Volume 03 Page 0023

Gowrie and East Hermitage
In Times of War

marriage I would be quite alone upon the plantation and a Negro
We all of us esteemed highly. Singular to say this Man "Hector" was
the very first to murmur, and would have hastened to the embrace
of his Northern Brethren, Could he have foreseen the least prospect
of a successful escape. He was the first Negro I took with me
from the plantation on to Charleston and is now (May 1862) Safe.
Such is only One of the numerous instances of ingratitude evinced
in the African Character. The first removal of Negroes (Ten Men)
from our Savannah River plantations was effected by taking the Charleston and Savannah Rail Road ten miles from Savannah, at the Mounteith
Road Station distant One mile and an half from our High Ground Tract
Called "Camp" on to Charleston, and from thence per North Eastern Rail Road to the Moncks Corner Station, distant ten miles from our
Old family plantation Silk Hope, situated upon the head-waters
of the Eastern Branch of Cooper River. To this plantation (which we deemed Sufficiently remote from all excitement, with the great advantage
of still having the Negroes to work our own family lands) were
these Negroes removed. The usual period for returning to Savannah River
with my family had now arrived. We Considered the Uncertain Condition
of affairs upon the Sea Coast, rendering it unpleasant for Ladies to be
upon the plantation, whilst my own presence would be needed there.
Consequently on 18th November 1861 I left Charleston with my Wife, Child and Servant going per Rail Road via Augusta to Macon Ga.
Here in this quiet Town my family Could be in tranquility whilst
I would have easy access to and from the plantation. Mrs. Manigault's
eldest Sister Mrs Joseph Washburn & family were in Macon, whilst the
family of Robert Habershams, and others thought soon of moving there from Savannah. This induced us to Select Macon as a place of retreat
for my family. Seeing them most Comfortably located in the best
Hotel of the place (called the Lanier House) I left three days after
for the plantation. At Gowrie and East Hermitage all things were
going on in a Satisfactory manner, the usual work of the season
viz: Threshing progressing favorably. Our Communication with Charleston
by water being now Cut off we decided to send some of our rice to Messrs Habersham's Mills in Savannah. The fall of Port Royal was
so sudden and unexpected that many Savannah vessels were now found