Reading the American Past: Printed Page 320
DOCUMENT 16–4
Planter Louis Manigault Visits His Plantations and Former Slaves
For many years before the Civil War, Louis Manigault owned two large and very profitable rice plantations located on Argyle Island in the Savannah River, not far from the city of Savannah, Georgia. He abandoned the plantations when General Sherman's army approached in 1864. His numerous slaves remained on the plantations without white supervision through the end of the war, and more or less made them their own. After emancipation, most of the freed men and women stayed on Manigault's land, where they made contracts with a white man who rented the plantations from Manigault. In 1867, Manigault decided to return to his plantations for the first time since he left in 1864. In his plantation journal, excerpted below, he recorded what he discovered. His observations illustrate the mind-boggling changes the war and emancipation brought to plantations, as well as certain unexpected continuities. As you read Manigault's comments about his former slaves, try to imagine how the freedmen and women viewed their former master.
A Narrative of a Post–Civil War Visit to Gowrie and East Hermitage Plantations, March 22, 1867
I conversed with several Negroes from plantations in our vicinity, from them I received some River News and likewise sent word to some of our former Negroes that I was in Savannah and would visit them. ...
Some six miles from Savannah we came in sight of the Charleston and Savannah Rail Road, which had not been touched since the advance of Sherman's Army but the twisted and ruined Rails remained as left by the Yankees. ... The vestiges of former Encampments of large Bodies of Troops were still perceptible on either side of the road. ... The cruel hand of War was now clearly to be seen; in fact most startling was the change on every side since my last visit here in Dec'r 1864. The large Rice Pounding Mill with its Wheel in the centre similar to the Gowrie Mill was burnt down. This was also the case with the fine wooden Barn close at hand. ... With far deeper pain however did I contemplate the Ruins of Mr James Potter's handsome Residence. As a Country House it was superior to any on the River, and had been built by Mr Potter about the year of 1854 and with its furniture cost about Twenty Thousand Dollars. Many a time had I spent a pleasing hour at this hospitable Gentleman's House, surrounded by his family of charming Young Ladies not forgetting to mention “Miss Gilby” the English Governess. ...
General Harrison [who rented Manigault's plantations] was soon pointed out to me. He was in his black-smith Shop overlooking the repair of some Plantation Utensil.
I advanced and introduced myself. He is a Man of commanding appearance, upwards of six feet in heighth, about fifty years of age, married; with five Children ... and very fine looking, who had served in a [Confederate] Cavalry Regiment throughout the War. The General said he had not visited [Manigault's plantations on] Argyle Island for two or three days and would be happy to accompany me. His Canoe, with old Negro and paddle, was soon in readiness, and with our horse and buggy placed in charge of the Servant to be taken to the Stable we pushed off in the River. ...
Proceeding now on foot along the Canal Bank ... we took our nearest course towards Gowrie Settlement. When about half across the Island our progress was impeded by the freshet water knee deep over the check banks. The General pushed on, and Louis [Manigault's son] and I were soon soaked from knees down as we followed; the water becoming deeper still, it was determined he should endeavour to reach Gowrie Settlement and send us some Negro Man to take us on his back. After some delay I recognized our former Cooper “George” approaching, delighted to meet us and calling me “Maussa” as of yore. He [carried us on his back and] placed us in safety on dry land and we walked up to the Settlement. Reaching Gowrie Settlement I placed Louis in charge of (the above mentioned) George's Wife “Betty” a woman I had known for many years and who always bore a good character. She made a fire for him in her house, dried his shoes and stockings and as I learnt afterwards boiled several eggs for him to his great delight. ...
Not having visited the Plantation since the Advance of Sherman's Army in December 1864 my present visit was one of painful interest. [On my] ... final visit to the plantation in Dec'r 1864 ... although the sound of Musketry from the advancing Pickets grew more and more distinct from hour to hour, still up to the very last moment our Negroes behaved well and I left the entire Gang unloading the flat of rice, still pleased to see me, and singing as they bore the heavy loads on their heads from the flat to the Stacks in the Barn Yard. Standing near the ruins of my former dwelling I contemplated the spot. Where once stood this Country House could alone now be seen a few scattering brick, and the tall chimney to denote that spot. Here the most happy period of my boyish days, together with the early years of my married life had been spent. No remnant of my Kitchen, Fine Stable, both built just previous to the War, remained; not even a brick to mark the spot, as all of these had been stolen by the Negroes and sold in Savannah at $5 whilst the Market value was $18. ...
Trees, Plants, Shrubs, Fences, not a vestige remained, not even the stumps of the trees being visible, all had been used as fire-wood by the Negroes. ...
The Change in the appearance of Gowrie Settlement is, I may say, from a Village to a Wilderness. There remain in this Gowrie Settlement Four large double Negro Houses, all new, having been built by myself just previous to the War upon high brick foundations elevating them beyond the reach of ... [flooding]. With the exception of these the Settlement is a barren waste and presents a most abandoned and forlorn appearance. About a half a dozen Negroes crawled out of their houses as we approached, dirty and sluggish in appearance and stupefied by sleep, not knowing whether under the new regime, it would be proper to meet me politely or not, but in every case I advanced and shook hands, calling each by name, which seemed to please them highly. I thought it best to appear but little concerned at the marked change in my situation and joked with them as was my former habit. Five or six were talking to me in this Settlement when one of them remarked “My God, Maussa! Wha mek You trow we side so long; Wha mek You no come back?” My answer amused them highly. Smiling, and turning to the tall chimney of my former happy Home, alone standing to indicate the spot where stood the House; I remarked “Lord! a Massy! You tink I can lib in de Chimney?” which they for the first time appeared to consider true. ...
Proceeding in front of General Harrison and followed by some of his “Foremen” (none other than our former Negroes “Driver John” [who, before emancipation, supervised the labor of other slaves], “George” Cooper [who built rice barrels], “Big Hector,” and “Charles” the Trunk Minder [who supervised sluices for flooding and draining rice fields]) I imagined myself for the moment a Planter once more as if followed by Overseer and Driver. The weather was most beautiful, not a cloud on the Horizon, and so clear and pure the atmosphere that the Presbyterian Church Steeple in Savannah loomed up as if one half its distance. I wished my horse with me to ride over the entire Tract as of yore. But these were only passing momentary thoughts, and soon dispelled by the sad reality of affairs. ...
Passing through the Settlement and about leaving we were met by Twelve of our former Negroes. They all seemed pleased to see me, calling me “Maussa” the Men still showing respect by taking off their caps. It was singular that after an absence of two and a half years from the Plantation I should now return to visit the place just after the Death of one of three Original Negroes purchased with Gowrie, January 1833. A Woman Known by the Name of “Currie Binah” ... died yesterday and was buried this morning. Two of the Original Negroes now remain, both as cunning as Negroes can be. These are “Charles the Trunk Minder”; and “Capt'n Hector” for Thirty Years our chief Boat Hand, always spoiled both by my Father and Myself, greatly indulged, and one of the first to give trouble upon the out-break of the War. Amongst the twelve Negroes who advanced to meet me at East Hermitage was, strange to say, the greatest Villain on the Plantation, the most notoriously bad character and worst Negro of the place. Tall, black, lousy, in rags, and uncombed, kinky, knotty-hair approached “Jack Savage.” This Negro was bought in 1839. ... He was an exceedingly lazy Man, although quite smart and our best plantation Carpenter. He was always giving trouble and ever appeared dissatisfied. He was the only Negro ever in our possession who I considered capable of Murdering me, or burning my dwelling at night, or capable of committing any act. The Trunks [sluice gates for flooding and draining rice fields] built by Jack Savage ... were perfect, and his large Flood-Gates were all that one could desire and specimens of good work. This Man we sold in 1863, he causing trouble on the place, and I had not seen him since 1862. As we met I gave him my hand and made a few friendly remarks. I always gave him many presents such as bacon, and tobacco and rice. Even now I felt sad in contemplating his condition, as in fact was the case with all of them. ... That former mutual and pleasing feeling of Master towards Slave and vice versa is now as a dream of the past. Our “Northern Brethren” inform us that we Southerners “knew nothing of the Negro Character.” This I have always considered perfectly true, but they further state that They (the Yankees) have always known the true Character of the Negro which I consider entirely false in the extreme. So deceitful is the Negro that as far as my own experience extends I could never in a single instance decipher his character. Here at present the last one I should have dreamt of, advances to greet me; whilst sitting idly upon the Negro-House steps dirty and sluggish, I behold young Women to whom I had most frequently presented Ear-Rings, Shoes, Calicos, [and] Kerchief ... formerly pleased to meet me, but now not even lifting the head as I passed. In former days also fear in a great measure guided the action of the Negro and we Planters could never get at the truth. I am of opinion that very many Negroes are most unhappy in their changed condition, but this however they do not care to admit. ...
At last I put the simple question to [General Harrison], “out of curiosity, could you give me an idea of [how] you make a ‘Contract' with the Negroes, and how do you work the Plantation from your experience as a Planter, since the ‘Termination of the War?'” His reply was as follows; and his Plan as far as I can judge, appears to me quite good. “Contract” The portion of the Plantation rented to General Harrison contains 390 Acres. This is divided into 5 Divisions, each Division containing 78 Acres. An intelligent Negro, and one experienced in Rice Culture is chosen. The new appellation of “Foreman” is given him, and he takes full charge of One Division (of in this case 78 Acres). The “Foreman” is to cultivate and in every respect superintend his Division, until his [rice] Crop is threshed, and ready for Market. For this purpose He selects or procures his own Hands, which in this instance requires about 10 for each “Foreman.” A “Contract” is signed in Savannah between Gen'l Harrison and his “Foreman” ... and for this purpose they two appear at the Government [Freedmen's] Bureau where the transaction is effected in proper form established by Law. Little or no intercourse is thus held between Gen'l Harrison and the Mass of the Negroes, and provided the Work is performed it is immaterial what Hands are employed whether the same or others. ...
All [about the visit] had passed off in a most satisfactory manner, with the exception that upon reaching Savannah I found that the Gen'l's Servant (who had taken charge of horse and buggy up at the place) had stolen nearly every thing I had in the buggy, but I have never thought it worth my while to mention it to the General, as I have no doubt he has from his contact with Negroes annoyance enough.
From Louis Manigault, Manigault Plantation Journal (manuscript), pp. 56–71. Manigault Papers, Southern Historical Collection, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Questions for Reading and Discussion