Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-11-30
6RUMBLING ABOUT THEIR MAIL SER.
VICE

6hUMbLiNG ABOUT THEIR MAIL SER.
VICE.
From late southern papers that have reach
ed this city We make up the following inter
esting budget Of southern news:
rHE NEGROES "AFFRIGHTED" NOT "IssUBoR-
DINArE.n
The Columbia, 8. G. papers publish the fol.
bWing offcial letter from General Drayton
to the Governor:
CAMP LEE, HARDERvILLE,
18th November, 1851.
To his Excellency Governor E. W. Pickens
Columbia, S. c.:
SIR: At the request Of your Excellen,y,
made to me yesterday at these headquarters,
have the honor Of presenting my views Of
the present attitude and behavior Of the ne
groes in this portion Of the State intrusted to
my immediate command.
So far from there being any insurrectionary
feeling among them, can assure yeur Excel
lency that have neither seen nor heard of
any act Of pillaging, incendiarism or violence
in any direction.
1t is true, that the negroes Of a few planta-
tions have shown spirit Of insubordination,
by refusing to move higher up the country,
when ordered to do 80 by their owners, but
this disobedieDoe should be assigned rather to
feeling Of dismay and utter helplessness at
being left alone and unprotected by the pre-
cipitate Abandonment by their masters of their
plantations, than from any organized plan of
resistance to the authority they had been ac-
customed to obey.
But now feel much satisfaction in stating,
for the information Of your excellency, that
the negroes are fast recovering from their
fright, and coming forth from their hiding
places, and quietly and submissively resuming
theiragricultural labors, without the guidance,
or presence, in many instances, Of either mas
ter or overseer.
Inconclusion, / would respectfully advise,
that all planters and overseers, who are not
mustered into service, and are owners or
agents Of property upon the main land should,
without delay, return to their several neigh.
borhoods, and thus by their presence prevent
recurrence Of that excitement among their
people which has been due in a great measure
70 their absence.
With much respect, your ob't servant,
THOMAS T. DRAYfoN,
Brigadier General COMMANDING
Sd Military District Department, s. C.
TIE YANKEES ON TIE SOUTH CAROLINA COAST.
The Savannah Republican Of the 2lst says ::
The distance Of Hilton Head from the m ain
land, and the hazardous nature of all naviga-
ton in the neighborhood, renders it difficult
for our forces to approach near enough to form
any very definite idea of their number or
movements.
1t is understood, however, on pretty reliable
authority, that the enemy has abandoned
Beaufort and Port Royal island, on which it is
situated, and are now confined to Hilton Head
Pinkney Island, Immediately west, and sepa-
rated from the former by Skull creek and the
point known as Bay Point, on Jenkins Island,
across across the sound and opposite Fort Walker on
Hilton Head.
It is said they are throwing up extensive
and formidable works on Hilton Head, thus
giving evidence of an intention to make a
permanent lodgment on the island. Skull
creek is now completely under their control.
NJ proAI Do:-
south end Of the island, command the entrance
TO Daufuski sound r
Itis said that party of two Federals ven
tured on the main, and a day or two since,
when, being discovered by our men, one of
them was captured; the other got to his boat
IN time and made good his escape. The pris-
oner states that the feet landed about Il, 900
of the 20, 90 with whom they set sail. He could
give no account Of the remaining 1000.
The Savannah News publishes the following
On Wednesday last Mr. John Chaplin took
with him seven negroes and went in two boats
to the plantation Of his aunt, Mrs. Dunn, on
Daufaski Island, for the purpose of bringing
away such property as could be transported
On Wednesday Hight he, with the negroes, oc-
eupied Mrs. Dunn's dwelling, intending to
leave in the morning when the tide favored
About two o'clock yesterday morning the door
of the house was broken down by party Of
ten Limo olnites, who captured Mr.. Chaplin and
hye OF the negroes, and conveyed them from
the island in q boat. Two of the negroes es-
caped-one, who was in the cellar of the house
fed to the woods another, who was sleeping
In one OF the chambers, jumped from the SEQ
ond story window, and running to q point on
the island, whore he obtained boat, came to
the city yesterday morning Before leaving
the island he saw the Yankees leave in their
boat with Mr.. Chaplin and oe Ave negroes on
board. -.
TIE COTTON CROP AND TIE NEW DErEscEs
A letter in the Richmond Ezaus.ner from
Charles ton, dated Nov. 2lst, says ..
The amount Of cotton abandoned on the
plantations was very considerable. 1t is not
easy 10 estimate the quantity with certainty,
but is generally said to be about fifteen hun
dred bales. Many Of the planters, before quit
ting, set ire to their crops and such other com
not be removed. 1t is certainly to be regretted
that, in the confusion that prevailed, this very
proper step was not more generally taken.
But the frst surprise at the invasion has
now died away, and / think the Northern
Government may reckon, without fear Of mis-
take, that it has obtained the very last bag of
cotton, and also the last contraband, that il
can ever hope to seize By pouncing upon the
coast Of South Carolina. Concerted arrange
ments between the planters and the military
authorities have wisely been made BY which
no plantation will in future be abandoned un-
and other buildings destroyed, the live stock
driven of, and the hands removed to the inte-
rior. In the most exposed localities, that Is,
the islands adjacent TO Port Regal, on which
/ the enemy may at any moment make bis ap-
Isarance, the work Of destruction is already
commenced.
For ia past few days gangs Of negroes from
the sescosst laden with such effects as they
can carry, ana followed by drovss of mules
and horses, have been passing through this city
on their way = the back country. Night be-
fore l.st-the Nhse atmospherein city, and
moonlight, was hs- and Inr;d Msnv eo9id
not account for the hepemenon. II nxas the
eject Of the uhOlsssis .onaagration Of cotton
nov going on 81 nar'ocnd other islands in.
ssrvsn1ng ss, osss ~ shs msrs2ya and Charles
land, and 10 Is useless TO dlr r;.s shs f.ct that
they can land at q great NV points, thew
"A Nv All save the ayenging k'an.. - H.
n.ytf,an rifsman. The patti. ssn.;sos