The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1910-09-13

in the fort and accepted the one we
have moved out Of the filthy noisy
barracks. and are now ensconced IN
our new lodgings. The advantages OF
the change are greater quiet, privacy
comfort, cleanliness, less rigid sur
veillance, and, in some aspect, oelter
fare; the drawbacks are fewer oppor-
t~unities Of exercise, a stone 1loof, ana
liability to communicate freely with
our fellow prisoners. The convent
ences, however, greatly outweigh the.
disadvantages. Our mess consists OF
Gen. Vance, Col. Dick and Capt. Charl-
ton Morgan (brother OF the gallant
and lamented Gen. Morgan), Maj. I.
S. Mills, a. a. G. Of Anderson's Di-
vision, Capt. Kilgore, A. A. G.. Of Ev-
tors Texas Brigade. Lieuts Dicken-
son, Bristol, Smith, n myself
pleasant and c~ongenial coterle. At
tached to the room are a Water-closet,
pump, &c. We have also the benefit
Of a small cooking-stove upon which
to fix up our rations and have
access to the sutler of the fort, whose
charges are much more reasonable
than those of the one in the barracks.
We cook, wash plates, (fOr we nave
them, now, sweep rooms, make up
hunks, &c, by detail. and I flatter my
self that I shall soon become an &C
cOmpliSheI domestic.
January 26.-I continue to like our
new quarters more and more. The
privacy and facilities for cleanliness
(to say nothing of the exemption from
contagion in the barracks), are, Of
themselves, incalculable luXuries. We
have family worship, accompanied by
singing, each evening, Gen. Vanc
generally leading he services, though
i, also, occasionally read the form OF
evening devotion in the Prayer-Book.
January 28.-Several dear letters
from home today-one Of them Of as
comparatively recent a date as Dee.
11th-which have greatly cheered me.
What an inestimable consolation to
know that my loved ones, under Gods
Providence, are all we'll and com
fortable, From other sources, also,
within a day OF two past, l have had
some very pleasant letters, full OF
| words of generous sympathy and COM
fort. They bring forcibly to my mind
a beautiful episode in SCOTS novel Of
the "Antiouary.". 1t is when old
Eide Ochiltree,' the gaberlunzie, de-
tects some flower growing upon the
ruined walls Of St. Ruth, which was
said to smell sweetest by nighttime,
and he observes, with genuine pathos,
that they be like many folks guild
gifts. that seem maist gracious in adj
Versity: or maybe, it's a parable to
teach us not to slight them that are
in darkness and trouble, since GOO
sends odours to refresh the mirkiest
IloGI anu IlO"0IS anu piCdSdHJ liuSiiSS
to clOthe the ruined b~uildings!'
January 30.-Anniversary of my
wedding day. My m has been
busy in pleasing r~etrospection. | am
not sure but that this absence, painful
though it be, has enhanced my appre-
citation Of the blessing which this day,
fifteen years ago, conferred upon me-.
More than ever car l re-echo the SEN
timent Of Brutus, addressed to the
daughter Of Cato, his faithful Portia:
Thou art my true and honorable wife,
AS dear to me as are the rudy drops
That visit this sad heart"
January 31.-Indulged with a walk
over the island,-an agreeable episode
and very necessary exercise. 1t is q
serious drawback to our otherwise
comparatively comfortable situation
that we are 50 closely confined,-this
being the first Outdooring we have had
for a week.
Mrs. Shoepf, the wife of the Com
mandant, with a graceful and true wo-
manly sympathy, (by the way, she is a
Southern lady by birth and education)
sent US in a basket Of delicacies which
we're highly relished. 1 take this oc-
caslOn to say that the General, himself,
is so far as my experience extends, a
courteous and humane gentleman. The
indignities and i~nhurnanities TO which
We have been so often subjected, are
perpetrated by subordinates, and are,
| am satisfied, generally committed
without his privity. 1t must be borne
in mind that he is not a native Yam
kee.
February 3.-We are all consider
ably exercised upon the subject of the
Peace Commission from our Govern.
ment, which is, at present, within the
Federal lines. l feel confident that,
desirable as peace is, in every respect.
our government will make no I'M
worthy concessions. Peace upon any
other basis than the recognition Of our
nationality n independence will be
a stigma which no lapse of generations
can erase. 1t will degrade US as a
people, convert us into vassals, and
brand with Obloquy and ignominy the