 tically upon his enemy. Now began one of the fiercest bat- 
 tles that I have ever seen waged between wild beasts. 
 The bear threw himself upon his back, and with his long, 
 sharp claws struck at the vitals of his antagonist, while 
 the panther could not reach him at all. There could be no 
 doubt as to the result of the combat, had not our rifles an-
 
 20 life: and adventures of 
 
 ticipated the issue, by laying them both lifeless, side by 
 side ! 
 
 Though the nights afforded great sport to us hunters, 
 the day's work was far more exciting, for it was now that 
 we went in search of the deer. Through this portion of 
 the country the surfaee was broken by numerous patches 
 of vegetation, known in these sections as " cane-sinks," 
 where the cane, which grows very thickly together, 
 reaches a height of from eight to ten feet, and covers over . 
 a space not unfrequently two acres in extent. Into these 
 sinks the deer penetrated in great numbers, feeding upon 
 the tender shoots of the cane. 
 
 Our custom was to surround one of these "sinks," and 
 when all was ready, raise a loud cry, when the startled 
 deer would come tearing out, only to fall before the un- 
 erring fire of the hunter. On this hunt which I enjoyed 
 with my new friend, we secured six panthers, five bears, 
 eleven deer, six wolves and one tiger. 
 
 At this time, and in this far-away country, the skins of 
 the deer were not worth five cents apiece, and the only 
 portion of the carcass which was consumed was the hind- 
 quarters. After reaching the home of Mr. Banning, his 
 father-in-law, Mr. Brooks, was very anxious to start home. 
 Mr. Brooks, who was ninety-six years of age, was too old 
 a man to think of attempting the long weary journey back 
 to South Carolina on horseback, and it became necessary 
 to procure a carriage for him. My horse however, was 
 not fitted for work in a carriage, and I had to purchase 
 another. Visiting Vandalia, which was some three miles 
 from my friend's house, I met a gentleman who had just 
 such a horse as I wanted. 
 
 "What is your price?" I asked, looking at the animal. 
 
 "Well, Stranger," he replied, eyeing the horse with the 
 air of a man who was a connoisseur in horse-flesh, "If that
 
 CAPT. ROBERT \V. ANDREWS. 2 1 
 
 'ere critter was only broke to the saddle, you couldn't buy 
 him for a good deal of money ; but for a carriage he can't 
 be beat for a hundred dollars. What do )-ou say to a hun- 
 dred dollars?" 
 
 *'\Vould it be worth more if it was a good saddle horse?" 
 I asked. 
 
 "Yes indeed," he answered. 
 
 " Perhaps you'd like a good saddle horse?" I remarked ; 
 " If so, I have got as good a one as there is in the whole 
 State of Illinois, but you'd have to give me considerable 
 money to boot." 
 
 "Well, I want a good saddle horse," he answered. 
 
 " Then bu}' mine, and if }'0u don't find him as good a 
 beast as you ever backed, I'll give him to you." 
 
 He mounted my horse and took a turn of about ten 
 minutes in length, and on coming back, he cried — " You've 
 told me the truth, he is a fine horse. Now how will you 
 trade?" 
 
 "Just for one hundred and fifty dollars, and youi car- 
 riage horse," I answered. 
 
 " It's a bargain, shake hands on it, and here's your 
 money," counting out one hundred and fifty dollars in 
 gold into my hand. 
 
 I now had a good carriage horse, but no carriage, and 
 neither could I find one in Vandalia; but the man with 
 whom I had just traded referred me to a shoe-maker, who 
 lived some twelve miles from there, right on my road, who 
 had a carriage which he wished to sell, and I could do no 
 better than to push on ; so, after filling my saddle-bags 
 with provisions, and mounting my elderly charge upon the 
 back of our on!)' horse, we started on our long antl dan- 
 gerous journey, I walking at the side of my companion. 
 
 Scarcely had we covered five miles, when we were ap- 
 proached by a }oung stranger who was mounted on a
 
 2 2 LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF 
 
 beautiful horse, which he was urging on at a high rate of 
 speed. I could see that he was somewhat under the influ- 
 ence of liquor, and that it was with difficulty that he kept 
 his seat. 
 
 " Hallo, Stranger, you are the very man that I am look- 
 ing for," cried he, reining up his panting steed as we 
 came together. " I'm on horseback and you're a-foot, 
 now don't you want to buy my pony? I'll let the whole 
 thing go cheap." 
 
 A glance showed me that he was beautifully mounted, 
 and really I did want to get possession of his horse. 
 " How much dp you want? I have not got much money 
 with me," I answered. 
 
 " Well, Stranger, I want money amazin' bad, and if you 
 will count me out forty dollars, you can have horse and 
 trappings." 
 
 The offer was small enough, but I did not want him to 
 think that I was very well supplied with money, so I 
 answered, " I will count you out just thirty-five dollars for 
 him, and that's the best I can do." 
 
 " Well, he's yours," after a slight pause, " and I'll jump 
 down." 
 
 My charge had meanwhile ridden on ahead, and as he 
 had all my money in the saddle-bags, I requested the 
 young stranger to ride on and stop him. This he did, and 
 I paid him thirty-five dollars with more satisfaction than I 
 ever paid a bill before in my life. We were now both well 
 mounted, and hurried on to the house of the shoemaker, 
 where we were to find the carriage ; but we were destined 
 to meet with an adventure, before reaching there, which 
 nearly ended the mortal career of my aged friend. 
 
 After riding two or three miles, the old gentleman sug- 
 gested to me that we should change horses ; my beast was a 
 good one ; he knew it, and desired to try him. To humor
 
 CAPT. ROBERT W. ANDREWS. 25 
 
 my charge, I allowed him to back the newly-purchased 
 horse, I mounting the one which had been bought to work 
 in the carriage. This exchange did very well, until we 
 came to a " run ;" then the horse, on which old gentleman 
 Brooks was riding, "' bucked," and threw him over his head 
 into the water. Jumping from my saddle, I caught the 
 bridle of the new horse with my right hand, while with 
 my left I grasped the coat of the old gentleman, and 
 placed him on his feet. Tlie water in the "run " was about 
 three feet deep, consequent!}^ he was none the worse for 
 his little wetting, although badly frightened. On reaching 
 the other side of the stream, Mr. Brooks re-mounted the 
 carriage horse, and I the one we had recently bought, and 
 proceeded on our way to find the shoemaker, who had the 
 carriage for sale. It was not until nearly sun-down that 
 we drew rein before the cabin of the owner of the carr)--all. 
 
 To make a long story short, we bought the vehicle and 
 harness, and after enjoying a night's rest in the house of 
 the hospitable shoemaker, we again " took the road." 
 
 For several days we pursued our way, he driving the 
 horse and carry-all, and I attending him, mounted on the 
 horse I had bought from the stranger shortly after leaving 
 Vandalia. 
 
 While crossing the Blue Ridge by way of the Tennessee 
 turnpike, we were brought up at a toll- gate, where I ten- 
 dered a five dollar gold piece for the keeper to deduct one 
 dollar toll from. 
 
 " Well, Stranger, I ain't got change here for this 'ere 
 gold piece. But if you'll jest hang on a bit, and tend this 
 'ere gate for me till I run down to the house yonder, I'll 
 fetch )'our change." 
 
 Scarcely had the toll-keeper left us, than the horse hitched 
 to the carr)'-all started down the mountain on the trot, 
 carrying with him the man for whom 1 had traveled so
 
 24 
 
 LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF 
 
 many hundred miles, and for whose safe conduct I was 
 pledged in honor to his son. No sooner had the runaway 
 team started on its dangerous career, than I was in the 
 saddle, closely following its erratic course. I did not dare 
 to ride up alongside, for had I done so the frightened 
 animal would have sheered off from the road, and dashing 
 into the gully beside the narrow path, the result would 
 have been instant death for man and beast. 
 
 Two several times I started to leap from the saddle into 
 the back of the team, but my horse, not being accustomed 
 to mountain travel, was not sure-footed and shied as I 
 pressed him close up to the vehicle, so all I could do was 
 to follow down the road, and trust to Providence to pre- 
 serve the life of my aged friend. 
 
 It was about a mile, as near as I can reckon, that the 
 team continued on its runaway course, when I saw before 
 me a fork in the road. 
 
 We were at that time pretty nearly on a level grade, 
 but the horse attached to the carry-all did not in the least 
 slacken his rate of speed, although he appeared to hesi- 
 tate a moment as to which road he should take, it was not 
 long before he made his choice and turned to the right, 
 but his slight pause was sufficient to cause him to collide 
 with a decrepit sign-post, and spill my aged friend uncere- 
 moniously into the road. 
 
 Fortunately, Mr. Brooks was not very badly injured, but 
 the horse ran nearly half a mile further on, and into the 
 orchard of a Capt. Parker, who was a blacksmith. 
 
 The collision had broken the lynch-pin, and the animal 
 brought up at last with the forward wheels and shafts 
 intact. 
 
 I had stopped to assist my charge, but finding him not 
 so badly hurt as I feared, I left him, and went on to Capt. 
 Parker's for assistance.
 
 CAPT. ROBERT W. ANDREWS. 2$ 
 
 We were detained here repairing damages some twelve 
 days, Capt. Parker, as a blacksmith, doing the iron-work, 
 while I, having been a carriage-maker, attended to the 
 wood-work, 
 
 I scarcely dared to trust Mr. Brooks again with the 
 horse which had once run away with him, and was 
 anxious to trade or sell, and through the kindness of 
 Capt. Parker I swapped the horse with a Mr. Rodgers, 
 the Methodist minister in this place, Knoxville, Tenn. 
 getting twenty dollars to boot. 
 
 From here to Sumter county, our trip was without 
 incident, and we arrived in Statesburg after a journey of 
 seven months, having passed through, at that time, the 
 wildest section of the southwestern country, unharmed. 
 
 My total cash expenses on the outward trip were 
 $44.00, and on the home trip $68.00, and I brought the 
 father of Mr. Brooks from Vandalia, Illinois, for $494.00. 
 
 On reaching home, in the fall of 1823, 1 married a young 
 widow-lady named Harriet Starks, of Statesburg, who was 
 at that time owner of a small plantation and eleven slaves. 
 
 One of the negroes, being a first-class man in every 
 respect, I allowed to oversee my wife's plantation, while 
 I took charge of a large plantation for Mr. Samuel J. 
 Murray, whose propertynearly adjoined my own. Here 
 we worked some five-hundred negroes in corn, cotton, rice 
 and general produce. 
 
 For two years I had charge of Mr. Murray's place, when 
 I bought out, from Mr. Middleton Brooks, the man whose 
 father I had safely conveyed from the West, the hotel 
 which he had kept so many years in my native city, for 
 two thousand dollars, and fourteen hundred additional for 
 stock and fixtures. 
 
 While keeping this hotel, a valuable slave, who was 
 a fine mechanic, a cotton-gin maker, belonging to Mr. 
 3
 
 26 LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF 
 
 William Ellison, made a break for the Free States. Mr. 
 Ellison, offered me five dollars a day, to find me a horse 
 and pay my expenses, if I would bring back the slave, 
 whom he estimated at two thousand dollars value. 
 
 This offer was a tempting one, and leaving my hotel in 
 charge of my clerk, and a good boy whom I owned and 
 whom I could trust, I started in pursuit of the runaway. 
 
 The first day I rode to Manchester, S. C, a distance of 
 thirty-five miles, and stopped at Watson's Inn, and 
 here traded horses, making forty dollars on the bargain. 
 It was here that I heard news of the man of whom 1 had 
 come in search. He had joined a party of horse-jockeys, 
 who were bound to Richmond, Va., and were following 
 the old Bellefield Road. Keeping the road for two days, 
 I made Fayetteville, and there leaving my horse, took the 
 stage for Bellefield, Va., where I found my man. I 
 was paid on returning home, $77.50, and $74.00 for ex- 
 penses. 
 
 I had been home from this trip scarcely three weeks, 
 when Mr. Wentworth Ress, a neighbor, was robbed of a 
 fine stallion, valued at three thousand dollars, and he re- 
 quested my services in recovering the animal, offering me 
 the same renumeration which I had received from Mr. El- 
 lison, which was five dollars per day, a horse, and expen- 
 ses. Accepting the offer, I this time headed for Kings- 
 tree, S. C, and interviewed the sheriff. He knew nothing 
 about the horse, however, but said : 
 
 " I've got a tough cuss locked up here for being drunk, 
 and he looks somewhat like as though he might steal a 
 horse. Perhaps you'd better come down and look at 
 him." 
 
 "What's his name?" I inquired. 
 
 " Now I can't tell you what his name is, but the name 
 he gave me is John McLoughlin."
 
 CAPT. ROBERT \V. ANDREWS. 2J 
 
 " John McLoughlin? that's a new name to me ; however, 
 sherift", I'll go down and take a look at him." 
 
 " All right, come along," and away we started for the 
 jail. On reaching the jail, I found the man Mr. John 
 McLoughlin, to be no other than the notorious " Black 
 Jack," of Sumter County, a noted horse thief; and who, 
 on seeing me in company with the sherift", threw up both 
 hands and begged for mercy; for he well knew that the 
 penalty for horse stealing in those daj^s, and in that sec- 
 tion of the country, was nothing else than death. 
 
 " Let me go, Andrews, let me go ! and I'll tell you 
 where to find the stallion," he said. 
 
 " I've got nothing to do with you, if you'll tell me where 
 the beast is," I replied. 
 
 " But the sheriff" might have," he answered, looking at 
 the officer. 
 
 " If Mr. Andrews don't press it, I wont." 
 
 " Don't be afraid of me, Jack. Tell where I'll find 
 the horse, and you're clear for all of me," I replied. 
 
 "Well, he's down in Sumter District, on Richard Dick- 
 ey's plantation. That's where I left him, cause I did'nt 
 dare to take him no further." 
 
 This was all that I wanted, and leaving word with the 
 sheriff" to hold the man until I had verified his statement, 
 I started for the home of Richard Dickey, where I found 
 the object of my search, a magnificent black stallion, which 
 I at once took under my care and returned to Mr. Ress, 
 receiving for my services $150.00, and twelve dollars ex- 
 tra from Mrs. Ress, who claimed the horse as her special 
 property. 
 
 While proprietor of this hotel, which was known all 
 over this section of the country as Brook's Inn, I bought 
 five hundred acres of land in Clarendon District, South 
 Carolina ; I got it from a man who was much in need of
 
 28 LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF 
 
 money, therefore the price was low ; and in after years it 
 stood me in good hand. Now it must be remembered that 
 in those days, 1833, the hotels or inns of the South west, 
 were widely different from what they are at the present 
 time ; then the landlord of a hotel was the principal man of 
 the section. He was the one who decided all bets, and 
 disbursed the news of the day; he was supposed to be 
 authority on horse-flesh, an expert at cards, a keen politi- 
 cian, and, withal, a judge of good whiskey. To em- 
 body these various qualifications, when becoming a suc- 
 cessful Boniface, it was necessary for me to have con- 
 nected with my establishment, a billiard table, a nine-pin 
 alley (now called ten-pins), a bagatelle table, and a little 
 side room for a game of " poker;" and it was these acces- 
 sories which came near bringing my mortal career to a 
 sudden and untimely termination. 
 
 I had in my house at this time, a man by the name of 
 John Boyd, horse-jockey, faro-dealer and all-round sport- 
 ing man. Sometimes John was up, and sometimes John 
 was down. He was a square man, and I would always 
 back him when he was short of funds. One night, soon 
 after I returned from the trip on which I had captured the 
 valuable stallion for Mr. Ress, two strangers bound South, 
 drew up before the door. The negro boy put their horses 
 in the stable, and they, of course, came directly to the bar, 
 as was the custom in those days. Boyd, who was in the 
 room, saw here, or thought he saw, a chance for an even- 
 ing's good sport, and very soon was on friendly terms 
 with the new-comers. 
 
 After supper, and an hour or so of convivialty, "just a 
 little game" was proposed ; not by Boyd, but still it was 
 just what he wanted ; although he was by this time con- 
 vinced vhat he had found "foeman worthy of his steel." I, of 
 course, took a hand, and things went on to suit our side
 
 CAPT. ROBERT W. ANDREWS. 29 
 
 for several deals, which very much annoyed the strangers, 
 and they began to work in earnest. 
 
 There was considerable money on the table, in fact, it 
 was a small fortune, when one of our opponents, in deal- 
 ing, gave to his partner six cards, which was detected by 
 Boyd, though nothing was at first spoken about it. The 
 game was "straight," for in those days "draw poker" was 
 not known. It was my first say, and I "passed," and the 
 man next to me (he who had received six cards), made a 
 bet of fifty dollars. 
 
 " I'll see your fifty dollars, and go you an even hundred 
 better, when you put that sixth card on the table!" ex- 
 claimed Boyd, springing to his feet. 
 
 In an instant all was confusion. I had confidence 
 enough in my old acquaintance to know that he never 
 would have spoken as he did, had he not been sure of his 
 ground, and so of course, I came to his back. The stran- 
 gers, finding themselves detected in their attempt at cheat- 
 ing in their "gentlemen's" game, both drew their knives, 
 and endeavored to win by force what they had failed to 
 accomplish by fraud. They had halted at the wrong inn, 
 however, and the last I saw of those travelers, was when 
 they mounted their horses and started for the Southward. 
 
 Aside from acting as landlord of this hotel, I was also 
 provision dealer for all that section of the country, killing 
 and quartering my own beef and other meats. There was 
 at this time a man named Joseph Cox, who owned a herd 
 of wild cattle in the Wateree Swamp, which I bought from 
 him at the rate of one dollar per head, up to the number 
 of fifty; all over that number which I shot would be clear 
 gain for me. The Wateree Swamp was a tract of land, ten 
 miles wide, and extending some thirty miles long, or to 
 the junction of the Wateree and Santee rivers (from 
 Statcsburg.) Here was great sport. The wild cattle were
 
 30 LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF 
 
 hunted in exactly the same manner as the deer, which lat 
 ter was also very plentiful in this swamp as well as tur- 
 keys, coons, pigeons, etc. 
 
 When a fat beeve was required, either for the hotel or 
 market, or if a guest wished a day's good sport, I could 
 take them into the swamp, and unleashing our dogs, give 
 them a shot at some large game before they had been half 
 an hour in the stand. And here it might as well be stated, 
 I retained the exclusive right over these wild cattle for 
 eight years, and then sold it for one hundred and fifty dol- 
 lars, having in the meantime killed off somewhere in the 
 neighborhood of two hundred head. 
 
 I also had, feeding on the edge of this immense swamp, 
 some tame cattle, which bore my mark, and never pene- 
 trated very deep into the vast wilderness. My mark on 
 these cattle was a crop and hole in the right ear and a 
 slit in the left ear. This drove was led by a "bell-cow," 
 which was a very gentle creature, and a matron of the 
 herd ; but she at one time got into very serious trouble. 
 
 The Wateree River flowed only a short distance from 
 our side of the swamp, and in this river were several small 
 islands, to which the cattle could wade or swim, and there 
 feed on the luxuriant vegetation. As is well known, 
 southern and western rivers are liable to rise, and rise very 
 quickly ; but one good thing they subside as quickly. 
 
 It happened one day, while my tame cattle were out on 
 one of these islands, that a freshet came down and caught 
 the poor creatures in the flow; they succeeded, however, in 
 reaching the main land, all except the "bell-cow" and two 
 yearlings, which were jammed in the debris and held fast. 
 If it had been anv other of the herd than the "bell-cow," 
 I should not have gone in search of it; but I knew the sa- 
 gacity of the beast, and had also quite a feeling of com- 
 passion for the poor creature; so, in the morning of the
 
 CAIT. ROBERr W . ANDREWS. 3I 
 
 second day, when the river had subsided, taking two ne- 
 gro boys and m\' dogs with me, I went in search ot the 
 lost cattle. 
 
 All day long we tramped through the swamp, and at 
 night, just as dark was coming on, I heard the tinkling of 
 a bell, but it appeared to be over-head ; and sending one 
 of the boys to investigate, we found that an immense raft 
 had lodged upon the matted grape-vines, which formed a 
 complete canopy over-head ; and upon this raft was my 
 bell-cow and two yearlings. Cutting away a maple, we al- 
 lowed the raft to fall to the ground, and by severing the 
 caudal appendage of the bovine creature, as it was that by 
 which she was entangled in the "flow," I succeeded in sav- 
 ing the beast and my two yearlings. 
 
 Becoming somewhat tired of the monotony of hotel bus- 
 iness, I bought a herd of thirty-two horses, and started for 
 Charleston, S. C, leaving the hotel in charge of my clerk 
 and wife. I purchased my horses for ninety dollars a 
 head ; one of them I thought would make a good "runner," 
 and on my way I tried him as I did each one of the herd. 
 On arriving at Santee, we met with a swollen river, and 
 found it to be nearly seven miles across the ford. There 
 were five heavy wagons waiting to be ferried across the 
 turbulent stream, and it was impossible to take but one a 
 day ; therefore I had nearly a week to wait before my 
 turn would come to cross in the "float." Now, in this sec- 
 tion of the country, was a man named Jacob Staggers, a 
 rich planter, who "worked" a thousand negroes, and with 
 him I "put up," until it was time for me to cross. After 
 the second day, I got tired of the quietness of the place, 
 and said to planter Staggers that I would go up to Cam- 
 den, and try to cross there by the bridge. 
 
 "Don't you do it ! Don't you do it ! You've got those 
 'ere horses to sell, and you kin sell 'em right here at this
 
 32 LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF 
 
 ford, easier than you can to take 'em through to Charles- 
 ton. Why, I'll buy some on 'em myself." 
 
 " How many will you buy?" I inquired. 
 
 " It depends altogether as to how high a price you set 
 on 'em. But here, give me the pick of the drove for six 
 horses, and I'll give you one hundred and twenty dollars 
 per head." 
 
 •' It's a bargain ;" and we shook hands on it. 
 
 "Now," he said, "I haint as good a judge of horse- 
 flesh as my 'nig' is; and I'll let him pick out jest the six 
 horses that we want." 
 
 This suited me first-rate, as a hundred and twenty dol- 
 lars was paying me a large profit, but I was in hopes that 
 the slave would not choose my "runner." He did not; 
 fortune favored me, and the negro overlooked the best 
 horse in the lot. 
 
 While sitting at the dinner table, in the hospitable man- 
 sion of planter Staggers, my host remarked that, "He had 
 a pony in his stable, which could out-run anything in the 
 shape of horse-flesh, that traveled on four legs, between 
 the Virginia line and Georgia." 
 
 " I'll pick a horse out from my drove, and run you for 
 fun or money," I replied. 
 
 "I take it, Andrews; I take it; and run you a half a 
 mile for one hundred dollars." 
 
 Now this was somewhat risky business, as I had not yet 
 seen the horse which he proposed to put against mine, but 
 having made the bet, I was in honor bound to fulfill my 
 part of the bargain. After a glass of wine, we went out to 
 the stable, and Mr. Staggers pointed out to me the horse 
 that I was to beat, if possible. 
 
 " It's a pony," he says, " but the fastest piece of horse- 
 flesh in the whole State of South Carolina." 
 
 " Very good. Who's going to ride it?"
 
 CAPT. ROBERT W. ANDREWS. 33 
 
 "Oh, my boy here. Trot it out, Sam, and hustle into 
 the saddle." Then turning to me with a quizzical look, 
 he said, " Which one of your old skates yonder are you 
 going to ride?" 
 
 I was a little bit nettled at his manner, and withal some- 
 what afraid that my " runner " would not equal my expec- 
 tations. However, there was no help for it now, I had 
 gone too far to retract. 
 
 My saddle was too heavy for racing purposes, as it had 
 attached to it " bags" and holsters, so that I was obliged 
 to borrow a light one from Mr. Staggers. 
 
 While I was girting my horse, the planter said, 
 
 " I make it, aside from the hundred dollars, my beast 
 against yours." 
 
 "What! a hundred dollars, and horse against horse?" I 
 asked. 
 
 " That's what I offer." 
 
 I had gone so far now that I could not back down, and 
 accordingly accepted the double bet. 
 
 His " boy " was a first-class horseman, and knew the 
 animal which he rode well. I was somewhat shaky when 
 I vaulted into the saddle, as I was not sure what my horse 
 could do. The race was for about half a mile, or up the 
 road to a little barn, which was on Mr. Staggers' planta- 
 tion, turn, and back again. 
 
 The negro and I walked our horses some hundred feet 
 from the line of starting, then turned and dashed for it. 
 We crossed the line ncck-and-neck ; in turning the barn, 
 I had the inside, and led him by about ten feet ; on the 
 home-stretch the pony made it up, and we were again 
 neck-and-ncck ; but I could see that the planter's horse 
 was somewhat winded, while mine was, comparatively 
 speaking, fresh, and I felt sure ot the race. Giving my
 
 34 LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF 
 
 beast the rein, I shot by the hne, winning the race by 
 some twenty-five feet. 
 
 " By G — d, your horse runs like h — 1," exclaimed the 
 astonished planter; " And here's your money, and that's 
 your pony." 
 
 The day on which the race was held, two five-horse 
 teams drove up to the ferry, and their cattle were com- 
 pletely exhausted ; and the teamsters applied to planter 
 Staggers for assistance in furnishing them fresh horses. 
 
 "I can sell ye ten horses," he said, " but I don't see how 
 we can trade for your worn-out beasts; but I'll tell you 
 what I will do " — All the while the planter was winking at 
 me to keep still. 
 
 " I'll sell you ten good horses for a hundred and thirty 
 dollars a head, and will keep your old stock right here on 
 the plantation, and fat up for ye if I can ; and you kin have 
 'em when you come back." After a short discussion the 
 teamsters agreed to the terms, and I received thirteen 
 hundred dollars for the trade. Planter Staggers posi- 
 tively refused to accept any portion of the money, say- 
 ing that he would take his chances of the teamsters' not 
 coming back over that route, so as to redeem the animals 
 which they had left there for recuperation. Some years 
 afterward I heard from Mr. Staggers that he had judged 
 his men correctly, and the ten horses were never called 
 for. 
 
 I had now disposed of sixteen of my drove of thirty- 
 two horses, and that, too, at a handsome figure ; and the ad- 
 ditional fact that 1 had won the pony, of course, made me 
 feel quite pleased with my venture, so far as it had gone; 
 and, as the ford seemed to offer such a good horse mar- 
 ket, I determined to postpone my trip to Charleston until 
 another time, and remain at the planter's for awhile. 
 
 One day, as my genial host and mj'self, were sitting up-
 
 CAPT. ROBERT \V. ANDREWS. 35 
 
 on the broad veranda of his hospitable mansion, a young 
 horseman came dashing up to the house. At his first ap- 
 pearance, Mr. Staggers arose and hastened down the short 
 flight of steps which led to the walk, to meet the new- 
 comer, who swung himself gracefully from the saddle, and 
 grasped the old gentleman's hand. After a few hurried 
 words of conversation in a low tone, my friend and the 
 stranger approached the place where I was sitting ; the 
 latter first throwing the bridle of his horse to a little negro 
 bo)% who stood in waiting. 
 
 " My son, Captain Andrews," exclaimed Mr. Staggers, 
 presenting me to a fine-looking young man of perhaps 
 twenty-five years of age. 
 
 The son, who was the pattern of his father, greeted me 
 very cordially; and in a few minutes our trio was launched 
 in a most interesting conversation. The }-oung man, I 
 learned, owned a fine plantation some ten miles from the 
 extensive fields of his father. As was natural, horse-flesh 
 was the principal topic of converse. 
 
 " I heard yesterday from one of my boys, that my 
 father's pony, which was thought to be the fastest animal 
 in the State, had been beaten by the horse of a stranger ; 
 now, I presume that you are the owner of the racer." 
 
 I assured the young man that I was, and ofi'ered to let 
 him see my property. - 
 
 " It is the object of my visit to see the horse, and, if 
 possible, purchase him," he frankly declared. 
 
 " Well, he's for sale, the same as the rest of the herd," 
 I answered. 
 
 Thereupon we walked over to the field which Mr. Stag- 
 gers had kindly placed at my disposal, and proceeded to 
 inspect the drove. 
 
 " What price do you set on the racer?" inquired the 
 young man, after ho had examined the animals.
 
 36 - LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF 
 
 Without an instant's hesitation, I set the price at three 
 hundred dollars in gold, 
 
 " And how much for the pony?" 
 
 I, of course, was obliged to offer him a shade lower, so I 
 charged two hundred and fifty dollars for the beast that I 
 had won. 
 
 "It's a trade. Come to the house, make out a bill of 
 sale, and you shall have the money." And, as he turned to 
 go he remarked to his father, "Now I know that I own 
 the two fastest horses in this part of the country." 
 
 This five hundred and fifty dollars was by no means a 
 small addition to my funds, which that very day was in- 
 creased by the receipts from the sale of eight other horses ; 
 and now I resolved to return home, and trust to my good 
 fortune to enable me to dispose of the balance of the 
 animals. 
 
 So the next morning I bade "good-bye" to the kind, old 
 planter and his son, and started for home, and succeeded 
 in selling the last horse when within half a mile of my own 
 house ; having been absent scarcely two weeks and bring- 
 ing back a good, fat purse. After a short stay at home, I 
 again started for Charleston ; this time riding one horse 
 and leading another. I went in the company of two 
 North Carolina merchants, who were going down on a 
 trading expedition. 
 
 We had not been long on the road before the conversa- 
 tion turned on horse-racing, and the relative merits of our 
 animals. This kind of talk could not last long without 
 bringing about a race. One of my companions offered to 
 race my horse for fifty dollars. 
 
 Now, I always prided myself on having good horses, and 
 the one on which I rode was a fair sample. 
 
 The distance was to be a straight dash down the road 
 for about three-quarters of a mile. The only judge was
 
 CAPT. ROBERT \V. ANDREWS. 3/ 
 
 my antagonist's friend, so it may be seen that I was 
 obliged to earn everything that I got. My horse, how- 
 ever, came in so far ahead that there was no chance for 
 a dispute; so, of course, I won the fifty dollars. 
 
 After this little diversion we proceeded on our wa\', and 
 arrived in Charleston without further adventure. Here I 
 sold my two horses, one for two hundred and fifty dollars, 
 and the other one for one hundred dollars. 
 
 On my return home, I traded for a fine horse, which, 
 with four others, I hitched up to a wagon loaded with cot- 
 ton, and helping my wife up to the box, for she was to ac- 
 company me on this trip, again started for Charleston. 
 
 On passing a plantation known as the " Ten Mile House," 
 on account of its being about ten miles from Charleston, 
 on the Charleston road, the man of the establishment 
 rushed out of the house, closely followed by a long, lank, 
 raw-boned woman, shouting, " Hold on, that team ! Moid 
 on ! That's my Billie, that 'ere wheel-horse ; that's m\' 
 beast ! It was stolen from me nigh onto three weeks ago ;" 
 and rushing up to the team in the most excited manner, 
 began to unhitch the horse for which I had traded only a 
 day or two before I left home. 
 
 " Hands off that horse. Stranger," I exclaimed, not at all 
 liking his familiarity. " He belongs to me, for I paid good 
 solid cash for him, back here in Sumter." 
 
 He heeded not what I said, but continued in an excited 
 manner to unharness the horse. Now this was too much 
 for my patience, so, springing to the ground, I seized the 
 irate planter by the collar of his coat, and hurled him un- 
 ceremoniously into the ditch beside the road. 
 
 " Now, old man," I said, as he was struggling to his 
 feet, " You claim that Ixjrse as yours; if \'ou can prt)\'c it. 
 you may have him, though I bought liim, fair and square."
 
 38 LIKE AND ADVENTURES OF 
 
 " Well, that horse is mine; and my wife yonder, and all 
 my neighbors round here-abouts, can swear to him." 
 
 "If that is the case, you can have him, though, as I said 
 before, I paid good money for the beast." 
 
 While we were engaged in this discussion, two gentle- 
 men from Sumter drove up, and indentifted me, and re- 
 membered my buying this very same animal ; and it was 
 much to my relief that they happened along in time to 
 corroborate my story regarding the purchase of the horse ; 
 as it would have been a great disgrace to be considered a 
 horse-thief, (as the penalty at this time, and in this sec- 
 tion of the country, was death at sight, for such an offence ) . 
 
 The planter hustled himself about, brought in several 
 of his neighbors, and between them all, proved that my 
 nigh-wheel-horse was his property. Of course I had 
 nothing else to do than to let the animal go ; but this left 
 me short of one horse ; and not daring to push along with- 
 out a full team, I proposed to remain over night at the 
 house of this same planter. 
 
 He was willing to accomodate me. Why should he not 
 be? I had brought him back his property, inadvertently 
 though it was, and he was willing to grant me accomoda- 
 tion for the night, which I accepted. 
 
 The following morning, just at day-break, a man, with 
 two negroes and a drove of horses, drew up to the planta- 
 tion ; and here I saw a chance to replace the stolen horse. 
 I bought one from these parties, for seventy-five dollars, 
 and proceeded on my way to Charleston, where I disposed 
 of my cotton advantageously, and reloaded with such 
 eoods as were marketable in that section of the country, 
 through which I was obliged to pass ; and after my wife 
 had made such little purchases as she desired, we started 
 for home, taking the same road we had traveled in com- 
 ing.
 
 CAPT. ROBERT \V. ANDREWS. 39 
 
 As may be supposed, our progress was slow, ni}- team 
 being heavily laden ; consequently I walked a great deal 
 of the time. In passing the house of the man who had 
 claimed the horse from me, on my "down" trip, I noticed 
 somewhat of a commotion. There was a saddled horse 
 standing before the door, and as we were passing by, a 
 young negro boy ran into the house, and almost instantly 
 a white man came out, and vaulting into the saddle, rode 
 leisurely into the road. 
 
 All this I noticed as we were passing by ; but the fact 
 that a stranger on horse-back should take the road almost 
 instantly at sight of us, set me to thinking that the man to 
 whom I had given up the horse was not yet satisfied that 
 I was not a thief. 
 
 My negro boy, who, by the way, w-as as fine a man as I 
 ever saw bearing a black face, drove the team, and my wife 
 was sitting beside him on the " box," while I plodded 
 along as usual on foot. 
 
 We had covered probably a mile, when the man whom 
 I saw mount at the planter's house, came in sight ; he was 
 following us closely, but still as though he cared little to 
 ride alongside. 
 
 We traveled perhaps a distance of ten miles, with the 
 stranger following close on our trail, and I was about ready 
 to change places with my boy, when I heard the clatter of 
 hoofs coming up the road behind us. 
 
 Turning, I recognized the man who had followed us from 
 the plantation. I rather thought that there might be some 
 sinister object in this close espionage, and therefore order- 
 ed my teams to be held down to a slow walk, this allowing 
 the stranger to ride up alongside. 
 
 "Where are you going? " he asked, as soon as he had 
 overhauled us.
 
 40 LIFE AND ADVP:NTURES OF 
 
 " I don't know as that is any of your business," I an- 
 swered. 
 
 "You'll find out that it is before long," he replied. "You 
 had better tell me where you are going. " 
 
 I looked at the man, and he looked at me as though he 
 was either a sheriff or a horse-thief; and not knowing 
 which he would turn out to be, I thought it policy to go 
 up to the tail-end of my wagon and get hold of my rifle. 
 Throwing that across my arm, 1 felt comparatively safe. 
 
 Speaking a cautionary word to my wife, and telling the 
 boy to drive ahead, I dropped back to have a word with 
 the stranger. 
 
 " Look here," I said, " I see that you've been follow- 
 ing us pretty close; now what do you want? Do you 
 want anything from me? — or what is it?" 
 
 " I don't want anything, my friend, any more than com- 
 pany on the road, and I thought I would like to travel 
 with your party." 
 
 "Well, you keep a good rifle-shot behind us, or else 
 you and I will have trouble," I answered, tapping the 
 breach of my gun significantly. 
 
 At this his whole demeanor changed, and he laughingly 
 said, " I want to know about this horse that you left on 
 your down trip, and where you got it? — I am the sheriff"." 
 
 " Why, " I said, smiling, " is that what you havebeen 
 following me the last ten miles for? Well, the planter 
 back yonder could have told you all about it; and if you'll 
 ride along with me about thirty miles, to Sumter, I'll show 
 you the man whom I bought the animal from." 
 
 " I don't think it's necessary, " he replied, reining in his 
 horse. "You look to be a pretty square man, and I'll 
 take chances on it. But look out I don't catch you nap- 
 ping, " and with that he turned about and took the road 
 back toward Charleston.
 
 CAPT. ROBERT W. ANDREWS. 4 1 
 
 On arriving at Sumter, I went straight to the man of 
 whom I bought the horse, and told him the trouble it had 
 made me on my trip to Charleston. Without a word of 
 discussion, he paid me back the mone}- I had given him 
 for the horse, only saying that he had bought the animal 
 from a stranger, whom he supposed was " square. " 
 
 This was the nearest escape that I ever had from being 
 convicted of horse-stealing, during the many years that I 
 had traveled throughout the South and West, and nearly 
 alwaj's dealing in horses. 
 
 I had scarcely been at home long enough to recuperate 
 my strength, and begin to enjoy the comforts of home-life, 
 when I was called upon to serve in the capacity of a detec- 
 tive ; not so much of a detective, however, as a returner of 
 stolen property. 
 
 One night a man came into the hotel, and, after finding 
 me out, asked me what I would charge to hitch up a 
 team and drive him and three "niggers" to Manchester — 
 some sixteen miles distant. 
 
 Giving him a price, with which he was satisfied, I har- 
 nessed up a team, and taking on board the white man, a 
 negro woman and two children, drove them to Manches- 
 ter, and returned home on the following day. 
 
 On the evening of my return, a gentleman called at the 
 hotel, very much excited, saying that his partner had 
 cleared out with twelve hundred dollars worth of stock; 
 and that he would give a hundred dollars, and pay any 
 man's expenses who could locate the runaways, or bring 
 back his share (which was six hundred dollars) of the 
 goods. 
 
 " What have you lost? " I inquired, 
 
 " A girl and two young ones," he replied — " and half 
 on 'em belong to me." 
 4
 
 42 LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF 
 
 " Why, was it a tall young fellow, with a mulatto and 
 two boys? " 
 
 " Yes; have you seen them? " 
 
 " I think so ; I drove such a party to Manchester, yester- 
 day," I replied. 
 
 " They are the ones ! they're the ones !" said the stran- 
 ger. " A hundred dollars for the job ; your expenses, aid 
 take my horse. Will you find 'em? " 
 
 After a short consultation with my wife, I agreed to go, 
 expecting that the chase would not lead me more than a 
 hundred miles from home. 
 
 In an hour's time I was in the saddle, and rode almost 
 night and day, without getting on the track of the fugi- 
 tives, until reaching Montgomery, Ala. 
 
 Here I sold my horse, as I had found that those of 
 whom I was in quest, had gone to New Orleans, Tak- 
 ing the train at Montgomery, I arrived at the Crescent 
 City, just twenty-four hours behind those of whom I was 
 in search. Feeling assured that the absconding partner 
 would place the slaves in the market the next morning, I 
 quietly esconced myself in the hotel, and enjoyed a good 
 night's rest. 
 
 The following morning, while in conversation on the 
 street with a party Louisiana planters, the gentleman 
 whom I had driven to Manchester, made his appearance. 
 
 It may be imagined that I abruptly broke the thread of 
 conversation, and renewed the acquaintance with my for- 
 mer passenger. To say that he was surprised to meet me 
 in New Orleans, does not express it — he " caved." 
 
 "Now, my man," I said, after he had somewhat re- 
 covered from his fright, " I have a warrant in my pocket 
 for your arrest, but all that your former partner wants is 
 his share in the 'niggers,' which is six hundred dollars, and 
 the expenses of procuring that sum. If you will settle
 
 CAI'T. ROBERT W. ANDREWS. 43 
 
 that you can go; if not, I shall be obliged to give you in 
 charge." 
 
 "Wait til) after the sale ; wait till after the sale," he 
 
 ^ said, " and you shall have the money. I have got the girl 
 
 and the two young ones in the market this morning, and 
 
 I know that they are going to bring a good price. You 
 
 can come with me, and see what I receive for them." 
 
 Of course I did not propose to allow him to leave my 
 sight, until I had received the money which I had traveled 
 so far to obtain; and accordingly, we strolled down to the 
 " Market." 
 
 Here we found a large building, within which were a 
 row of benches, ranged along either side, on which were 
 seated the slaves, who were to be sold that day. There 
 were blacks, mulattoes, quadroons and octoroons; field- 
 hands and house-servants ; mechanics and ladies'-maids. 
 Some were as black as Cerebus, while others could boast 
 of a skin nearly as white as my own. Among this motley 
 group were found the mother and two children, who had 
 been taken from Sumter County, South Carolina, to be 
 sold. 
 
 The sale was open, and " lot" after " lot" were struck 
 off, until it came to the woman and two children, to be 
 sold in one " lot, " as I stipulated. 
 
 " Five hundred dollars," was the first bid ; then six hun- 
 dred ; then "one thousand," from a voice standing away 
 back on the outskirts of the bidders. 
 
 " Twelve hundred," I heard on the right, then 
 
 " Fourteen," 
 
 " Fifteen," 
 
 " Sixteen," and there it held for some time. 
 
 Meanwhile the mother and children were anxiously look- 
 ing over the group of buyers, and wondering who was to 
 become their ne.xt master.
 
 44 
 
 LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF 
 
 " Sixteen " hung on the auctioneer's tongue, then 
 
 " Fifty," from the voice that had placed them at a 
 
 thousand. 
 
 Down came the hammer, " Sold for sixteen hundred 
 
 and fifty dollars, mother and two children ! Next on the 
 
 list!" 
 
 We were no more interested in this sale. It simply be- 
 came necessary to transfer the property to the purchaser; 
 fifteen minutes was sufficient to do this, and before twelve 
 o'clock, noon, of that day, I was on my way home, with 
 six hundred dollars for my employer, while my expenses 
 were paid by the runaway partner, Robert Graham. 
 
 On arriving home, I delivered the six hundred dollars 
 to the former half-owner of the slaves, and received from him 
 the hundred dollars agreed upon, and a handsome present 
 besides. 
 
 In 1835, I started West, to visit my mother and sisters, 
 who had settled in Conecuher County, Alabama, traveling 
 there on horseback. 
 
 I found that my mother had been dead nine years, hav- 
 ing attained the age of a centenarian, that is with the ex- 
 ception of four days. 
 
 Two brothers and two sisters also lay beside our mother 
 in that distant, solitary, burial-place; and still another 
 sister, whose body should have found a resting place near 
 those who loved her best, was missing. Her's was an un- 
 timely death ! 
 
 Some years before my visit, she made a trip to Mobile, 
 taking with her her youngest son, a lad of fourteen years 
 of age, whom she placed in a " French " school in that city ; 
 and, on her return, while proceeding up the Alabama river, 
 near Selma, the steamer took fire, and all, save the captain 
 and two passengers, were lost. The boy, who was placed 
 at school in Mobile, has never since been heard from ; but
 
 CAPT. ROBERT \V. ANDREWS. 45 
 
 his property, amounting to six hundred acres of land, and, 
 at that time, some two thousand dollars in cash, has ever 
 since been been held in trust, and is awaiting the rightful 
 owner. 
 
 I found in Conecuher County several nieces and nephews, 
 but none of those of whom I had gone in search; and I 
 again turned my face eastward, more fully realizing than 
 ever before the brevity of human life. 
 
 I had now but two brothers alive; one, Joseph, who 
 had settled in Van Zandt County, Texas, and who is at 
 this day a wealthy cattle-dealer ; and Thomas, who had 
 gone to the Choctaw country, to live among the Indians, 
 where he became a great favorite with the red man, and 
 two of his sons married into the tribe. I heard, however, 
 that Thomas died in 1836, leaving a considerable amount 
 of property to his children. 
 
 Arriving back again in Sumter, after this long absence, 
 I was grieved to find my wife very ill, and before a month 
 had elapsed, she died. 
 
 I then sold all my property, and went down to Claren- 
 don County, and bought quite a tract of land there, which 
 I improved, built upon, and sold the greater part of it in 
 small lots. 
 
 In 1838, three years after my wife's death, I married a 
 most estimable young lady of Clarendon County, Miss 
 Mary Connors, and our wedding was quite a romantic one ; 
 as the parents of my fiancee strongly objected to mc as a 
 son-in-law, for what reason, I am to this day at a loss to 
 explain. However, it was necessary for me to carry m\' 
 young bride away on horseback, in which scheme I was 
 assisted by two uncles of the lady; and the Miss Connors 
 that was, is the Mrs. Andrews of to-day. 
 
 In a few months the old folks had learned to accept the 
 inevitable, and we became the firmest of friends.
 
 46 LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF 
 
 I lived in Clarendon sonic twelve years, and then moved 
 back to Sumter, where I purchased four acres of valuable 
 land, which I still own. I had scarcely got settled in my 
 new home, when a gentleman by the name of Butler, who 
 drove a stage line from Sumter to Gadsden's, employed me 
 to take charge of his business. 
 
 After the first year, I bought out Mr. Butler, as I could 
 see that there was money to be made in staging and team- 
 ing. I had also received a contract for carrying the 
 United States mail, and it may be here stated that while 
 engaged in this express and stage business, I established a 
 freight tariff, which is in vogue to this day, viz., ten cents 
 for each parcel, whether it be a box of cigars or a hogs- 
 head of molasses. 
 
 When the railroad was built through Sumter County, I 
 went to Charleston with seven horses, and traded them off 
 for an omnibus, getting some hundred and fifty dollars 
 to boot on the bargain. This omnibus I ran from the 
 depot about the town, delivering passengers wherever they 
 wished to stop. 
 
 While engaged in this business, I was also running several 
 heavy teams over the road, making regular trips between 
 Sumter and Charleston ; and I was thus employed at the 
 breaking out of the War of the Rebellion. 
 
 I joined the Confederate army as a veterinary surgeon, 
 and was assigned to Gardner's Battery, 22d South Caro- 
 lina regiment, under General Hood ; where I remained 
 throughout the war. 
 
 While in the service I received two wounds, one in the 
 right leg, and the other in the right shoulder. The ball 
 which penetrated my leg, I extracted myself, while the 
 one in my shoulder was removed by a surgeon. 
 
 My oldest son was also a soldier in the Confederate
 
 CAIT. ROBERT \V. ANDREWS. 47 
 
 army, he serving as a courier under Captain Moseley, 24th 
 South CaroHna regiment. 
 
 Shortly before the close of the war, I was commanded 
 to report to Captain Orvens, of the 47th Virginia regiment, 
 who was acting quarter-master, to take charge of a wagon 
 train. The train consisted at this time of six teams, driven 
 b}^ negroes, who had now become so independent that they 
 were doing about as they pleased. 
 
 On first taking charge, Captain Orvens told the drivers 
 that if they did not obey every one of my orders, they 
 would be severely punished. I had very little trouble 
 with them, however, after the first few tiays ; and we 
 worked along for quite a while, or until one of the men 
 gave out, and I entered a request for one to take his 
 place. 
 
 Captain Orvens sent v.ord that I should receive one from 
 Florence, South Carolina. In a few days the man arrived, 
 and with him a pair of boots and pair of pants, both of 
 which had been stolen from a merchant in Florence; who 
 had sent on, if possible, to recover his goods. Now it 
 became my duty to report the fact of the theft at head- 
 quarters, and I at once received orders to return the stolen 
 property, and to punish the offender; which, it is needless 
 to say, was done in the conventional manner ; and hereby 
 hangs a tale. 
 
 We were, at this time, retreating before Sherman's and 
 Potter's divisions, and it was only shortly after my chas- 
 tisement of the negro that we became disbanded, and each 
 man sought his own home ; I, of course, returning to Sum- 
 ter. 
 
 Sherman and Potter were close on our heels; and I had 
 scarcely reached home, when distant firing warned us of 
 the approaching proximity of the Federal troops. Most 
 of the negroes had fled to the advancing army ; and among
 
 48 LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF 
 
 them was the man whom I had punished. Hearing from 
 one of my own blacks who had been within the Federal lines, 
 that the rascal denounced me as a most cruel slave-driver, 
 I well knew what would be my fate if apprehended by 
 Potter's troops, who were advancing toward Sumter, while 
 Sherman's were bearing off toward Columbia, S. C. ; so I 
 thought it policy to lay low for awhile. 
 
 Doctor China, of Sumter, a friend of mine, was very 
 much alarmed for the safety of his valuables ; and solicited 
 my aid to secure them from the invading army. This I 
 offered to do, providing no one should dictate to me as to 
 what course I should pursue. 
 
 The doctor, fully aware of my knowledge of the state 
 of affairs, the location of the on-coming troops, and more 
 particularly, my familiarity with the surrounding country, 
 did not hesitate for a moment, but placed the whole of his 
 worldly goods in my hands. 
 
 His valuables consisted of one four-horse wagon-load of 
 his best furniture, a nice carriage and span of fine horses, 
 and about ten thousand dollars worth of silver plate, jew- 
 elry and money. He also sent three negroes to assist me 
 in handling the teams. 
 
 Bidding my wife good-bye, I told her to say to every 
 one who made any inquiries for me, that I had gone fish- 
 ing, but would return soon ; and, by all means, on the first 
 approach of the Yankees, to throw herself upon the mercy 
 of the officers, and claim their protection. 
 
 This, advice which she followed to the letter, proved 
 the saving of my property. 
 
 All was now confusion and excitement ; everyone was 
 hastening to place their valuables beyond the reach of the 
 invading army, and all kinds of vehicles were pressed into 
 service, to transport goods anywhere, to keep them from 
 falling into the hands of the enemy.
 
 CAFT. ROBERT W. ANDREWS. 49 
 
 A headstrong captain of Confederate militia, organized 
 a volunteer company, and with two "field-pieces" and 
 this handful of men, started to meet, and repel the advanc- 
 ing forces. 
 
 It was in vain, that the more practical citizens, endeav- 
 ored to persuade them not to attempt a defense, for they 
 could see that it would only exasperate the foe, and lead 
 them on to sack, and burn ; and this proved to be the case. 
 
 They planted the two guns well down the road, and, as 
 soon as the advance guard of " Potter's Division " came 
 in sight, they opened fire. 
 
 This ambuscade of course checked the advance, but it 
 was only momentarily, as they soon detected the strength, 
 or rather the weakness, of their opponents; and " charg- 
 ing " the little battery, quickly overcame them, and made 
 prisoners of those who were not killed. 
 
 These, however, were but a few, as the Yankees were in 
 no frame of mind to grant much quarter, for they had lost 
 a number of their comrades, shot down, as it were, in cold 
 blood. 
 
 On came the troops ; now burning and destroying 
 everything before them, which would not have been done, 
 had they not been fired upon ; and many a stately resi- 
 dence, the pride of it's owner, would otherwise be stand- 
 ing to-day. 
 
 My faithful wife, heeding my advice, reported to the 
 captain of a body of cavalry, who were the first to come 
 up, and claimed his protection; and it was none too soon, 
 as I afterwards heard, for the torch was just about to be 
 applied to a large lot of cotton that I had just stored in 
 one of the out-houses, when the officer interfered, and 
 stopped the continuation of destruction ; that is, in my 
 case. 
 
 The shrewd woman also set refreshments before the ofii-
 
 50 LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF 
 
 cers, and placed a house, which I had completed shortly 
 before, at their disposal ; and the division made their 
 headquarters upon my place. 
 
 As may be supposed, a close search was made for me ; 
 but they failed to find Captain Andrews, although I was 
 within sight of their camp-fires, and at times, could hear 
 the voices of their pickets. 
 
 I did not follow the long train of refugees, that filed out 
 of Sumter, hurrying away with their valuables, but took a 
 road by myself. 
 
 In the vicinity of our home was an extensive swamp, 
 known as Cedar Bay, a tract of densely-wooded land, of 
 perhaps twenty-thousand acres, through which a few 
 " blind trails " wound ; and it was into one of these paths, 
 that I drove the doctor's teams. 
 
 It was difficult work, picking our way along the rough, 
 wild road, but it was more difficult to obliterate the marks 
 made by our animals, and the wheels of the wagons. 
 
 This was the labor of hours, but when completed, I 
 would have defied an Indian to have followed the course 
 of our flight. 
 
 Buried in the heart of this dense swamp we waited, as 
 patiently as possible, the withdrawal of the troops from 
 the neighborhood. The most that I feared, was, that my 
 negroes would go out and betray my whereabouts, in the 
 hopes of sharing in the plunder; and this fear was partial- 
 ly realized ; for, one morning, I found one of the blacks 
 missing. He had taken French leave during the night, 
 and I knew full well that he had gone to the Yankee camp. 
 
 It now became necessary for us to change our quar- 
 ters ; so all that day was spent in finding another hid- 
 ing-place, further into the swamp; and after removing to 
 it, cover up the traces of our former camp, and the path 
 by which we had left it.
 
 CAPT. ROBERT W. ANDREWS. 5 I 
 
 The negroes who remained with me, seemed honest and 
 faithful ; but to make the more sure, I told them fearful 
 stories of the wild men of the North ; how that a negro 
 was as good as a dead man, if he fell into the hands of 
 the Yankees; in fact, I worked upon their feelings to such 
 an extent, that they trembled with fear ; their eyes nearl\' 
 dropped from their sockets, while their white teeth clat- 
 tered like so many castanets. 
 
 One day, after being in the swamp nearly a week, and 
 not having heard anything from the soldiers for some time, 
 I ventured out from my hiding-place, to reconnoiter. 
 
 Picking my way with the utmost care, I reached the 
 outskirts of the forest. It was now about ten o'clock in 
 the evening, and all seemed still and deserted as I stepped 
 out into the clearing; but, scarcely had I passed the line 
 of trees, when a loud, coarse laugh on my right hand 
 caused me to draw quickly back into the shade. Some- 
 one was in the vicinity, but whether friend or foe remained 
 to be seen, and it behooved me to work with great caution. 
 I plunged again into the wood, describing a broad circle, 
 came out as near as I could calculate, where the owner of 
 the voice which had disturbed me was sitting. As I slowly 
 worked my way through the dense underbrush, I saw the 
 bright light of a fire flaring up through the trees. It now 
 became necessary for me to redouble my caution, for it 
 was life or death with me. 
 
 Nearer and nearer I drew in to the camp-fire, around 
 which I could count four forms; and as I approached a 
 little more closely, I could see that they were dressed as 
 citizens, which fact somewhat allayed my an.xiety. 
 
 "Yes, the niggers fixed the old man; but they didn't 
 git his money, no sir," I heard one man remark ; and by 
 his dialect I felt sure that he was a South Carolinian; but 
 it would not ilo yet to show myself.
 
 52 LIFE AND ADVENTURES OV 
 
 " How did they do the job?" inquired another. 
 
 " Took him up-stairs and tucked him between two 
 feather-beds, and set on him; they wanted it to look as 
 though he had died a natural death ; but it wouldn't go 
 down. The Yanks were too smart for 'em, and to their 
 credit be it said, they just took them niggers and hung 
 'em, near Capt. Andrew's place, and left 'em there ; where 
 they hang now, side by side." 
 
 "Near Andrew's place? I'd like to see the old man; 
 wonder where he is?" 
 
 " Here!" I answered, stepping out into the light, for I 
 felt sure that this party were friends. 
 
 Click ! click ! click ! went the locks of four rifles, while 
 as many muzzles were pointed towards me. 
 
 " Hold on, boys ! Hold on ! It's I, Andrews. You are a 
 pretty lot of fellows to stand watch. I have been listening 
 to you talk for the last ten minutes, lying close enough to 
 almost touch you," I said in a jocular manner, for I recog- 
 nized some of my old friends and neighbors. 
 
 The rifles were instantly lowered, and I shook hands all 
 round, anxiously asking for the latest news. 
 
 To my great delight I heard that my wife and children 
 were well, and that my property had been spared ; though 
 I felt sorry for the loss that my friends had sustained, for 
 there was scarcely a house left standing in Sumter. 
 
 " It was all our fault," remarked one of the party. " If 
 we had taken your advice, and not tried to stop five- 
 thousand men with pop-guns and school-boys, the Yanks 
 would not have meddled with our stuff." 
 
 I eagerly inquired for the army. 
 
 " Oh, they're gone for good ; and the cussed war is ended 
 — in these parts, at least; and I for one am glad of it," 
 was the reply.
 
 CAFT. ROBERT \V. ANDREWS. 53 
 
 It Is needless to say that these sentiments were heartily 
 endorsed by all. 
 
 " Well, boys, seeing that the coast is clear, I think that I 
 can come out from under cover." 
 
 " Course you can, course you can, Cap'n," spoke up an 
 old neighbor. "What have you got in the swamp, yonder?" 
 
 *' Oh, only a little stuff belonging to Doctor China and 
 myself. And if }-ou boys say it is safe to bring it out, 
 we'll go in and find it." 
 
 I was assured that I was among friends, and knew every 
 man of the party; so, kicking out the fire, we went into 
 the Cedar Swamp. 
 
 It was nearly daylight when I reached my encampment. 
 The negroes had been astir some time ; and, faithful to 
 their trust, challenged us on our approach ; but, finding 
 their master (for the time being) among the party, bustled 
 about to serve a breakfast. 
 
 Fried bacon and coffee, with a hoe-cake, furnished our 
 morning meal ; and, shortly after the sun arose, we had the 
 teams hitched up, and started for the clearing. 
 
 Our trip out from the swamp was easily accomplished, 
 compared to the tedious and laborious journey into its 
 dark and gloomy labyrinth ; which had been performed in 
 fear and trembling some six days before ; and we emerged 
 from the forest to behold a scene of utter devastation ! 
 
 Sumter, that I had left, was now in ruins. 
 
 I had my teams, and the property of Doctor China in- 
 tact ; but where was I to find the owner, that I might 
 make a delivery of my trust? He might be among the 
 missing. 
 
 Turning to one of my companions, I inquired where the 
 doctor was, 
 
 " The Lord knows, I don't," he answered. " But we'll 
 go to the town, and see who's left."
 
 54 I'IFE AND ADVENTURES OF 
 
 So saying, we started, the two negro boys driving the 
 four-horse team, while my four neighbors took seats in the 
 carriage. I drove directly to my own house, which fortu- 
 nately remained standing, a monument to the clemency of 
 the Yankees ; and after a short interview with my wife, 
 and bidding my friends of the camp-fire good-bye, I went 
 in search of the doctor. 
 
 I found Doctor China standing near the ruins of his 
 once palatial residence, fully realizing the curse of war. 
 Turning, he recognized me. 
 
 " Cap'n Andrews, is it you?" 
 
 " Yes, sir," I answered. 
 
 " The money ! The plate ! The teams ! Where are 
 they?" 
 
 " Safe, and under cover, at my place," I rejoined. 
 
 "Thank you, Cap'n; thank you. You have saved my 
 children's inheritance," and the tears trickled down the 
 physician's face. 
 
 It only required some two hours to transfer the prop- 
 erty back to the doctor's hands ; for the saving of which I 
 was well paid. 
 
 I found my cotton, and my wheat field, which was of 
 about three weeks' growth, unmolested ; and my family 
 stores none the worse for the invasion of the Federal army ; 
 save, perhaps, the loss of a few fowl, and several sides of 
 bacon, which I would willingly have granted to anyone in 
 need. 
 
 Shortly after the termination of the war, Iwas appoint- 
 ed chief of police, of Sumter; and while serving in this 
 capacity, I had more trouble with the negroes than I ever 
 had before. 
 
 We had, in Sumter, a somewhat lawless set of blacks. 
 They had obtained their freedom, and proposed to take 
 advantage of the new state of affairs, to make it uncom-
 
 CAIT. ROBERT W. ANDREWS. 55 
 
 fortable for the white officials. Now, in the position of 
 chief, it became my duty to keep these people within 
 bounds ; and at times it was very unpleasent. 
 
 I remember distinctly one night, when one of my offi- 
 cers attempted to arrest a former slave, named Tom 
 O'Connor, who was a well-known character of the place, 
 having previously belonged to a gentleman named O'Con- 
 nor, before the war. My man had more than his hands' 
 full, although he had got his prisoner nearly down to the 
 jail, and just opposite the court house, when I happened 
 along. 
 
 Noting the scuffle, I went to the assistance of my sub- 
 ordinate. 
 
 ''Come, Tom." I remarked, "You'd better go along 
 quietly, and avoid trouble." 
 
 I had in my hand a light sword-cane, which at one time 
 belonged to Gen. Sumter, and had been presented to me 
 by that gentleman's grandson. 
 
 Scarcely had I spoken to the irate negro, than he grasp- 
 ed my cane, and, unsheathing it, struck me over the head 
 with the scabbard, making a wound, the scar of which, I 
 carry to this day. Attempting a second assault, I met 
 him with the blade, which passed completely through his 
 body. 
 
 He appeared not to feel the wound for several moments, 
 and continued the fight. 
 
 Not daring to strike him again, I threw the sword aside 
 and grappled with the man ; but, hardly had I clinched 
 with him, than I could feel his strength failing; and, after 
 subduing him, I called for assistance to convey him to the 
 court house, the door of which was standing oi)eii. Mr. 
 Thomas Coughlin, the sheriff, who had from his window, 
 been a witness of the melee, received the prisoner; and
 
 56 LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF 
 
 the wound, which I had administered, was promptly at- 
 tended to. 
 
 Fortunately, my blade failed to reach a vital part, and 
 today, Thomas O'Connor, colored, is one of the finest 
 friends that I have in Sumter. 
 
 During the time in which I served as chief of police, I 
 was often placed in an antagonistic position to the negroes ; 
 perhaps the most disagreeable one, was shortly after the 
 law was passed prohibiting the keeping open of places of 
 amusement, dances, etc., after twelve o'clock, midnight. 
 
 Several times I had been obliged to warn the " boys " 
 to be careful, not w^anting to make trouble for them ; but 
 they failed to take heed to my advice, and one night it be- 
 came necessary to enforce the law. 
 
 They were having a party, and a jolly good time ; just 
 such a time as negroes alone can have. 
 
 I visited their gathering, in the early evening, and cau- 
 tioned them against keeping it up too late ; and they 
 promised to conform to the law. 
 
 The dance was an out-door affair, a regular Southern 
 "walk-around;" nearly the entire colored population of 
 Sumter were present. 
 
 Twelve o'clock struck, and they were in the midst of 
 their jollity. 
 
 One o'clock came, and no attempt to bring their fes- 
 tivity to a close. Now I felt it my duty to interfere, 
 having given them an hour's leeway. 
 
 Riding into their midst, I said, " Boys, you know that 
 you have kept this up too long. Now, stop it, and go 
 home." 
 
 "Dat's all right, boss ; but we's a gwine ter shake her out 
 until mornin," cried a voice, which I at once recognized as 
 belonging to Sam Diggs, a leader of his class. 
 
 "Not if I know it, Sam," I replied, swinging myself
 
 CAPT. UOHKRT W. ANDREW^. 37 
 
 from the saddle, and grasping the "best man" of the 
 dance, b\- the collar. 
 
 " You'll come with me." 
 
 In an instant, as may be supposed, all was confusion, 
 and during the exitement I led my man toward the jail. 
 
 The crowd, however, followed, and was beginning to 
 make it somewhat disagreeable lor me, when two of m\' 
 officers put in an appearance, and dispersed the rabble, to 
 a certain extent. 
 
 On reaching the turn in the street which led to the 
 jail, I was confronted by six stalwart blacks, each having 
 a revolver in hand, levelled at me, who demanded the 
 prisoner. 
 
 Relinquishing my hold on the collar of the man, I drew 
 my two revolvers. 
 
 " You can shoot as quick as you please, but before I 
 drop you can swear that there will be at least three dead 
 niggers in Sumpter. Don't you move, Sam, or you'll be 
 the first one," I continued, as I saw that my charge was 
 about to take advantage of the interference of his friends 
 and escape. 
 
 The firm front of the officer of the law prevailed, ami 
 without futher trouble I landed m\' man safely in jail ; 
 to remain, however, but a few hours, simpl)- long enough 
 to teach him and his kind to respect the authority of the 
 land. 
 
 One afternoon, while sitting u{)on the veranda of my 
 house, I noticed quite a commotion amongst the fowls in 
 the garden. I knew full well that it must be something 
 extraordinary to cause such a fliiltcr, and immcdiatcl}- 
 went to investigate. 
 
 It was down in a little vegetable patch ; and I had 
 scarcely got within the palings when I iieard, almost tii- 
 rectly under my feet, the dreaded sound of the " rattler." 
 5
 
 58 LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF 
 
 I sprang asidj, but not quick enough to avoid the 
 attack of the venomous reptile. I saw him jump, and 
 attempting to ward off the blow, I received a wound from 
 his poisonous fangs in my right hand ; but, before he could 
 make his escape, I had crushed the snake to death with 
 the heel of my boot. 
 
 The subtle venom, however, was coursing through my 
 veins. I could feel it tingling up the arteries of my arm ; it 
 reached the throat; my tongue began to swell; and 
 although it was only a few steps from the house, yet, 
 before I reached the doorway, it was well-nigh impossible 
 for me to articulate, so powerful was the poison with which 
 I was inoculated. 
 
 Staggering to the sideboard, I drank a copious draught 
 of raw whiskey. My eyesight had begun to fail, and I 
 stood as one in a dream ; but, knowing that I must deaden 
 the poison, I drank more, until nearly a quart of raw spirits 
 had been consumed. 
 
 Gradually the tingling sensation, which had pervaded 
 my whole system, died away; the muscles of the throat 
 relaxed, the blurred vision faded, but still I was weak and 
 exhausted. 
 
 Meanwhile my wife had sent for the doctor, but when 
 he arrived he found me nearly recovered, and said he could 
 do nothing further to assist me. 
 
 Before sundown I was about, almost as well as ever; 
 though for several days afterward my hand and arm were 
 very lame ; and since then I have never felt any incon- 
 venience from the bite of the deadly rattle-snake. 
 
 On the land which I owned in Sumter I built several 
 houses, to accommodate the growing population, and for 
 many years I remained on the police-force, and busied 
 myself in taking care of my property. 
 
 After resigning my position as chief of police, in 1884,
 
 CAPT. ROBERT W. ANDREWS. 59 
 
 I Started on a trip to visit my brother in Texes, taking 
 my two youngest boys with me ; this time traveling b)' 
 steam cars; but, on reaching Mobile, the young men got 
 home-sick, and I turned about and headed for home, only 
 having remained in that city three days. 
 
 Arriving at Montgomery I proposed to send the boys 
 the remainder of the distance alone, while I intended to 
 go into Florida, on foot, merely to see the country. 
 
 The young men were now anxious to accompany me, 
 and after some persuasion on their part I allowed them to 
 come. 
 
 We passed through the principal cities and towns on 
 our way to Jacksonville, Fla., where we remained several 
 weeks, and then started for home, walking through Savan- 
 nah, Ga., Macon, Ga., Augusta, Ga., Columbia, S. C, and 
 hence to Sumter, having been absent from home a little 
 over three months. 
 
 I remained at home only ten days, and on the seventh 
 day of May, 1885, I started on my first long journey to 
 the North on foot, with my little dog, Fido. 
 
 I traveled through Camberlin, S. C, Lancaster, S. C, 
 Charlotte, N. C, Danville, Va., Richmond, Va., Washing- 
 ton, D. C, Baltimore, Md., Philadelphia, Pcnn., New York, 
 N. Y., Bridgeport, Ct., New Haven, Ct., Springfield, Mass., 
 Worcester, Mass., Marlboro, (the place where I drove a 
 stage-coach so many years ago), W'altham, Boston; then 
 through to Portland, Me., from Portland to Wiscasset, and 
 up the river to Newcastle, where I had worked as a ship- 
 carpenter, in 1815. 
 
 I had traveled the whole distance from Sumter, S. C, to 
 this extreme northern State, on foot, in two months and 
 sixteen days. 
 
 After remaining a few days in Newcastle, I did not care 
 to stay longer, as the place seemed strange to mc ; new
 
 6o I.TFE AND ADVENTIRES OF 
 
 faces, new buildings, stared at mc, in place of the old, 
 familiar houses, that I had been wont to see. Even the 
 river looked unnatural, and, with a sad heart, I turned 
 ac^ain toward Boston, to visit my son, with whom I remain- 
 ed until August fourteenth; when I started for home, ar- 
 riving there, accompanied by my little dog, Fido, Novem- 
 ber second. 
 
 After making a short trip to Charleston, and return, ac- 
 companied by my dog, I started for New Orleans ; and it 
 was on this journey that I met with a very singular adven- 
 ture. 
 
 While walking through Georgia, I fell in with a trim- 
 looking negro, who wanted to sell me a silver watch, and 
 gold chain. Not caring to buy, I suggested the trading 
 of my " Waltham," a fine watch, which I had received in 
 Hartford, Conn. After a little bantering, we made the 
 trade ; by my giving him five dollars to boot. 
 
 I put the watch in my pocket, and continued on my 
 way to Montgomery. Shortly before reaching the city, I 
 drew forth the watch, and examined it closely. To my 
 surprise and consternation, I saw, neatly engraved on the 
 inner cover, a man's name and address. 
 
 I knew then, that the watch must have been stolen ; and, 
 although I had come honestly by the property, I felt like 
 a thief, and would no longer carry it in my pocket, but 
 placed it in my knapsack, for safe keeping. 
 
 Arriving at the city, I sought shelter in the house of a 
 widow lady, who graciously extended a hospitable wel- 
 come to me, for the night. 
 
 But imagine my dismay, on awaking in the morning, to 
 find watch and chain, and some money, which I had stored 
 away in my knapsack, missing. 
 
 At first, I was very much incensed, and complained bit- 
 terly to my hostess regarding the theft. She professed
 
 CAPT. ROBERT W. ANDREWS. 6 1 
 
 Utter ignorance of the whole aftair, and offered to do what- 
 ever la\^ in her power to aid me in recovering the stolen 
 property. 
 
 After a second thought, I felt relieved to he " quit" of 
 the watch, which I was well-nigh assured had been pre- 
 viously stolen by the negro ; although, by this transaction 
 and theft, I was out of pocket some fort\" dollars. 
 
 As ma}' be supposed, I did not care to stop another 
 night in the house of this agreeable widow-lad\% and ac- 
 cordingly took up my quarters at a hotel near b\-. 
 
 While registering my name, the clerk observed the 
 handles of mv two revolvers, which I carried somewhat 
 conspicuously, as was my custom, and asked me to show 
 them to him, which I did. 
 
 " I'd like to buy one of those weapons," he said, " if 
 you'll sell it cheap enough." 
 
 " They are not for sale, " I replied, returning the revol- 
 ver to my pocket, and allowing the handle to protrude, as 
 I was wont to do. 
 
 " Well, perhaps, you don't know. Stranger, there's a law 
 in this State against carrying concealed weapons, and 
 you're laying yourself liable to arrest by toting those 
 shooters, about." 
 
 " They can arrest me as soon as the\' please. My 
 weapons are not concealed. The\' are m\' only protection 
 during my lonely travels ; and there is no law that can hin- 
 der me from carrying them, in this State or any other." 
 
 "We'll see about that, old man," returned the clerk, a 
 little pettishl)^; " but you've got to give up those weapons 
 before you can stay in this house." 
 
 " I never have found it necessary to part with these use- 
 ful traveling companions before, in order to stop at a 
 hotel; and I hardly think I shall begin now, at this late 
 day," I rejoined, somewhat tartly.
 
 62 LIFE AM) ADVENTURES OF 
 
 Bidding the covetous clerk good night, I started to leave 
 the inhospitable hotel ; but had scarcely reached the door 
 when a police ofificer entered, and placing his hand on my 
 shoulder, said, "I arrest you for carrying concealed weap- 
 ons." 
 
 "Arrest me, sir?" I said, in surprise. "Very well, if 
 I am guilty of carrying concealed weapons, I am willing 
 to abide by the consequences." 
 
 "You have weapons about you, haven't you?" de- 
 manded the officer. 
 
 " Certainly I have, and thev are not concealed, either," 
 tapping the butts of my two revolvers, which were plainly 
 disclosed. 
 
 "Well, you can't call those concealed weapons," he ad- 
 mitted, "and I think we can let you go;" and, turning 
 on his heel, he was about to enter into a conversation 
 with the clerk of the hotel. 
 
 " Not so fast, officer, not so fast," I rejoined. " You 
 have arrested me for carrying concealed weapons, and I 
 demand a hearing before the nearest trial-justice." 
 
 "That's all right, old man; that's all right; il you don't 
 find any fault, I won't." 
 
 " But I do find fault," I indignantly replied. " You have 
 arrested me, and I want to know whether I am allowed, 
 as a citizen of the United States, to travel through the 
 country in a condition to protect myself, or not." 
 
 The officer, probably seeing that " he had barked up 
 the wrong tree," endeavored to treat the whole 'aftair as a 
 joke, but I refused to consider it in that light, and forced 
 him to conduct me before the magistrate. 
 
 Reluctantly the officious policeman walked a few squares 
 with me to the court-house, where he was oblied to " en- 
 ter his case," which very much embarrassed him, while 
 I enjoyed the confusion he manifested.
 
 CAPT. ROBERT \V. AXDRF.WS. 63 
 
 "Where are the concealed weapons?" inquired the judge, 
 turning to the officer, somewhat quizzically. 
 
 ** He has got them on his person, sir," answered the 
 policeman. 
 
 I see two revolvers. Has he an\- other weapons about 
 iimi that )ou know of?" 
 
 "No, sir." 
 
 " Then I do not see wh\' \ou should have arrested this 
 man, and brought him before mc on the charge of carrying 
 concealed weapons." 
 
 " I understand Captain Andrews is journeying across 
 the country alone, as his papers state" (which papers I had 
 previously submitted to the justice), "and is supposed, and 
 allowed, to travel armed. He does not, as far as I can 
 see, lay himself liable to your charge; therefore, Captain 
 Andrews, }'ou are dismissed, and, in behalf of the county, 
 I beg your pardon for the inconvenience to which you 
 may have been subjected by this officer. And you, sir, 
 addressing the policeman, " had better report at head- 
 quarters, to-morrow, and receive some instructions in the 
 rules of police service." 
 
 Thanking the trial-justice, I went directly back to that 
 same inhospitable hotel, where I remained over night. 
 
 The following morning, I bade good-bye to Montgom- 
 ery, and proceeded on my way to New Orleans. 
 
 Nothing worthy of note occurred on the long tramp, and 
 I arrived at the Crescent City, hale and hearty as ever. 
 
 I remained in New Orleans only three days ; my stay 
 was somewhat abridged on account of the small-pox epi- 
 demic, which was then raging; and I was only too glad to 
 get out of the " City of Marshes." 
 
 On my way home, while walking through the State of 
 Mississippi, I lost my little dog, Fido ; m\- f.iithful com-
 
 64 in-E AND ADVEiNTURES OF 
 
 paiiion, which had followed at my heels for so many hun- 
 dred miles. 
 
 I stopped at a farm-house, shortly before dark, and asked 
 for shelter during the night, offering to pay for the same ; 
 the lady of the house refused to accept any money, and 
 extended me a cordial welcome. While enjoying my eve- 
 ning meal, I missed Fido, "Where is my dog?" T in- 
 quired. 
 
 " You had no dog when you came in here, sir," replied 
 my hostess. 
 
 " He was with me half an hour ago, and he must be 
 near about ; for he never leaves me for any length of 
 time, unless he is tied up." 
 
 Rising abruptly from the table, and thanking the lady 
 for her hospitality, I took the back road in search of the 
 little dog. 
 
 " Come back to our house to-night, Stranger, whether 
 you find the dog or not. We've got a good bed for you," 
 called the lady after me, as I started down the path. 
 
 After walking some quarter of a mile, I met a young 
 white girl, and inquired of her whether she had seen a 
 little dog of Fido's description. 
 
 " Yes, sir. I seen such a dog, and it's up there, yonder, 
 on Crawford's place. They're two old women, and they 
 live up there o.ff the road a little piece." 
 
 This was enough, and I went in search of my pet. Ar- 
 riving on the Crawford plantation, which I found was con- 
 ducted by two maiden ladies of questionable age, I saw 
 that the help had that day been slaughtering a beef, as 
 the skin and entrails were lying about, and the quarters I 
 noticed hanging under a shed. 
 
 An old lady met me as I was approaching the house, of 
 whom I asked the whereabouts of my dog. 
 
 " Well, there was a little black and white dog came here
 
 CAPT. ROBERT W. ANDREWS. 65 
 
 about two hours ago, and my sister, fearing it was going 
 to go mad, tied it up in the house." 
 
 "That must be my dog," I repUed, "And I reckon I'll 
 go in and have a look at it." And not waiting for an\- in- 
 vitation, I deUberately walked into the house, where I 
 found my canine friend snugly ensconsed beneath the 
 chair of the elder maiden sister, who was busily occupied 
 in putting together divers squares of patch-work, of the 
 most incongrous discription. 
 
 " I have come for my dog, madam, which I sec you 
 have there with you." 
 
 " Is that your dog?" she inquired. " If it is \'ou can 
 have him ; but I rather thought it was a strange one that 
 was wandering around without an\^ master; and so I tied 
 him up here in the house." 
 
 Thanking the maiden for her solicitude in behalf of 
 Fido, I cast him adrift, and we started back to the house 
 of the hospitable lady, where I first missed in)- faithful 
 little companion. 
 
 " You couldn't expect anything different from tliose 
 people," remarked my hostess, after I had recounted my 
 experience with the two sisters. " They are mean enough 
 to steal corn, and yet they have got more money than any 
 other family here in these parts." 
 
 I was somewhat weary; and, finding that I was in com- 
 fortable quarters, I proposed to remain two or three days ; 
 making known my desire, the lady of the house, ami her 
 husband, who, by the way, was a genial, old-fashioned 
 southern planter, graciously bade me welcome. 
 
 As maybe supposed, most of our con\ersatiiMi turned 
 to the recent war, and tlie effect that it had exercised up- 
 on the Southern people. 
 
 " Captain Andrews," remarked my host, in the evening, 
 as we were sitting by his cheerful fireside, "How have
 
 66 LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF 
 
 you found it with the 'niggers' since the war? Do you think 
 they are any better off than they were in the old times?" 
 
 I was obHged to admit that I failed to see wherein the 
 colored man was much benefitted by the freedom which 
 had been conferred upon him ; for I had witnessed a great 
 deal of squalor and poverty among the negroes since they 
 were left to shirk for themselves. 
 
 " I never believed in slavery," I said ; "it did not seem 
 right to me, although 1 have owned a number of people; 
 but I really think that the negro and his family were bet- 
 ter off under the old regime, than they are at the pres- 
 ent day." 
 
 "You are right, Cap'n. Then,, the negro had no care 
 whatever upon his mind. He was looked after as care- 
 fully as a man now will look after his valuable horses. 
 When sick, they were nursed and doctored. They were 
 clothed and fed. To be sure there were many cases where 
 the master failed to supply the wants of his people ; as 
 you will find it to-day with teamsters ; they do not all take 
 equally good care of their stock ; but, in the main, they 
 were well provided for." 
 
 " In my long experience with negroes, having bought 
 and sold, 'raised ' and ' worked ' hundreds, I always found 
 that the master was as much, if not more, of a slave than 
 any one in the establishment." 
 
 " You are right there again, Cap'n. When they were 
 sick, who nursed them? It devolved upon us, for, as you 
 know well, a negro never would accept medicine from one 
 of his own kind. It was the master or mistress, the over- 
 seer or his wife, who was obliged to watch by the sick 
 bed, and recruit, if possible, the life which represented to 
 them so many hundred dollars. How different it is now," 
 he continued. 
 
 "Yes," I assented, "the negro is his own master; but
 
 CAPT. ROBERT W. ANDREWS. 67 
 
 he was thrust out upon the world hke a brute, with but 
 little more capability of looking out for himeslf than a 
 child. He had nothing to begin life with save his free- 
 dom ; and that was a toy whose value he has failed thus 
 far to appreciate !" 
 
 "Their land they must hire from their former masters, 
 who in most cases charge a yearly rental amounting to 
 nearly its full value," continued my host. "We furnish 
 them farming impliments, seed and mules, for which, of 
 course, we hold a lien upon their crop ; and it is very sel- 
 dom that they can raise enough in a season to clear them- 
 selves ; thus they are continually in a state of indebted- 
 ness, while their families, who in former times fared well, 
 and were care-free, are now half fed and scantih' clothed. 
 Now, here is my neighbor up the road a piece, who owns 
 some seven acres of land, and at one time ' worked ' six 
 hundred ' niggers,' and raised as much cotton as any man 
 hereabout. He lost all his stock during the war, but he 
 had his land left; and he went to work and built little 
 shanties all over the place, you'll see 'em as you go along, 
 and lets them out with the land to the ' niggers ' at 
 three dollars an acre a year, which is a darned sight 
 more than he could sell the whole place for to-day. So 
 he's made money, and all of us have, as to that. Now, 
 my little piece here aint more than a couple of hundred 
 acres, but it's paying me more than double what it did 
 when I ' worked ' fifty ' niggers ' on it."' 
 
 My host spoke the truth ; fori had found, during my 
 travels throughout the South, the situation of the negro 
 to be exactly as he had described it. 
 
 After remaining two days in the house of this genial 
 couple I resumed my journey towards home. 
 
 Shortly after crossing the South Carolina line, 1 was
 
 68 LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF 
 
 overhauled by a trim-looking negro, who walked along 
 with me, and entered into conversation. 
 
 I was carrying two haversacks, and the boy kindly vol- 
 unteered to relieve me of part of my load. 
 
 "Let me tote one of your bags, boss," he said; " I'm 
 goin' a big piece along this road, and I'd like to give you 
 a lift." 
 
 I handed one of the haversacks to the man ; but, know- 
 ing the nature of the negro in general, I kept a sharp eye 
 upon his movements. 
 
 We walked along perhaps a mile, with Fido trotting 
 a few paces ahead, until we came to a part of the road 
 which led through a heavy wood. Scarcely had we 
 entered the path beneath the shade of the overhanging 
 trees, than my colored companion made a break for the 
 brush; but he had not covered a rod before the report of 
 my revolver broke the stillness of the forest, and "The 
 coon dropped the bag." 
 
 He plunged into the shrubbery, but not before I sent 
 another bullet whistling about his ears ; what effect it had, 
 I know not, other than to accelerate his movements, for I 
 have never since heard from him. 
 
 Picking up my haversack, I found that my first shot had 
 penetrated the bag, and consequently must have failed to 
 wound the thievish black. 
 
 From here on I met with nothing of interest ; and in a 
 short time reached Sumter. 
 
 I remained at home but a few weeks, when I 
 again took the road ; this time bound to Boston. 
 
 It was the second day of April, 1886, that I bade my 
 wafe good-bye, and started on my last journey. 
 
 I went over the same ground that I had covered on my 
 previous trip, that is as far as Richmond, Va., where j 
 broke off and went down to Northampton, Va., to enter a
 
 CAIT. ROBERT W . ANDREWS. 69 
 
 law-suit to recover some property in that county, which 
 had been left to me some }-ears ago b\- nn- father. 
 
 I was not detained long with this business; and again 
 resumed my journey to Boston, where I arrived August 
 27th, 1886. 
 
 AH along the way I met with very friendly people ; and 
 especially those belonging to the newspaper fratcrnit}'; 
 this latter class had become somewhat interested in me, 
 and it was by their advice that I determined to have pub- 
 lished a history of my life and wanderings; which they felt 
 assured would be of interest to the public. 
 
 It is my intention, if spared, to return to Sumter, South 
 Carolina, and from there start across the Continent to the 
 Pacific. 
 
 Although old in years, I am strong and heart)' ; and, 
 owing to a life of temperance in all things. I feel capable 
 of accomplishing the two long journeys which 1 contem- 
 plate making. 
 
 I have at the present time living ten children ; having 
 been awarded to me in all twelve, two of whom have been 
 taken away. From these children I number fifty-six 
 grand-children, and from these again, nine great grand- 
 children. The names and dates of birth of my children 
 may be of interest to some of my personal friends and 
 will be found in a special place in this book. Trusting 
 that I have not wearied the reader with the recital of my 
 
 adventures, I am, 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 Cai'T. ROHT. W. ANDREWS.
 
 ■# Glippirigs frQnti H^e Press. 
 
 
 [Atliiiita, Ga., Chronicle^ 1885.) 
 
 Capt. 'Andrews and Fido are in town. 
 
 Yesterday a stout-looking old countryman with long, 
 straggling white locks and beard flowing about his face, 
 a shawl thrown over his shoulders and held togather by a 
 long clasp pin under his chin, and followed by a small 
 black and white dog, walked firmly into " The Chronicle" 
 sanctum, A brief look of inquiry, and " The Chronicle" 
 had clasped hands with the celebrated pedestrain of Sum- 
 ter, South Carolina. 
 
 The white hair was longer and the lines about the 
 straight- forward eyes were deeper, but the grasp was as 
 firm, the step as steady as before the last thousand miles 
 had been told ofi", or the Cresent City had been checked 
 off on his note book. 
 
 Captain Robert VV. Andrews is ninty-five years old. 
 He is as hale and active as most men of fifty. A year 
 ago last May he attracted notice to himself by setting out 
 from Sumter, S. C, on foot, accompanied by his little dog 
 Fido, for Boston, where he had relatives. The newspapers 
 noted his progress all along the line, and by the time he 
 reached the Hub of "culchaw" and muscle he had become 
 a national issue. Fido shared fully the trials, pleasures 
 and honors of the expedition, and received due attention 
 at the hands of the sensational pencil-pushers. 
 
 He also received attention from the street gamins at 
 New York, who on one occasion crowded about the old
 
 CA1>T. UOHERT \V. ANDRKWS. "1 
 
 man and, having cut the strin^j by which Fido was led, 
 were hurrying him off to the pound, but refrained for $2 
 from the old man's scanty wallet. 
 
 Capt. Andrews says he profited by this experience, and 
 henceforth Fido was led with a chain. He sa\-s he rode 
 a good deal on the street cars in Boston, and Fido relished 
 the change from walking immensely. Indeed he got to 
 jumping on every car that come along, and one time he 
 was carried away on a car, and was lost for four days. The 
 captain thought he was gone for good this time; but on 
 the fourth day he found his master, and has since sta^-ed 
 close by his side. 
 
 Captain Andrews has always lived a hardy life, and 
 during the blockade of 1812 drove a four mule team from 
 Statesburg, S. C, to Boston, with Southern products, and 
 back to Charleston with cotton and woolen cards and other 
 things that could not be gotten round by water. In 1812 
 he was employed in a woolen mill for a time, operated b)' 
 Mr. Seth Davis, of Newton, Mass., who applied to the hardy 
 young Carolinian the soubriquet of " Buckskin." When 
 Mr. Davis saw the announcement of the pedestrain's ar- 
 rival in the Boston papers, he wrote to him inquiring if 
 he was the " Buckskin" of 181 2 ; and, if so, inviting him to 
 visit him. Capt. Andrews did so, and found his old friend 
 hale and hearty at the venerable age of 10 1. 
 
 (Troy, Alalhima, /'upei-, iSS.^.) 
 
 Captain Robert W. Andrews, of Sumter, S. C, the great- 
 est pedestrian of the western continent, was in the cits- 
 Wednesday. He hatl been to New Olcans, Floriila, and 
 points South. He has traveled, all over the North, Fast, 
 and South, within the last twelve months, all on foot. He 
 is now in his ninety-fifth year, and travels from twenty to
 
 72 I-IFE AND ADVENTURES OF 
 
 twenty-five miles per day, with no companion save his 
 faithful dog. He can read a newspaper now, without 
 glasses. 
 
 (Macon Ga., Engiiirer-Sun, Dec. i, 1885.) 
 
 "Do you see that old man walking along, yonder? " 
 asked a gentleman at the depot, yesterday, of an " En- 
 quirer-Sun" reporter; " That is Captain Andrews, the fam- 
 ous pedestrian. I just shook hands with him, for the 
 novelty of the thing.'' 
 
 The reporter looked, and saw an old, white-haired man, 
 with a bundle hanging to an umbrella, thrown across his 
 shoulder, walking rather leisurely along Randolph street, 
 A little black dog with a white neck, was following closely 
 upon his heels. 
 
 Captain Andrews went to the Central Hotel, and, after 
 taking dinner, resumed his long tramp. Quite a number 
 of people went to the hotel to see him, and hear him talk. 
 His mind does not seem to be very clear on the incidents 
 of the war of 18 12. He is, apparently, ten years younger 
 than he claims to be, and walks very steadily for an old 
 man. He is certainly a strange man. 
 
 {Boston Globe, Aui^ust 27, 1886.) 
 
 Captain Robert W. Andrews of Sumter, S. C, well de- 
 serves the reputation as a great American traveler. He 
 is now 96 years old, and in the past two years has traveled 
 upwards of 7000 miles in his pedestrian trips through the 
 country. This is counting for the long trips only, as he 
 does not count walks of 100 miles or so. 
 
 This morning the captain, looking as hale and hearty 
 as when he came into The Globe office over two years ago, 
 was again seen at this office, and extended a welcome.
 
 CAPT. ROBERT W. ANDREWS. y^ 
 
 Although the captain's age is 96, no one would imagine 
 him to be over 60 from his looks; and, indeed, there are 
 some men of half his age that look as old. He is a very 
 tall man, straight as an arrow, with long gray beard and 
 moustache, and iron-gray hair. 
 
 He was born within thirteen miles of where he now, 
 resides when at home, in Sumter, S. C. ; and at present has 
 a wife and eight children living at that place.. lie is a 
 grandfather to forty-six people at Sumter, and has one 
 gj-eat-great-grand-child. 
 
 This makes the second trip of the captain to Boston of 
 late years, and his principal reason for coming is to see 
 his son, O. T. Andrews, of Cambridge, who has been lo- 
 cated at Paine's furniture factory for the past eighteen 
 years. 
 
 For this trip Captain Andrews started out on May 15, 
 with his face turned toward Boston, and he arrived here 
 on August 27, having been away from home eighty-four 
 days. He was, however, delayed twenty-three days in 
 different places along the route by rain and bad weather. 
 
 On the captain's first visit to Boston, he traveled the 
 distance from Sumter at the rate of twenty-three miles 
 per day; but he found that this was a little too much, so 
 on the last trip, that has just been completed, he averaged 
 twenty miles per day. Tiiis he thinks is much better, and 
 he does not feel the effects of the travel nearly so much. 
 
 For the past few years the captain has always traveled 
 in company with his dog Fido, and he says that he derives 
 great comfort from the companionship of the dumb ani- 
 mal. Fido is a dog about two feet long, and standing a 
 little over a foot in height. He was bred in Sumter b)' 
 Captain Andrews, and is now about six )'cars old. He is 
 a mixture of Russian terrier and a breed peculier ti) the 
 South, which closely resembles the black and lan. l-'ido 
 6
 
 74 LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF 
 
 is black upon his back, vvitli a wliite breast, and the tan 
 shows around his eyes, ears and mouth. He has sharp 
 Httle black eyes, which he keeps fastened upon the old 
 man for the greater portion of the time. Fido is the cap- 
 tain's inseparable companion, and it is impossible to get 
 him away from his master's side without using force. 
 
 He was stolen once in Troy, Ala., and once at Balti- 
 more ; but the captain got him back on both occasions, 
 after some little trouble. On this last trip, while the cap- 
 tain was in New York, some naughty boys cut the string 
 by which Fido was being led, but the captain discovered 
 his loss very soon, and returning, paid the urchins two dol- 
 lars for the return of his pet. Since that time, he has 
 used a small chain for the dog instead of a string, when 
 they were traveling through large cities. 
 
 Captain Andrews was very active during the war of 1 8 1 2 ; 
 and he twice drove a team from Statesburg, S. C, to Bos- 
 ton and return. On the last trip he was detained by the 
 authorities, and pressed into the service of carting gold 
 and silver from the mint in New York to Boston. The 
 captain expects to publish an autobiography in a short 
 time; and hesaid he wanted to do so while he was in Bos- 
 ton. He signified his intention of staying here six months, 
 if that length of time is required for his purpose, and that 
 is a long time for him to remain in one place. 
 
 Atlanta, Ga., Constitution, 1886. 
 
 Captain Robert W. Andrews, the veteran walker, who 
 has counted cross-ties from New Orleans to Portland, Me., 
 reached Atlanta, Monday night, on his return home to 
 Sumter, S. C. Yesterday the " Constitution " had the 
 pleasure of meeting Captain Andrews, who, although old 
 in years, is a boy in activity and energy. The captain 
 looked a little jaded after his long walk, but said that he
 
 CAl'T. ROBERl" W. ANUKEW'^. 75 
 
 was feelinir as lively as a cricket. He wore a <rra\' suit of 
 w^oolen clothes, and about his shoulders luine a lar£re 
 shawl, pinned at the throat. His feet were incased in a 
 pair of brogans, ample in size, to make them comfortable 
 to walk in. Apparently they had ne\ er at an)' time in 
 their existence been on terms of intimac}' with either 
 blacking or brush. They were red and dusty, ant! the 
 heels were worn oft' to the initial la\-er ; so that in udlk- 
 ing the pedestrian came down on his foot from heel to toe 
 at a single stroke. 
 
 " And you have a dog for a companion?" 
 
 " Yes, and he is a good one. I can lay down and sleep 
 anywhere, and no one can come near me without Fide 
 knowing it, and letting me know. A man offered me the 
 pick of a half a dozen horses for Fido ; and another one 
 who heard the offer made, said that if I traded, he would 
 give me one hundred dollars for the horse that I selected. 
 I told the man that I would not part with Fido for all the 
 money and horses that he had. \Vh\', that dog has got 
 as much sense as a man ! When I was coming back from 
 New Orleans, I returned by the same route that I hati 
 traveled over in going, and, as a rule, stopped at the same 
 houses along the line. As soon as I would get within a 
 mile or so of the house, Fido would run aheatl of me, and 
 go into the house, and, by his presence, the [)eople wouKl 
 know that 1 was coming." 
 
 " You have had him a long time?" put in the reporter. 
 
 " Yes, I owned his father and mother. Fido's father 
 was a Russian terrier, and his mother was a ficc. He will 
 be six years old in June next. 1 take good care of him. 
 and he keeps fat and lively. The poor little fellow." said 
 the captain, patting him on the head, " wore off liis toe- 
 nails in going to Portland, and one of his feet got a little
 
 •Ji^ LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF 
 
 bit sore. I took some rust off a piece of rusty iron, and 
 rubbed it on the bottom of his foot, and the sore place got 
 well. He moves along lively on the road, and, I think, 
 stands traveling better than I do ; although I have not 
 been sick in two years. I came very near losing him in 
 Troy, Ala. He ran ahead of me and got into a house 
 where I had spent a night on my way down, and, when I 
 got to the house, I could not find Fido anywhere. 
 
 After making much inquiry, and feeling very sore over 
 the loss, I learned that he had followed a lady to a house, a 
 short distance away. When I went there, I found Fido 
 tied with a piece of string to a sewing machine. I called 
 him, and he made a jump, and came to me breaking the 
 string as he jumped. The lady gave me, as an excuse for 
 tying him, that she thought he was a mad dog, and she 
 feared he would bite some of the children in the house. I 
 think that was a lame excuse, don't you?" 
 
 " Do you walk on Sunday?" 
 
 " No, I always make some town or city on that day, 
 and go to church. I am a Methodist, and attend that 
 church whenever I can. I also lay up when it rains. I 
 don't want to take the chances of getting sick." 
 
 " Do you propose to publish a book, giving the history 
 of your life?" 
 
 " Yes, that is what I intend doing. I was in the war of 
 1812, and will have something to say about that struggle. 
 After that war I went North, and lived in the States of 
 Maine and Massachusetts until 1830, spending some time 
 as a sailor, while holding my residence there. I was also 
 in the Confederate army, filling a position of veterinary 
 surgeon in Hampton's command. I was wounded twice, 
 but got out all right." 
 
 " I don't want to run you off," said the reporter, but how 
 do you stand on prohibition?"
 
 CAI'T. ROBKRT \V. ANDREWS. --J 
 
 ; "Well," said the captain, with much firmness, "That is 
 something that I do not take any stock in. I have al\va\-s 
 taken m\' dram whenever I wanted it, and do it now. I 
 took one yesterday, the first in three months. I felt badly, 
 and I took a little whiskey, and now I am all right again. 
 I have refused a half a dozen requests to join prohibition 
 societies, and never intend to be a member of one. But 
 I must be up and going, as the gentleman who keeps the 
 hotel, over there on Loyd street, near the depot, has 
 kindly invited me to take dinner at his hotel. Come on 
 Fido, let's go and get some dinner." 
 
 The dog got up, wagged his tail, shook his head, mak- 
 ing his long ears flap about his head, and the captain and 
 his faithful companion left for dinner.' 
 
 ^Richmond State, i8S6.) 
 
 "The first time that I ever saw Richmond was in i8i2," 
 said Capt. Robert \V. Andrews, the venerable pedestrian, 
 now ninety-six years old, as he was about to leave Rich- 
 mond, this afternoon, for Northampton Count}-, Va. 
 
 " Did you live in Richmond then?" asked a ' State ' re- 
 porter?" 
 
 " No, I did not live here," answered Captain Andrews. 
 " I passed through Richmond on my way to Boston. I 
 drove a team, and carried cotton from South Carolina to 
 Boston, during the war of 1812." 
 
 " Notice any change in Richmond since then?" inter- 
 rupted a bystander. 
 
 " Oh, Lord !" he exclaimed, and continuing, with a smile, 
 he said: " I reckon I do, but I can spot the old i)laces 
 very well, along the route I took." 
 
 " How many miles do you make a day?" was asked. 
 
 " I average twenty miles," he said, " and have not been 
 sick but verv little during mv travels. I have walked from
 
 yS LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF 
 
 New Orleans to Portland, Maine, and have been over al- 
 most the whole of the United States." 
 
 "What is the object of your trip to Northampton?" a 
 " State " reporter asked. 
 
 " I am going there, " said he, " to settle some business. 
 My grandfather died there, and left some property ; and I 
 am going to see about it." 
 
 " It must have been an old land grant," interjected the 
 reporter. 
 
 " Yes, it was an old land grant; and some of it is at or 
 near Drewry's Bluff, in Chesterfield. My mother's name 
 was Rosa Drewry, and I believe I have many relatives in 
 Virginia of that name." 
 
 After referring to 'his pedestrian feats through some of 
 the Southern and Northern States, Capt. Andrews put on 
 his white beaver, and grasped a small walking cane, 
 whistled for his dog Fido, that has been his companion 
 for five years, and started off for Northampton County, 
 from which 'place he will strike out for Boston, where he 
 has a son living, and where he will settle down and write 
 a book of his travels. 
 
 {Atlanta, Ga., Constitution, Z),y. 25, 1SS6.) 
 
 Captain Andrews, the pedestrian, will leave to-day for 
 Sumter, S. C, his home. He will strike out down the 
 Georgia railroad, and hopes to get home in four weeks. 
 He says that, after remaining at home a few days, he will 
 leave for Northampton, Va. From thence he will go to 
 Washington city to confer with the publisher of his book, 
 and then go to Boston, where he will visit a son of his who 
 resides there. He will be accompanied on his trip by his 
 faithful Fido. The captain was the recipient of much at- 
 tention yesterday by citizens of Atlanta, who wanted to
 
 CAPT. ROBERT \V. ANDREWS. 79 
 
 hear him talk of his travels and his exploits. He talks of 
 walking from one point to another, a distance ot several 
 hundred miles, with as much indifference as if it amount- 
 ed to going only a block or two " to see a man." Yester- 
 day Captain Andrews kept his legs in working order, 
 walked about the city viewing the sights. Wherever he 
 went he attracted much attention, and his exploits as 
 published in the " Constitution" of yesterday, were com- 
 mented upon generally with much interest. 
 
 (Sumter Advance, 1886.) 
 
 From a letter received from Capt. Robert W. Andrews, 
 the famous walkist, we learn that he is at present enjoying 
 himself hugely in Boston, with his son. The captain says 
 there is no talk of hard times in Boston, and that the peo- 
 ple seem to spend money freely, and believe in having a 
 big time generally. If spared. Captain Andrews will cele- 
 brate his ninety-seventh birth-day July fourth. He is get- 
 ting up a history of his life, which will be given to the 
 public some time in December.
 
 # REFEiREiNGES. # 
 
 The following are a few of the many references which I 
 have accumulated during my long and eventful life. As 
 will be found, they come from all classes — governors, sen- 
 ators, magistrates, citizens and a number of the colored 
 people of the South. The originals of these documents 
 are in my possession, and can be produced at any time. 
 
 Sumter C. H., Sumter Co., S. C, 1 
 March 27, 1884. j 
 
 VVe, the undersigned citizens, certify to the good name 
 and unimpeached character of the bearer hereof. Captain 
 Robert W. Andrews, now in the 94th year of his age, and 
 a native of this (Sumter) county. He was engaged in the 
 war of 1 812, and also the war between the States. He 
 was, from 181 3 to 1830, a citizen of Maine and Massachu- 
 setts, and also served as a sailor during a part of this time ; 
 he is now upon his return to visit Maine, Massachusetts, 
 Washington and New York, on foot, and is worthy of all and 
 every trust confided to him. 
 
 R. W. Durant, Sheriff. C. E. Bartlett, Cash. Bank. 
 
 S. A. Norris, Deputy Sheriff. S. T. Hair, 72 years. 
 Marion Sanders, Trial Justice A. White. 
 T. V. Walsh, Probate Judge. C. H. Morse. 
 Dorr & Parmalle, Publishers. James Griffin. 
 H. L. Darr, "Advance" office. Ex-Gov. J. L. Manning. 
 W. H. Cuttino, Clerk of Court. Myles Moran. 
 R. S. Bradwell, D'p'ty Clerk. J. D. Weeks, 78 years. 
 J. A. Whittimore, P. M. J. J. Geddings.
 
 REKERENCKS. Si 
 
 J. D. Craig. Abram Ardis, 84 years. 
 
 J. P. Andrews. Judge J. B. Fraser. 
 
 F. F. Fischer, U. S. Comni'r. W. J. Carter. 
 M. G. Ryttenberg. ]. R. Muldrow. 
 S. F. Flowers. B. R. Weeks. 
 E. P. Ricker. W.M.Graham. 
 W. R. Delgar, Auditor. K. C. Green. 
 C. F. Mason. Marion Morse. 
 C. M. Hurst, Not. PubHc. J. D. Blanding. 
 C. E. Stubbs. R. 1). Lee. 
 
 H. A. Hoyt. J.T.Edwards. 
 
 W. W. Wilder. C. S. Darby. Jr., M. D. 
 
 C. I. Hoyt. J. B. Fraser, Jr. 
 
 J. D. Wilder, School Com'r. G. E. Haynesworth. 
 
 J. F. W. Delome. J. H. Earle. 
 
 R. F. Hoyt. M. B. Moses. 
 
 Sandy Simpson, cl'd, 85 y'rs. L. N. Barwick. 
 
 A. J. China. Chas. Delome, 89 years. 
 
 Gengnard Richardson. Henry Haynesworth. 
 
 D. Rosendorf. J. P. Brown, 78 years. 
 
 J. W. Dargan, Not. Public. I. J. Wilson. R. R. Ag't. 
 
 A. W. Suder. J. M. Jennings. 
 
 W. C. Ivy, "Spirit of Times." J. S. Richardson, late M. C. 
 
 G. E. Geroy. W. J. Singleton. 
 T. J. Toumey. E.Solomons. 
 
 G. W. Reardon. Rev. J. L. Bartlctt. 
 A. H. Weeks, Chief of Police. R. S. Brand. 
 
 R. P. Monaghan. A. A. Solomons. 
 
 T. J. Coghlan, Ex-sheriff. H. W. Gardner. 
 T. B. Johnson, late capt. 30th J. N. Corbett. 
 
 Mass. Volunteers. W. L. Rej'uolds. 
 
 James G. White. M. !•'. Ilcwson. 
 
 A. D. Ricker. W. II. Phillips, Sen. 
 
 J. A. Dingle, 82 years. J. N. P'ricrson.
 
 82 REEERENCES. 
 
 F. Frank Wilson, Atty-at-law. M. C. Kavanaugh. 
 
 J. Frank Pate. J. E. Andrews. 
 
 W. F. Haynesworth, Altamont Moses. 
 
 R. L. Cooper. J. Keene, 75 years. 
 
 Jno. J. Hughson, M. D. W. W. Anderson, M. D. 
 
 F. M. Mellett, Trial Justice. W. R. Find. 
 
 G. E. Richardson. J. W. Buckner. 
 S. F. Lenoir. G. Sumter. 
 
 I. N. Lenoir, Trial Justice. W. J. Atkinson, Sen. 
 E. \V. Morse. 
 
 South Carolina, Sumter Co. 
 I certify that the foregoing five pages contain a true 
 copy of original papers this day exhibited to me by Capt. 
 R. W. Andrews, 
 
 Witness my hand and official seal this 3d day of May, 
 A. D. 1886. 
 
 (Seal) W. H. CUTTING, Clerk of Courts. 
 
 Barritt, Warren Co., Ga., Dec. 31, 1885. 
 The. names hereunto attached I know to be the very 
 best citizens of South Carolina. In the list of honored 
 names are some of our most prominent soldiers and states- 
 men, and men of all professions. G. W. HOWARD. 
 
 Stamford, Ct., June 11, 1884. 
 This is to certify that Capt. Robert W. Andrews, of 
 South Carolina, stopped at Stamford on his way to Bos- 
 ton, on foot ; and he has made the trip so far, enjoying the 
 best of health. He is ninety-three years old. Many of 
 the persons who have signed his certificate before leaving 
 South Carolina, I know personally. 
 
 CHARLES S. DARBY, M. D.
 
 references. 83 
 
 Wedgefield, Sumter Co., S. C, } 
 
 April 5, 1884. S 
 
 I became acquainted with Mr. Robert \V. Andrews 
 sometime during the war of 1812 with Great Britain. I 
 was then a school-boy; I am now 83 years old. He was 
 then near grown, athletic, and strong enough to manage a 
 wagon and team. I saw him drive off from Mr. W'm. 
 Mayrant's plantation, near Statesburg, in (then) Sumter 
 District, S. C, in company with several other wagons, all 
 loaded with cotton and fur ; all I think, chartered for Phil- 
 adelphia. 
 
 I am a native of Sumter County; ha\-c lived here all 
 my life ; have had much to do with the public offices of 
 the County (Clarendon County was cut off from Sumter 
 County during my time of holding office), until retired 
 from age ; was thoroughly acquainted with most of its cit- 
 izens, and especially with ^/iis gentleman, wlu) married a 
 connection. He has been engaged in several avocations ; 
 was always temperate, industrious and honest, and hard 
 working; and was sometimes absent from the Countw 
 Within his sphere, he enjoyed the confidence of his 
 neighbors. He was elected as captain of one of the 
 militia companies of the Regiment of South Carolina 
 Militia, Col. Nettles. I think John Peter Richardson, w.is 
 then governor of this State. 
 
 WILLIAM L. RICHARDSON. 
 
 Wedgkfif.i.I), Sumter Ccutnty, S. C, } 
 
 April 27. 1886. S 
 I recognize the within, as a copy of a certificate I gave 
 my friend, Capt. Robert W. Andrews, when he was going to 
 lioston. in the year i8<S4. That is now much delai)itated. 
 I am now approaching 86 years of age, and hereby re- 
 affirm what is said within. 
 
 WILLIAM L. RICHARDSON.
 
 84 REFERENCES. 
 
 I indorse fully and most cordially all that is said above 
 as to the high character, great age and worth of Mr. 
 Andrews. G. P. RICHARDSON. 
 
 Present Governor of South Carolina. 
 
 Since the date of the above certificate, and upon another 
 pedestrian trip from Sumter to New Orleans, the following 
 names, being persons found upon his route, have added the 
 following certificates: — 
 
 Haynesvivle, Ala., Nov. 5, 1885. 
 I was born and raised in South Carolina, and have known 
 Mr. Andrews for the past 52 years, and indorse the above 
 statement of his character, etc.,; and am acquainted with 
 most of the men whose names are signed above. 
 
 (Signed.) JOHN MURRAY. 
 
 Atlanta, GA.,Dec.22, 1885. 
 I have known Mr. Andrews for the last forty-five years, 
 and indorse his good character. I know most of the per- 
 sons whose names are upon his paper. 
 
 J. D. FRIERSON. 
 
 Sumter, S. C, Sept 14, 1885. 
 The bearer hereof, Capt. Robert W. Andrews, now upon 
 his way to the city of New Orleans, is a native of this 
 (Sumter) county. He was born on July 4, 1790, and is in 
 his ninety-sixth year. He, in 1884, walked from here, via 
 Washington, New York and Boston, to Portland, Me., and 
 returned ; and again during the present year from this 
 point, to Charleston, (100 miles) and returned. He is, 
 without doubt, 96 years of age; having carried a load of 
 cotton from this county to Boston, Mass., in 1812; and 
 served in the war of 18 12, between the United States and 
 England. He is worthy of the confidence and protection
 
 REFERENCES. • 85 
 
 of all good people along his route, which may be extend- 
 ed to Texas. The prayers of the Christian people were 
 offered for his safety, at the different churches, on yester- 
 day. S. A. NOKRIS. 
 
 Sumter, S. C.June 14, 1S86. 
 To all zvhoni these presents may come: 
 
 I, Marion Sanders, do hereby certify, that the bearer 
 hereof, Mr. Robert \V. Andrews, is a citizen of Sumter 
 County, and in every way worthy of confidence, and re- 
 spect. MARION SANDERS, 
 
 Sheriff Sumter Co., S. C. 
 
 Office U. S. Com.m'r, Sumter Co., ) 
 Sumter, S. C, April \% 1886. J 
 I hereby certify that 1 am personally acquainted with 
 every person whose name is signed hereto, save one, and 
 they embrace all parties, creeds, professions and religions, 
 from the humblest walks of life to the very highest officials, 
 executive and judicial, in the State. 1 hereunto add my 
 testimonial, with others, that Capt. Andrews is not only 
 worthy, but is the most remarkable man ofthe age. 1 le is 
 doubtless fully as old as he claims to be, and the histor\' of 
 his life, as told by him, will be found strictly true. lie is 
 now upon his fourth great pedestrian trip to Northampton, 
 Va., having heretofore walked from here to Portland, Me., 
 then from here to Charleston, and, again, from here to 
 New Orleans, having traveled over seven thousand miles 
 on foot. S. A. NORRIS. 
 
 U. S. Commissioner, Eastern District, S. C. 
 
 Sumter, Sumter County, S. C, 
 March 2 J, 1886. 
 
 We. the undersigned colored citizens of the town and 
 
 county of Sumter, have known Capt. Robert W . Andrews
 
 86 
 
 REFERENCES. 
 
 many }'ears, and cheerfully recomend him as being honest, 
 and entirely deserving the confidence and esteem of all 
 with whom he may be thrown in his travels. He is a na- 
 tive of this county ; has a large and highly respectable 
 connection here. Has always been a laboring and indus- 
 trious man, making an honest living by honorable means; 
 is conservative in politics, and temperate in all the rela- 
 tions of life. 
 
 G. E. Walker. 
 W. E. H. Weston. 
 J. J. Nelson. 
 J. W. Wright. 
 S. J. Reece. 
 A. J. Davis. 
 David Gillard. 
 J. E. Leoran. 
 Wm. Kennedy. 
 Robert C. Bentley. 
 J. A. Chandler. 
 H. M. Moore. 
 A. C. Brown. 
 J. C. Brown. 
 F. L. Stewart. 
 Henry Richardson. 
 Richard Brown. 
 Anderson Rhoe. 
 P. P. Johnson. 
 A. J. Andrews. 
 P. A. Saunders. 
 M. Peterson. 
 C. F. Moses. 
 M. H. Fields. 
 Jacob M. Polk. 
 N. S. Withers. 
 
 Oliver Boyd. 
 Rubin James. 
 I. S. Douglass. 
 James Moses. 
 C. H. Mitchell. 
 H. Clark. 
 H. W. Waiters.' 
 P. Wise. 
 James White. 
 Barney Hamilton. 
 Samuel Hamilton. 
 Samuel Walker. 
 Paul Garey. 
 Frank Anderson. 
 Richard Green. 
 Moses Mercer. 
 Stephen Jones. 
 Adam Bond. 
 C. J. Myers. 
 Marcus Sanders. 
 J. Cowell. 
 Adam Sledge. 
 William McDuffie. 
 A. B. Dicks. 
 Allen Robinson. 
 George Crussin.
 
 REFERENCES. 
 
 «7 
 
 \\ illis Davis. 
 William Starkes. 
 Rubin Muniphr\-. 
 Armstead Robinson. 
 Legrand Davis. 
 Geo. E. Harriott. 
 John Britton. 
 J. B. Ruffin. 
 Oliver Peterson. 
 
 Ezekiel James. 
 Simeon Pearsons. 
 Jacob Davis. 
 Nichols James. 
 J. Crey. 
 A. C. Brown. 
 Robert Rass. 
 Joseph Delorm. 
 Abraham Ruffin. 
 
 Columbia, S. C, Ma)- 2, 1884. 
 To whom this may concern: 
 
 I hereby certify that I have known Captain Robert W. 
 Andrews before the year 181 2. That we li\ed near each 
 other; that I lived then at Rafton Creek, with Mr. Polk; 
 that I knew when the said Andrews, in 1813, drove a team 
 and several wagons and buggies, from Scatesburg to Bos- 
 ton, Mass; that I know him to be upwards of 93 j-ears of 
 
 age. 
 
 Witnessed by 
 D. A. Straker. 
 
 HIS 
 
 BYNUM X MOORE. 
 
 MARK. 
 
 Columbia, S. C, May 2, 1884. 
 Dear Old Friend: 
 
 I send you a certificate of what I think \'ou want, and 
 
 wish you all success. I am older than you, and hope that 
 
 if you succeed, you will remember an old friend. 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 BYNUM "x MOORE. 
 
 MAUK.
 
 My Ghildreri. '^ 
 
 Henrietta A. Andrews, born F'eb. i8, 1843; married 
 Mr. N. L. Barvvick, Dec. 14 1863; died July 22, 1884. 
 
 Oregon Texas Andrews, born April 5 1845; married 
 Isabella McLeod, November 13, 1872. 
 
 Augusta S. Andrews, born August i, 1847; married 
 Abraham Ardis, Dec. 26, 1872. 
 
 Mary E. Andrews, born July 29, 1849; married James 
 Griffin, Dec. 17, 1868. 
 
 Robert C. Andrews, born Nov. i, 185 i ; married Irene 
 A. Bell, April 15, 1872. 
 
 Leonore U. Andrews, born Dec. 18, 1854; married 
 James Phillips, March 15, 1874. 
 
 RhodaV. Andrews, born July 21, 1856; married Edward 
 Richardson, Nov. 26, 1873. 
 
 John E.P.Andrews, born March 27, 1859; single. 
 
 Martha R. Andrews, born Nov. 5, 1861 ; married Robert 
 Bradwell, Nov. 17, 1883, 
 
 Pinckney E. Andrews, born Nov. 20, 1863; married 
 Mamie Scott, Feb. 24, 1884. 
 
 Rosa A. Andrews, born Nov. 20, 1865 ; single. 
 
 Joseph E. Andrews, born Mar. 27, 1868; died April 5, 
 1868.
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 
 Los Angeles 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 
 
 f^ 1 ^'ti 
 
 (NTERLIBRARY LJDANS 
 
 FEB 2 1973 
 
 Three weeks from data 0l 
 receipt -- NonT^e2g)?^^l|! 
 
 ^ RBlfe 
 
 Form L9-100m-9,'52 (A3105)444 
 
 THE LIBRARY ^^^. 
 
 ..DIVERSITY OF CALIFORNU 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 HL 
 
 -ndrews - 
 
 275 The life and 
 
 k^lhkh adventures of 
 Capt. Robert 
 irews 
 
 M:L: ':>^ 1PSS 
 
 AA 000 661 889 6 
 
 C 
 2
 
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