They make an effort to diffuse education, and have many of the virtues of a simple, non-progressive, tolerably industrious middle class.

It was here that the strong Union sentiment of North Carolina numbered most of its adherents.

The people of the lowlands were as different as if belonging to another race.

The enormous mass of ignorance--the three hundred and fifty thousand men and women who could not read or write--were mostly black and white serfs of the great landholders, whose plantations lie within one hundred miles of the Atlantic coast.
As we approached the coast the country became swampier, and our old acquaintances, the cypress, with their malformed "knees," became more and more numerous.
About the middle of the afternoon our train suddenly stopped.

Looking out to ascertain the cause, we were electrified to see a Rebel line of battle stretched across the track, about a half mile ahead of the engine, and with its rear toward us.