Camp Battery "C." 3^d R.I. Artillery

Beaufort S.C. May 18^th 1863

 

Colonel,

            Enclosed please find a duplicate of the Acc^t of the Company Fund of Light Co C. 3^d R.I. Artillery, from Jan 1^st, 1863, with the action of the Company Council thereon—

 

I would recommend, Corporal John F. Wyman for promotion to Sergeant to date from April 15^th 1863 with Privates James Capper and Benj F Manton to be Corporals to date from March 1^st 1863.

 

I would like to have twelve men [faded] proper, detailed for duty with [faded] Company [faded, torn] Regiment. I muster but 99—nine of them are absent from the Company on detached duty sick in Hospital or in charge of the Provost Marshal five are home on furloughs leaving me but 85 for duty which I think too few men to drill [torn] properly. both the old and new guard have to go out on drill in order to make up the requisite number of drivers and [faded] which detracts from the importance of guard duty and makes [faded] ad / vantage when turned out for the Officer of the Day dirty, and sweaty, from the effects of the drill. I of course do not expect the best men but a fair class such as would volunteer to come. Lieut Henry has, or is to have, a detail of eight men from the 32^d Penn. Col Dodge is swearing some about it. Henry has 119 horses and means I think to have another Section when he thinks it will be more quietly borne than at present if he is not to have another Section then he should turn over his surplus horses to the New York Battery who, according to Hamilton, need horses so badly. I have but 87 horses (more than I am entitled to) yet Henry is allowed to keep 32 more than he can possibly use when horses are so much needed this quiet detailing from different commands so as not to excite suspicion, and the fact of his having 119 horses, as Sanger says, shows conclusively to mind that Henry is to have another Section. still it may not be so. You can ascertain by investigation. Filler got off with a forfeiture of one month's pay and a reprimand in [faded] which amounted to a compliment, as the [faded] (Saxton) remitted / the fine and complimented him so highly in the [torn] approving his sentence that it was certainly a very creditable document for the Major to have issued. Newbert is sentenced to six months hard labor on some public works with a 24-pd ball attached to his leg by a chain six feet long during the whole time. I am sorry to be obliged to bore you with so long a letter but I am detailed on a Court Martial and cannot come down to see you. please see about Henry's having another Section as "I feel all over", as they say, that he is to have it.

 

Truly yours,

C R Brayton

 

Col Metcalf                                                                             

3^d R.I. Artillery

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