Letters and diary of Laura M. Towne

Written from the Sea islands of South Carolina.

[Diary] 26th.

“Secesh” spies have been taken lately on Port Royal Island, and it is said there is every probability of an attack some fine night.

I have patients from Cat Island and all about. My hands are full indeed.

Written from the Sea islands of South Carolina.

[Diary] 12th.

There have been a good many able-bodied men living on rations at St. Helena’s village —refugees from Edisto. A few days ago retreat to the woods was cut off by our soldiers and twenty of these men seized from under beds and in various hiding-places and carried off to Fort Pulaski as laborers. This will create dismay, I am afraid; but it seems just, for these men must otherwise be idle and rationed till it is time for the next crop.

Written from the Sea islands of South Carolina.

[Diary] 11th.

We had a large school to-day — forty-seven scholars. We are taking Nelly’s scholars during her absence at the North, and teach in the corner room of the Oaks.

Written from the Sea islands of South Carolina.

[Diary] September 10.

Worse news from the North. The rebels have pickets on the North of the Potomac. Where next? Oh, excellent strategy that led to this!

Written from the Sea islands of South Carolina.

[Diary] 8th.

Rina of the “Corner,” who was so ill as to have sent for her children from Hilton Head and bade them goodbye the night before I saw her, is now well and smiling. She loads us with presents when we go there — figs and oranges preserved in honey, honeycomb, watermelons, eggs, vegetables.

We have such fun discussing love, which I have termed the “psychological phenomenon,” or rather, listening to the discussion upon it between Mr. Soule and Captain Hooper. Mr. Soule contends that Captain Hooper knows nothing about it and will wake up some day with a start. Captain Hooper says he knew all about it when he was a small boy and will never be more in love than he was then. I say, “We shall see.”

Written from the Sea islands of South Carolina.

[Diary] 6th.

Generals Hunter and Saxton have both gone North. General Brennan is in command, — our worst enemy, — and Captain Moore, our secret enemy, is in command of Beaufort. General Hunter has gone to more active work at his own request, and General Saxton to complain of General Brennan (with whom there is no peaceable cooperation), for his health, and to see about the money of the cotton fund.

Written from the Sea islands of South Carolina.

[Diary] September 2.

I think the last three days have been the darkest hours of the summer, for we have been so sure of evacuation. To-day it brightens a little. General Saxton was to have sailed, but Mr. French came with despatches that have prevented the General leaving at present. Captain Hooper is light-hearted again and ate some supper. The cavalry, which were all ordered North, had embarked when the counter-order came. They have disembarked and that does not look like evacuation.

News from the North that McClellan’s army is in confusion and Pope in retreat.

Written from the Sea islands of South Carolina.

[Diary] September 1, Monday.

Mr. Soule and Captain Hooper ate no supper tonight. They are troubled. General Saxton is going home for a while and Captain Moore will probably act for him. There is not an anti-slavery man on General Saxton’s staff except Captain Hooper. General Hunter has decided to evacuate within ten days, but he asks to be relieved of his command. That might leave us in Brennan’s power! This is a trying day for us. We are in low spirits and it storms without. The rebels are getting bold. They landed at Brickyard on Friday. This is the third attempt lately.

Written from the Sea islands of South Carolina.

[Diary] August 31.

Aunt Phyllis wanted to go to church and is too feeble to walk, so Captain Hooper, aide-de-camp to General Saxton, gave her his seat in the carriage and jumped on behind himself. Harry stopped the horses. “Massa, my massa, don’t do dat!” he pleaded. Then he scolded and begged, and begged and scolded, while Aunt Phyllis sat still, saying she never rode in a “cheer” before. Captain Hooper was obdurate, and Harry had to drive on in deep dejection of mind and mortification of spirit.

To-night a Mr. Simmons, I think, who had been fighting in the Southern army upon compulsion, and who now belongs to the Maine regiment here, talked of his experiences when fighting his country. We heard him with amazement and disgust that grew more and more apparent, and when he said he had had a negro whipped, Ellen and I rose and left the table.