Horatio Terrell to Orlando B. Terrell, 22 July 1863
Hospital
Beaufort
S.C. July 22d/63.
 
Dear Brother
                        I suppose by this time you have heard of the fighting in this Department.
 
                        I am wounded in the left leg, a rifle ball passed through. Did not break any bones I will in all probabilities be around again in 2 or 3 months. It is very slight compared with most of them.
 
                        I was wounded on the night of the 10th in a charge on "Fort Wagoner" "Morris Island" & passed through the fighting the 7 days previous / to this without a scratch We were repulsed the night of the 18th for the 2d time the 1st charge on the morning of the 11th we lost 150 killed & wounded 2d night of the 18th do not know our loss in killed & prisoners about 700 wounded.
 
                        65 men & 3 Officers are left out of the 40th mustered 800 when we went in. there remains but 2 batteries on Morris Island in possession of the enemy, namely, Fort Wagoner & Battery "B" on Cummings Point when those are taken Sumpter is ours. after taking possession of the 7 batteries on the southern end of Morris Island on the 10th we / commenced building batteries to take these forts by siege but after our batteries & navy (consisting of 5 monitors & the Ironsides & a number of wooden gun boats) had bombarded it all day seemingly with no effect we were ordered to charge on it.
 
The 48th was the right flank of the 1st Brigade & was the 1st to mount the ramparts I was shot assending the 2d parapet preparatory to charging on a gun. our National colours have 53 rifle balls through it. We were the last out. Our regt suffered severely from Sumpters shells during the siege as our camp lay nearest the Fort & in plain sight. 
 
I have very good care taken of me & so do all of the wounded have some Lady nurses appointed by the "War Department" this letter must do for yourself & Harriet, Frank & Clarissa as I do not feel like write. I would not have written at all but was afraid you might see my name among the wounded & worry about me
 
I can assure you I am all right.
 
Write & Address to
H. S. Terrell
Genl Hospital No 9
Beaufort South Carolina
4238
DATABASE CONTENT
(4238)DL1918203Letters1863-07-22

Letter by Private Horatio Terrell, 48th New York Infantry (Perry's Saints), Hospital, Beaufort, South Carolina, July 22, 1863, to his brother, O. B. Terrell, St. Paul, Minnesota, re: Terrell wounded, First Battle of Fort Wagner, Morris Island, South Carolina; With Cover


Tags: Death (Military), Fighting, Fortifications, Guns, Injuries, Ironclad Warships, Navy, Prisoners of War, Ships/Boats, United States Government

People - Records: 2

  • (4975) [writer] ~ Terrell, Horatio
  • (5007) [recipient] ~ Terrell, Orlando Beach ~ Turrell, Orlando Beach

Places - Records: 2

  • (247) [origination] ~ Port Royal, Beaufort County, South Carolina
  • (2035) [destination] ~ Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota

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SOURCES

Horatio Terrell to Orlando B. Terrell, 22 July 1863, DL1918, Nau Collection