Volume 03 Page 0026

Plantations Savannah River

can do so. At present I Can only say it remains in Statu quo.
On 24th March I removed my family from Macon Ga. to our Residence
in Charleston with the hopes of remaining quietly there for the
Summer. The fall of Fort Pulaski near Savannah and the Capture
of New Orleans by the Yankees has however Caused a Change in
our movements. Thinking it more than likely that Charleston is
next in turn to share the fate of the Crescent City, and that
too from all appearances, at no very distant day, it was unanimously
determined that I should Come to Augusta Georgia, and there
rent a house with room sufficient for the reception of my Mother
and Sisters in Case of the Bombardment of Charleston. Previous to
our departure from Charleston nearly every family of our acquaintance
had left the City, to seek Shelter in some interior Town, Village, or Country Retreat. Of the Male population of our City, as well
as of our Confederate States, nearly all are in the Army. In my
own family my brothers Gabriel and Alfred (both Members of the
Charleston Light Dragoons, Capt'n Benj'n H. Rutledge) have been in the
service since September 1861. Thus am I assisting my Father in the
protection of our Ladies, and Care of our family property as far
as is possible in these times of War, Turmoil, and Confusion.

On 7th May 1862 with my Wife and Children (Louis and Marie) I came
to Augusta Georgia. Here we have rented a fine large House for
the Summer with ample room for others of the family whenever they
should desire to Come. (Mr Antoine Poullain's House, Corner of Broad and Jackson Streets. Rent at the Rate of $600 per Annum) We have brought
to Augusta some furniture and many household effects and my Father
has sent me the valuable family Silver &c. My Wife's Costly portrait
is also here with my own. We keep house, having all our own Servants
and most probably this Shall be our residence until peace is declared,
or until all danger of attacking Charleston shall have subsided.

Thus as regards our Savannah River property, all at present is uncertain.
We have taken every precaution, yet the Enemy are quite near at
hand, and no one Can tell what is yet in Store to befall us.

Augusta Georgia, 12th June 1862
Louis Manigault