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in the smoke house and some under another shelter in the yard — you wrote to me to gin you cotton it is not safe to do so I could have gined it long ago — but I have as much in bails as I can take care of — I will gin it as soon as I see it safe — I recon I will kill meat enough if I am able to keep the hogs till killing time. I have lost about 20 since I put them up. it is a hard matter to raise hogs hear now — for free negroes will not tend to them — you have no Idea what sort of country this is at this time — they are stealing mules and every thing else at this time — I had one mule stole but I got him back — we have had a great deal of sickness among the negroes such as scarlet fever — we have sole none of your cotton yet not will not until we can get the best price — no more at present — write soon to me and let me know what you are going to Do — my best wishes are with you W Oberry
Norfolk, Nov 9, 1865
My dear Mrs. Cameron—
I arrived very safely yesterday afternoon & this is the first moment I have had in which to write. My journey was a pleasanter one than at one time I expected it to be — when we reached Gaston we learned that the bridges on the Petersburg road were down owing to the [?] & there had been no train for two days. Well, we crossed on the ferry & much discouraged by the prospect of staying in this forlorn way-side house for any lenght of time. But we took a room & had a large fire built, refreshed ourselves with plenty of clean water & a hearty repast from our well filled baskets. Mrs Bell had a bad headache & slept; resting her head on my shawl against the bed. I read & so the hours passed by, for more agreeable than we would have been in the general sitting room_ A Yankee General &
his staff was so put out by this delay that they posted to Raleigh on the return train — much by my delight. It was a dreary prospect, but we resolved to wait, & about 4 ½ by the aftrenoon to our great joy, I heard the approaching train & very soon it appeared. The Bishop was on it- I did not know of it till afterwards, how sorry I was. We had to get on very quickly & in a few moments we were off — We travelled 20 miles to the first bridge where we walked over and took a train on the other side. I had -numerous parcels and so had Mrs. Bell & it was very dark, I heard a very kind voice at my side asking to help me — I could not see the face, but I know by instinct that the person was a Southern gentleman — He very quietly took all my things without regarding my resistance — selected the smoothest & safest paths, Mr. & Mrs. Bell following. When we got to our train, our quarters was a box car without a seat & that next to the engine — & such a step
to reach it_ I was hauled up like a bale of cotton. However, my unknown friend cleared a corner, gave me his carpet bag for a seat & we were settled for 15 miles — then out we hopped & walked [?] bridge into a very comfortable nice car & my kind unknown placed all my parcesl in a safe place & asked to sit nearby but previously on the bax car, we exchanged a few words of conversation — he spokely of the Church & when I was assured he was a Churchman, I felt that a degree of confidence that was very comfortable — I found that he knew the Bishop & Mr. Patterson, had known Mr. Collins & others_ He was a gentleman of education & [Xtreme?] principle & a Southern man — but I do not know his name. His home is between the Blue Ridge & the Alleghany & he had recently left Tarboro where he saw Mr. Cheshire. We did not reach Petersburg until 1½ o'clock & the evening passed away so pleasantly that I did not feel tired — He saw us safely at [Ianatts?} into all our traps & I have not seen him since —
After a few hours of very comfortable rest we were ready to start at 7 for Norfolk. Dr. Arrington of Wilmington was a passenger also & I met a friend, so we had an agreeable journey down the river. I found all very well & very glad to see me & plenty to do. We are to get ready for Bro. John who will come in a short time now & then sister & I will go to housekeeping. We have taken a small house opposite to my brothers when we are now & very glad am I. So we shall have a place to entertain our friends. not as much room as we used to have & not as many luxuries, but the warmest of all warm welcomes will ever await them. I am so very glad that I have been able to see you all my visit was a great pleasure to me. Willy will return from N.Y. but my brother & his family will remain in