Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-03-28
LETTER FROM NORTH CAROLINA.

IT, the Editor of the Journal:
Sitting in the freedmen's school room at this
place, where can look out of my window on
the historic spot known as the Salisbury
prison pen," feel inclined to pen few lines
for the journal As the traveller passes
the Salisbury station towards South Carolina,
he may observe this parcel of ground in
which thousands of Union soldiers were once
confined, and in which they borrowed, as
rabbits in the earth, to shield themselves from
the bowling storms, the scorching sun, or the
piaching cold. few rods further on may
be seen the National cemetery, containing
the remains of about thirteen thousand brave
men, whose lives were laid on their country s
altar, sleeping their last sleep in long trenches
ranged side by side, excepting few hundreds
which are laid in single graves, whose head
b )ards are mostly marked unknown" 1t Is
a sad sight to look upon. Ii is neatly en-
closed with a solid granite wall IN masonry,
the grounds well laid out with suitable ave-
nues and walks, and set with trees, plants,
and flowers, and carefully looked after and
protected by a superintendent, who occupies
a cottage in the enclosure. Between the
prison and the cemetery stands the spacious
freedmen's school building, under the au-
spices of the "Frends Philadelphia Associa-
tion," from which since the dark days which
tried mems souls have gone forth many well
fitted young man and woman to hold up
among others higher intellectual, social and
moral standard. The teachers now engaged
are Ellen d. Pratt of Maine, and Anna M.
Lee of Ohio Isolated from society, boarding
themselves in an humble way, they are never
theless cheerful and contented in the enjoy
ment of their duties, conducting school OF
one hundred and fifty pupils with wonderful
success, being able to present fine classes of
dusky faces in the advanced readers and in
arithmetic, grammar, algebra and history.
Much CONSERVATION and alarm is felt in the
vicinity of Bald mountain, Mcdowell county,
a little west of here, by threatening volcanic
eruptions. Heavy rumbling sounds as of the
roaring of distant artillery are heard, and
quakings of the earth are felt. 1t is reported
that some buildings have been demolished
and the people are fleeing in alarm, prayer
meetings are held and divine iAterposition in
voked.
Riding for the last few days through several
counties in this section OF the State of North
Carolina, we have been charmed with the
beautiful scenery, and delighted with seeing
thousands of acres of wheat and other grain
from four to ten inches high, perfectly cover
ing the ground with its rich dark green man
tie, having passed the winter uninjured by
frosts or rains, and now promises the hus-
bandman an abundant harvest for his industry.
The cotton enterprise proving unsatisfactory
last year, a greater breadth of wheat than
usual has been sown.
The peach trees are very abundant in this
section, and beautify our pathway on all
sides with their superabundance of pink bios
SONS, while the white blows of the plum and
and many kinds Of flowers smile on the weary
traveller as he passes, and sweeten the air
with their fragrance.
A. II. JONES.
SALISBURY, n. c. March pond, 1874.