Volume 03 Page 0022

Plantations Savannah River

war, Men's minds were excited to Such a degree Concerning the State of
their Country that when peace was declared their emotions were so great
as to deprive some of their reason "and one aged patriot in Philadelphia
died." This feeling I now for the first time Can Comprehend.

In Savannah quite a Panic had taken the place. Numerous families were
hastening to seek Shelter in the interior of Georgia whilst all
business was at a Stand. The same feeling existed in Charleston;
Indeed had the Enemy known the weakness of our two Cities and
the great Consternation spread throughout our entire Community in
November 1861, they would surely have caused us far more injury then
during which period we have very much fortified ourselves, whilst the
Yankees have not as yet advanced upon either City. After a long
Conversation with the Overseer, who Soon Convinced me that all was
not quite Correct upon the plantation, we determined I should remove
Ten of the Men at once, selecting such as we deemed most likely
would Cause trouble. Three of them had to be removed by force
(attempting to run away they were Caught the Same night & handcuffed)
the remaining Seven Came very willingly. This war has taught us
the perfect impossibility of placing the least Confidence in any
Negro. In too numerous instances those we esteemed the most have been the first to desert us. House Servants from their Constant
Contact with the family became more Conversant with passing
events and are often the first to have their minds polluted with
evil thoughts. For my own part I am more than ever Convinced
that the only suitable occupation for the Negro is to be a
Laborer of the Earth, and to work as a field Hand upon a well
disciplined plantation. It has now been proven also that the Planters
who were the most indulgent to their Negroes when we were at
peace have since the Commencement of the war encountered the
greatest trouble in the management of this Species of property.

With us upon Savannah River, my favorite Boat Hand, a Man who had rowed me to and from Savannah from my earliest recollections of Gowrie plantation (1839), One who had been kindly treated by my Father and family upon numerous occasions, A Man bought with Gowrie (1833), my Constant Companion previous to my