Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-01-23
FROM ATLANTA, GEORGIA.
ATLANTA. GA. jan. Is. 1874.

ATLANTA, IA, Jan. ID, 1874.
Ed JOURNAL Our schools opened
January 9th, after vacation OF nearly two
weeks. The number in attendance last
week was three hundred. The building
accommodates four hundred very COM
fortably. The number is unusually small
now on account OF the smallpox, which is
prevailing to quite an extent.
CHRISTMAS IN TIiEsouTH.
In the South, Christmasis is observed in
way that seemed quite strange to us. In
stead of being celebrated in an orderly,
Christian manner, as the anniversary OF
Christ's birth should be, il is ushered in by
the firing of guns, blowing Of horns, etc.
Even week before we were, reminded of
its approach by the frequent sound of fire.
crackers and the night before, our rest
was seriously disturbed by the confusion Of
sounds without. To the colored people 1t
is particularly happy time. During sla-
very they were always allowed a week be-
tween the two holidays in which to visit
friends upon the different plantations and
have good time generally. Thus they
have become accustomed to cali the whole
week between, Christmas; and every event
is spoken of ss 30 long before or after that
time.
We spent the day in preparing the chapel
for Christmas gathering to be beld in the
evening. Our Sabbath School numbers
nearly three hundred scholars and as all
were remembered in some way, we succeed
ed in filling three trees so that they looked
very nicely. The room was alsO trimmed
with festoons OF green and, with the loaded
trees, presented quite festive appearance,
All seemed to enjoy the evening very
much.
New Years night the colorcd people oI
the Church and congregation celebrated
the anniversary Of their emancipation. Tbs
programme consisted OF several addresses
an essay, the reading OF selections, arc
singing The speakers were young mer
OF Atlanta University. Their production
gave evidence Of thought and careful prep
aration and were delivered in manner
calculated to impress and interest.
THE U. g. SOLDIERS.
We visited week ago the Mcpherson
Barracks, situated about mile and hal
from the city There are now stationed
here only eight companies, of sixty mel
each. Atlanta, we believe, is the head
quarters of the U. s. Army in the South
The Yankee soldiers are cordially deteste,
by the Southerners. Their bdfldings ar
placed in the form of a square and all be
. ing of the same size and color, at diEtanc
present peculiar appearance. The Ioca
ton is a very pleasant one, being upon
high hill and affording fine view of tn
city and country around. The officers hav,
their families with them and seem to b
: pleasantly situated. We called upon tn
Chaplain's wife, found her very agreeabl
and friendly. She gave us cordial invi
tation to come again later in the day t
hear the band and zee the "dress parade"
Mrs. Hale, (from Elyria,) Mrs. Cook an
Miss Ada Hitchcock have been here abou
three weeks, the health of the latter bein
much improved. They started yesterda
for Florida.
E The winter so far has been remarkabl
Q mild for even this climate. Last mont
n was delightful, being quite comfortabl
part OF the time without fire. This wee
\ the weather has been quite cold.
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