Letter

[001]

No. 37

U.S. Steamer Florida
St. Simons Island Ga
April 21st, 1862

My Dearest Wife:
We left Port Royal early on the morning of the 17th and arrived off the entrance of St Simons
Sound about 4 P.M. same day not having a pilot and not being sufficiently acquainted with the passage
over the bar. I did not venture in until the morning of the 18th when I steamed in and anchored in one of the
most delightful places on the whole coast of Georgia in mid channel halfway between Jekyl Island on the
South, and the beautiful lovely and productive island of St Simons on the North, and about half a mile from
each. I found the Alabama Commander Lanier at anchor here and the Potomska Watmough further up on
the inland passage, commanding the approaches to Darien, Doboy and Northern end of St Simons island.
My anchorage

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commands the approaches to Brunswick, which is between thirteen & fourteen miles off.
Capt. Lanier has been ordered to take my place off Charleston and the gun-boat Wamsutta. Lieut. Comm.
[Alexander Alderman] Semmes has been ordered to this division. Now I have given you all our Naval
information, and have so much to say & write about my new location that I find some difficulty in knowing
how or where to begin. In the first place I must tell you that this sound is less then a mile wide, and the
Rebels had built one of the most formidable and substantial bomb proof casematis fort on Jekyl island
covered with rail road iron to mount five guns, I ever heard of. It had complete command of the entrance to
the Harbour, and could have sunk any number of our vessels without receiving any injury itself. Their
men, guns and ammunition were completely and entirely protected and the man who built that Fort
certainly deserved to have his talent applied to a better

[003]

purpose and in a much better cause. I learn his
name was Hazlehurst. I am employed in breaking out and piling up the rail road iron having now from 150
to 200 tons ready for transhipment, and in a day or two when all prepared shall blow the fort up. I have an
officer and thirty men on shore there now making all the arrangements. Jekyl island I take it is more a
grazing then a producing island. I have over 150 head of cattle and some ten or fifteen horses. I kill three
of the former every Wednesday to supply our own and colonys wants, and the horses I intend to remove
over to St. Simons island for the purpose of establishing a small company of cavalry as pickets to scour the
island. I have now told you all about Jekyls island, and if I was only gifted with the descriptive powers of a
Bayard Taylor, should like to draw you to this paradisiacal spot, owned before the Rebellion by T. Butler
King, but now by the Government, and let y[ou]r eyes see for themselves what a beautiful

[004]

and healthy
place it is. We are anchored immediately opposite the elegant and commodious residence of Mr King,
whose lawn grove of live oak trees, fruit garden, flower garden and vegetable garden are beyond my
descriptive powers. The island is about 15 miles long and five wide, and for ten or twelve miles is a level
road covered with small white pebbles and lined on each side with a double row of beautiful live oak trees.
This road surpasses anything I have ever seen. On this island we have a colony, now under my entire
control, commenced by Godon about a month ago with a few contrabands [formerly enslaved people] that he landed numbering not
more than 27 that he took away from Brunswick but now increased considerably over a hundred. It being
too late to plant cotton of which the island produces 800 to 1000 sea island bales annually, I have decided
to put 200 acres in corn and potatoes. I have therefore put all my field hands about 70 hard at work
planting corn & potatoes

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that, with what I have on hand, I hope will see them through the winter. My
idea and my wish is to make this a self supporting colony as far as food is concern[ed] which I think I can
do by a little moral persuasion mixed with a good deal of firmness determination and overlooking. These
contrabands belong to several masters and they are coming in everyday. Consequently it is increasing very
rapidly. I have two good and faithful head men. I insist that all shall be obedient to them. So far I have
had no trouble or do I expect any. In some cases husband and wife are unavoidable (sic) separated. As for
instance one of my men had his wife, and one of the women her husband at Fernandina, sold to different
different masters had not seen each other for years. This morning I sent my man and woman to join their
respective wife & husband to Fernandina and I never knew anyone so happy and grateful as they, but I
think I was just as happy in having the opportunity.

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Besides the mansion, there is a beautiful little chapel
with a cupola and bell, a hospital, machine shop, gin house, cotton house, stables and quarters for more
then two hundred, and last not least Mr Rumseys establishment is perfect. I have plenty of carriages, carts
and wagons, about 50 head of cattle on this island but few horses. I have half a dozen fine milk cows, but
am driving up more. We have fresh cream & milk twice a day. There are some 15 or 20 women among
them many of them excellent washers & ironers. We pay them 50 cts a dozen, and furnish the soap.
Therefore should the clothes I sent by the Mary E. Smith ever reach you there will not be any necessity for
you to return them. Keep them at home. Plenty of figs, grapes and blackberries that will be ripe in less
than a month, and lots of game all over the island. Now you will want to know what I am doing. Well I
will tell you. In the first place as regards their spiritual welfare

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I find that they are all or nearly all
Baptist and their leader is what they call a watchman. I called them all up and told them I had been sent to
look out, protect and take charge of them, and should insist upon their being obedient to all my orders, that
so long as they conducted themselves properly they would find me their friend. If they misbehaved I
should punish them and perhaps send them over on the main land again. I also required them to attend
church three times on Sunday also on Wednesday and Friday evenings. Swearing I positively prohibited
and would punish severely the first man I heard swearing. Liquor there is none on the island and its
impossible for them to procure any. I have also opened a school in the chapel with some 15 or 20 scholars,
and have detailed one of my men as schoolteacher and its working bea[u]tifully. Their parents are
perfectly delighted. I hope in the course of a short time to learn them to

[008]

read and write. I propose
asking Du Pont to send me down for a week the Chaplain of the Wabash to christen all both old & young. I
am not agoing to undertake more then I can carry out, but I am determined to do all in my power to make
them happy and contented. Their tales of cruelty are too awful to relate and their manner of escape in
several instances is truly wonderful. I have listened hour after hour hearing them relate their miraculous
escape. Most of the women are very well dressed and I have no doubt that many of the garments they now
wear especially on Sunday have been worn by others at Saratoga and Niagra. Already the corn & potatoes
are beginning to peep out of the earth, and if our colony dont increase too rapidly and become too large I
am in hopes that we will have enough of both to last them until we can plant more. For I am exceedingly
anxious to make this a self supporting colony, and shall endeavor to do so. Except the article of clothing,

[009]

I do not see my way very clear in that item. Next year they can make cotton enough, that would more
then supply ten times their number with clothing, but until then what are they [to] do in the winter
especially. I want some sugar cane seed to plant and am going to write to your friend Pierre at Port Royal
and see if he cannot procure me some. I forgot to tell you that Mr King's grapery extends nearly half a
mile in length, but so neglected that I anticipate but few grapes. In fact everything has been sadly neglected
particularly the fences. There are two bells on this plantation, one on the chapel, and the other to call the
field hands in. I wonder if Beauregard is not dead would not like to have them. I have given you my sweet
wife a very laconic and imperfect sketch of my present station but let me assure you, I have not been so
comfortable during the whole war as I am now. Lanier said he really envied me, being decide[d]ly

[010]

the best station on the whole coast, preferable to Fernandina, where Drayton is, because its cooler and
healthier, and far preferable to Warsaw where Godon is. I would rather be off Charleston then have
Godon's station ten times over. Since my arrival at this place I have understood we are to have a little
steamer that we captured at Fernandina called the Darlington to run constantly through the inland passage
from Port Royal to Jacksonville, supplying each vessel stationed along the line with their letters and papers
which will be a great comfort. Already she has commenced her trips. She arrived here yesterday from Port
Royal and brought me your welcome letter of the 12th of April No 56 besides several newspapers. She left
this morning for Jacksonville touching at Fernandina, and is expected back in a day or two to take our mail.
In this way Du Pont will hear from us all, and you certainly

[011]

will hear more frequently, then when I was
stationed off Charleston. If they only keep this Darlington running it will be a great convenience and a
very great comfort. You will see by the enclosed note, that I have other female correspondents besides
y[ou]rself. You will observe it was from a Miss Griffin who lives in Kansas enclosing in an envelope
directed to the Comm. officer a letter to a Miss Scranton at Brunswick. As there is nothing improper in
Miss G.['s] letter I intend forwarding it the first opportunity. I observe that false advertisements are
published in the newspapers relative to the departure of our supply vessels. These are evidently put in by
the sutlers and their friends stating that the day of sailing is either postponed, or that she will not sail until a
day much later then has been appointed by the government. This is done for the purpose of misleading our
friends and preventing them fr[om] sending stores, that when sent they learn to their astonishment the
steamer

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has sailed, and if any benefit is to be derived the sutler is the one to receive it. The recent
advertisement relative to the day of sailing of the Rhode Island is a case in point. Notwithstanding the
postmaster at Phil. and the Commdt of the Navy Yard published that she would sail on the 4th, they
advertised that she would sail on the 10th six days after, and their advertisement appeared more frequently
then the true one. I mention this to put you on y[ou]r guard for the future. The Postmaster and Commdt of
the Yard will always publish the real day of sailing. The Rhode Island goes in to Boston on her return.
The eggs have never come to hand I give them up. I knew Woodhull would not bring them, or if he
brought them would not deliver them until they where (sic) not fit to use. I acknowledged long ago the
receipt of your No 46. Young LMG [Louis M. Goldsborough?] went home in the Bienville and the poor
fellow was perfectly delighted to go out

[013]

of this squadron. He had difficulty with his Comm. officer
Major Reynolds also with Du Pont and Rodgers the Commander of the Wabash. I doubt if the Navy
Register will be out for some time. The Dept have very recently issued a circular asking for a correct list of
all officers on board ship, and until that has been furnished and complete, I dont expect the register. Moran
will send you one when issued. Make yourself easy on that score. The bomb-proof fort I mentioned as
being on Jekyl island I this day (April 22nd) effectually destroyed, so much for the science of Mr
Hazlehurst. And this day also my colony increased by the arrival of twenty five additional contrabands,
which has somewhat alarmed me, for I am fearful if they come so rapidly I will not be able to feed them.
These fresh flowing in people have compelled me to form another settlement about two miles further off,
which I shall call Goldsboroughville. The one nearest me I have named Godontown. Tomorrow I intend


[014]

driving down in a carriage to Goldsboroughville to have a paw waw with the contrabands, there being
already about fifty in that settlement. My head man there is named Hope and I shall insist upon their
making chow chow enough for their own subsistence. Should I have to form a third settlement I propose
calling it Peningtown and the 4th Bairdville. Nothing I should like better, if Butler King's mansion was
furnished and we could obtain all the necessaries of life then to have all the families out of 1414 & 1340 to
pass the winter on St Simon's island. It would be the very place for both Bessie & Meta, and oh how the
little ones would enjoy it. I expect in a few days to have some forty or fifty horses and a number of oxen. I
learn that there are a great number on a neighboring island and I am going to have them caught & brought
over. I land every day and with my two aids at Godontown Elias and King. I walk along

[015]

the quarters
receiving a courtesy from all the women and then into the fields, where some 70 or 80 hands are at work, as
soon as I get among them they take of[f] their hats and say "I hope Master is well this morning." I have a
little talk with them, tell them they must go ahead & work, that they are doing it all for themselves and they
say, "Oh yes Master we know dat and we is going to work hard." Its a beautiful sight to see so many in the
fields, and I am so pleased when they tell me that they are perfectly happy and contented. Many of them
say their masters would tell them that if the Yankees caught them, they intended to sell them to pay the
expenses of the war. If your Mother, Bessie or self would like to have an intelligent lad about twelve years
until he is 21 say the word and I will bring each of you home one. There are several very nice lads, who
would make excellent house servants, after a little training. I might

[016]

send women, but a man of war is
no place for them. The exercise I take on shore every day has been of great service to me, and I assure you
this change, from the monotony of ship board is a great relief. The question is how long is it going to last,
how long am I to be stationed here. Its all very find (sic) now if it dont keep me away from you my
darling, thats what I am thinking about, this is all very pleasant for a short time, but suppose the war last for
ten, five, three or even one year. To be sure if I am to be separated I could not be more agreeably
circumstanced then just where I am, but I must go home I want to see my wife & children. Oh if I could
only be with you when you receive this letter, to hear what you have to say, and to know what you think
and to hear you laugh and wonder if I will do this and if I will do that. If there is any thing that I have left

[017]

undone, or anything that you would like me to do, I wish you would tell me. I have a few school
books that we happened to have on board, but I find a black board which I had made on board more
serviceable. The grown up Negroes are anxious to go to school and learn. Many of them have asked
permission, and I have given my consent after they have finished their task in the field. I have informed Du
Pont of my doings and feel confident that he will approve of what I have done. Du Pont wrote to me to
enquire and find out if I could something of the whereabouts of Mrs (?) Butler. It appears she left Phil.
some six months since, and her friends not having heard either of or from her are beginning to feel anxious.
She owns an island, called Butler Island opposite Darien with about 400 slaves and a large number of
cattle. But Mrs B., the slaves & cattle have all been removed to the main land

[018]

on what they call the
ridges, and she is there now I am told living with her Brother Richard Morris. Two of her slaves however
are in this colony, and I would not be surprised if before long we had more of them. Pierce Butler's estate
was on the Northern end of the island about 12 miles from King's. He owned over 500 slaves, but sold
them three years ago in Savannah, they are scattered now in every direction. He raised annually over three
hundred bales of Sea Island cotton, but since the sale of his slaves, the Plantation has been rented out. It is
now like all the other Plantations on this island about twelve in number completely deserted. I send you a
sample of Sea Island Cotton [NB] picked from the Plantation of T. Butler King. You will notice how
remarkably soft and fine, very different from the common cotton. It feels like silk, and I believe is nearly
twice as valuable. Many of the fields are only half picked.

[019]

April 25th. Yesterday early in the morning I fitted out an expedition to explore the island both by land and
water. Two boats well manned and armed took the inland passage & pulled up for about 8 miles to a place
called Frederica, examining every nook & corner as they went along. At the same time I landed at
Godonton with all my Marines and marching on the same road passed through Goldsboroughville &
reached Frederica about half an hour in advance of the boats. Here we halted, rested and lunched, found
the place completely deserted, except an old man 81 years of age and his wife, who had been living there
60 odd years. They are the only white people upon the island, and as they were both willing & anxious to
take the oath of allegiance I administered it to them. About half a mile from this place was a beautiful old
fashioned frame Episcopal Church, quite an extensive enclosure and surrounded by very old and very large
and noble oaks and elms, moss

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hanging from all their branc[h]es and absolutely trailing upon the
ground. It was one of the most picturesque sights I had ever seen. Inside of the enclosure and attached to
the Church was the graveyard, w[h]ere many persons had gone to sleep and rest in their last home. A
beautiful iron rail enclosed two square plots, in one of these Mrs King wife of T. Butler King rested. A
marble monument was over her grave. There were several monuments & stones but none whose names I
recognized. The door to the vestiary in rear of the chancel being open, I entered the church in that way.
The front door was barred on the inside, and what did I behold, a deserted church. Everything in its place,
the pulpit, the desk, appropriately cushioned and covered. Pews all cushioned with prayer books and fans
laying about, a carpet on the chancel, oil cloth on the center aisle, an organ in a front gallery, music books,
chains & stools for the choir. I suppose the church would

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comfortably seat some 60 or 80 persons. I
asked those aged people to tell me all about it, but the old woman who had been living and going there all
her life time, knew very little about it except that her father & mother was buried there, also that a Mr
Brown preached there. She did not know the name of the church or could I find out. Upon examining my
Almanac, I observe that the Rev Edmond P. Brown was the rector. He is I believe a good churchman and
is as I understand officiating over on the main. I visited some six or eight other plantations and found them
all deserted. In one house a Misses Wiley a beautiful old place, I discovered all the heavy pieces of
furniture such as bureaus, sideboards, sofas, piano, tables, and bedsteds still remaining. The Head Quarters
of the Rebel Army about 1000 strong when they occupied the island was two miles from this place, a noble
old mansion, but now inhabited by a portion of the settlement belonging to the village

[022]

of Goldsboroughville. All these places have extensive lawns, surrounded by noble old oaks and innumerable
out houses, kitchen, fruit, and flower gardens. Having a certain company, I brought away as a memento,
eight different specimens of flower, viz. the hygrander, prickly pear, horse shoe geranium, sweet rose,
apple geranium, and others the names I don t know, and I am not certain if I have any of the names correct,
but some of them I know are indigenous to this climate, and if I can only get them home will feel quite
proud, as I thought of you in my selection, and thought what a sweet offering it would be to the sweet. I
returned to the ship about sundown awfully tired, but perfectly satisfied & pleased with the days
excursions. I am perfectly justified in saying that I think the government ought to take military possession
of this island, send a suitable agent on in, to superintend and have it properly attended to. It could not only
be made a self supporting colony

[023]

but be made to yield a handsome revenue to the government. And so
indeed might other islands & places that we have taken possession and in this way rid ourselves of this
atrocious nigger question, by paying them a certain percentage on all cotton raised. In the same way that
the New England people manage with the men employed on board of their whalers, give them Lays of the
voyage. Why could we not give these darkies lays of the crop, which is a certain portion of all they make.
As for instance suppose we take the entire possession of one state, make it a territory, every man who
abandons his slaves declare them free, set them to work under a Govt agent and give them lays, thats my
plan. Let me know yours. One of the most humiliating occurrences of this war, to me, is the second
tragedy of the Merrimac and her consorts. How those vessels, or why, they were permitted in the face, and
under the guns of our ships of war to run in and make three

[024]

captures is more then I can understand.
One can well imagine the hurrah with which their arrival was greeted at Norfolk. A light draft gun-boat it
strikes me if sent up in time might have saved them, particularly as the Merrimac was not within five miles
of them. Those captures were effected almost under the flag of the English & French vessels of war at
anchor at the time in Hampton Road, and we may be sure that our national prestige was not increased in
their eyes by what they witnessed. You have no idea the success attending my school. And how rapidly its
increasing, and the progress they are making. I am very fortunate in having selected among my crew an
amicable patient but right kind of a person for a school master, who takes as much interest in it as I do
myself, and, he tells me, its astonishing, they take in, and retain what he learns them. What we most
require are books, those that children begin to learn out

[025]

and although I have been loth to ask for
anything still I believe I must ask you to send me down 25 or 50 books of the cheapest kind, and those best
adapted for new beginners. I have no idea of going to any expense for the maintenance of this school. Still
as I have commenced it, I am determined to carry it through. It has not been in operation a week and we
now have thirty scholars and still increasing to such an extent that I am getting alarmed for fear that, I will
not only have to divide, but may not have the proper kind of material to conduct so large an establishment.
I wish the missionaries would come down and take the whole thing off of my hands. I want someone to
consult with. None of my officers care, understand, or take any interest in it. All they look after is their
own amusement. I have yet to receive the first suggestion from any of them, and while they will all come
and tell me how finely everything is getting on, and how favorably my school is progressing, still they fail

[026]

or neglect, or dont like to perhaps offer to assist me. Mr Scott is not capable and all Mr Lothrop and
Harrison think of is to go on shore & ramble in the woods. I suppose their letters to friends at home will be
full of praise in which their individual effort will not be overlooked. I dont want you to expend at the
farthest more then one dollar, as books costing 2 or 3 cts a piece will be plenty good enough. You would
be astonished how beautiful they wash & iron, its equal to any I ever had done in Phil., and they ask only
50 cts a dozen, but we furnish the soap, they have starch. I apprehend difficulty in making remittances,
which I regret. Mr Harrison told me today that he had nothing but gold & silver, and at present I dont see
how I can get any to Port Royal to be deposited with Adams Express. If he had notes I could easily
forward them by letter through the mail. I am sorry for this, for the time has arrived for me to make my 5th
remittance

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and, I am exceedingly anxious to get all the money to you I can. When it comes now it will
be in larger amounts. My next I suppose will be double. Do you know my darling that in a few days, I will
have been absent from you six months. It really appears as if I had been absent six years. I almost forget
how you look. I should like to see if you have altered any. Your heart I know is in the right place. Still I
am sick at heart in being seperated (sic) from you so long. I wish they would let us run home occasionally,
to visit our families. I had no idea when we parted, that I was going to be away so long. Do you think the
children would know me should they meet me accidently and without any warning. I have my doubts.
Sometimes I think when I return I should like to try them but don't think I could command sufficient self-
possession. I would be too apt to rush at them and throw my arms around them. Then again I think it
would be cruel, to tamper with their

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young and affectionate hearts. But, oh my darling how I want to
see you and them. I find laying at anchor in this quiet place very different from blockading off Charleston.
There all was excitement, and anxiety, which compelled me to be on deck two thirds of every night, and the
loss of rest & sleep was terrible and it began to tell, I felt it. But here everything is as quiet as a lamb, and I
sleep all night without being disturbed, which I assure you is a great enjoyment, and I am begining (sic) to
recover what I lost. There I use to sleep with everything on, cap, boots and overcoat. Here I take it
leisurely and retire decently and sleep soundly. The contrast is wonderful. How long is it going to last.
The weather is not so warm down here as you think it is. We nearly always have a fine sea breeze, but the
greatest pests that we have to encounter are the sand-flies, and they are exceedingly annoying, and are, I am
told they are advance guard of the musquitoes. If so we must

[029]

be prepared to receive them. These sand
flies are nearly five times smaller, ten times more numerous and twenty times more vicious then the
musquetoes, so you may have some slight idea what we have to contend against.
April 28th. This evening we had our first mess of blackberries for tea, and you may be assured enjoyed
them exceedingly. I never knew anything like these contrabands for begging. They ask for any and
everything you can possible think of, and expect to find me a complete supply shop. If all the old clothes in
Philadelphia pawn shops and all were thrown upon the decks of the Florida, they would be cleared off in
less then 20 minutes. I have given all that I dont want away, to the most deserving, and the poor creatures
appear rich in being in possession of them. I have been all over the plantation, and found that King, the
driver had everyman in the field hard at work hoeing corn. They require constant watching and driving,
otherwise its

[030]

impossible to get any work out of them. They will dodge, run off to the bushes, hide
themselves and lay down and sleep for hours. They are a lazy worthless set of rascals, and we must do all
we can to keep them South and away from the North. Spare me from ever being a slave holder or having
anything to do with them. The women I think, are more industrious then the men. At all events they dont
require so much overlooking. There is a very clever seamstress among them and although she may be
smart with her needle she is very slovenly in her appearance. Were she neat and tidy I would send her
North. She reminds me somewhat of the colored girl I have seen occasionally sewing at your mothers. We
are looking anxiously for the return of the Darlington on her way back to Port Royal. She left this a week
ago, for Fernandina and Jacksonville, and its high time for her to be coming along. I am anxious to send
my mail off, and am exceedingly anxious for

[031]

you to have my first St Simons letter, and to hear what I
am about, what doing, and how comfortable I am situated. I also am getting hungry for news. I want to
hear how McClellan [is] getting on, what progress if any, he has made. If the Merrimac has been out again,
and, I am not altogether satistfied with the accounts now in our possession of the battle of Shilo or Corinth.
From our last dates, it did not appear to me such a complete victory. Therefore I am very anxious to hear
upon those three points. If McClellan gets into Richmond and Burnsides into Norfolk the game will be up.
New Orleans and Mobile will, if they have not already, soon fall, but I would rather see Charleston in
ashes, and be the individual to plant again the glorious old stars & stripes on Fort Sumpter then anything I
know of. Charleston must be destroyed, and Fort Sumpter must be ours again. Then I would either make
South Carolina a territory, or I would make all the Rebels shovel the state into the Gulf of Mexico.

[032]

I forgot to mention, in the proper place, that at the little village of Frederica stands the remains of a
picturesque Revolutionary fort, built prior to the year 1742, by Genl Oglethorp. In Lossing's pictorial, I
find one or two historical incidents connected with St Simons island quite interesting, and, I expect from
what Lossing says, that the town of St Simons stood where T. Butler King's dwelling out houses and negro
quarters now stand. The topography of the place looks ancient, as if it might have been settled years before
King had anything to do with it. Lossing alludes to a battle and great slaughter that took place between
Georgians and Spaniards, while the latter were marching from St Simons to attack Oglethorp at Frederica.
The battle field is called "Bloody Marsh." I passed over it the other day, but it is now a beautiful meadow,
and is situated about half way between King's plantation, and the village of Frederica. I had no idea

[033]

at the time that I was going over classic ground. The next time you go to town, post yourself up in reference to
this island. Your father I believe has Lossing's work, the one that we have on board is only an abridged
edition, and very short at that.
April 30th. The steam propeller "Uncas" from Port Royal joined my division today. She is a light draft
steamer, and just the very kind of one that I most wanted. By the U. I received two long letters, one from
Louis [M. Goldsborough] and the other from Du Pont, I enclose them. I think I am getting into favor with
the last named gentleman. I expect remorse has come over the spirit of his dreams. One thing is certain he
has noticed my coolness, and it really appears that now he cant do enough for me. I find it very bad policy
to be too amiable. You will perceive by his letter that I am to be removed to Warsaw. Godon and I are to
exchange. I regret this exceedingly, still as Godon was

[034]

the originator and founder of this colony I
suppose he is entitled to have it. But I am sorry to leave just as I am getting everything in good working
order. My farm, my church, my school, my wharf, all so well under weigh, all doing well, all flourishing,
and I [who] have become exceedingly interested and familiar have to leave and go to another place. As
Godon relieves me I dont complain, because I think he is justly entitled to it, and I will turn it over to him,
in a much better condition, with five times the number of contrabands then when he left it, so I will have
that satisfaction at all events. What glorious news the capture of the Isabel by Ridgely lucky dog he will
have the whole of her to himself. Its by far the most profitable capture thats been made this war, except the
Magnolia. But Ridgely in the St Yago de Cuba was not attached to any squadron, he was acting
independently. Fox's Brother in law was the Pay

[035]

Master on board, and, Ridgely & the Pay Master are
related, which accounts for the milk in the coucanut. I would rather have 1/3 (?) share of that prize, then
three times Alden's prize money. The fact is, if I get all the money that is justly due, and which I hope to
some of these days, I would not exchange with Alden. He made many captures of little or no value, I have
a list and valuation of all his prizes.
By LMG['s] letter you will see, that he has written to Fox asking him to give me either the "Juniata" or
the "Monongahaly." I do not expect a favorable response from Mr Fox. The former vessel I learn is
already disposed of to one of his Yankee friends, and I suppose he has another Yankee friend in reserve
who has being (sic) doing nothing all the war ready to clap on board the latter. Hitchcock who I am told is
to have the "Juniata" has, for the last eighteen months been travelling about very mysteriously and no one
could ever find out what he was

[036]

about, and he is too much of a Yankee to let any one know unless they
pay him for it. You never see his name among the arrivals at any of our first class hotels. But he can be
found at one that has a swinging sign with the likeness of Washington, or a man holding a horse, or a lion
or a bull.
May 1st. Last night a diabolical attempt was made by the Rebels to land upon the island of St Simons either
for the purpose of carrying off or killing all the slaves of this colony. I had reasons to suspect something of
the kind might be attempted, and the opportune arrival of the light draft steamer Uncas (she only drawing 7
ft) which was truly providential enabled me to place her into a position which would intercept them. About
10 P.M. they came over from the main land in three boats full of men to carry out their atrocious design,
but fortunately were discovered in time by the Uncas, who gave them such a

[037]

shelling, that they
scampered away in such a fright at the rate of 2.40. They never will undertake it again. I shall ever be
grateful for the timely arrival of the Uncas. Every slave on this island might have been massacred, and it
was fortunate that instead of permitting her to linger any time at my anchorage, I despatch[ed] her as soon
as I did, just before sun-down to a position which would enable her to afford so much mercy and protection
to these miserable creatures. She had not been attached to my division six hours. There was not water
enough for the Florida, and, if I had sent my boats which I intended, my men might have been cut to pieces.
Truly it must have been an act of God, to have moved Du Ponts thoughts and heart to have sent her to me.
I shall never forget it. If the captain of the Uncas had of (sic) been a little longer on the field of operations,
so as to become more familiar with the surroundings, he might

[038]

have killed or taken prisoner every man of them.
May 2nd. Two circumstances have occured (sic) today worth noticing which I shall mention. In the first
place I have added four fine horses and a young colt to my stock. Having a new double open carriage I will
be enabled now in a day or two to take a drive all over the Island. Or rather Godon will when he comes, for
I will have to turn all these luxuries over to him. In the second, Mr Scott & Harrison left the ship early this
morning and proceeded to the other end of the island on a tour of sight seeing and house plundering. They
went to the estate of a Mr James Hamilton Cooper situated about 12 miles from this and have just returned
full of talk. They say that Mr. Cooper left his house with his library paintings and and geological
specimens all intact. The library left behind is worth nearly $600. What a fool, to have gone off. I learn
that Mr Cooper is a highly respectable

[039]

intelligent & wealthy gentleman. He owns two estates on this
island, and one on the Altamaha about 5 miles above Darien. I learn that he now resides on his Altamaha
estate. One of the women on shore, wife of my overseer sent me off today a nice mess of cream cheese. I
thought of you at the time, how you like it and wished that I could have passed it over to you. It would
have made your mouth water. Du Pont has sent me down a schooner load of coal, as soon as she is
discharged, I am directed to send her North, which I intend doing with a load of rail road iron taken from
the Fort on Jekyl island. I have about 200 tons to ship off, but dont know who is to receive the profits. As
the Capn of the schooner says he can get home in six days, I propose sending this letter by him, provided a
more favorable opportunity dont turn up in the mean time. I have given the Darlington up, and have
concluded that Drayton has detained her at Fernandina. Perhaps she may

[040]

be permanently attached to his division. Du Pont writes no word that he has not had a mail for nearly twenty days.
Your last letter to me is dated April 12th exactly 20 days today. I am getting very anxious to hear from you
and the pets. Twenty days is a long time for so short a distance as we are separated to be without hearing.
But like everything else its either a feast or a famine. When we do receive a mail I suppose I shall have
plenty of letters. I am also very hungry to hear some news. I don't hesitate to say, that, I am on the stool of
extreme anxiety. Our latest newspaper is dated April 14th, 18 days ago. The fate of this atrocious
Rebellion may have been decided in that time. Not hearing makes one feel very uneasy. That beautiful
plan to be adopted by the Sec. of War of a weekly communication between all these places, appears to be
given up, and we are still left to suffer. When this coal schooner left Port Royal (the 30th) the

[041]

Oriental
with a heavy mail on board, was hourly expected. It generally takes them two days to assort the letter mail,
and nearly two weeks the paper.
Sunday May 4th. I am just through with my services my darling and I have been thinking so much of you
all day, and particularly this forenoon. Knowing that you would be at the Communion of St Andrews, I
truly envied you the privilege and wished over and over again, I might be permitted to kneel once more at
your side and we enjoy the blessing together. I have been more homesick today, then for months past. I
believe it is because its the 1st Sunday in the month. I am nervously homesick, and, can neither read, write,
set still or walk. Have you ever had those feelings.
May 5th. This morning the pilot schooner Hope from Port Royal for Fernandina came in to St Simons
bringing us a small

[042]

mail. By her I received your No 60 of the 28th of April
three missing which I suppose will come along in a day or two in the Massachusetts daily expected as Du
Pont writes me. The Hope also brought me the long looked for box of eggs, fifty four of them rotten, so
don't send me any more eggs. I recd likewise a letter from your Dad, one side occupied by Ned's
Chirography for which I feel very grateful. I am so pleased to hear of the continued good health of yourself
& children. Next to seeing you to know that you are all well is a very great comfort. And so you took the
darlings down to town with you, and they looked so well and behaved so prettily, I am delighted. I am
pleased to learn that you are beginning to like the Madam next door. He I knew you would like. I have no
more idea who Mr Edward Morris Davis jr. is then you do, and I might rack my brain from this

[043]

until doomsday before I could enlighten you. The Gibbons I believe are highly respectable people but I dont
think are acquaintences of mine, if they are I have forgotten them. They are not shells that I have as
trophys but James projectiles that have been fired and done some service in this war. They are solid shot,
and will make a beautiful front door ornament. Ask Fairfax's to explain them. The two that I have did
great execution against Pulaski, and I prize them very highly. The Sec. of the Navy declines excepting (sic)
Mr Harrison's resignation, so he will remain on board, but presume when the ship goes North, he will urge
his resignation through. He appears indifferent about it. The old folks at home are urging it.
I like the idea of the Massachusetts being a supply for our & the North Atlantic blockading squadrons. She
I learn will not go farther South then Cape Caneveral which

[044]

is but a few miles South of this. Her Capt
Lieut. Cooper is a noble generous hearted fellow, on the Trenchard Order? Now I hope we are done with
Woodhull, he is despised and talked about from one end of the squadron to the other. I don t think he has a
friend in our squadron. Your Father tells me, that on one of my letters, they had marked at the Post Office
due 36 cts notwithstanding my two 3 ct. stamps. How is that I don't understand it, was it really true. I cant
imagine how any letter I ever wrote you could cost 41 cts. There must have been a mistake somewhere,
please explain in your next and let me know if your are in the habit of paying anything in addition to the
stamps that I put on them. I want more stamps send me some. On the return of the Massachusetts, I will be
enabled to make you another remittance which will be my 5th will it not. The amount this time will be
larger.

[045]

6th of May
This day six months, I parted from my precious children, and have not seen them since, God bless their
dear souls. I would give all I am worth in the world to see them. I frequently try to time the moment, I
think they are going to bed, to know that they are saying their prayers, and praying for their absent father.
In some of y[ou]r letters you tell me they are playing either in the yard, on the steps, or in the front parlour.
Do you know when you tell me this, I fancy I can see them. I even think I can see them now. Its their bed
time, running about the nursery in their night clothes, wanting to play with Eliza. Oh my darling, for one
sight of you and them, what would I not give. Its very painful to be so long separated. And if the two great
battles now pending are only victorious to our arms, I shall begin to think and to hope, that this infamous
rebellion will be crushed and the day

[046]

drawing near for our return. But if we loose (sic) one of them the
war will be prolonged for an indefinite period. Should we loose both, it will be an awfully bad buisiness
(sic) for us, but of that I dont permit myself for a moment to think of. We must gain one or both, I firmly
believe.
May 7th I have been on shore today a good deal, and have been driving and walking all over the farm,
everything getting along beautifully. One of the most awful sights I have ever beheld was a poor negro
who joined the colony today, he came from near Darien, and told me his master had him tied to a tree and
stood over him while the overseer was beating him nearly to death. His face, arms and back were perfectly
raw. As soon as he could get away from his master he jumped overboard and swam across the river, and
was three days endeavoring to reach this island. He is now on the sick

[047]

list, and our doctor is treating
him for the lacerated wounds inflicted by a devil in human shape of a master. Poor fellow, he will never I
am afraid entirely recover. I finished my wharf today its two hundred & fifteen feet in length, an[d] a tip top wharf at that. It will last
as long as long as the war lasts, and we now land with ease and comfort. I have sent the Wamsutta &
Potomska with Lieut. Scott and my marines to Darien. Hearing that the lens and apparatus belonging to the
light house were stored in one of the houses at that place, I wish to see if I cannot recover them. Today I
had my first mess of green peas which with spring chickens was not hard fare, think of that Mrs G, dont
you think that was a fair blockading dinner. I am the owner at present of four mocking birds, a p[ai]r of
doves and also a p[ai]r of red birds, but have my doubts if I own them long. The mocking birds and red
birds are

[048]

very hard to raise, and, I am afraid they may die. The doves are old birds, and I may save
them. At the urgent and frequent solicitation of both father & mother I have consented to take charge of
their son, a boy about 14 a bright intelligent mulatto. I take him for nothing, without wages and keep him
as long as I may want him. His name is Columbus, son of one of my overseers. Now Mrs G. what do you
say to that. Shall I keep him, and bring him home with me or shall I transfer him to some one else. Young
Lothrop says Doct. Lee would be delighted to have him go in his gig with him. I was thinking that perhaps
Father would like to have him in the store, he is a remarkably bright lad, and would very soon learn every
nook and corner in Philadelphia. Think over it well and let me know in your next what you have concluded
upon. He would be a glorious hand to take the children

[049]

awalking. Dont take him unless you want him,
and I don't want you to feel obliged to do so because I bring him home. If your Father or Harry dont want
him, Doct. Smith or Doct. Lee, or some other Doct. would be delighted to have him. He is a clean
handsome mulatto boy with a bright eye and white teeth. My carriage and horses are now complete,
everything in order. I am driving a p[ai]r of long tail bays, that a short time since belonged to Mr Du
Bignon of Jeckyl island, in a carriage that I would not be ashamed to drive down Chestnut Street which
once belonged to Mr James Hamilton Cooper of St Simons island. Should I ever meet these gentlemen, I
will have to thank them for affording me by their hasty flight, the gratification and pleasure, I desire in the
free use of their carriage & horses. My Coachman Primus told me today, that his master paid 1600 dolls for
him, about five years ago only

[050]

to take care of the horses and drive his Mistress out.
May 8th. The store supply steamer Mass. arrived early this morning bringing me y[ou]r No 58 & 59, No 57
still missing. The Mass. will sail almost immediately again. Godon will be here today or tomorrow, and I
go to Warsaw. I am sorry to leave, but still either is better then Charleston. God bless you my sweet
darling wife. God bless my dear little May & Lu. I have written the whole of this letter in great haste
having been very much occupied since my arrival at this anchorage. Dont let any one read it I am ashamed
of it.

Your devoted & attached
and affectionate husband
John
May 8th 11 A.M.
Thursday Morning