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Georgetown, Oct 5th 1863

My beloved Wife

I attended the Episcopal church on yesterday. Don’t you congratulate me on it? It is a venerable looking old church, surrounded by a grand yard that reminds me of our old church yard at home. It is filled with trees, principally, the live oak, and cedar, and what adds to the appearance of the place is the moss dangling from the bows of the trees. This moss is sometimes several feet in length, and how it manages to sustain life [pl...?] my understanding. The exterior of the building has nothing remarkable about it, except, what is intended for a steeple. Imagine the [cupid?] cage on your shade decidedly magnified, and you will be able to form a good idea of its appearance. The interior of the church particu- larly [stands?] my fancy. The roof is arched and supported by eight pillars, four on either side. On most of the pillars, tables of marble, are inserted commemorating the [victories?] of the [pious?] dead. There are other tablets on the side walls which forcibly reminded me of old Williamsburg. The isles are paved with large square bricks, and the pews are elevated six inches above the

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the isles, high backed and square.

This place presents a very dilapidated ap- pearance. I understand that the respec- table citisans have long since run off from the Yankees, but what inducement the yankees can have for visiting this place I cannot ima- gine, unless, it is to run off the negro popu- lation. I had intended writing to you from Kings Tree, Williamsburg district, about Jews and old bachelors, but was prevented. The man who keeps the Hotel, and the enroling office are both Jew, but not of the same [stripe?]. I had been strongly advised to stop at the Jew’s house, because, the accommodations were so superior, but one glance at the land lady convinced me that, I was in the wrong place. I did not enjoy a meal during my stay, go where I would, and the Jew odor would follow me. It makes me shudder now to think that I remained there one day. Oh the [wretched?] abominable race, I wish the confederacy could [?] ship all of them to Jerusaleum. The enroling officer altho: of the same tribe, I found to be a very nice gentleman, and was exceedingly kind ^ and polite to me. He insisted upon my going out with him to an old bachelors establishment,

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which he was occuping, during the owners absence. I found everything very neat and comfortable, particularly, what we had to eat. Next morning after my return to Kings Tree, I was invited by another old bachelor to dine with him. There I did not[underlined] find every thing nice and clean, altho, our host was really an intelligent and elegant gentleman. I suppose that he thought that his manner was to make up for all deficiencies. As you will perceive Kings Tree has not made a favorable impression up- on me. I can’t say that I desire to pay an- other visit to the place. I accomplished one good think when at kings Tree, I had [con...?] a very reluctant Jew. I feel well assured that he will be of no service to the Confederacy, but I feel that I have confered a benefit upon my fellow beings at large. One less Jew to pray upon our [?]. Our authorities will have to ad- d[crossed out] opt old Kings John’s plan for getting money mo[crossed out] from the Jews. When the rascals are willing to give up their hoarded treasures, he order a tooth to be drawn, and the operation to be con- tinued , until they disgorged their ill gotten gains.

I wished very much this morning that you could have seen the Magnolia tree I saw. It was as large

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in the body as any oak tree you ever saw. I had never imagined that there were as many dif- ferent species of oak in the world, as I have recently seen. The live oak is as common here as the white oak is with us. Trees have interested me more than any thing else. I cannot say that the part of S. C. that I have travelled over, presents many attractive features. Sand and pine, and then by way of variety, you have pine and sand.

I left Darlington I expect on the day a letter from you arrived there. I[crossed out] When I return I ex-

                    from you.

pect to find at least two ^ I am very anxious to hear from you and our little one, does he still improve? Can he walk yet? dont encourage him too much. How are you getting on house keeping? Has Tom paid you a visit yet?

I expect to start for Darlington on Wednesday morning, and hope to arrive there that night at ten o clock [? crossed out] Write soon Your devoted Husband

PS. Pencils again, cant help it. No ink con- venient