Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-04-15
PERDIDo, FLA, April 3, 1860.

PERDIDO, FLA, April 3, 1860.
Dear Journal Since las. writing [ have
seen or heard of so little that was calcu-
lated tc instruct or amuse you, that l have
not had the courage to break into the
quiet of your sauctum" with g. voice
from such wilderness as this. It does
nothing but rain four days in every week.
The remaining three it pours. In antici-
patton of another flood have had serious
thoughts of building an ark, but have put
it off SO long now that am afraid that I
animals and " creeping things" but grub,
am afraid, would be scarce. We lead
very Independent and interesting lives
down here, paddle around in canoes and
on logs all day catching catfish and chills,
and go to bed at night in the nearest tree
that has q convenient "fork." ] roasted
last night, for instance, in fine old cedar,
with q grass widow and tom.cat on one
side of me, and an interesting family of
three ''coons " and water moccasin on
the other. Some how or other didn't
feel sleepy at all. The weather, too, has
been extremely cold for the season, so that
it is feared that the fruit crop is badly
damaged. No serious apprehensions are
felt as yet, however, concerning King
Cotton" &C., and planters speak very con-
fidently and hopefully of their prospects
for a "big crop" this year. More fer
tilizers have been used than ever before,
while labor is abundant and quite steady.
n hn hon1c
"shares." Good hands get readily from
ten to twelve dollars per month. I notice
o good many arriving from the CaroIinas
and Virginia.
It is very encouraging to see how COM
pleteiy the people of the Cotton States have
succeeded IN throwing off the load of
depression and gloom which naturally sue
ceeded the war, and though still hampered
and shackled with the accursed and oppres-
sive carpet-bag and negro rule-under
which we all suffer-which strives to kill
off every scheme and movement which
may be put in motion, whether for private
or public good, that does not put the lions
share into the pockets of the hyenas in
power. Yet it is plain to see that the cour-
age and energy which sustained the South
so long during the days of the late cum
pleasantness' is not dead, but has simply
been sleeping in the bosoms of her sons,
who have again rallied to tho bugle- e-calI Of
honor and duty to their poor old mother
land, and shoulder to shoulder are push
ing steadily forward on the road to pro-
gress and wealth, as is seen IN the numer-
Gus railroads branching ont in every direc-
ton, factories, foundries and villages
springing up in what few years ago were
waste places, and in the universal tone of
work, hustle and activity which appears
to pervade all classes. was particularly
struck with this in visiting Savannah, At
lanta, Columbus and Montgomery, to say
nothing of places Of lesser note. The
same determined go-aheaditiveness is char
acteristic of them all. The rise and pros
perity of one of those cities (Atlanta) is
perfectly wonderful. Five years ago it was
a mass of smouldering rains, for General
Sherman, fearful perhaps that his ''glori-
GUS march to the sea" would not be Buffi-
ciently long remembered or chrouiced,
laid the poor helpless little town in ashes,
leaving only few scattered cabins and
blackened chimnies as monuments OF his
courage and magnanimity. But the
little city represents III more ways than
one the principles of the ''cause" for
which she suffered which will not remain
crushed to earth forever. So besides the
sad story of wrong and cruelty written in
letters of fire on her black and smoky
ruins, might also be seen one word, " Re
surgana." The foot Of the Yandal has pas
ed away from all save memory, and to day
she stands fair and smiling city Of over
thirty thousand inhabitants, with street
upon street of handsome, substantial build
ings, and everything and everybody wear-
ing an air of enterprise and activity that is
perfectly eXhilirating. rs an example of
its prosperity, | may add that at present
there are nearly twelve hundred new build
ings in process Of erection.
Montgomery has not advanced so rap
idly, but its progress is steady, and as soon
as the "North and South Railroad" now
building, and which will open to it the
whole of Northern Alabama, MiEsissippi
and Tennessee is completed, together With
several other minor roads now being
pushed forward as rapidly as possible,
she too will come out of winter quar-
ters" and take 'lODg days march to the
front" Montgomery is beautiful little
city, whose inhabitants are Justly ceIebra-
for their courteous kindness and hospital
ity. [ first visited it in April, 1861; it was
then the seat of the ''ProvisiOnal Govern
ment of the Confederate States Of America"
and great was the ''gathering of the clans"
in the days that l wOt of +; very gay and
bright was the little capital in those times,
for fair women and brave men were gath
cred there. The breeze OF joyful dawn
blew free, hope and courage flied every
eve and heart, and none thought Of defeat,
or of the long dark years of storm and bat
tie that were to succeed chose days of mer-
ry Spring time, the last that many OF US
were ever destined to see. During my visit
there few days ago, L could not hel p CON
trast:ng the then and m0eo, and instead OF
the gay uniforms, marching legions and
the crash of martial music which then met
one on every side, saw only loug dusty
lines of drays loaded with merchandise
and produce. while earnest business faces
peered into mine at every step, or asked
how's the market this morning.
The radical Legislature had adjourned
but few days before, and the city was
undergoing process of penance and puri-
ticatioL. .uhioE, onaox,&iallzr z,nadEa,I e