Then this Sleepy hollow of a place took on the appearance of San Francisco in the hight of the gold fever.

The English houses engaged in blockade running established branches there conducted by young men who lived like princes.

All the best houses in the City were leased by them and fitted up in the most gorgeous style.

They literally clothed themselves in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day, with their fine wines and imported delicacies and retinue of servants to wait upon them.

Fast young Rebel officers, eager for a season of dissipation, could imagine nothing better than a leave of absence to go to Wilmington.
Money flowed like water.