The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-10-19
LETTER FROM THE SOUTH.
AuGUSTA, Oct. Sth. 1872.

DEAR WHIG:-This place is prettily sit
uated on the left bank of the Savannah
river and contains about S, 900 inhabitants,
and owes its Importance principally to its
manufactures; having several large cotton
mills, paper MILL and mills for producing
oil from cotton seed. The cotton interest
is by far the largest aud has considerable
capital invested.
Business generally is brisk. The stores
large and handsome, some of which are
exclusively wholesale.
The public buildings are neat, and present
a pleasing appearance, whilst some of the
private dwellings are palatial, and seem to
be owned and occupied solely by the cup
per tendon which gives evidence of con-
siderable wealth. The principal streets
are very wide, some of which have double
row Of trees in the centre making fine
shady walk and which serve the purpose
of park for children. Being DESTROYS of
having an elevated view of this place we
went to the Look out, or place from
which alarms Of fire are given. 1t is
frame structure, octagon at the base sur
mounted by cupola and considerably
higher than the surrounding houses, after
ascending a number of dilapidated steps
we arrived at the cupalo where we found an
old man plying his vocation that, of a cob
bier. This man has been employed in the
capacity of swatch =" for long time, and
took great pleasure in point ng to interest
ing objects.
The view of the river from this point is
lovely, it runs its zigzag cuarse for miles
and miles as far as the eye can see, dwind
ling into hazy nothing on one side; and on
the other, the city with a number of small
hills for a back ground makes a beautiful
panorama. We remained gazing from
this point for long time and were about
retracing our steps when the printed regu-
lations attracted our attention; after stat
ing the number of taps to be given upon
the bell to indicate the locality of fire,
the last rule was that every night at nine
o'clock the bell was to sound tina many
times for the negroes, and should any ne
groes be upon the street after fifteen
minutes after the bell sounds, without
written pass from their master, they were
to be arrested and receive as many stripes
as were adjudged beneficial, of course this
relic of slavery times is now dead letter.
This afternoon we walked over to the
cemetery and found it very pretty, and one
10 which the citizens of Augusta take
great pride in having the walks kept neat
and clean, and the shrubbery beautifully
trimmed.
l have been frequently amused at the
great number of military titles which seem
to be "lying around loose - and to be pub
lie property; nearly ever one is, Captain,
Major, Colonel, or General, and | should
think, Judging from this great number of
titles that the South could supply officers
already commissioned to command the
combined armies of the world.
Since my sojourn l have been daubbed
Captain, although being peaceful citizen
of Uncle Samuel and having no military
aspirations, but fully expect to return with
the title of Major General, although |
know of no act by which l have disgraced
myself, that l should be called such hard
names.
Last evening an alarm of fire was sound
ed and as oder machine came laundering
along Joined the " bo-hoys" and went in
"tooth and toe NAIL" arriving at the scene
of conilagration, which was an old barn
about mile from town, in time to get
enough fire to light my segar, although
oar apparatus was fust;" and came to
the conclusion that drawing a steam fire
engine over rough country road on hot
night was too much like work for
GRAY BEARD.