Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 34.djvu/175

 Yankee Gunboat "Smith Briggs" 167

House of the Soldier's Home, at Hampton, Va, She was admir- ing his flowers when there was a mutual recognition.

After the surrender of the Smith Briggs she was set on fire, and when the flames reached her magazine, with two tons of powder, she was blown all to pieces. The wreck remained until 1867 or 1868, when it was removed by the general government, or some of its agents.

I own and have lived at the lot formerly known as the Wil- liam Henry Jordan lot, right at the top of Todd's Hill, ever since January i, 1868.

I have a memento of the fight of February i, 1864, in my yard, here it has been ever since. There were some other cannon balls, in the trees and houses about town, but they have all dis- appeared.
 * i cannon-ball right at the front-door step. I found it here, and

Smithfield has grown greatly since those days. It is now a prosperous and flourishing town, with paved streets, and side- walks, with water, gas, public and private schools, with many churches, with two banks, with several peanut factories, and with many curers of the celebrated Smithfield hams. Of course, that industry flourishes on my brother's estate. He has been a curer of these hams ever since 1855. He is now in his seventy- third year of his age, and he and his wife, still a Rebel, celebrated their golden wedding last November.

We are very sorry to know that you have been such a sufferer from rheumatism. If it ever allows you to travel, we would be glad to see you. If you would like to have the full name of Captain Sturdivant, I will endeavor to get it. If there be any other information that you would like to have relative to the engagements alluded to, or to the town and its people, I will be pleased to furnish it.

Yours truly,

R. S. THOMAS.

Hardware, Fluvanna Co., Va. Mr. R. S. THOMAS:

Dear Sir, I was very much pleased to see your description of the capture of the gunboat Smith Briggs at Smithfield in the