Volume 03 Page 0036

charge, an Englishman, Mr Benjamin Glasgow. He was an Engineer by trade
and knew nothing of Rice Culture. He was of assistance however just at this
time in threshing out the Crop. Upon the plantation the Negroes were still
bringing in rice from the fields, the Work being very backward and going on
slowly since Mr Caper's Death. I saw plainly that during Mr Capers' long illness
of the past summer little or no work had been done. The Season had
been very favorable and large Crops of Rice had been made upon the River.
Upon Mr Hugh Rose's place I was told the Crop averaged between 70 & 80
Bushels to the Acre! how true I know not.

Dec'r 1864 Paid my last visit to the Plantation during the War, and
saw all of my Father's Negroes for the last time. All things struck me
as looking more favorably than when here in Nov'r. Engaged the Services
of Mr J. W. Bandy, an experienced Overseer @ $2000 per annum. He & I came to the conclusion, with what we had threshed, and on the mount,
that Our Crop of 1864 amounted to 10, Bushels Market Rice.

The Negroes all looked well, and seemed pleased to see me.
I was very nearly cut off by the Yankees upon my return on the Rail Road to Charleston (Vide Journal 1863-1865).

As is well known, on the night of Tuesday 20th Dec'r 1864,
Savannah was evacuated by our Confederate Forces under Gen' Hardee,
and the Yankees took possession of the City, as well as all of the Rice upon the Plantations. Up to the time that this is written (viz: June 1865) I have seen no one, or heard of no one who has been near the
place, it being unsafe as yet to go there. We had sent no rice to Market.

Suffice it to say We were working upon it to the very last, and
only the Yankee bayonets put a stop to our work.

As the War is now at an end, I shall now move with my family
to Savannah and reclaim my possessions, if not prevented from so doing
by the Federal Authorities.

E.E.
Louis Manigault
Augusta Ga. 18th June 1865