He saw the men in time to find a hiding place.  Meanwhile, the soldiers arrived and the leader, springing from his horse, snatched Della up and spanked her soundly for giving the alarm, as they had hoped to take her master by surprise.  Della said this was the first “white slap” she ever received.

Some of the Yankees entered the house, tore up the interior, and threw the furniture out doors.  Another group robbed the smokehouse and smashed so many barrels of syrup that it ran in a stream through the yard.  They carried much of the meat off with them and gave the remainder to the slaves.  Chickens were caught, dressed, and fried on the spot as each soldier carried his own frying pan, and a piece of flint rock and a sponge with which to make a fire.  The men were skilled in dressing fowls and cleaned them in a few strokes.

When they had eaten as much as they desired, a search for the corral was made, but the mules were so well hidden that they were not able to find them.  Della’s father’s hands were tied behind him and he was then forced to show them the hiding place.  These fine beasts, used for plowing, were named by the slaves who worked them.  Characteristic names were:  “Jule”, “Pigeon”, “Little Deal”, “Vic”, (the carriage horse), “Streaked leg,” “Kicking Kid”, “Sore-back Janie”.  Every one was carried off.

This raid took place on Christmas Eve and the slaves were frantic as they had been told that Yankees were mean people, especially was Sherman so pictured.

When Sherman had gone, Mr. Ross came from his hiding place in the “cool well” and spoke to his slaves.  To the elder ones he said, “I saw you give away my meat and mules.”

“Master, we were afraid.  We didn’t want to do it, but we were afraid not to.”

“Yes, I understand that you could not help yourselves.”  He then turned to the children, saying, “Bless all of you, but to little Della, I owe my life.  From now on she shall never be whipped, and she shall have a home of her own for life.”

She shook with laughter as she said, “Master thought I screamed to warn him and I was only frightened.”

True to his word, after freedom he gave her a three-acre plot of land upon which he built a house and added a mule, buggy, cow, hogs, etc.  Della lived there until after her marriage, when she had to leave with her husband.  She later lost her home.  Having been married twice, she now bears the name of Briscoe, her last husband’s name.

When the family had again settled down to the ordinary routine, a new plague, body lice, said to have been left by the invaders, made life almost unbearable for both races.

Della now lives with her granddaughter, for she has been unable to work for twenty-eight years.  Macon’s Department of Public Welfare assists in contributing to her livelihood, as the granddaughter can only pay the room rent.

She does not know her age but believes that she is above ninety.  Her keen old eyes seemed to look back into those bygone days as she said, “I got along better den dan I eber hab since.  We didn’t know nuthin ’bout jail houses, paying for our burial grounds, and de rent.  We had plenty o’ food.”