CHAPTER 24—ADVENTURES ON THE MISSISSIPPI

 

15 JUNE 1858

We are embarking on our journey to Louisiana! I have been eagerly anticipating this trip for a long time, as we will get to see Sam who now lives near two of my brothers, TJ (or Jefferson, as he prefers) and Warner. The main reason for this trip is Sam’s upcoming wedding on July 1 and John’s quest to find more agents who can sell his gins. Preparations have been thorough, but the excitement outweighs the effort.

What an adventure to have everyone traveling together, including Rufus, Miss Mattie, and nine-month-old John. They brought Lucy along to help with the baby, while we have taken our own slaves, Alex and Dick. Joe will stay behind to run the shop with the help of Ishmael, George, and hired workers. Our other children are also joining us on this journey. 

I hope Martha and Janie exhibit their social skills and leave a lasting impression at the countless parties and balls they will attend. My husband softened his stance on dancing, realizing its potential for making good impressions and building business connections. I made sure the girls packed their most elegant dresses and gave them plenty of guidance on proper etiquette. They are excited yet nervous, wondering if the gentlemen in Louisiana will live up to their reputation for chivalry.

Sam has known Virginia Greenleaf for a while, having met while her family lived in Alabama, and where we attended a Methodist camp meeting together. I do not remember them, but John does. He tells me that Mr. Greenleaf is a wealthy plantation owner. Sam fits in so effortlessly, he forgets his own relatives. 

The trunk with gifts for Samuel and Virginia is overflowing. We have included practical items such as linens, but also a few heirlooms that I hope will remind our son of his roots. Each object was chosen with care, inviting reflection on the memories attached.

We began our journey on the Black Warrior River, joining with the Alabama River to Mobile, where we reunited with friends. Next, we traveled to bustling New Orleans, exploring the French Quarter and its rich history. Boarding the steamboat to travel up the Mississippi filled me with wonder.

We were taken aback by the ornate decor and luxurious furnishings. Plush velvet seats and polished wooden tables exuded elegance, while the saloon with its chandeliers and patterned carpets added a touch of opulence.

I turned to my sweetheart, my eyes sparkling. “Can you believe we’re on our way to Mansfield?”

He grinned, sharing my excitement. “It has been too long since we have seen Sam and your brothers. I cannot wait to embrace them once again.”

I watched Johnnie as he peeked over the railings, gazed out at the river, and chatted animatedly about what lay ahead. His enthusiasm was infectious.

Rufus and Mattie, with the baby in tow, joined us on the deck. Mattie looked more like her old self, the color having returned to her cheeks. The fresh air seemed to revive her, and she smiled as she watched our girls giggling nearby. The babe cooed and gurgled in his mother’s arms, taking in the unfamiliar sights and sounds.

“How is the little man?” I asked, reaching out to stroke John’s soft, downy head.

“He is thriving,” she said, her voice full of maternal pride. “He loves the motion of the boat.”

Rufus added, “And it has given us much-needed time together as a family. We are very grateful.”

After we cast off from the New Orleans dock, the journey up the Mississippi River began in earnest. The captain skillfully navigated the powerful steamer as it overcame the strong current. The scenery that unfolded was breathtaking. While the Black Warrior and Alabama Rivers are necessary means of commerce, they pale compared to the Mississippi.

“Look, honey,” I exclaimed, pointing to the majestic live oak trees that lined the riverbanks. “They stretch forever like an endless green canopy.”

We viewed grand plantation homes through the trees, sometimes landing on docks to pick up passengers and supplies. Each stop offered a glimpse into the lives woven into the fabric of the river. Many of the recently built homes around Greensboro are opulent, but these along the Mississippi are the most magnificent structures I have ever imagined! The white columns and expansive verandas stood as symbols of immense wealth and power, their grandeur almost surreal.

There must be at least several hundred slaves at each place we stopped. The sight of them, working in the fields or unloading goods on the docks, cast a somber pall over the otherwise picturesque scenery. Many of them were gotten illegally after the slave trade was abolished, requiring plantations further inland where few travel who might question.

John’s gaze also fixed on the scenery. “The Mississippi River holds a splendor that is unparalleled. It is as if each bend reveals a new chapter in our journey.”

At a stop in a river town, we stocked up on remedies and tonics for the journey. The apothecary’s proprietor, an elderly man with a thick French accent, regaled us with the river’s history and the epidemics that have swept through the region.

One evening, as the sun set and cast a golden glow over the waterway, we stood on the deck and watched as a plantation came into view. The fields were alight with the warm hues of dusk, and the silhouettes of workers created a hauntingly beautiful tableau. It was a scene that could have been plucked from a painting.

“I wonder what will become of all this,” I mused aloud, not expecting an answer. “The land, the people. Things are changing so quickly.”

John put his arm around me, his touch reassuring. “The future might be uncertain, but we can hope that it will be an improved one.”

The rhythm of the river and the steamboat became a comforting routine as the landscape unfolded like a moving tapestry. Rufus and Mattie often sat together, talking quietly or simply enjoying the view. It pleased me to see them so united, especially after the strains of the past year. Their bond appeared stronger, their love more resilient, even more playful.

Walking along the deck, I turned to my spouse with a smile. “This journey not only concerns reuniting with our loved ones, but also discovering unknown places and experiences. It is truly an adventure.”

Evenings were filled with entertainment and camaraderie. Passengers gathered in the saloon, where musicians played lively tunes, filling the air with music and merriment. Conversations flowed, and laughter echoed throughout the vessel.

As we enjoyed the music and the company of our fellow travelers, I leaned toward John. “Can you imagine the joyous reunion that awaits? To see everyone again, to embrace them and share stories of our adventures?”

John’s face lit up with a smile. “I almost hear their laughter, my dear. This journey may be breathtaking, but it leads back to the heart of our family.”

He was not wrong. Though we rarely see our oldest son, our hearts are always connected to him. Similarly, while my two siblings live farther away than Nan who is next door, they hold a special place in my heart thanks to the memories we shared growing up. And given how busy all our lives are, it is heartwarming to be together in one place.

As the steamboat journeys on, carrying us closer to Mansfield, I am filled with a mixture of gratitude, excitement and a deep sense of family. The Mississippi River, with its ever-changing landscapes, served as a backdrop to our journey, reminding us of the wonderment that lay ahead.