The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1902-07-01
IN LOUISIANA IN Wan TIMES.
The Tenth Of Our Series Of Articles on "0ld
Times in the south.

Dear Aun jennie: no La
ton ever existed whose prospects for
a brilliant future exceeded our dear
Southland. Many of her sons and
daughters surrounded by all the adj
vantages and luxuries of amuence,
their hopes and desires were In their
zenith when the cruel war began; the
remembrance of it haunts us like an
evil dream. It cost the lives of so
many of our loved ones, and left so
many almost penniless. Yet l believe
the freedom of the slaves was best for
the South, and would not, if we could,
have them back in slavery again. 1t
has surely relieved their owners of a
grave responsibility, for I think we
were responsible for the care of their
souls as well as of their bodies.
Allow me to recall an incident in my
life. 1t was in the sixties, and dur
ing the war. Our home then was in
Southern Louisiana. l, the young
wife of a Southern planter, far away
from my childhood's home, felt the
horror of the war more keenly. Ny
husband, an officer in the Confederate
service, was home on an extended fur
Tough. "Grim-visaged" wal was reign
ing in our fair and beautiful cline,
devastating and demolishing the FL
dorado of the South. W. could hear
the bombardment of one of the forts,
and knew that the Federal troops
would 500 be in our midst. My hus-
band had returned from our nearest
village. Having learned the situation
of affairs, he came dashing home
mounted on lis faithful hose John
Morgan" (Which remained with him
during the war;, ana with an air IF De
cision babe us make hurried prepare
tions to leave home.
Giving orders to the foreman of the
plantation to have all the negroes to
be ready as soon as possible, wagons,
carts, and every available vehicle were
pressed into service. The large four
mule wagons transported provisions,
the little negroes and old ones that
were not able to walk-and articles of
clothing, a few cooking utensils, etc.
All of the cattle were driven, the
strong and able-bodied negroes walked.
When u train was completed, it
reached several hundred yards.
By early morn we moved off as refu-
gees, going we knew not where, only
trying to get out of reach of the
Yankees.
Our departure was so hurried, I, be-
ing young and inexperienced, left cur
tains hanging at the windows, carpets
on the floors, pictures on the walls,
and various other articles of value.
Our Iarders we're filed with all the
costly viands of ante-bellum days.
Among them was a hogshead of sugar,
just from the sugar house (of which
we gave the negroes privilege to help
themselves and take as much as they
could conveniently carry), cases of
wine, canned goods, etc., all left to be
destroyed or appropriated to the use
of the enemy.
remember that in the midst of con-
fusion one of our old family servants
NANNY EASTER typical Southern
negress-with her bandanna handker-
chief arranged in turban style on her
head, spotless white kerchief around
her neck, came to my room, and found
me in tears and so bewildered as how
TO proceed to pack up, what to take
and what to leave. With her good
judgment and the interest she had al
ways felt in me, she was truly a friend
need. She said claws, honey, you
amt used to nothing like dis, you jes
go sit down, and Nanny and Whey
will tend to packing desc things"
As our train moved slowly along the
beautiful banks of Bayou Rapids, it
one continuous panorama of love
homes. Beautiful sloping lawns,
artistic gateways opening up into
beautiful gardens hidden behind well
kept shrubbery; spacious mansions
long verandas covered with Mar
Neil roses. Many of the tropical
could be seen loaded with golden
oranges, bananas or lemons. I have
travelled on the Hudson, admired its
grandeur and beauty, with its Pail
on one side and elegant villas on
the other; yet the scenery on the
grand old Mississippi and the mean
lering bayous of Southern Louisiana