Headquarters U.S. Forces,

On The Savannah River,

Fort Pulaski, Ga., July 31^st, 1863.

           

Dear Col

                        I send a boat over to Lawlins Plantation this morning for the purpose of sending some deserters to the Provost Marshal at Hilton Head.

 

            Six men came down in a boat from Fort Lee yesterday morning, and gave themselves up. they say that the Savannah & Everglade are ready to run out [faded] board and cotton on the Everglade [faded] Gen Gillmore has taken [faded] of Engineers and left them [faded] where I suppose [faded] / that I could not have a better officer for my ranking Captain. I am getting quite a little experience in Artillery and the mystery of all the different kinds of ammunition & Ordnance stores When you get tired of Lieut Metcalf I wish that you would let me have him, as I think he would be able to improve his knowledge of Artillery greatly on this front. I received my horse by the Golden Gate and was much surprised to see him looking so poorly. I think that someone must have been using him pretty hard since my departure. I am expecting my [faded] every moment and cannot understand why [faded] arrived before. I shall not get it [faded] the Fulton as I think [faded] my best regards to Gorton

 

Yours truly

Wm Ames

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