The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-07-09
LETTER FROM THE COUNTRY.


LETTER FROM THE COUNTRY
CAMDEN, 8. O., July 5.-The anniversary of
American Independence was celebrated with due
eclat by the freedmen Of this town and vicinity.
The day opened propitiousiy the sun rose in
cioudiess splendor, greeted by the melodious an
thems OF natures choristers. At an early hour
the town was enlivened by the arrival OF gaily
dressed individuals Of color from all quarters.
They were all seen hurrying to the place Of rem
devious, as If an issue Of LIE and death depended
on their early arrival. At the Freedmen's School
house they congregated in large crowds, and hero
the teachers formed them into procession. At
the head marched the dignitaries OF the church
and orators elect; next came q modest band of
music tdrum and fife, a Ia miiaaire), next follow
ed color-guard, in whose midst fioatedl the
'Stars and Stripes"
The main body OF the procession consisted of
stalwart men, whose erect and dignifiea bearing
was the theme Of comment, AMI who were follow
ed by the pupils Of the different schools, dressed
in white. In this order thoy marched to the Town
Hall, accompanied by an immense and motley
throng Of colored people, who crowded the side
walk, Offering side scene to the picture that was
IN some instances rendered ludicrous in the ex-
treme by the excessive jolity that pervaded it, a.
evidenced by dancing and other fantastic concor-
tions in accord with the music. In front of the
Town Hall the procession halted, andYorming in
line, then and there ''stood for a picture" en-
''asse. This spectacle was quite novel and inter-
esting, and drew large crowd OF spectators, who
viewed with evident pleasure these "pets OF the
st3SSa h dEihh hhshef csbiRRsRs ssARls ybiea
they wore; interspersed by gay banners and pro-
fusion Of parti-oolored ribbons, making novel
and peculiar to,ite ensemble.
This was an excellent opportunity for the color
ed population to display their penchant for de-
monstrations, and really the whole affair wac well
gotten up aud executed. From the Town Hall
the column defled to the recently erected colored
church, whore they were entertained by several
speakers. regret my inability to attend the lat
ter ceremonies, as it now deprives of the satis-
faction Of making my report of the proceedings
complete. However, everything passed off 'as
merry al a marriage bel," and the freedmen con-
Quoted themselves in the most orderly and credit
| able manner. A majority OF the business places
was closed, and perhaps the closure OF the bar
| rooms and whiskey shops, by order Of our wise
| and efficient Town Council, contributed much to
| the maintenance Of order among q crowd OF about
| thousand people.
Gen. SCoTT's order is received with great eatis-
| faction by the planters in this section They con.
slider it well-timed and most appropriate and give
the General much credit for the real interes and
| practical wisdom he has displayed in the adminis
| tration Of his Office. In this section I have no,
heard much complaint OF the neglect OF their obi
] cations by the freedmen until the recent hot
| SPELL They have, as general rule, been faith
ful and industrious. Exceptions occur occasion.
ally, especially since the hot weather makes field
labor rather uncomfortable. But this order from
the ''Bureau" will benefit them and spur them NJ
to renewed exertions. At least we hope 80.
Our crops are not much improved since my las
communication. Last week we were visited by
few days Of real fall weather, which made us a,
to blankets at night. This was, as you may ina
gine, extremely injurious to the cotton plant ant
thus threw it back in growth considerably Be
sides, it has been raining good deal, which CAV
that aroh enemy OF the farmer, tho grass, q goo,
start.- The weather has improved, however, ant
the plow and hoe have succeeded in battling will
the verdant enemy, who now lies prostrate, scorch
ing in o splendidly hottJuly sun, never, hope, Ii
raise again his hydra head.
] Corn looks much better now, and promises
tair yield, although II has been much retarded b
the late unreasonable weather. have noticed O,
the Wateree plantations corn that could success
fully vie with that growing on the fertile banks
the French Broad, in East Tennessee. If tn
weather continues favorable, we need have no ap
prehensions of q famine. But the latter alread
exists among the poor Of this district, who ar
actually in a most deplorable condition. publ
meeting Of charitable gentlemen has been held
and steps have been taken to alleviate the priva
tons Of the destitute. Subscriptions are no,
being collected God speed the good work
Aproposl We are to have a steamer in tn
Wsteree again. Thus the South Carolina Railroa
will be outstripped. We wish this enterprise muc
success; but are in hopes that the South Carolin
Railroad will soon connect US with tho outsfd
world again.
Business dull. Weather hot. B.
The French Mipister OF War receiyes as Mir