nd creek, reaching the Smith Plantation just as the _Flora_
was landing her first load from the Ferry. We followed the crowd up to
the grove of live-oaks with their moss trimmings, which did not look
so dreary under a winter's sun, but very summer-like and beautiful.
The regiment, which had been drawn up at the wharf to receive the
guests from Beaufort, escorted them to the platform in the middle of
the grove, where we found it--the regiment--in a circle round the
stand, where they remained quiet and orderly as possible through the
whole proceedings, which lasted about three hours. Guests, white and
colored, were admitted within the line, and as ladies we were shown
seats on the platform. The general arrived in his carriage with the
Mission House[90] ladies.

It is simply impossible to give you any adequate idea of the next
three hours. Picture the scene to yourself if you can,--I will tell
you all the facts,--but if I could transcribe every word that was
uttered, still nothing could convey to you any conception of the
solemnity and interest of the occasion. Mr. Judd, General
Superintendent of the Island, was master of ceremonies, and first
introduced Mr. Fowler, the Chaplain, who made a prayer,--then he
announced that the President's Proclamation would be read, and General
Saxton's also, by a gentleman who would be introduced by Colonel
Higginson. And he rose amid perfect silence, his clear rich voice
falling most deliciously on the ear as he began to speak. He said that
the Proclamation would be read "by a South Carolinian to South
Carolinians"--a man who many years before had carried the same glad
tidings to his own slaves now brought them to them, and with a few
most pertinent words introduced Dr. Brisbane, one of the
tax-commissioners here now, who read both proclamations extremely
well. They cheered most heartily at the President's name, and at the
close gave nine with a will for General "Saxby," as they call him.
Mr. Zachos then read an ode he had written for the occasion, which was
sung by the white people (printed copies being distributed, he did not
line it as is the fashion in these parts)--to "Scots wha hae." I
forgot to mention that there was a band on the platform which
discoursed excellent music from time to time. At this stage of the
proceedings Mr. French rose and, in a short address, presented to
Colonel Higginson from friends in New York a beautiful silk flag, on
which was embroidered the name of the