St. Helena Island, June 13,1862.
You do not know how comfortable and even elegant our
apartments are, now that we have all the furniture the cotton agent had in his
half of the house. There are no other such accommodations in this region, and
we shall be foolish to go away for anything but health. If there should be any
likelihood of sickness, we can remove easily to the watering-place of the
islands, St. Helenaville, about six miles from here, and then we can ride over
twice a week or so to see our people. But I do not see why this place cannot be
a good enough location to stay in all summer. As for the late alarm about
"Secesh" coming, everybody is ashamed of it, and all try to prove
that they were not frightened at such an unlikelihood. It is an
impossibility now, as gunboats are stationed on all sides. I am so glad we did
not run. It was a great shame we had all the bother of packing our trunks and
unpacking them again. . . .
You may imagine that I was not well pleased to see my entire
letter printed. That last — “but I must get a little sleep” — seems so
boasting, and in other places I would have modified it. But I do not care much.
If my present leisure continues, I shall perhaps write for the Tribune an
occasional letter; but Mr. McKim is taking notes, and will tell everything, I
fancy. Lucy is a very nice girl and she is busy collecting facts, etc. Mr.
French, too, is writing a book, and so there will be an overstock of
information, I think. . . .
Dr. Hering's looking-glasses have come, but not his violins,
and the candy and sugar are enjoyed hugely. . . .
I wish you were as free from every fret as I am, and as
happy. I never was so entirely so as now, and no wonder. We found the people
here naked, and beginning to loathe their everlasting hominy, — afraid and
discontented about being made to work as slaves, and without assurance of
freedom or pay, of clothes or food, — and now they are jolly and happy and
decently fed and dressed, and so full of affection and gratitude to the people
who are relieving them that it is rather too flattering to be enjoyed. It will
not last, I dare say, but it is genuine now and they are working like Trojans.
They keep up the tasks of those who have gone to the forts and do not complain
of any amount of little extra jobs. It is such a satisfaction to an
abolitionist to see that they are proving conclusively that they can and will
and even like to work enough at least to support themselves and give
something extra to Government.
All my affairs go swimmingly (I have the Boston clothing too
now, only there is none to sell), so do not think of me as being a martyr of
any kind.
SOURCE: Rupert Sargent Holland, Editor, Letters and
Diary of Laura M. Towne: Written from the Sea Islands of South Carolina
1862-1864, p. 67-8
