Part 20 (1/2)

FROM W. C. G.

_Nov. 27._ On Thanksgiving Day we gathered together all our friends,--all our ”set,” at least,--and sat down, twenty-six of us, together, to eat turkeys and pies. It was a rather formidable thing to attempt, with negro servants and St. Helena supplies, but we had quite a good time, and have done our duty in giving the party. It is probably the last time that we'll all meet together. Those who are to stay next year are all bemoaning their fate; together we have had a very courteous and friendly circle,--rather peculiarly so for such a rough kind of life and surroundings,--and the loss of so many as will go will probably rob the work here of much of its pleasantness.

War, in the person of the triumphant Sherman, was again drawing near, and the two young officers of the Fifty-Fifth had barely celebrated Thanksgiving with the people from home when they were summoned to take their part.

FROM H. W.

_Nov. 28._ C. brought word that all the troops had been sent to Savannah to meet Sherman, and that citizens were on guard at Beaufort.

_Dec. 1._ To-night comes C. from Beaufort with news of the Grahamville fight.[177] It is said we have been twice repulsed, and the fight is not over.

_Dec. 2._ A cart came down from R.'s and brought a note from him to the effect that Captain Crane, who was with us such a short time ago, has been killed in the fight at Grahamville, but that C. Soule was unhurt.

_Dec. 3._ The rumors with regard to the expedition are various and contradictory, but the impression seems to be that we have been whipped, but hold on and have intrenched at Grahamville. Mr. and Mrs.

Soule are cheerful and brave, but very anxious, and it makes our hearts sink to hear the guns as we do. Pray G.o.d we may succeed this time and Sherman may come through. It will be such a day as has not been seen in this Department since Dupont took the place.

_Dec. 4._ We have repulsed the enemy since we intrenched, and deserters say Sherman is coming.

_Dec. 6._ Captain Crane found that his company was left behind at Morris Island, but begged so to go, that Colonel Hartwell[178] took him on his staff, sending a Captain Gordon, who had just come from the North, to take charge of his company. Colonel Hartwell was wounded and Captain Crane killed in one of the first charges, in which our troops were repulsed, so that Captain Crane's body was left in the hands of the enemy. To-night we hear that ten thousand troops have come from Fortress Monroe to reinforce us, and deserters tell of Sherman's advance and successes. You may imagine we are all on the _qui vive_, and anxious, for we hear all the firing.

_Dec. 11._ Savannah is in Sherman's hands and Pocotaligo in Foster's.

We hope and trust this is no South Carolina rumor.

_Dec. 15._ To-night Mr. Soule brings word that Sherman breakfasted with Foster yesterday morning, on a boat that came to Beaufort to-day.

Just after Christmas Mr. Philbrick went back to Port Royal to see to s.h.i.+pping his cotton.

FROM E. S. P.

_Dec. 28._ Arrived this evening. No fellow pa.s.sengers that I knew.

Most of them were Sherman's officers who had left him at Atlanta for various reasons and now come to join him. Very pleasant men, with a degree of hearty good sense and whole-souled patriotism that was truly refres.h.i.+ng.

1865

_The Georgia refugees--Sherman's army at Beaufort--Discontent of the negroes about wages--W. C. G.'s work at Savannah for the refugees--Return home of most of the letter-writers--The death of Lincoln, its effect on the negroes--End of the war and return of the planters--Stealing of cotton by the negroes--Superintendents ”demoralized on the negro question.”_

FROM E. S. P.

_Jan. 1._ Yesterday morning I had a talk with Mr. H.[179] in the yard, where he is at work framing the school-house. I like him very much. He is a somewhat rare combination of a refined gentleman, without much education, but very well informed and wide awake, and a modest and quiet industry with the most practical common sense. He is truly interested in the negroes, without the least bit of sentimental or ill-advised sympathy. He is very glad to come here and take charge, and I think he is the best superintendent I have had here at all.

I saw some of the people who came about the house by chance during the day, and who seemed truly glad to see me. They have got quite over the land-fever, and say they prefer to work along as they have, wherein they begin to show sense. Rose is still the only cook and does very well, except that she sometimes bakes potatoes longer than she boils hams, etc., etc. I suspect H. helps her put things together somewhat. The Christmas tree was to have been last evening, but the rain prevented. C. P. W. has gone up to bring down Mr. Eustis and his two ladies to dine. The house being an elastic one, I suppose it can be made to hold several more people than at present, if they will only bring their own blankets. The old diet of sweet potatoes and hominy, ham, fresh pork, and waffles, holds its sway yet, with grunnuts in the evening, of course.

FROM H. W.