Person Page - 193

Mrs. Lyman, attended by her only brother, Colonel Dwight, and her remaining children, — the second son excepted, — followed the footsteps of her late husband. She, a woman, whose endowments and education was superior to most of her sex, had been broken down during her husband's long absence, by the distresses in which the family had become involved; and died the same year. Her brother lived only until the next summer. The survivors continued in the country, and in the neighborhood of Natchez, for several years. When it was invaded by the Spaniards, in 1781 and in 1782, they abandoned it, and attempted to make their way to Savannah. The war, and their political sympathies, rendered a direct journey dangerous; and they accordingly selected a route which caused them to travel upwards of thirteen hundred miles, and occupied one hundred and forty-nine days. They were all mounted on horseback, but the ruggedness of the ground often required them to travel long distances on foot. Women and children, and infants at the breast, formed a part of the returning and suffering band. Some were sick; all endured the most exhausting fatigue; were in constant dread of meeting with savages; and were sometimes without sufficient food and water. After reaching Georgia, the party formed themselves into two companies. One division became the prisoners of the Whigs; the other, after surmounting many difficulties, reached Savannah in safety. The captives were soon released. Among those who arrived at Savannah, were two daughters of General Lyman, both of whom died at that place.⁴