The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-04-18
East Florida Abandoned by the Com
federate Government.

federate Governments.
It is not often, says the Boston Journal
that . rebel which. tails into the possession
of our advancing armies contains more news
or gives more vivid description of the
state OF affairs 10 rebellion than the follow
ing. This letter was obtained at jackson
vile by an officer in Commodore Dupont's
squadron, who forwarded it to o friend in
Boston. 1t will be seen that the writer,
Notwithstanding Florida has been entirely
abandoned by the Confederate Government,
according to his statement, still hugs the
fond delusion that the rebel cause will sue.
coed, and that Florida will again be linked
to the Southern Confederacy by negotia-
ton: A-t
a~-5 MULBERRY GROVE, March Z, 1862.
MY DEAR SISTER I expect by this time
you have the letter l wrote Buddie a few
days ago. Here am, almost at loss what
to do next. / came up from town last
night with a boat load of our negroes
Since the attack and capture of fernando,
the Confederate Government has seen fit to
abandon East Florida and yesterday an
order came from the Secretary Of War for
the Confederate troops to abandon the
whole of Florida, and every troop 10 the
State, together with all the cannon, arms.
ammunition, stores, &C., are being removed,
working day and night to do it before the
Federals get entire possession of the State
Our Government has signified it's inability
to hold Florida, and therefore the troops
here have gone to assist in breaking the
Gordon from the Cumberland river in Ten
nessee, to the Chattahotic river, and there
is still the additional number of $500 called
for from the State by the Government; but
the men will not enlist now, as the Govern
ment gives US no aid, and expects every man
10 the State to leave his home and interest
and go and fight abroad.
1t has been blowing gale for the past
few days from the west, which has blown all
the water out of the river and prevented the
enemy from coming over the bar; but we
will see them as soon as the wind changes.
The town council and all the military heads
of the militia, Qor we have no Confederate
troops now,) met yesterday and concluded
to quietly submit to the yoke of destiny that
may await US, as we have neither men, arms,
nor ammunition.
The Federal Congress has passed q bill
commanding the heads of their military not
to return or send to their former owners,
any slave who may come to them, unless
such slave returns of his own free WILL If
they continue to execute this law, as tbs
said they have done at Fernandina, our ne.
groes may be lost but have most of them
here, and will wait until see what they do
with those they got at Jacksonville. 1t
there be any danger, then will start a
wagon to carry the women and children
that can't walk, the men walking, and 20
from here to Orange Springs, and stop
there, if the enemy do not intend to 90 into
the interior, but if they do, then will go
on South to the Everglades, where my cat>
tie are, and l can get something to feed
them With and keep them there until it be
safe to remove them. l have but twenty
eight dollars in pocket, and I know l shall
have to beg provisions before 1 get there. 1
am going with our negroes whence l take
them, as they are my, and your, and all of
US, only resources for living.
A scene of the widest confusion exists
here. Masters are running and leaving
Their negroes with no one to look after
them. have taken the wives of two or
three of our men, to keep them content, and
to prevent their running back should l
start. All throug the interior the lines OF
the railroads are thronged with the refugees,
and bread is sold to them at one dollar per
loaf. Some of thsm have 20 place to 90,
and are starving in the woods. have some
corn here, and will make them catch fish
for meat, as have no money to buy with.
Some ten or twelve families are all that are
left in Jacksonville. If l was able or bad
the means to get out of this State, l should
do it forthwith but have not. l do not
think we will be under the Confederate
Government again until after peace is made,
and then l hope the other Confederate
States may get US back from the United
States by treaty.
rave written 10 haste, but tried to state
what l intend doing. Much love to all of
the household. God keep you all for His
until get to you.