t; in
short, they pursue the old masters' system of believing they lie until
it is proved they have spoken the truth,--a most elevating process!
and he had a large blister put on the back of his neck and was kept in
his tent. Finally Captain Hoyt took him to Colonel Montgomery and told
him that he thought the man was really sick and not fit to be kept,
but the Colonel was very short with him and said drill was the best
cure for him. Then Primus ran away, and is now in his bed here. Mr.
Philbrick has seen him and says it is impossible to tell whether he is
sick or not, but he understands fully the consequences of desertion,
and that Mr. Philbrick and C. cannot employ him again. Mr. Philbrick
told him that he should not inform against him, but that if the
officers asked him if he had come home he should have to tell them
that he had. "I know dat, massa, but I won't stay dere." He
understands that we are helpless. He says, and we have learned in
other ways, that all who were drafted have been deserting. One day
they brought in fourteen, and the next day twelve of them had gone,
and the next the other two. They can't pretend to get them back again,
and of course the demoralization must be great. It will be very bad
for Primus now, if they do not take him, to live on here an outlaw,
working his wife's cotton but not able to resume his plow or his old
position in any way--yet if he is taken again he will never make a
good soldier. The whole thing is wrong from the foundation, and should
be given up, and all those who did not volunteer sent to their
homes--if any are then left in the regiments. Yet I don't see how that
could be done unless Hunter went off, and some other Major General
repealed his orders.

To return to matters of plantation management.

C. P. W. had recently been sent home by Mr. Philbrick to buy
and send a schooner-load of provisions, merchandise, etc.,
for the "store." He found himself "an object of regard and
curiosity," "engaged out to dinner and tea to 'talk Port
Royal' many days ahead." Apropos of the things he bought for
Coffin's Point, he wrote:

C. P. W. TO E. S. P.

_Boston_, [_April 27._] I received permission from the Secretary of
the Treasury to ship the powder, shot, saddle, bridle, tar, pitch, and
rope, but I had to consign these, with the hats, to General Saxton,
from whom you will have to obtain an order for them. The tobacco,
shoes, rice, and buggy are not