Volume 03 Page 0030

The Rice Market in June 1862 was about $4 per Cent lbs and gradually on the
rise, as in truth proved the case with every other article, both of food and raiment
in the Confederacy, until prices even of the most ordinary necessaries of
Life were truly fabulous and beyond the reach of three-fourths of the Community.
To give an idea of Prices during this year, it may be interesting to note that
in 1862; 7th October, Common Salt was worth $24. per Bushel; Butter $2
per lb.; Lard 1.50 Cts per lb; Coffee $3.25 Cts per lb.; Tea (Gunpowder) $7.25
per lb.; Eggs $1. per dozen; Molasses $8. per Gallon; Tobacco, which prior to
the War was worth 5 Cts. a plug now sold for 50 Cts. These Prices were in Augusta Ga. Wood sold for $9 per Cord, but in Charleston at this time (Jan'y 1863) it was worth $20 & $25. A Negro Man sold in Charleston for $3000.

16th June 1862, an advance was made by the Yankees upon Charleston (S.C.), which
however was fortunately repulsed by a small force of ours at Secessionville an
insignificant village upon James Island. The Planter's life in these times of
War is one of constant anxiety and excitement. Dealing as has now been
proved with an Enemy of no principle whatsoever, whose only aim is to
spread desolation and ruin over our land; to arm our own Negroes against
their very own Masters and entice by every means this this misguided Race to assist
them in their diabolical programme. With this species of Warfare none of
us can boast of our positions, for never with more truth can it be said
None of us can tell "what a day may bring forth."

Guided this by own feeling of uncertainty, the moment the Rice
was ripening and ready for the sickle, we obtained a portion of our Hands
from Silk Hope to assist us in hastening the harvest on Savannah River.
These immediately returned to their Cooper River Retreat the moment the
Harvest was completed & the Crop removed from the fields to the Barn Yard
Mound.

In September 1862, 4788 Bushels of the Crop of 1861 (which had remained
upon the plantation) was sent per flat to Messrs R. Habersham & Sons Savannah
and sold by them in the Rough @ $1.30 Cts. per Bushel. We found
no fault with the Sale of this Lot of Rice at the time, but I have generally
noticed that but little interest is taken in our plantation affairs in
Savannah, owing to the simple fact that previous to the War none of out
Crop was forwarded to that Market, preferring the better regulated Rice
Market of Charleston, intrusting our interest there in the Hands of my