A Biography of Lewis Peter Wiggins

by his grandson, Robert Culver.

Lewis Peter Wiggins.

The original copy of this image is the property of the Dudley/Culver families, and has been used with their kind permission.

Savannah Beach, Georgia

Thursday July 9, 1970

Introduction.

I'm going to try to finish the story of the life of my Grandfather, Lewis Peter Wiggins, and his services on the Confederate States Steamer Shenandoah during November 1864 to November 1865 as Signal Master.

Lewis Peter Weigand was born in Riga, Russia, a seaport on the Baltic Sea on November 6, 1819. The only child of Von Lewis Weigand and Catherine Weigand. His parents were good honest people. His father owned a shipyard on the Bay of Riga. He came from a family of very strong men. He was a big boy at the age of 14. He and his father became very close to each other. On weekends he would go to the shipyard and help build ships. He loved to work and learned fast. His father was good to him and helped him do different kinds of work. In early part of 1834 his father was accidentally killed by mast falling on him, while helping on one of ships. He continued working in shipyard on weekends. His mother married in early 1835 to a man in Riga. He tried hard to please his stepfather but couldn't do it so he left home in Feb. 1835 at the age of 16 years old and big and healthy boy. On Feb. 18, 1835 he bade his mother goodbye. He made up his mind to take the sea for his profession. They left Riga and headed for Boston and other seaports. They sailed through the Baltic Sea around North end of Denmark into the North Sea. Their first stop was the Port of Amsterdam. After remaining there one day, they went up through the Thames River and docked at the Port of London, spent two days in London discharging and taking cargo. From there they went through the English Channel, around land end past Plymouth and up the St. George Channel to Liverpool. Spent two days in Liverpool discharging and loading assorted freight for Boston and New York. On the morning of March 27 they left Liverpool, down St. George Channel, passed the southern end of Ireland, into the Atlantic Ocean for first time and headed for the United States for the first trip across Atlantic Ocean. Time passed pretty fast and he enjoyed the work on ship. He had made friends with all the crew and the Captain was very nice to him. Weather was very good and very good wind. Was pretty cold weather, on the morning of March 23, 1835 they sighted the United States for the first time. They docked at the Port of Boston around 12 o'clock. After discharging freight at Boston, the Captain of the ship took crew in to see the city of Boston, was a wonderful sight to him. They enjoyed the two days in Boston, after loading cargo, they left Boston March 25, 1835 and sailed for New York, just a short distance. They had to go around Cape Cod in Long Island Sound to dock in New York March 26, 1835. They had now traveled a distance of about 5500 miles since leaving Riga, Russia. After seeing part of New York City they returned to ship around midnight to get early start unloading cargo next day. Spent two days in New York loading and unloading cargo. Left New York March 28, 1835. Sailed out through Long Island Sound, into the Atlantic Ocean and headed northeast for Liverpool, England. He had seen two big cities in the United States and would see many more all over the world in the next ten years. Weather was unusually good. Time passed fast and he had found all the crew to be very nice to him, he being the youngest one on the ship. He worked along with all the men, as he was a fine specimen of health. They ran in to some bad weather two days out, nothing alarming. It's April 10 now and cold. They sighted the coast of Ireland April 26, 1835. He had completed his first round trip across the Atlantic Ocean. They had a lot mixed cargo for London. He changed clothes and made his way to a boarding house, his Captain had told him about, introduced himself to Mr. and Mrs. Harkness, they gave him a nice room, after changing clothes, Mr. Harkness called him to supper. When he went in dining room, to his surprise he found his Captain and several of crew sitting at table. After enjoying a good meal, they sat in parlor for couple of hours discussing different things that happened on their trip to Boston and New York around 9 o'clock he excused himself and went to his room. He enjoyed a good nights rest for first time since leaving Riga, Russia. April 28 he was up soon ate breakfast and headed for the dock where boat was tied up. Rest of crew was there; they were several days discharging cargo. Then a couple of weeks making repair to the ship. He helped with different work and was busy all the time. May 5th now and all ready to go again. They made several trips between London and Liverpool.

First Glimpse of Savannah, Georgia.

In June 1839 they had orders to sail for Savannah, Georgia. He was a big boy now 18 years old. On the morning of June 15th, they left the Port of London. Went by Liverpool, spent a few days there discharging and loading cargo. On June 20th they went back down St. George Channel, by Ireland and into the Atlantic Ocean. Was here the Captain told them they were headed for the port of Savannah in the United States. They had good weather most all way. They were 28 days when they sighted mouth of Savannah River on June 29, 1837. They were then about 20 miles from the port of Savannah. Finally docked late afternoon, all were glad to be back in the United States. At that time Savannah was a small town. After tying up the boat for the night most of the crew walked around till dark. Quite a difference in Savannah and Boston and New York. They didn't have any trouble finding a place to eat and sleep, a real boarding house for ship crews. This trip was about 5000 miles, from London to Savannah. They had a good supper, walked around town some and back to boarding house on Indian St. Had good bed to sleep on and enjoyed a good nights rest. Up for breakfast soon next morning and all hands down to the docks. They had quite a bit of all kinds of freight to be unloaded. ( Mrs. Cooper ran boarding on Indian St.) Loading and unloading was awful slow in those as was all by hand. Took several days to unload. Then the real hard work came as they were supposed to take back a solid load of cotton. At this time Savannah was the largest cotton seaport in United States. They were in Savannah 10 days. Left there on July 15, 1839 and headed for the Atlantic Ocean. They ran into some very bad weather three days out but got by with no trouble. On the 4th day they almost lost the ship. Storm hit them broadside and they had to shift the bales of cotton from one side to other to keep from turning over. He was with crew doing his share of work. He was a powerful man now. From then on no more trouble. They sighted Ireland about 20 miles out and headed for the English Channel, past Dover to the Port of London. Arrived in Port of London, July 22, 1837. All crew were glad to be back to homeport again. Was late in afternoon when they docked in London. All hands cleaned up and back to Mrs. Harkness boarding house. Mr. And Mrs. Harkness were fine people and welcomed them back. He had the same room as before (and this same young man Lewis Peter Weigand became my Grandfather in Savannah, Georgia in 1856. Had his name changed later to Wiggins.) Mr. Harkness called them to supper around 8 o'clock. A hungry bunch of men. Food was very good. They enjoyed eating and talking of different things they saw in Savannah, and of things that happened on the boat, especially the scare they had in the storm, and the moving of half of cotton of one side to keep ship from sinking. After supper they went into the parlor for a while then part of them took a walk, around the city of London. He was beginning to know the streets and other places and now could go almost anywhere he wished to go. He returned to the boarding house around 10 o'clock and to bed for another nights rest. He was soon next morning, ate breakfast and left for the ship for a hard days work. They worked several days discharging cargo of cotton and some other cargo. The days came and went fast. Part of this cotton was left on ship to be delivered to Liverpool as soon as possible.

Liverpool, England.

After inspecting the ship and making necessary repairs to masts and sails, they left for Liverpool two days later August 15, 1839 arrived in Liverpool about 10 o'clock a.m. Took several days to discharge cotton and other cargo. They enjoyed seeing the city of Liverpool. The night and days they were there, they didn't like Liverpool as well as London and the Harknesses. They had some light freight for Edinburgh, Great Britain up in the North Sea, discharged cargo and left there August 18 back down the North Sea and back to London on the 20th. They were in port several weeks this time as there was quite a bit of painting, carpenter work and mechanical work. They spent the rest of the year on short cruise up and down coast, one trip was in Iceland in the Norwegian Sea about 1500 miles from Boston. Spent several weeks in London before making any more long trips. He sailed on different ships from time to time and was gone for months on one trip to China. They stopped at a number of ports in France, Spain, Morocco, and other ports on way to Cape Town. They spent two weeks in Cape Town after sailing hundreds of miles. In the Indian Ocean past Madagascar and finally reached the South China Sea latter part of 1839. A Chinese Pirate ship captured their ship and held them prisoner for several days. They robbed them of everything they had. They hung Lewis Weigand by his thumbs to punish him. It's unbelievable but true as he used to show us the size of his thumb knuckles. He said the only relief he had was to soak thumbs in salt water. They finally got their ship and went on into Canton China. They spent several weeks there. He bought a trunk there that was made of camphor wood. It was about 18 inches deep 20 inches wide and 30 inches long. Mother gave it to me in 1908. It was lined around the edge with brass tacks and the nameplate of brass. They finally left Canton the early part of 1840 and left for their home port. They must have been expert sailors to handle the ship thousands of miles in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and other bodies of water. They took about the same route back through the South China Sea, Indian Ocean and then to Cape Town. They then had to sail several thousand miles up the Atlantic Ocean. They finally reached London in the latter part of 1840. They only stopped at different places long enough to get food and water. It took them several weeks to get over this trip. One of the next sailings was in the middle 1840's to Rio de Janeiro. About half way there, off the Bay of Bengal they ran into an awful storm, it tore the boat all to pieces and sank it. He hung on to the part of a mast for three days before he was picked up. He couldn't swim. Finally back to London and in the latter part of 1841 he sailed for San Francisco. Some of the trips he made on water are unbelievable but it is true from his own mouth. This is a trip of thousands of miles, almost 5000 to Rio de Janeiro. They stopped at a number of places along the coast of Argentina. Mexico and finally docked in San Francisco about April 1841. I don't remember him saying they went beyond San Francisco on this trip. He did say he went around The Horn twice in his 10 years on the seas. They left San Francisco May 1842 and headed for their Home Port London. They made quite a few stops, Lima Peru and picked some freight and supplies. Stopped in Santiago and then on down the coast to Cape Horn, around the horn again past the Falkland Island and on up to Argentina. Passed Montevideo and made another stop Rio de Janeiro. They got the necessary supplies here and sailed North East towards London, past the Cape Verde Islands, stopped at Port of Madeira. This was the last stop they made until they reached the Port of London. They had been gone two months or more and around 25,000 miles. They reached Port of London late afternoon of Oct. 1847. They were glad to be home again. They were pretty well tired out, as they didn't do any unloading till next day. Mr. And Mrs. Harkness welcomed them back home. After cleaning up they sat in the parlor till supper was served. They had lots to tell about the trip to San Francisco. They enjoyed the food and being home again. All crew was down early next morning to unload cargo on ship. They were several days doing that and necessary work on boat. They still had some cargo for Liverpool and Ireland. They left London January 1843. Back down through English Channel and up the St. George Channel and docked at the port of Liverpool January 5. There two days then back down St. George Channel and docked at Galway Ireland. After discharging freight they headed back to the English Channel and back to port of London February 10, 1843. They were in London port quite a while and during the summer of 1843 they made another long trip down coast of France, past Bay of Biscayne, and on down to Lisbon, Portugal. Discharged some cargo here then headed for the port of Niaderia [Madeira?] West of Morocco, through the Strait of Gibraltar and into the Mediterranean Sea. Spent a few days in Barcelona. If I remember correctly was there that he saw volcanic eruption, could have been on another trip to the Med. Sea. I do remember he brought two pieces of lava that we children played with. I remember it was oblong almost the size of a hand. Porous looking color was black and white. He was a big strong man. There was no kind of work that he couldn't do. He didn't know his own strength. He was over 6 feet tall. They made several short stop in the Med. Sea and headed back to the Atlantic Ocean May 15, 1843.

Return to London.

During the six years he had been on the seas, he had been in many places and seen a lot of the old world quite often places in North and South America. I remember how he used to show us the names of the different stars and tell us how they could travel at night by the stars. Remember some of the names, The North Star Morning Star and Evening Star, Big Dipper, Little Dipper on Seven Sisters, Jobs Coffin and the names of other stars. They finally reached the port of London in June 1843, and glad to be home again. Mr. And Mrs. Harkness as usual was glad to see them back. He always enjoyed himself at their house. The food was always good and plentiful they had supper usual time and had lots to tell about their last trip to Rome and other places they had been and the things they had seen. He was up soon next morning and headed for the docks, as there would be lots of work to do after discharging the cargo. During the 8 years in the seas, he had learned everything about a sailboat and he could do any kind of work. They were in London for several weeks before making another trip. They left London August 1844. They went up the North Sea and spent two days in Aberdeen. From there they went by the Shetland Islands on into the Norwegian Sea through part of Greenland Sea into the Barents Sea and stopped at Vadso in the Northern part of Norway. They were there several days then back through the Greenland Sea and Norwegian Sea to Iceland. Only a few days there, then they by passed Greenland and went on across to Battle Harbour Labrador. They spent several days here and September 15 headed for London. I don't remember any of the names of the different ships he had been on or any of the captains or crews names. Had a good trip going back to London, ran into some rough weather but no damage to ship. They were glad to sight the coast around first of October, crossed St. George Channel into the English Channel and docked Port of London on October 2, 1844. They were glad to be home again after traveling several thousand miles, was late when they docked in London. After tying boat good and checking on cargo, the captain and few more of the crew went on up to the boarding house, as usual Mr. And Mrs. Harkness were glad to see them again. He went to his room and cleaned up for supper. Mrs. Harkness called supper was ready. They were a hungry bunch of men. After enjoying a good meal all went in parlor to talk about the trip they had up in that cold country. He went to bed early, got a good night's rest and up for breakfast. After the good breakfast he left with the other men for the docks. They had quite a bit of cargo to discharge and some repairs to ship. Always some work on sails, masts and other part of ship. Some painting too, they were several days discharging cargo. Then after a few more days they loaded cargo for Liverpool and London. Left following morning in November 15, 1844. Same route to Liverpool and other ports. Down to Dover to discharge some cargo into the English channel to St. George Channel and up to Liverpool. They spent several days there, then back down St. George Channel. The English Channel and to London again. They made some short trips to different places that consumed balance of year. He was 24 years old now and quite a man. They were in port quite a while this time before getting ready to cross the Atlantic Ocean again. This time they were to go by Boston, and New York and to Savannah for another load of cotton for Liverpool. London and several other ports of England and Great Britain, was in July 1844 when they left the port of London with cargo for Boston. New York and Savannah. Sailed out of south end of North Sea, through the English Channel into the Atlantic Ocean again. They ran into some rough waters but didn't cause any trouble. They could take care of their ship of most any kind of weather. They sighted Boston August 15th, and made port late in afternoon, too late to do any unloading. Most of the crew went up to town for food and finding places to spend time while in Boston. They were several days in Boston and left there August 20th, past Cape Cod and docked in late that night. Tied up all crew stayed on boat. Lewis Weigand was up early next morning, ready to get breakfast and ready for another days work. They had a lot of cargo for New York and took several days to discharge cargo and load some cargo for Charleston and Savannah. They left New York August 26, 1844 docked at Charleston for one day then to Savannah the following day. They were glad to be back in Savannah again. He knew quite a few people there and also Mrs. Cooper where he stayed and ate while there. They were in Savannah almost a week. They had a big cargo of cotton and left there September 3, 1844 and sailed out of Savannah River into the Atlantic Ocean and headed for London. They were more fortunate on this ship as weather was exceptionally good. No troubles with cotton shifting all the way back to London. Arrived in London on October 20, 1844. He was glad to be home again. Late in the day when they arrived, tied the boat up good and headed for Mr. And Mrs. Harknesses boarding house. They were glad to see him back again; he cleaned up and dressed until called for supper. He enjoyed a good meal and then to parlor. To talk about their last trip to Boston, New York, Charleston, and Savannah. Later on went out for a walk around the city of London. He had learned to speak different languages. He and the Chinese laundry man were good friends he always stopped by for short visits. He returned to the boarding about 10, wasn't long getting to his room and in a good bed. He was up regular time next morning. Ate breakfast and down to the docks with the crewmen. They put in several busy days of unloading cotton and other cargo, leaving some cotton and other cargo for Liverpool and one or two places. They left London morning of November 1844. Sailed past Dover through the English Channel past St. George Channel and arrived at Liverpool. They were several days. Left November 5, 1844 made one stop at Dublin, Ireland. Crossed St. George Channel and English Channel and arrived port of London November 6th, was very little cargo to discharge, but lot of work to do on the ship, all hands go busy and worked until dark. Then to the boarding house to eat and rest. During the next year 1845 he made numbers of voyages, I cannot remember all the different places he had been. He had been in most all the seas and Atlantic, Pacific, North and South oceans, Antarctic. He told us about the land of the midnight sun and Aurora-Borealis lights. He had been through the Davis Straits and into Baffin Bay. Then down past Labrador through the Bell Isle Straight through the Gulf of St. Lawrence, past St. Lawrence and to Quebec. He was a long way from London but always made it back safely. Then he told us of his trip to Australia and of the many things he saw going down and coming back, wasn't as interesting as trip to Quebec. They made it back to London and were then getting in the latter part of 1844. This was his last long trip in that part of the world. He spent Christmas in London in 1844. Mr. And Mrs. Harkness did everything they could to make him have a nice time.

Decision to Settle in Savannah, Georgia.

In January 15, 1845 he told Mr. And Mrs. Harkness goodbye and thanked them for their kindness in the past 10 years. He told them he had made up his mind to make Savannah, Georgia his home. They sailed from London January 16, 1845 for Boston, New York and Savannah, Georgia. Had a nice trip all the way and docked there in January 1845. He had told the captain of his plans on the way over. He took his camphor wood chest that bought in Canton China and headed for Mrs. Cooper's house. Had nice supper and nights rest. Up early for breakfast and with them loading the ship till they left Savannah March 1845. He bade the captain and whole crew goodbye. Later on the day he returned to Mrs. Cooper's house and told her his plans. All had supper and he got good nights rest. Up soon the next morning down on the river to see if he could find work of some kind. He was 26 years old now a big strong man. Could do most any kind of work, wasn't long finding a job. He made enough money to take care of himself. Mr. Cooper stayed drunk most of the time and was no help to Mrs. Cooper. He did everything he could to help Mr. Cooper got him a job down on the river several times, but he wouldn't work on account of drinking. This is March now 1845 and he has just received his naturalization making him a Citizen of the United States and his name changed from Weigand to Lewis Peter Wiggins. In April he was made Pilot of one of the steamboats plying the inland water route of Georgia and South Carolina. He was a happy man and loved his work and knew how to do it. He had made numbers of trips handling cotton, turpentine and most all kinds of freight. Mrs. Cooper troubled with her husband continued till she couldn't take Mr. Cooper abust any longer, she talked to Mr. Wiggins about and they decided she would apply for divorce. Mr. Wiggins helped her with it, had her see a lawyer. He helped for her divorce in May 1850 and granted divorce in 1851. The fee for divorce was $2.25. Mr. Wiggins was made Captain in summer of 1851 and was known as Captain Wiggins for many years. He was in charge of two boats, the Planter and the American Coin. He made lots of trips and coast of South Carolina and Georgia. He saved money as he made it. He and Mrs. Catherine Cooper were married in January 1852. They were very happy together. He continued in the steamboat business and accumulated quite a bit of money. In 1853 he bought a river steamer and named it the Catherine Chard. He was now in charge of operating three steamboats. I cannot remember who owned the Planter or American Coin. Everything went along fine and they were happy together. In 1856 their first child was born, name Florence Eulalia Wiggins. They had one son named Charlie, born in 1856. He fell overboard on a pleasure trip on the Suwannee river they found his body. Mrs. Cooper had 2 daughters and one son living with them. Rebecca, Margaret, and Richard Cooper. At this time they were still living in the Indian St. near the Savannah River. In those days all were white people except the slaves. They had 3 slaves, one woman and two men. The woman helped at the house all the time and went on errands for Mrs. Cooper. The two men spent most of their time on the boats. One son Richard Cooper was drowned in Savannah River June 4, 1853. Captain Wiggins had joined the Trinity Methodist Church in 1847 soon after he decided to make Savannah his home in 1854. He was a devout member of the church and attended service regularly. Also a typical old fellow, grateful to his creator, faithful to his country and fraternal to his fellow men. Also a member of Solomon Lodge #1 F. and A. M.

Civil War and Imprisonment.

He continued in the steamboat business as long as he could and finally made agreements to join the Savannah republican Blues in 1861. Before leaving had the 2 slaves to hide in the chest of Confederate money in attic in the house on Indian St. He was 43 years old; he bid his family goodbye and reported to FT. Jackson east of Savannah on Savannah River, at the end of his 60 days enlistment, he told his captain his plans. He concluded the land was not his Forte and took the sea again where he made lots of trips bringing in supplies for the Confederacy during the blockade. He made some trips across the ocean and up and down the inland waterways of Georgia and South Carolina. He was familiar with these waters as he made many trips on steamboats he was in charge of for a number of years. The steamboats he had were sunk in the Savannah River as an obstruction to the advance of the federal gunboats, which was then feared. Captain Wiggins managed to go to the house on Indian St. on February 2, 1864 spent some time with his family, and then bade them goodbye as he was leaving during the night Brunswick to bring more supplies for them to Savannah. He left for Brunswick Savannah during night of February 4, 1864. Went down to Wilmington river to ocean through Hells Gate into Warsaw Sound, crossed it to Osabaw sound from there through inland waters around Osabaw Island, crossed St. Catherine in inland water to Sapelo Sound then in ocean passed DoBoy, across the Allamaha Sound into St. Simons Sound and finally to Brunswick, GA. The distance about 160 miles by water after discharging and loading boats, they left Brunswick early the morning February 6, 1864. As they were passing Cabbage Bluff, they were captured by the Federal gunboat Powhatten [Powhatan]. After supplies were taken off and crew remove, it was taken to ocean and scuttled. The only news from Captain Wiggins, was Wiggins lost at Sea, 1864. This was the beginning of a long wait. He was kept in chains for months. He said they knew he was a valuable prisoner and didn't give him any chance to escape. The Captain of Powhatten was Ronckendoff. He was good to Captain Wiggins and he and crew enjoyed him telling of the many places and different waters he had been on and the things he had seen during the 10 years he was on the seas. I would like to turn back 4 years to Savannah when Sherman marched through Savannah, Ga. Captain Wiggins was in and out of Savannah from time to time. He was running the blockade while Sherman was in Savannah. Mrs. Wiggins had a hard time taking care of her family. My mother Florence Wiggins was only 6 years old, she used to tell me of some of the things that happened during the times of her father Captain Wiggins was gone. She said Sherman's men took all of the food they had and lots of other things. They found the 2 chests of Confederate money, took them down in the yard and burned it. The only thing saved of any value was Mrs. Wiggins's silver. The slaves burned that in the yard. My mother said if it hadn't been for the two men slaves stealing food for them or getting in the way they would have starved. Mrs. Cooper finally got some boarders that helped them live. I suppose they got the word, Wiggins dead at sea. They weren't planning on him coming back. Now back to the Federal gunboat Powhatten and Captain Ronckendoff. Times now is later part of April and they are looking out for more boats trying to run the blockade. There were very few Confederate boats left. Time passed very slowly and Captain Wiggins was helpless, couldn't do anything but wait and pray. He had made many friends on the Powhatten all the men liked him and were good to him, on July 4th he was told they were taking him to Federal prison in the Philadelphia, PA. He was glad to know he would be in a place where the chains would be taken off and he could walk around in the prison yard. In Philadelphia now and August 1864. Things will happen now that's hard to believe. The prison guards were very good to him; they knew he was a fine man, good man and gentleman. They enjoyed listening to him tell of the many places he had been and of the things he had send during his ten years on the seas. He and one guard, I'll say John Harris became very good friends. During their conversation about the south, other things, he told Mr. Harris, the guard about Masons in Savannah it was then Mr. Harris told him he too was a Mason. They spent a lot of pleasant times together. Finally Mr. Wiggins asked him if there was any chance of letting him get out of prison. Mr. Harris was very slow in answering but told him he would see what he could do. It was latter part of August now. Every now and then maybe week a part, Mr. Wiggins would ask him if he thought there was any chance of getting out. Mr. Wiggins was easy going and didn't want to hurt his chances of getting out of prison. It was September now and beginning to feel little cool. September 2nd the guard asked him if he had sailed ships by the stars. The guard told him he was going to try and get him out that night, September 1st. told him he had drawn a pencil map of the route to take to Boston and the names of the towns and places. Told him to try and do all traveling by night. They went over the map again. The guard gave him a blue uniform, a pistol, boots and as much food as he could. They shook hands and bade each other farewell. He took the road the guard told him to take and walked as fast as he could. Guard told him to use woods in daytime much as he could. He knew the stars, he use to tell us children their names and point them out. This was the beginning of an exciting as well as eventful trip. It was almost unbelievable that anyone could have done what he did. Was around 275 miles by land. Mr. Wiggins headed northeast by the map the guard gave him. He passed Trenton, New Jersey second night without any trouble. He was fine specimen of a man, 6 feet 2, 190 pounds, in good health and 45 years old, physically fit to do anything. Weather was a little cool. Keeping out of sight as much as could and stopping only at farmhouses, he made good progress. Passed Trenton, NJ and was on his way to Boston Sept 2, 1864. On the 4th day his boots were just about worn out. Was cold enough for frost and he was feeling the frostbite. He went through the state of Connecticut and into Massachusetts. He found some croaker sacks and wrapped his feet best he could. Boots helped hold the croaker sacks. He finally got into Boston early morning of Sept 12, 1864, was daybreak when he stopped on the edge of Boston. His feet were bleeding now and he was suffering from the pains. He found a store open about 8 o'clock, went in and to his surprise Mr. Opper, a German owned the store. Mr. Opper was very good to him. Had him put his feet in tub of hot water to soak. Then he gave him what medicine he had in store to use on feet. Mrs. Opper had nice breakfast for him, after breakfast Mr. Opper went in town, got him a pair new boots and more medicine. He thanked them for their kindness and bade them farewell. Mr. Opper told him how to go to the Harbor. Had no trouble in finding the harbor, was good day when he went on board a ship. He found the captain of an English Ship sailing for Quebec and the captain told him it would be okay to go. They left Boston Harbor about p.m. for Quebec Ont. They went around Halifax. Nova Scotia, past Sidney into the St. Lawrence Gulf, then to ST. Lawrence Rive and finally to Quebec. He had been over these same waters and by same places when he was on the ten years from 1835 to 1845. It was latter part of 1864 now and he was anxious to leave Quebec soon as could. He found six men who wanted to go to Liverpool with him.

Joining the CSS "Shenandoah."

The first part of April 1864 [?] he got permission to leave for Liverpool, England on a British ship, left Quebec Oct. 3, 1864. They took the same route from Quebec to the ST. Lawrence Gulf and into the Atlantic Ocean. They made good time and arrived in Liverpool 18th Oct. 1864. I cannot say how he knew he would meet Capt. Waddail [Waddell] in Liverpool. However they were personal friends. He found Capt. Waddail the following day. They were glad to meet again. Also met James D. Bullock who was there to help get a new boat from the English Government, known as the Sea King. It had just completed its initial voyage to New Zealand and back. It was a full rigged ship about 150 feet long 30-foot bean. Had two auxiliary steam engines. It had just made a record on its Maiden voyage, attaining a speed record of 300 miles in 24 hours. In the meantime Capt. Waddail had Mr. Wiggins trying to find some good husky men for the crew. Capt. Waddail had him to enlist in the Confederate Navy. He found several men that wanted to go on the Sea King. Due to speaking five languages he could talk with most of them. They finally got as many men as needed. They took them down to a landing place to re-transfer to the Confederate Steamer Laural [Laurel] that was quietly waiting in midstream. Each man gave his name and checked by officers on the Laural. Each one was give 30 for his passage to Bombay. After all were loaded the Laural quietly pulled anchor and went into St. George Channel and into Atlantic Ocean and headed south, only the officers knew where they were going. Mr. Wiggins was on the Laural when left Liverpool. He had been on these waters many times from 1835 to 1845. The Sea King was sailing from London about the same time, the Laural left Liverpool. The Sea King and Laural met off the coast of Madeira. They were several days transferring ammunition and guns and other things they had to have. There was lot of work done making places for guns. After all things had been transferred, Capt. Waddail came on Sea King in his Grey Confederate uniform and told the men, the Confederate Government had bought the Sea King from English government and will now be christened The Cruiser Shenandoah. He said he had the honor of Commanding Her. My instructions are that she sail as soon as as she can for the North Pacific Ocean soon as possible, to pray on the commerce of the Federal government of whom we are at war. Was here Capt. Waddail appointed Lewis Wiggins as Signal Quarter Master of the Shenandoah. His duties were Petty officer, who attends to the steerage, signals, storage and acting as paymaster. Capt Waddail told the men that wished to enlist; he would give them fifteen pounds bounty and wages of 4 to 7 pounds a month. The same as others had signed for. Finally after quite a lot of discussion and mumbling, twenty men signed to go with the ship Shenandoah. Capt. Waddail and Wiggins as well as other officers were disappointed in only getting 23 men out of over 80. They all stood by and Capt. Waddail said I hereby commission this ship, the Shenandoah of the Confederates States Navy. Orders were given for ship to proceed south, down the Atlantic Ocean. Those who did not care to remain on the ship were transferred to the Laural. On Nov. 20, 1864 anchors were lifted sails set and with the power of her steam engines, she slipped quietly and slowly out to sea on a voyage that was never surpassed by any ship during the Naval history of those days. On a final check there was forty-two including officers. About one half the crew they should have had. For the first two days of sailing, weather and waters were very calm and no ships were seen. This gave Capt. Waddail a chance to get better acquainted with his officers and crew and finish the work they started at Madeira. Most important was the placing of the guns. Capt. Waddail's special instruction to his objectives was to head up the Pacific Ocean to the Arctic Ocean to the Arctic whaling waters. They headed for South Africa. On the morning of Nov. 30, 1864 off Cape Verde Island they captured their first prize. The Godfrey loaded with R.R. iron. After removing the crew and supplies they needed the Godfrey was scuttled. The next ship captured was the Schooner Aliva loaded with furniture and assorted cargo. It was bonded and released. Next was the Searsport Maine. Bound from Newport to Buena Aires, with cargo valued at $95,000.00. The Captain and crew were taken aboard the Cruiser, with what necessary supplies they needed. Then boat was scuttled and sent to the bottom. Six days later on Dec. 6, 1864 the Schooner Charter Oak was captured near the Ascension Islands. The crew was removed and ship sunk. Then on Dec. 8th, two days later another prize was taken. They were now off the coast of Rio de Janeiro and heavily loaded with prisoners. On Dec. 10th they stopped a passing Danish Brig and after some persuasion induced the Captain to take all the unhappy prisoners they had aboard and land them in Rio de Janeiro. They continued east towards Africa, capturing a few more boats on the way. Among these boats captured, burned or scuttled was the Kate Prince of Portsmouth New Hampshire. It was allowed to ransom itself by paying $40,000.00 in money. After leaving lots of prisoners on the island De Cunlia [Tristan da Cunha], they rounded Cape of Good Hope Was here they ran into a very bad storm. During the storm they found a defective propeller. After fighting the storm for hours, they headed through the lower part of the Indian Ocean for Australia.

Australia.

They finally made the calm waters of Hobson Bay, a short distance from Melbourne, Australia. Mr. Wiggins had been through these waters when on the seas 1835 to 1845. He was very familiar with the water and lands. It's now the morning of Jan. 25, 1865. They arrived in Melbourne 90 days after sailing for Madeira. On inspection they found a bad crack in propeller of the engine that would have to be repaired before leaving the Port of Melbourne. They stayed here was a stormy one and full of excitement. They were harassed by investigation of Australian officials and accused of violating the Australian Neutrality by the American Counsel. While all of this was going on, some of the young officers and quite a few of crew proceeded to take advantage of some of the friendly people they had met and attended entertainments planned for them and the Australian sympathizers of the Confederacy, which were quite a few men. On the 17th of Feb. 1865 repairs to the Shenandoah were completed. Capt. Waddail gave orders to sail the following day on the morning Feb. 18, 1865. The American Counsel called upon Henry Gurner, Crown Solicitor of Melbourne, Australia demanding the arrest of the Confederate Raider Shenandoah for the boats they had captured and destroyed on way from Liverpool to Melbourne. During the conversations and discussions, Capt. Waddail had been notified by one of the sympathizers of the Confederacy of this meeting. Around noon Mr. Gurner insisted on eating dinner, before continuing with the case, during this time the Shenandoah set sail and silently escaped, knowing Great Britain had to pay six million dollars for the Raiders Depredations. So on Dec. 18, 1865 the Shenandoah sailed silently out of Melbourne, headed to the Arctic Whaling Waters, on one of the most famous voyages in all history of the Civil War. After several hours out of Melbourne they dropped anchor to make another check on repairs to propeller. To their surprise they found 40 or 50 stow a ways that slipped on board in Melbourne. After getting all together and explaining their duties, all were in sympathy with the Confederacy and wanted to remain on Cruiser. Capt. Waddail accepted their enlistment and instructed Mr. Wiggins, Signal Quartermaster and Paymaster to allow them a Bounty of 15 pounds. Everybody was satisfied and in a short time The Shenandoah set sail with a full crew for the first time and headed again for the Arctic Whaling Waters. They went across the Indian Ocean. Around Cape Hope March 2, 1865, were anxious to get to the Arctic Whaling Waters. Mr. Wiggins had been around the Horn twice during 1835 to 1845. He was familiar with the waters going into the Pacific Ocean. On the morning April 2, 1865 they sighted The Caroline Islands. In the course of a few hours they were in the Harbor of Ponapi. Here to their surprise they found four Yankee Whaling Barks, thinking they were hidden from all ships, they lowered the English Flag and up went the Confederate Flag, Shenandoah fired one shot across the beams of the Yankee ships and before they could make attempt to escape a heavily armed boarding party was there to seize the surprised crews and their ships. They learned from the crew the skippers had gone ashore the night before to celebrate with the natives on the island. When the skippers heard the shots from the Shenandoah's cannon, they rushed down to the harbor and were dumbfounded. Capt. Waddail allowed them to remove their valuables and clothes. Then had boarding crew remove all other supplies to the Shenandoah. He then made an agreement with the Cannibals King to let natives take what was left on the four Whalers. They then proceeded to burn the boats and watch the natives whooping and dancing. After things calmed down Capt. Waddail arranged with the cannibal King to let the prisoners stay on the Island in charge of an American Missionary. They were given as much food and other necessary supplies and bade them farewell. There was no fighting and no one injured. They sighted their first prize off coast Karnchatka in the Bering Sea. Capt. Waddail had Russian Flag hoisted, the other ship hoisted the Northern Flag, and then the Shenandoah changed her flag to the Confederate Flag. With their usual procedure, a blank shot was fired across the bow of the Yankee ship. An armed boarding party over to transfer the Yankee skipper and the crew. Provisions and other valuables to the Shenandoah. Then a torch was applied to the under deck of the Yankee Skipper went up in smoke. This was the Cruiser's 14th victim. The Abigail's. Her cargo consisted of several barrels of oil and 30 or 40 barrels of whiskey. The barrels of whiskey was stored away soon as possible as Capt. Waddail knew if the crew started drinking, it would delay them another day or maybe longer. He was anxious to get through the Bering Straits into the Arctic Ocean. But as he expected in a few hours time, the crew and some of the officers gained access to the storage place and proceeded to celebrate. Lewis Wiggins had been in these waters before and knew them like a book. He was one of a very few that didn't drink any whiskey. With the experience he could have easily handled the Cruiser with no trouble at all. The sober ones had their hands full. Capt. Waddail pleaded with the men to wait till they found the Jones Whaling Fleet in the Arctic Ocean and then do their celebrating. There was no stopping it then. It was just a matter of time, a few hours till almost the entire crew including some of the officers were reeling drunk. Capt. Waddail could depend on Mr. Wiggins as he had never taken a drink of whiskey. They sang and whooped and hollered and tried to dance. Had a few fistfights. They finally drank themselves down. Most of them found a place to lie down. Some were so boisterous till they were chained and put in confinement. When dark came most of them were sleeping and slept through the night. Early on the morning of April 23rd, Waddail got all the crew together and in the course of a few hours, explaining his plans and feeling they were sober enough to understand. They headed for the Okhosk Sea. Was very cool and a lot of ice. Mr. Wiggins had been in these same waters during the ten years her on the seas from 1835 to 1845. He spoke of some body of water as Bulls Bay. Could have been a Bay in Chukchi Sea as they had to go through this sea to get in the Arctic Ocean. On seeing the Ice Fields, he and Capt. Waddail decided best to change their course. Capt. Waddail and Mr. Wiggins talked to the second mate of the Abigail. They found the second mate Thomas Manning and he was familiar with these waters. Capt. Waddail. Thomas Manning and Mr. Wiggins talked it over and then Thomas Manning who was from Baltimore begged them to let him join the Shenandoah's crew and promised them he would take them to the Whaling waters they were looking for. Lot of the crew and some of the officers objected to the Yankee prisoner being one of them. Capt. Waddail ordered his chains removed and gave him the rank as Ships Corporal. They headed again for the Arctic Ocean. On June 24, 1865 they captured two more ships from New Bedford. The crews and valuables were removed and they suffered the same fate of the Abigail. Then on June 26, 1865 the Cruiser sailed into Bulls Bay and the Bering Straits. They sailed into the heart of the Yankee Whaling Fleet without being noticed. The Milo from New Jersey was the first ship captured. She ransomed herself for $40,000 and the promises of the Captain to take what prisoners the Shenandoah had on board and take them to San Francisco later on. They noticed two Whalers trying to escape but with the Shenandoah's speed they were soon captured. They didn't have a chance to escape. Two more ships were captured, Sophia Thornton and Jivels Swift. After their skipper and crews and other supplies removed to The Cruiser, they were scuttled. The following day June 27th, they captured the General Williams from New London also The Nile and Catherine. After removing the crews and other necessary things they were sunk. The prisoners they had now were well over 200. it was necessary to transfer them into 12 whaleboats, which were getting towed by the Shenandoah. They continued to find Yankee boats. Was here Capt. Waddail had The Milo take as many prisoners as possible to San Francisco or some place close to it. Capt. Waddail also arranged with Capt. Of The Nile to take as many prisoners as he could to San Francisco. This relieved the prisoner situation lots. The North Bedford Whaling Industry was almost completely wiped out. The eight remaining ships were then burned and destroyed. Once again the Shenandoah turned and headed for the Pacific Ocean on the way to South Pacific. They sailed peacefully thru the Bering Sea into the Pacific Ocean for weeks. Passed the Aleutian Islands, when off the coast of San Francisco on August 2, 1865, Capt. Waddail hailed an English Bark, The Barracuda and sent a boat over to get latest news as they had none since leaving Melbourne Australia Feb. 18, 1865. When the boat returned they brought the sad news of The Confederacy and the war had been over for six months. General Lee had surrendered to General Grant. Stonewall Jackson and Jeff Stewart [Jeb Stuart] were dead. Sherman had made his famous march from Atlanta through Georgia to the sea. This was sad news to Lewis Wiggins as he almost knew what had happened to his family in Savannah. Capt. Waddail and the crew were so shocked and saddened, till they could hardly believe it. Just think of what they had accomplished of this famous cruise, amounted to nothing, other than glory and praise from those who were left in their beloved South. Lewis Wiggins had a family in Savannah that he hadn't heard from when he ran his last blockade out of Savannah Feb. 1864. Lewis Wiggins was a good man and prayed his family was safe.

Final Disposition of the Vessel.

Capt. Waddail was faced with a problem that he hardly knew how to handle with a ship and a crew that had been hunted as a pirate and a raider all over the world and he was thousands of miles away from Liverpool, that he left Nov. 8, 1864. There was no friendly port he could return to. With the help of his loyal officers and crew they discussed the situation as what best to do. On the 3rd day of August 1865 they discussed the situation again. Some of the officer's thought would a life in prison if surrendered to any Port in the United States. Some suggested going to South America, to Africa or Australia. They thought they would fare better in Australia where they had so many sympathizers, and for a better chance to escape and return to their homes. On the 4th day of August, Capt. Waddail and all the officers, especially Quarter Master Lewis Wiggins decided the best thing to do was go to Liverpool and surrender to the British Navy. While making this decision, they crew had dismounted all the guns, closed gun ports and removed all evidence of it being The Shenandoah. Late in the day of August 4, 1865 the famous Shenandoah started on her last voyage. With their commanding officer, Capt. James I. Waddail, officers, and crew. From here they took a more direct course, trying to stay out of sight of all ships and make good time as possible. The Shenandoah as still a fast boat and could still make around 150 to 200 miles in 24 hours. They passed in seeing distance Harassian Islands. Then headed southeast for Cape Horn. Here is when we had first complaint from the crew. Some wanted to be put off at Cape Horn. Some wanted to go to Africa, some to Australia. They finally quieted down and agreed to stay with the ship. It was now September 17, 1865. Had to stop at Cape Horn for fuel and water several hours. Then passed the Falkland Islands and headed towards Rio de Janeiro. Everything went smoothly for several days, till they sighted Rio de Janeiro. Then the crew became rough and boisterous, almost uncontrollable. Most of the crew and officers wanted to be put ashore here. After several hours of talking to Capt. Waddail and Wiggins persuaded them to quiet down and convinced them they would stand lots less chance of being free there than in Liverpool. After sailing several days the men became dissatisfied again. It was here Capt. Waddail and his Quarter Master Wiggins had a petition drawn up for those to sign saying they would stay with the ship. The majority signed. Wiggins name was on the paper. This was the last of any dissatisfaction among the men. They continued to sail North up the Atlantic still flying the English Flag. They passed a safe distance from the Azores without being noticed. At last on the morning of Nov. 5, 1865, after Capt. Waddail gave his final instructions to the crew as what they should do when landed. They sailed into the Port of Liverpool, with their beloved Shenandoah flying the Confederate Flag at half-mast for the last time and surrendered to Commodore Poynter of the British Gun Boat Donegal. Quarter Master Lewis Wiggins lowered the Confederate flag on the Shenandoah, folded it and gave it to Capt. Waddail's secretary. Then Quarter Master Wiggins as honest and straight forward an old sailor as ever walked a deck got the crew together and paid them as Capt. Waddail had instructed him, one third to one half of what was due them and promise the remainder at some other indefinite time in the future. Can't imagine why Capt. Waddail did this as the bonded money he got from captured ships was $407,000.00, will never be known why he didn't keep his promise. Capt. Waddail was still a sick man. I never heard my Grandpa Lewis Wiggins, Quarter Master say one word against Capt. Waddail. Before leaving for London Capt. Waddail gave him a beautiful open and closed face gold watch for his good services on the Shenandoah to go back to London to get ship to Savannah. He gave him 80 pounds and bade him farewell. It doesn't seem possible that he had to wait so long to get a ship to Savannah. He finally arrived in at the mouth of the Savannah River off Tybee Island April 15, 1866. He had been gone since Feb. 6, 1864. From here they slowly made their way up the Savannah River on the waters he had been so many times. He stood on deck so he could see the places along the river he had seen and passed so many times before. With a saddened heart he passed Cock Spur Island and here found the Shambles of Ft. Pulaski, as he went on three boats he was Captain, The American Coin, The Planter and the Catherine Chard. The latter he owned and named for his wife, he could scarcely hold back the tears. As he got closer to Savannah he passed Ft. Jackson on the left side, where he enlisted in the Republicans Blues in 1861 and was stationed there for 60 to 90 days. Was from here he started running the blockade. He was still worried about his family as he hadn't heard one word from them in over two years. The Lord Dufferin docked where he use to keep his three boats. He gathered his belongings, thanked the Captain of the ship for the trip back home. Bid the friends he had made on the trip farewell. He met several of his friends among them Capt. John Adams who years later 1885 was made his assistant Port Warden of Savannah. Anxious to see his family on Indian St. He knocked on the door and his wife opened it. She was so shocked she couldn't talk. Then the balance of family. His wife told him the news she got of him was in 1864 - Wiggins lost at Sea. Was really a happy meeting. His daughter Florence age 10 and son Charlie age 8 were happy to see him. The slaves were still with the family and they too were happy to see him. Was two men and one woman. Before he could get in the house the three slaves greeted him they too were happy to see him again. Grandpa was a very religious man and he had all to kneel in prayer while he thanked God for being home again with those he loved so dearly. After resting a few days and enjoying being with the family and listening to some of the hardships during the War and some of the things Sherman did in Savannah. Grandma also told him how good the slaves were and the many times they would slip out at night and steal food for them to live. Sherman's men took most everything of any value they had. Then she told Grandpa how they found the two chests of Confederate money and burned them in the back yard. The money was hidden in the attic. Then some of the household furniture was destroyed. All they left was some of their clothes. One of the slaves buried the silver in the back yard and they didn't find it. This was the silver spoons, knives and forks that Grandpa gave Grandma as a wedding present. Grandpa's health was exceptionally good. He was 47 years old now and a fine specimen of a man. You can see the size man he was in the big tin type picture I have of him. This was made in Savannah before the Civil War. He still suffered with his feet from frostbite when he walked from prison to Philadelphia, PA to Boston Harbor. Had trouble getting shoes off and on. Had to use a bootjack. He went down on river the following day to hear of and see Sherman's destruction on the docks and other things, and check on his boats and other things he had left at beginning of the war. Here he was told after the Yankees captured Ft. Royal, The American Coin, The Planter and Catherine Chard were seized by the Confederate government and with other boats were sunk in the Savannah River as an obstruction to the advance of the Federal Gunboats, which was feared at that time. You can imagine how he felt as he realized everything he had accumulated and saved since coming to Savannah in 1845 was a total loss. He was a very wealthy man before the war. He wasn't the type man to give up. With his faith in God, he thanked Him for his loved ones, his good friends and good health and here started all over again. Everybody knew him as Capt. Wiggins. He had many friends and everybody loved him as he loved them. The remainder of his life was full of love and kindness not only to his family, but also for many that were in need. This you will see later on in the remaining years of his life. In the course of a short time after familiarizing himself with the Inland water, waters and rivers on the coast of Georgia and South Carolina, he returned to steam boating business and was made Capt. Lewis Wiggins for some company in Savannah. I cannot remember the names of the boats he was in charge of. He was back again plying those waters he had been over many times before. Down the Wilmington River, across Warsaw Sound then into the Ocean to Osabaw Island, across St. Catherine Sound around the island to Sapelo Sound. Then down the ocean to Doboy Sound, Altamalvaha Sound into St. Simon's Sound and to Brunswick. He had to pass Cabbage Bluff on his way down where he was captured by the Federal Gunboat Powhatten on the 4th day of February, 1864. Even with the thoughts of the past, he was thankful to his Creator that he was well, health and happy. Grandpa was a devout of the Trinity Methodist Church 137 Barnard St., Savannah Georgia and attended services regularly when in his power to do so. I remember going to church with him in 1894. He was a member of the Solomon's Lodge number 1-F and A.M. of Savannah. Also the Oglethorpe Lodge of The Odd Fellows of Savannah.

Twilight Years.

Time passed fast after getting back in the Steam Boat Business. He didn't prosper like he did before the war. He And Grandma saved a little from time to time, most of it used to help those in need. He never turned anyone away. As years passed, he and his family had food health and happy together. In the summer of 1870 he was on a pleasure trip down in Florida and while on the Swanee River his son Charlie fell overboard and was drowned. Grandpa couldn't swim and was unable to help him. Found the body but couldn't save him. Was a very sad trip for them. Almost broke his heart to think he had over most of the world by water but never learned to swim. They returned to Savannah and Charlie was buried in Laurel Grove Cemetery. 1871 now and Florence their daughter 16 years old, going to school in Savannah and a very smart girl. They moved to Charleston, SC in 1871, were there a few months and moved back to Savannah. They moved away from Indian St. on the River to the northwest corner of Oglethorpe and East Broad St. Florence was taking piano lessons and doing real well, was singing some too. Grandma fell from a ladder while hanging curtains and hurt herself real bad. Dr. Starback treated her till 1874 and she passed away with cancer from the fall. Was a sad family when Grandma left them. Florence kept house for her father with the help of a servant. Grandpa was still in the steamboat business and was away from home most of the time. In 1882 Florence met Andrew Jared Culver. They were married in later part of 1883, their son Lewis Andrew was born Feb. 9, 1885. In 1886 they left Grandpa and moved to Columbus, Ga. Grandpa moved out on Duffy and Montgomery St. and lived with a Mr. And Mrs. Sauls. He was still helping those in need. I remember Mr. Chas Murphy told me in Savannah in 1927, if hadn't been for Capt. Wiggins giving food and coal to his mother they would have starved. There was a party in Savannah he let have $2,000.00 and never got one dime back. My mother never mentioned the name of this party. On another occasion in 1898 or 1899, he had my mother to make arrangements for a family from Savannah to come to Columbus and go over in the Alabama Hills to account the man having consumption. They had two or three children. He was always doing something to help someone. We moved to Savannah in 1890, and Grandpa lived with us until 1895 when we went back to Columbus, GA. He tried to spend his vacations with us in Columbus. He would always bring us children something. He use to bring bottles of nickels in small glass bottles for the children to spend as Mama would give them to us. He was always good to the children as long as we were good. He gave up steam boating in 1885 and was appointed Port Warden, Savannah, Ga. Capt. John Adams was his assistant and did all the office work. Grandpa inspected every ship that came in and out the Port of Savannah. In latter part of Oct. 1900, he sent me a new Cleveland Bicycle to use on my job as Office Boy for Howard and Holt coal and Wood Yard, Columbus, Ga. I've got to bring this to an end now. I could write still more of the good things about my Old Grandfather. His health began to fail him in early 1902, had to give up his job and move to Columbus and live with us. He tried hard to get well but finally passed away in his sleep on the night of August 15, 1902 and I know God gave him eternal rest with his loved ones in Heaven. He was a true Christian gentlemen. None knew him but to love him, none name him but to praise him. He passed away with his Bible by his side, the one he had used for years and years.

I'm writing this for the family in loving memory of my beloved Grandfather, Lewis Peter Wiggins.

Finished the 18th day of February 1972. Baton Rouge, LA.

Robert Meldrim Culver, Sr.

Culver-Dudley Family