ple that all distributions would hereafter
be made from the islands. It is impossible to convey to the mind of the
reader the difficulty of getting into a few intelligent sentences the
idea of the means adopted to produce these changes and inaugurate a
system that was to restore to active habits of life a body of utterly
homeless, demoralized, and ignorant people, equal in numbers to a small
new State.

If these little covers would admit the scores of pages of admirably
written reports of the officers and helpers on that field, every line
replete with interest, that lie here at my hand, it would be an easy and
a welcome task to reproduce them entire, and no more than deserved for
their faithful and gratuitous labor.

Dr. Egan's report has this passage:

"October 2d came my marching orders. Take charge of the warehouse and
stores, make an inventory of them, disperse these men, and rid the city
of the demoralizing influence of idle people. The doors are closed and
the inventory begun."

The local committee had kindly pointed out the most suitable man to take
charge of each community, and to him would be consigned the rations to
be distributed to each family and person within his charge, for which
receipt and distribution he became as responsible as a merchant.

The goods and rations were at once shipped across the bay to them, or
taken on their own boats, if so fortunate as to have one left from the
storm. It is needless to say that the multitude followed the food.

In three days there were not people enough left in Beaufort, besides its
own, to be hired for a "job of work." Then followed the necessity for
material to rebuild the "done gone," and to repair the "ractified"
homes.

A million feet of pine lumber was purchased of a leading lumber dealer,
shipped down the Combahee River, and delivered at the landings on the
islands most convenient of access to the points needed. Each man
received his lumber by order and receipt, and was under obligation to
build his own house. The work was all performed by themselves. A garden
was insisted upon. At first this proposition was resisted as
impracticable.

"No use, Mistah--no use--'cause de pig eat it all up."

It was suggested that a fence might be made enclosing at least a quarter
of an acre about the house to keep "de pig" out, as we should later
send, for planting, the best seed to be obtained in the country.

To this moment our thanks go out to the Agricultural De