Year: 1865




us you would flies from room.


To keep the air pure down here an engine
is used at the top which runs large fan
that forces the air down small tunnel.


After remaining here short time, talking
and asking many questions, as yankee will,
you know. we started to return, and while
going to the tunnel | heard distant rum
bling noise and shaking or trembling us OF
distant thunder. and soon learned it was
workmen busting in another chamber, which
they do precisely us we blast rocks and ledges.
But the sound was very peculiar, and ap-
pcared to be many miles of, when, in fact,
it was only few hundred feet.


The most could compare the sensation
to, in going down and coming up this tun
mel was, in going down one feels little
ticklish, like going into battle, but coming
up he feels all right, like coming out Of bat
tie.


The pit wen, down is what they call an
inclined pit, which falls one foot in three
there are three of this kind. Then there is
one which is perpendicular, nine hundred
feet deep, which intend to explore before i
leave here; aud If anSof you are desirous
of accompanying me, please come along.
One lady informed me that she had been
down this one, and enjoyed it very much.


These pits are owned by Mr.. James II.
Cox, whom found to be very agreeable
gentleman indeed, and considered one Of the
first men Of tho State, and was strong op-
ponent to secession and fought it maniully I;
he now tells some very pleasing incidents
about the rebellion. have not had 80 agree.
able chat since have been in the State as
with this gentleman. In 1862 he told his
slaves (of which he had about sixty, that
they were free, for the war would surely
make them 30, and they might as we'll be
FREQ then; he told them TO go, or stay and
work and he would pay them; ho tells me
not one has left him, and ho intends to give
them all little farm, for he is fully able to.


| intended to have given you full ac-
count Of the state and condition of the
country here, the wonderful change Of sem
timcnt, and sketch Of society in general,
but see it will make this too lengthy |
will defer it to another time. and will only
add that think there will be no trouble
by a Northern man settling here now, for all
are anxious to have us do so, only bring our
ingenuity and skill, they say, and build the
railroads. the mills ard the workshops, and
they will never make war on us again.


But one thing am afraid is going to be
missed by the Government. II they have the
power to do it and do not; and that is, to
allow the colorcd man to vote, or at least the
most intelligent portion, for it will be long
day before they get that right through their
former masters; and their freedom is very
incomplete without it, as you could SEQ IL
you were hero.


The weather is excessively hot, but we
stand it we'll, and expect to remain here till
the civil government is established.


My. health is very much improved and my
wound is nearly healed. The crops are very
promising indeed. II any young men are
out Of employment send chem this way with
all the money they can raise, and fortune
awaits them. Land is cheap, and good
workmen at any trade in great demand. Lot
tho young men not be afraid to come, Tor
here is plenty Of land, wood and timber,
and water privileges that can't bo surpassed,
and markets for everything. Send them
along. More anon.


PAUL CnApBoURNE."