Volume 03 Page 0021

Gowrie and East Hermitage

From May 1861 to May 1862

The unrighteous and diabolical War now waging between our Confederate
States and the United States is Causing great distress amongst the sea
Coast Plantations of South Carolina and Georgia. A brief Synopsis
of the History of our Savannah River property for the past year
will be interesting hereafter as showing how even in our secluded
position we were not entirely exempt from the sufferings of the
times. In May 1861 I left the Savannah River after having spent the
entire winter with my family on Gowrie plantation. During the
summer the regular plantation work continued without interruption,
whilst we spent it quietly (our first) in our Charming residence, No 5
Gibbs Street Charleston. All was quiet around our two cities of Charleston
and Savannah until the attack and fall of Port Royal early in November.

Then at once was a Change discerned amongst the Negroes but especially
amongst those in the vicinity of Beaufort. Some were Captured by the
Yankees and as we are informed Compelled to work for them in
erecting Batteries on Hilton Head Island and other places whilst with
the Masters and Overseers driven from the numerous plantations in that neighborhood great numbers of Negroes were running away seeking to
avoid work of every kind, besides stealing all they Could lay their hands
upon. Already some murmuring was extending itself to the Savannah River plantations. We had no trouble with our own Negroes, but from
Clear indications it was manifest that some of them were preparing to
run away, using as a pretext their "fear of the Yankees." During
the examination of the Settlements of Gowrie and East Hermitage plantations
in November the Overseer found a quantity of plantation Shot
and powder which one man (Ishmael) had been stealing during the Summer
he at the same time Confessing it was his intention to go with the
Yankees; Since then however he is a Completely Changed individual.
On Monday 11th November 1861 I left Charleston (alone) for Savannah,
there having been no frost it was not prudent to venture upon the
plantation and the Overseer (Mr Wm Capers) met me in Savannah.
For one who has never witnessed the Cruel effects of War the mind
Can hardly realize its Saddening tendencies upon all Classes. The
most self-possessed have their feelings worked upon, whilst deep and
thoughtful expressions become stampt upon Countenances otherwise Calm
and unruffled. History informs us that at the Close of the Revolution