the ravages
of the frost and the worm. Troops being ordered North, after the
disasters of the Peninsular campaign, Edisto was evacuated in the middle
of July, and thus one thousand acres of esculents, and nearly seven
hundred acres of cotton, the cultivation of which had been finished,
were abandoned. In the autumn, Major-General Mitchell required forty
tons of corn-fodder and seventy-eight thousand pounds of corn in the
ear, for army-forage. These are but some of the adverse influences to
which the agricultural operations were subjected.

It is fitting here that I should bear my testimony to the
superintendents and teachers commissioned by the associations. There was
as high a purpose and devotion among them as in any colony that ever
went forth to bear the evangel of civilization. Among them were some of
the choicest young men of New England, fresh from Harvard, Yale, and
Brown, from the divinity-schools of Andover and Cambridge,--men of
practical talent and experience. There were some of whom the world was
scarce worthy, and to whom, whether they are among the living or the
dead, I delight to pay the tribute of my respect and admiration.

Four of the original delegation have died. William S. Clark died at
Boston, April 25th, 1863, a consumptive when he entered on the work,
which he was obliged to leave six months before his death. He was a
faithful and conscientious teacher. Though so many months had passed
since he left these labors, their fascination was such that he dwelt
fondly upon them in his last days.

The colony was first broken by the death of Francis E. Barnard, at St.
Helena Island, October 18th, 1862. He was devoted, enthusiastic,--and
though not fitted, as it at first appeared, for the practical duties of
a superintendent, yet even in this respect disappointing me entirely. He
was an evangelist, also, and he preached with more unction than any
other the gospel of freedom,--always, however, enforcing the duties of
industry and self-restraint. He was never sad, but always buoyant and
trustful. He and a comrade were the first to be separated from the
company, while at Hilton Head, and before the rest went to
Beaufort,--being assigned to Edisto, which had been occupied less than a
month, and was a remote and exposed point; but he went fearlessly and
without question. The evacuation of Edisto in July, the heat, and the
labor involved in bringing away and settling his people at the village
on St. Helena Is