24th October
Papa has determined to go to his Plantation early in November, and I am quite reconciled to his going because he always moves at this season, and because it is now difficult to get what he likes to eat, if he cannot remain on his place he will return to us. We will have to remain up here, I suppose all Winter. The difficulty of getting supplies increases and now we shall be without Butter and soon I suppose the Cow will go dry.
We have a number of servants to feed and there seems a prospect of not getting corn. We wrote for Rice but it has not been sent as there is none in Town. Mr Grimball has given $50 to the Hospital in Richmond $100 to the relief of those who suffered by the fire in Charleston and all subscriptions brought to the house are responded to, $5 or $4 or $3. to the supplying clothes for the soldiers or a hospital. We have no income, and are in a fair way of getting to the end of what we have, in this state of things, he earnestly desires to subscribe to the free Market, to other demands upon the liberality of the public, but I tell him he has first to consider his own family. The papers have been filled with heart rending accounts of the needs of our soldiers in the field their shoeless, and bleeding feet their rags the cold nights, no blankets. Since the war began the efforts of private charity have been directed to the soldiers and we hear that in their rapid Marches they are forced to throw away their clothes blankets &c and how can they be supplied. The South Carolina troops are said to be the most destitute.
Heyward Manigault is going to his Plantation in that way he avoids Military duty his family are to remain in Greenville.
Berkley & Arthur have had second attacks of fever. W. is trying to get Arthur in the Signal Company. John writes from Mobile that the Naval Officers are greatly excited by the new plan of promoting for Meritorious conduct and not as in the old way according to rank. It is not thought this is rendering justice.