a great deal besides that it will take a long time and a deal of
trouble to arrange--we don't know yet how much goes with the
plantations, or when possession will be given.

The confirmation of the report that Hunter is going to draft these
people causes a great deal of feeling, as Saxton has publicly promised
them that they shall not be forced to join the army. They seem to
understand that Hunter is in authority and Saxton can't help himself,
C. says, and so have no ill feeling towards the latter; but they will
hide, if possible, and it is hard to feel that they have been so
treated as to make them as suspicious of a Yankee's word as they have
always been of a white man's. I think it right they should go if they
are needed,--the war is of more importance even than the experiment of
free labor,--but to have them lied to so! Why was Hunter ever sent
back here?

FROM C. P. W.

_March 14._ Mr. Philbrick has bought in all thirteen plantations,[121]
at an expense of about $7000: three places for R., two for Wells, two
for Hull on Ladies Island, six places within five miles of this place.
I remain here, and shall probably assume Cherry Hill and Mulberry
Hill, my old places; G. comes to Pine Grove, and takes that, the
Point, and Captain John Fripp Homestead. The people are all starting
well, we are in excellent spirits, and are in proper season for the
crops; and "if God spare life," "if nothing strange happens," "if we
live to see," we shall "_see_ crop make, sir."

This drafting business is simply folly. Hunter is an ignorant,
obstinate fool.[122] General Saxton is very much opposed to the
measure, especially after promising the men again and again that they
would not be taken unless they were willing to go; but he says he has
done all he can to dissuade Hunter without any effect, and if he
should go further in the matter, either he or Hunter would have to go
home, and he is not willing at this crisis to raise this additional
difficulty. Hunter's order was published in the _New South_[123] last
Monday. For a full week before the negroes had been anxiously
questioning us about this strange news that "they want to take we to
make soldiers." Up to Monday I was able to tell them that I had heard
such stories, but did not believe them; but Tuesday night, when I got
home, I told them how matters stood, and they confessed that for a
full week before hardly a man on the plantation under sixty years of
age had slept in his bed