Head Quarters 3^d R.I. Arty

Battery Hayes            

Morris Island S.C.

July 19 1863

 

Dear Col—

                        I have just received your letter of July 18^th and hasten to reply. I hope you will excuse me for not writing before for time and means would not alow me to do so. my command (as well as myself) have worked night & day since landing on Folley Island. I have not even wrote to my familey since leaveing Hilton Head. time is money at present. I shall make a report to you as soon as I can posibly do so the batteries opened on Foly Island on the morning of the 10^th. it was a splendid afire & we put it to them right. I wish you had been there. I think you would been in your Glorey the first line of battries were / were mand by capt Shaw 8-30 pd Par. capt Strahan 4-20 pd Par. capt Greene 4-10 in mortars capt Comstock 4-10 in mortars capt Broten 4 peaces of light artiley 3-30 pd Par mand by regulars Hamilton Battrie 6 pieces all under command of Lieut Col Jackson. I had the honor of commanding the second line of entrenchments consisting of Lieut Birchmyers light Battery (3^d NY Artillery) 5-8 inch mortars commanded by Lieut Holbrook & Detachments from comps D. I. & on the signal given the battries opened on the right. the engagement lasted three hours. the Infantry landed and took posession of the Rebel works on Morris Island. the next day I got orders to dismount the the battries & have them taken acrost the river wich ocupied / my time night and day. there is no order at head Quar. every body seemed to do about as he pleased. I get along first rate with my command, enjoy good health & hope to be in Sumpter in one week. as soon as my trunk arrives from Folly Island I will send you a full report. the Battries are all ready to open to morrow morning on fort Wagnor Gen Strong was here to day. Seems very confident of sucess I have just got a chance to send this down to the landing cannot write more at present                                                    

 

Truly yours

 Jas. E Bailey

com. Post

 

Col Edwin Metcalf

3^d RI Arty                                                                   

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