Punch (41.1861)

August 17, 1861.] PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI. 63

THE CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.

“ Mr. Punch, Sir, “ Charleston, July 26,1861.

“ I have proposition to make. Your valuable journal, world
wide. reputation, great influence ought to have, like other papers,
Special Correspondent at Seat of War. I am the man. In short, War
Correspondent by nature. If you accept my offer I will telegraph my
letters to St. Johns, N.B., whence they will be forwarded to yon via
steamer—thus you will obtain details ahead of all rivals. Of course
in sending communications over the wires, I must be as concise as
possible, to save time and expense, which may produce a certain twitch-
mess of style, to this however yon may not object. Accompanying
letter specimen of my style :—

“ Am now in Charleston, very centre of Secessionism. Was told in
North I should be able to get neither lodging nor food in this city;
IIow absurdly things are exaggerated at distance. Pound little or no
difficulty in securing fair portion of billiard table on which I sleep quite
comfortably; a little inconvenient in the morning, to be sure, when
they commence pool, for although they have no right to play at my end
before 7 o’clock, still it is almost impossible to prevent balls flying
about occasionally. Gentleman, this morning made winning hazard off
back of my head, but they would not let it count, which I was not
sony for on whole, stroke unintentional I know, but billiard balls
bard, and human nature weak, particularly about lower part back of
bead. As for food live on clover, or something confoundedly like it,
call it gumbo, have it three times a-day. Yesterday dined off split
chicken, looked like arms of Austria broiled. For breakfast they serve
us species of vulcanised pancake, known I think (mind, only think, so
if mistaken do not set me down as another Mr. Arrowroot, of Times
correspondence notoriety), known I think, as corn-dodgers, or flap-jack.
One elastic substance served up with treacle, so as to resemble blister,
is 1 know called Buckwheat cake.

7 To-day witnessed one of institutions of country in its most
striking aspect. Public Bar Room at Free Lunch time. Most
Hrinking-saloons of any eminence, spread lunch table from 11 to 1

0 clock, every one who chooses comes in, eats as much as he likes, and
pays nothing. About 12 o’clock dropt into ‘ Gem,’ great crowd people
tnere, eating, drinking, smoking, talking. Large table set out, boiled
oeei, oyster soup, gumbo, dried fish, cheese, crackers, and bread. Gen-

1 .manly barkeeper mixing drinks in highly artistic manner, pouring
quia from one tumbler to another in parabolic curve over his head.

General hum of conversation, in which the words ‘ Secession,’ ‘ South-
ern Confederation.’ ‘No how you can fix it,’ ‘that long, slab-sided,
nigger-stealing son of a gun, Abe Lincoln.’ ‘ No sirree boss 1 ’ most
frequently heard. Shuffling of feet, clinking of ice in huge pitchers, &c.
Works of Art adorn walls—female figures in high style of undress
most patronised. Spittoons as large as bushel baskets generously dis-
tributed over marble floor, easy chairs in all directions—gentlemen
sitting on shoulder-blades. Accompanying drawing faithful repre-
sentation of scene.

“ Charleston picturesque old city—quite classic ground—has a ruin
somewhere—powder-mill blown up several years ago. People of
Charleston talk about their antiquities—one house eight \ years old.
Several fine hotels, two or three excellent churches, and very nice
arsenal. Voluminous market place, well supplied with okra, squash,
pumpkins, peanuts, pop corn, yams, squirrels, robins, . clams, &c.
Mutton and beef not very abundant, South Carolina having seceded
from butcher’s meat. City Hall a neat little edifice. Post Office
somewhere in church. There is good deal of sea, and bay, and water
of one kind and another round about, with several forts in it and on it,
Good esplanade, called White Point Garden—walks macadamised with
peppermint lozenges, or sea-shells, don’t know which, anyway beautiful
effect.

“ State of Society, generally, very much disorganised. Bodies armed
men patrol streets all night. Everyone armed to teeth, if they have
teeth; very often have not in this country, in which case, armed to
upper lip or organ of philoprogenitiveness. Have been arrested five
times, brought before vigilance committee, suspicious character, who
Was I ? where did I come from ? &c. &c. Stated was personal iriend
of Mr. Punch, Special Correspondent.—All right, let off immediately.
Mr. Punch greatly respected here, next to General Washington.

“ Attended grand caucus last night—great demonstration. Princi-
pal speaker burst all buttons off shirt front, said if Northern States
would only contract to carry the mails as usual, and supply them with
ice, poultry, hay, and firearms, South Carolina would never surrender,
rather perish ! Patriot’s grave better far than something else—patriot’s
everything better than everything else, nothing like patriots, in fact
every man not patriot ought to have his head punched (or words to
that effect). Agreeably surprised at dignity and decorum with which
meeting was conducted—only one fight, and that attended with no
fatal results—wounded man walked down street next day, expected to