It was a momentous and eventful day to all upon our plantation.

We had been expecting it.
Freedom was in the air, and had been for months.

Deserting soldiers returning to their homes were to be seen every day.

Others who had been discharged, or whose regiments had been paroled, were constantly passing near our place.

The "grape-vine telegraph" was kept busy night and day.
The news and mutterings of great events were swiftly carried from one plantation to another.