Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-01-20


letter from Il sister who is living in North
Carolina, and in order to give an idea of the
state of affairs there, please give it a place
in your paper, and oblige her brother,
IS. HARTSHORN.
HARRELLsvILLE, HARTFORD Co, y, c.
Christmas, December 25th. 1863.
DEAR BROTHER i received letter from
you last week, written in February last. |
also received one from Anna Ross and one
from Amelia Clyde, recently; and as | have
an opportunity Of writing now [ will answer
them all to you. You write Of the many
changes that have taken place since my visit
hence. / have no doubt there are Chan
ges must take place even in ordinary times,
and We expect more now. When do you
think this unhappy difficulty viii be settled
Oh, that L could see some prospect of it
soon. You are living away up there and
know but little Of It's horrors not so with
me. | am here almost III the midst, | might
say, Of it. | frequently hear the booming
of the cannon and SO near too, that 1t shakes
the glass in our windows
Little did | once think that | would live
to see such state Of affairs in this our once
happy country; and that too, brought on by
set Of political deinagogueS who want to
get into power, and get the innocent into
trouble How true are the words Of that
eminent Milton when he said, 20 shame TO
men; Devils with devils damned firm con-
cord hold: Men only disagree Of creatures
rational, Though under hope OF pardoning
grace and God : prociaiming peace. Yet,
still they live in hatred cnmity and strife ;
and long, cruel wars wasting the earth, each
other TO destroy Pardon me, / almost
forgot myself " e are all in very good health
and are doing well. Provisions are very high
haFa brYt b0va ,r+y- a,-a,,-+ ,,-s.
want. Our folks have a cotton factory Of
their own III operation here, and are doing
well with 1t. They make from thirty to for
ty-fve blocks per day, and find ready sale
for 1t at thirty dollars per block. We pay
from $50 to $50 per barrel for corn meal :;
Sl20 for -four; 81 80 per pound for green
pork: from IS to SO per pound for coffee,
and other things in proportion. But we. as
Il family, get all we want Stock is also very
high. MIR. 5. bought a pair of match hor-
ses, a few days ago, for which he paid three
thousand dollars. Dry goods are very high
Ordinary shilling calico is Sc a yard shoes
have no price, people just getwhat they ask
for them; [ have four pair Of good ones
We have had pleasant winter-cold but
no snow, very dry. | presume you are en-
joying the sleighing season. How | wish
could join you in that luxury. | want to see
you all once more. Is it not too bad that
friends are prohibited from visiting friends.
and nothing but want of peace the cause
But, how am | writing | expect you will
be out of patience with me for complaining
so much, las you are not one of that kind. J
! want you to write me a letter every month,
and write everything you dare. expect
this to 60 by hand into your own lines, and
therefore am not so particular in writing
Give my love to all our friends, and ac-
cept for yourself and family my best wishes
for your future welfare
With much kindness, your sister,
MARYsANN STEVESON.
p. S. | got your letter unopened, contain
ing the dime you enclosed in it TO pay the
postage from Norfolk here l will keep it
to remember you. Write soon. Direct via
Richmond, and | will get it sooner
THE above prices are in Confenderate
money, of course.