The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-09-20

large sum might be realized from it, as
it is unders god that there is now a
demand for such timber at the North,
which the peculiar sta OF things now
existing renders it difficult to supply.
1t is probable that this island was
formerly much more extensively cult
waited than it has been recently, as there
are large tracts in which the pine trees
grow i'll close proximity, some of which
measure ten inches in diameter, amongst
which the rows of cotton culture are dis
tinctly visible. The system Of cul:iva-
ton appears to have been to wear out
the surface and then abandon it for a
fresh spot. The working of the soil
must have been chiefly by the hoe
There is no evidence anywhere of the
ground having been fairly and deeply
broken up by the pillow.
The whole island is very level, and
there is no elevation of more than few
feet above the ocean. In spring, when
heavy rains have fallen, considerable
part of the middle portion is covered
with wa er several inches deep, which
nearly or altogether disappears as the
season advances. There are swamps,
however, in which the vegetation is of
the dcnsest sort, and into which it would
be impossible for any one to enter with
out cutting his way at every cp.
1t is reported that there are deer and
some o her wild animals on the island,
and that fine fish and oysters abound in
the bays and incts, whic may be obtain
ed by those who will AXE the trouble to
Ca ch them, which the people who reside
on the island have seldom done.
The mansion houses and cultivated
lands are on the borders of he island
without exception, while the interior is
covered wi h timber, sometimes of large
growth. The roads are numerous and in
good order, though some ines a little
too sandy.
the number of white inlabi arts, pre-
vious to the breaking GU; of the Reb,l-
lion, was probably less than fifty. The
number of negro slaves on all the plan
tations amounted to about fifteen hun
| dred.
There is not one single white inhabi-
tant on the island of the Seccssionists
who lived there previous to the capture
of the island i'll November last The
white inhabitants were few families of
veal by landowners, who, of course, all
fled on the capture Of Hilton Head -
The coutrabands nearly all remained
when their masters fed, and the greater
part Of them still remain great many
Of them now occupying their old quarters.
The whole island was owned by few
individuals, consis ing amos! exclusively
of the Pope family There was old
Massa Squire Pope, who owned three
plantations ; Joe Pope. Squwt VIM. John
Pope, VIM. John Pope, WIN. Pope, ST.,
VIM. Pope, Jr each owning one plan
tatlon John Wells Pope, two planta-
tons Eph. Linnard, two plantations :;
Tom. Dray on, one plan alton, the two
last relatives to the Popcs by marriage.
Besides these there were u few hers
who owned plantations, but it is evidcn
that the Popcs must have had it all
their own way, so far as this island is
concerned.
The weather is not warmer than in
New York OF Philadelphia in the SUM-
mer, but the seasons being longer are
probably more felt by persons unaccus-
toned o reside here. Frequent thunder
storms tend greatly to cool the atmos-
phere and render the climate pleasant.
The thermometer seldom rises above %
degrees during the summer, and not
unfrequen,ly falls below so Degrees
The constant sea breeze serves to render
the beat much more bearable than i
would otherwise be. 1t is said hat
about the time of the equinoxes the
winds often blow with great violence
The long wharf which, as has been
stated, runs ou5 several hundred feet
into the bay, may be considered The
center from which everything emanates
and at which everything concentrates.
On going off the wharf, at little dis
tance to the right, are General Hunters
headquarters, very pleasantly Situated
near the shore. The Medical Directors
Office is Immediately adjoining. Directly
in advance is the old plan alton mansion
of one of the Pope family, now used as
a Custom House. 4 Ii tie further on
the left hand is two low ranges of build
lngs, one of which is for the use of the
Commissary and the other for the use of
the Quartermaster's Department.
The Hospital is situated a few rods
from The surf, abou half a mile below
the wharf. 1t is large building, three
hundred and twenty-five fee square, and
OF course, capable of Containing a large
number of beds. 1t is not now very
crowded, but after the battle of James
Island great many OF wounded and sick
from that place were sent down to it,
when it was crowded to its full capacity.
The Hospital is we'll managed, and, for
the numbers of sick and wounded treated
in it, the deaths have been few a cir
cumstance which speaks we'll both for
the skill and care of the Surgeons and
the healthiness of the place.
Near the Hosrtal large portion of
the troops on this station are encamped.
That the place has been judiciously
selected for that purpose, is shown by
the fact that there is now very little
disease amongst them. 1t is quite as
healthy as any of the encampments at
the North, and the per centagc of sick