On Board The Phil^a Nov. 25^th/63

 

Sis,

            I have not writen to you since I answered your last of the 23^d, but would have writen long before this only I had no paper, and receiveing no letter from you I was unable to get any. The beginning of last week A. Burton (Marine), and I sent to Port Royal for two Dolars worth, which arrived last night. I take the first oppertunity this morning to let you know that I am where you heard from me last. We came in the Inlet this morning after haveing been among the fleet ever since I last wrote. Since that time there has been a Cort Marsial on board here of a Seaman (Joe. Bothel). Charges Mutinous conduct, refusal to do duty & insolence to commanding officer, of all found guilty, and sentenced 30 days solitary confinement, double irons, bread & water. On account of not being long on board this vessel, 20 days confinement & reduced rations. when taken off, he allso lost three months pay—a prety good price to pay for one drunk. On Sunday 16^th night half past nine heavy fireing was commenced on Sullivans Isl. at Cumming's Point and cept up for more than an hr. In the morning the Lehigh Signals herself aground between Sumter & Moultrie, / She is under a prety lively fire of cannon from Sullivan Isl. & they where allso trying to drop some mortars on her deck. The iron clads are ordered to prepare for action, and all goes in right a way the Admiral & Capt Ammond along with them, except the Ironsides which gets under way at half past eleven, but by that time the other monitors have succeeded in getting the Lehigh off and all are comeing out. The Ironsides goes in a little way, as though to show them the affects of their torpedo, she then comes back and anchors in her old position, where she now lays chained, which puts you in mind of some mad dog or other wild animal chained for fear it will hurt some thing. The Lehigh had five men & one Officer wounded there was a couple more wounded attaching a rope from the Valiant to the Lehigh to drag her off. There was two shots took slight effect one on her deck the other done more damage under the water line, pearceing the armor and splintering the wood which was done at low tide, I suppose when she was partly out of the water. On the morning of the 17^th there was an attack made on Sumter but I hear it was nothing but a feint of Gen Gillmore's to see wether any one was in the fort, for there was no flag up the day before. I hear he found it prety strongly / strongly garisoned. 17^th Gen Gillmore goes up in one of the monitors to see the North East face of Sumter. Last Saturday the Weehawken comes in from Port Royal & Sunday morning the Lehigh start to Port Royal which makes three there for repairs & four here. We have our usual services on Sun. Tuesday morning the Mass. (Transport) comes in which brings a smile on every face, for she brings the latest news, with Sutler stores & allso the mail. I bought a Herald off of her of last Saturday. She brought the Admiral's Son (the Col.) & Pay Master Bradford, who has been north. The Admiral went on board the the transport to meet him. Yesterday after noon he took him in as far as the Picket Monitor in his barge, and came out along by Gregg & Wagner. I had the best for dinner that could be got. I will not excite your curiosity by trying to tell what he had. His son brought a doctor and servant along. He is a very fine looking young man but looks very pale and thin. The Admiral seemes to think a great deal of him. Where we have been laying since I wrote last we had a very good view of Sumter which looks the same old pile of bricks, & they still keep puting shell in to it regularly / you have allso a good view of Sullivan's Isl. you can see them drilling and halling canon on the beach, and you have a splendid view of the fireing from all points & allso a view of Charleston with a glass. As I have got plenty of paper and envelopes now you need not send me any more for it will only go to waist, but I wish you would send me a magazine if you have got any of them you do not want. I am still well. I will now close wishing to be remembered to all inquireing friends and much love to all

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