Register and Advertiser
Mobile Alabama
June 15, 1861
Gainesville, June 11, 1861.
Messrs. Editors: I am deprived of the pleasure of being able to announce that a good rain has fallen in this vicinity, insuring an abundant harvest. There has evidently been rain all around this place, and there have been most promising signs here, but, as usual in dry weather, all signs have failed and planters have still to wait and hope. One good visitation would suffice to make the corn crop. The wheat here, as in parts of Mississippi I have visited, has been gathered. No finer crop has ever been made in these parts, I am informed. Here, too, as elsewhere, planters have put double the quantity of land in grain every before devoted thereto. In fact, neither man nor beast will suffer for food this year, or indeed the next. Thus far crops are not suffering for rain, but soon will.
The subscription of cotton to the Confederate loan is going on in this county most satisfactorily. The proposition is from a fourth to a half the number of bales each planter expects to make. Some subscribe grain as well as cotton. At present about 3,500 bales have been subscribed, and it is thought by those best able to make a correct estimate, that between 5,000
and 6,000 bales will be obtained in the county. The Hon. Turner Feavis has been mainly instrumental in forwarding the good work. He is untiring in his efforts, and is constantly at work visiting all parts of the county, setting forth the terms of the loan, and by his zeal, eloquence and personal influence inducing liberal action on the part of citizens.
and 6,000 bales will be obtained in the county. The Hon. Turner Feavis has been mainly instrumental in forwarding the good work. He is untiring in his efforts, and is constantly at work visiting all parts of the county, setting forth the terms of the loan, and by his zeal, eloquence and personal influence inducing liberal action on the part of citizens.
Sumter county has done her duty in support of the government. She has sent two fine companies of troops to the field, fully prepared for action, and has at this time another company awaiting orders. This last, the North Sumter rifles, Capt. Vandergraaff, numbers about one hundred men. It has been in camp for sometime past, about half a mile from town, and has been put through a course of instruction which fits it for immediate duty in the field. Fortunately the service of three Cadets from Tuscaloosa were secured to it, and these young soldiers have well done their duty to the corps, their State and country by their untiring attention to the drill of the men.
In addition to men, the county has subscribed liberally for bonds.
All the companies that that have gone hence have been liberally dealt with by the citizens, and the North Sumter Rifles have been the recipients of not only sums amply large enough to equip them throughout and keep them provided with all they desire, but have a fund of some $5,000, which is on deposit and will be turned over to them on their departure. Capt. G. B. Mobley has been most active in this matter, and to him belongs the credit mainly of this handsome donation. This gentleman has not only subscribed his own means liberally, but has given his time and influence to the work.
The Rifles being all from the northern part of the county are, of course, objects of especial interest to citizens of this place and vicinity, all of whom have relations or friends in the ranks.
While the male population has been prompt in the discharge of duty, the fair daughters of Sumter have also given countenance and approval to the defenders of their homes, and to-day presented the corps with a beautiful silk flag, under which to win victory or die in the attempt. The flag is of silk, trimmed with gold fringe, and is similar to our national standard, except that the blue field has on it a remarkably well executed and life-like figure of a game-cock trimmed and “heeled” for battle. Under this emblem the sons of Sumter will emulate the example of the game-cock General whose name their county bears. The flag was presented, on the part of the fair donors, by Miss Lucy Reavis, daughter of the Hon. Turner Reavis; whose appropriate and feeling remarks, together with those of Ensign Dillard, who represented the Rifles, I have been furnished with at my particular request, and which follow: [not copied]