Head Q'r's Battery "C" 3^d R.I. Artillery

Folly Island S.C. July 14^th/ '63

 

Dear Colonel,

                        When last I saw you the Co was on St Helena. I received orders at St Helena to embark immediately for Folly island with my command. to make a long story short I arrived here on the 5^th ins^t just in time to get a few nights fatigue work with my horses hauling guns. I devoted my time to securing a position for my battery, got on the right side of Seymour and got four of my guns (the 3-in rifles) a position at the front, although I had to place one Section in the most exposed position at the front, the men having no more protection than on the field while all the other batteries were securely guarded by piles of sand bags, but I thought it would be well for Seymour and other officials here to know that I was willing to take [faded] odd. the men behaved [faded] / did well, so Langdon and Jackson say and "Regulars" ought to know. Two men of Shaws Co were badly wounded by premature discharge of a gun. it was the gunner's fault as I understand, no other casualties. Seaver sick with dysentery, Cabes ditto, Sabin in charge of howitzer section down in the swamp, to protect Gen Vogdes, who allow me to say is the d___st old fool I ever met. Morrow is on Morris Island with the four rifled pieces, shall join him tomorrow. have been act'g Chief Qr Master in charge of all transportation, by order of Seymour have just been relieved. I have worked like the d___l to get sufficient transportation every body must have it at once. there seemed to be no head so I was put in and straightened out the business so that everything is [faded] Vogdes offered me a position as Qr Master on his Staff but I can't see it especially with [faded] old fool as he. I had to [torn, faded] this affair [faded] / they told me to pay no attention to him and I did not. I know I was favorably mentioned in the official report of the officer in charge of the right of the 1^st line Lieut Farley I shall let no opportunity pass to gain a reputation for my Co. Regulars have talked about superiority. Acts will speak louder than words now. Langdon is Chief of Artillery. Henry is with his battery. You have heard of the attempt to take Fort Wagner. the support did not come up. the 7^th Cav done nobly the men had nothing to eat for 36 hours which was the great difficulty I think. I hear bad stories about the 76^th Stanbridge was not with them in the charge. we shall open in two or three days I think the Rebels shell our camps on Morris Island from Sumpter continually. they range over the whole island a few are wounded every day [faded] Binton did well and [faded] was in charge of [faded] Hospital at the point. [faded] disappointed [faded] / Bailey with proper respect. you know how too well for me to particularize and Joe goes around Head Qrs and rather beats the Major. How about Ames' going to Pulaski, rather rough on our Lieut Col. Please say to the Adjutant to direct our mail matter to Head Qrs Strong's Brigade and we will all get much sooner. Strong is a "luck" leads his troops don't say go but come, was the first man to land on Morris Island. I hear you are in command of the Post. my men need clothing and I may have to draw through Wilcoxson as they never will get any here. they had none at St Helena while I was there. The troops are in good spirits. Gov Milton (steamer) brought up with two of Rockwell's guns [faded]

 

[C R Brayton]

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