The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-09-17
NASHvILLE TENNESSEE, WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER n 1862

Z Government to sell the right 10 cut the
timber, and in that way very probably q
I large sum might be realized from il. as IL
is understood that there is now de-
mand for such timber at the North which
the peculiar state Of things now existing
renders il dAicult TO supply.
II is probable that this island was for
merly much more extensively cultivated
than 4 has been recently, as fhorc ars
large tracks in which The pine trees grow
in close proximity, some of which
measure ten inches in diameter amongst
which the rows Ot cotton culture are dis
tinctly visible. The system OF oultiva-
ilon appears 10 have been TO wear out the
surface and then abandon 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
plough
The whole island is very level and
there is no elevation Of more than n few
leet above the ocean. In spring, when
heavy rains have fallen, a considerable
part OF the middle portion is covered
with wafer several inches deep, which
nearly or altogether disappears as the
season advances There are some
sWamps, however, in which the yeeeta-
ton islot the densest sort and into which
1t would be impossible for any one to
enter without cutting his way at every
step.
1t is reported that there are deer and
some other wild animals on the island.
and that the fish and oysters abound in
the bays and inlets, which may be OBJ
tanned by those who will take the trouble
to catch them, which the people who re-
side on the island have seldom done.
The mansion houses and cultivated
lands are on the borders of the Island
without exception, while the Interior is
covered with timber, sometimes Of large
growth The roads are numerous and
in good order though sometimes a little
too sandy.
The number Of white inhabitants pre-.
vious 10 the breaking out of the Rebellion.
was probably less than fifty The num-
Der Of negro slaves on all the plantations
amounted TO about fifteen hundred
There is not now one single white in
habitant on the island of the Secession
lists who lived there previous TO the cap.
ture of the island in November last.
The white inhabitants were a few fami-
lies of wealthy landowners, who, of
course, all fed on the capture OF Hilton
Head. The contrabands nearly all re-
manned when their masters fled and the
greater part Of them still remain 4
great many OF them now occupying their
old quarters
The whole island was owned by
few individuals, consisting almost exclu-
siyelY Of the Pope family. There was
old Massa Squire Pope, who owned three
plantations; Joe Pope, VIM Pope, Squire
VIM. John Pope, VIM. John Pope, VIM.
Pope, Srr VIM. Pope, Jr, each owning
one plantation James Wells Pope, two
plantations Eph. Linnard, two planta-
tiOns Tom. DraYton, one plantation, the
two last relatives to the POpe's by mar.
Tiago. Besides these there were few
others who owned plantations, but il is
evident that the Pope's must have had il
all their owe way, so far as this island
was concerned.
The weather is not warmer than in
New York or Philadelphia in the sum.
mcr, bnt the seasons being longer are
probably moro felt BY persons unaccus-
toned TO reside here. Frequent thunder
storms tend greatly to cool the atmos-
phere and render the climate pleasant.
The thermometer seldom rises above 95
deg. during the summer, and not unrre-
quently falls below 80 deg. The con-
stant sea breeze serves To render the heat
much more bearahle than it would other
wise be, II is said that about the time
OF the equinoxes the winds often blow
with great violence