Volume 03 Page 0035

My Spring visit of March 1864 to the Plantation found all things going on
in a quiet and satisfactory manner. We made our selections of the best fields
to plant, in all in Rice about 300 Acres. Savannah River was perfectly
tranquil, and such a degree of security was felt by the Rice Planters for this
section, that nearly all of the Plantations were working their entire Gangs.

The entire Crop of 1863 was not sold upon its being delivered to the
Mill. By My Father's wise instructions, 4061 Bushels were kept in the rough. This was sold in Sept'r 1864 @ $30 pr lbs.!!

1864 Sept'r 6 R. Habersham & Sons Account Current with Charles Manigault
was balanced, placing to C.M's Credit in Confederate Money
all plantation Expenses and my own having been previously paid. $18,625.99

30th October 1864 We met with a very sad loss to the Plantation.
Mr. William Capers our experienced Overseer died on this day. He was a remarkable
man in some respects, & knew more of the Negro Character and how to manage
a Plantation than any of our former Overseers. Mr Capers belonged to the best
blood of Carolina. His G. Father and G.G. Father (Peter Manigault) married Sisters
Mary & Elizabeth Wragg, consequently he and I were 3d Cousins. He was a perfect
Gentleman, and I made more a Companion of him than merely regarding him as
a simple Overseer. He often remarked to me that His Uncle (Mr. White) who first
gave him instructions in managing Negroes, would frequently say that "if a Man
put his confidence in a Negro He was simply a Damned Fool," and that he had proved
that true all of his life. Mr Capers assisted me in numerous ways during
our four years War, and in the midst of all of our plantation troubles. He
sent me regularly vegetables and other articles from the plantation to my half
starved family in Augusta Ga., & he on several occasions advanced me money which
I always returned. His Remains are deposited in the Church Yard, Cherokee Hill, not
far (one mile) from the Camp, where he died.

During the greater portions of the years 1863 and 1864 most of our Prime Men were working for the Government on the Fortifications around Savannah.
Early in November 1864, I visited the Plantation, and placed temporarily in