Another Sabbath eve finds me [torn] thinking what they may be doing, miles & miles [torn] imagine are enjoying yourself talking with God or singing [torn] to him "who doeth all things well" There has been more singing during the evenings here than I have ever heard before since I've been in the Army Tis not only the colored persons here as it was at the Head, but as I listen I can hear assemblies far & near forming blending their voices in those good old tunes that I have heard from my childhood, but they seem to effect me more here as they bring faces to my recollection that may have slumbered for years waiting for that familiar strain By the way there has been some good singing in the next tent this eve, and each tune seemed to have its history in connection with some voice that had made an impression when boyhood fancies marked a spell, but little thinking at the time that they would ever be called up in days like these and be the source of so much pleasure to me Lorane perhaps you think I have plenty of company here and need have no occasion to wish for any greater variety to make time pass smoothly by If you could have taken a clost birds eye view in our camp this eve (just before I concluded what I would do) you would have seen me away alone and I was trying to decide whether to loiter about the camp and get the reports circulating or what and I finally decided to come to my tent and read a Chapter in the testament and I decided that I would open the book at random and perhaps I might read the same Chapter that you were reading. I opened at the 4^th Chapt of John where Jesus met the woman of Samaria at the well and told her all she ever done (so she reported at the place where she lived and many went to see him, and many believed But whether she told the five Husbands or not it did not say, but I think if she did that there was some cause for jealousy and likely some body killed ^{most always is} But you want to tell me now 'dont make light of the bible' Lorane I dont mean to, I consider it sacred—but still I cant help but think of the condition of such parties at this age If there is hurt in the thought I cant help it and I thought you might perhaps give me some information Tis after "Roll Call" and I must "Turn in" as the Sailors say. The steamer Arago is reported in and I hope to soon hear from you again Your last was mailed the 7^th inst written before breakfast at your Uncles [?] I hope you will soon get settled in your new home for I long for some of those long letters that you have already promised and a Fathers love greet the wife & boy

 

I visited Battery Wagner on the 15^th I made a few sketches from its bomb proof also the proof itself exterior, but the shells were flying and I could not get many. I also took one of Fort Sumter from Batt'y Gregg /

 

[drawing of Fort Sumter from Battery Gregg; legends "Rebel steamer", "Charleston", "Johnson", "Sumter", "3/4 of mile to Sumter", "Moultrie", "My position in Greg"]

 

And here you can see something the appearance after the monitors had made their trials on her walls—but a Rebel flag still flies over one corner as you see. but when Gen Gilmore gets ready to put ours in its place I trust it will be accomplished and scientifically as he has taken. As Floyd might ask the question where did Pa stand when he took Sumter tell him that I was standing by a gun in battery gregg where I had a fine view of the whole harbor but the shell bursting over head made me nervous and my hand trembles so that I gave up any farther illustrations trusting that you have seen it all long before this in some of the Pictorials. They shell our men from Johnson & Moultrie but fortunately but few are killed or wounded. We have men at work on Black Island that suffer from the shell the most. I saw Charly on the 15^th he stoped on his way to wagner as picket. His health is good yet. The weather is quite cool now, especially at night and in the morning til the sun gets up some way. I suffered from cold so much last night with one blanket and overcoat that to day I drew another blanket which is set down $3.00 against my clothing bill of this year. I have drawn about 18 dollars worth from about 40 dollars that we are allowed anually I will close hoping to get a letter from you in the morning

                                                                                   

Good night—Yours in Affection

Your Huzzy    James

 

[sideways margin]

 

There is a rumor afloat that Freemont is working to have the first volunteers discharged in Jan. next so as to enlist again and secure the benefit of the bounties. I think it would be giving us fair play dont you. You would let me come out again if some drafted fellow would plink me down $500 or $1000 I would not join that would set you all right and you could spend more time writing letters and not work yourself to death. I am sorry that you have to work so to get along but keep up good courage War will be over some time I hope and then if we live through it all we will love every day more perhaps Is that so Say yes Lorane /

 

[drawing of "Bomb Proof Wagner" with legends of "entrance", "plan of bomb proof", "ditch water"]

 

Monday Morn

            Sept 21^st

Here Lorane I have given you some thing of an idea of the bomb proof of Wagner. The work is one calculated to stand a long siege if rightly conducted, but if dead bodies are allowed to lie carelessly about they will get stunk out in spite of their mighty earth work and massive timbers which support the whole. I also give a rough plan showing you the dark allies that must be where there is such a covering. Then all about this was a ditch with water in it and its bed or bottom was covered with plank with sharp spikes in. I dont know as you will understand my drawing but you doubtless have seen it better explained in some of our Pictorials. My sketches are generally made in haste as I can not tell what moment I shall be called by the Q.M. therefore I hope you will not form an idea that I have done the best I could had I had time. I dont know as these interest you but there is a young idea generally looking over your shoulder that I wish to impress and by these simple lines there may take root the foundation that composes a genuine artist. What does he seem to like or take a notion to above every thing else. Does he like to drive horses and dig potatoes and make hay and all such

 

[side margin]

 

well every boy does but I used to think that he could mark the figure Napoleon pretty promptly for so young a shoot. Please inform me if that interest still exists Looking over pictures that some would call foolish

 

[top margin upside down]

 

[torn] followed my                                          

[torn] after I had                                             

[torn] I might                                                 

[torn] in this                                                   

[torn] I believe what                                       

[torn] other artists do                                     

[torn] Some diff I reckon                                

[torn] and you will [?] me                               

                                                                       

  Noon of the 21^st—It seems to be a false

report about the Arago being in Perhaps

report about the Arago being in Perhaps

 I had better mail this and await

 its answer. We are not paid yet

but probably will be before long

 There is a rumor that a part of

our Regiment are going to leave here

soon. So you need not be surprised

 if I hail from some other quarter

 some time.

[cut off] 8 A.M. I will write more [cut off] /

 

[pencil drawings of "One Entrance to the Bomb Proof of Wagner" and "A Look From Bomb Proof" "Fort Wagner Bomb Proof Gun &Telegraph" "Sketches from Wagner"]

 

This is one entrance to Wagner. This will show you how the timbers were put in to support the mass of dirt. The place is about big enough for a horse and wagon to draw in. You can also see the enclosure out of the bomb proof [?] guns &c

 

Below is a look out of another entrance up a flight of stairs and there is another cannon, the telegraph, which tells at this end when any one is wounded or killed or any thing else

SOURCES