Letter from Pope Barrow to David Barrow

[001]

Macon Georgia
March 26th 1865

My dear father,
I can make no arrangements
for bringing Clara, Julia, myself and
the baggage across the country in getting
to Athens unless you can spare the rocker-
way [?] and a two horse wagon from Bona [Bonaventure?] to
send down to Milledgeville. One reason why
I have not hurried on to Athens was that
the sale of the sorghum syrup at Blowing
Cave to Gallett [?] is still pending and any [unknown]
how [?] is [unknown] to conclude [unknown]. I
[?] successful [Judeed?] I cannot well go away
for the reason that if I fail to sell it to him
I want to try and get [unknown] in Money at
over [?] from the [Government?]. It may be necessary for
now to make another trip to Blowing Cave for
a day or two to accomplish this result bef-
ore going to Athens.
The negroes wagons , etc. to for the last [?] cooks
have been delayed by the high water in Southeastern
Georgia and by the presence of some of
the enemy's vessels off St. Mark's lighthouse.
They have now gone and are probably at [unknown]

[002]

today. Col. William has recovered sufficiently
from his wound to be up an attending
to business.
I want to see you to talk over the subject of
your letter to the General upon the subject
of raising a regiment of negro troops. My
view is that the administration basing [?]
committed itself to the policy, [unknown] requires
every good citizen to support it but sir I
do not think it is your duty to take part in
the organization. Is it not apparent to you
that if you accept a Colonel in the line
that injury [?] to you and your country too, must
follow from the inevitable neglect of your private
interests? Remember you cannot hope to
get leaves of absences to Athens to your private
business. They will not grant them. You seem
up to the whole matter. I believe your duty to
yourself and younger children in the first
place and the country secondarily [unknown]
that you be left free to give your time and
attention according to your own bequests [?]
to your private interests. I feel assured that
although you may differ from the view I
have expressed you will fully appreciate the
spirit which I have written. I am "prompted" to
write as I have by [unknown] but the sincerest affection
for you added to a firm conviction that your
strong desire to see this movement successful has
indeed [?] you to take [?] proposed step. I earnestly
hope that you will reconsider. Your affectionate son, [signed] Pope Barrow.