Flag Str. Phil^a

Off Morris Isl.

 Jan. 28^th 64.

 

Sis.

            It is now just two weeks since I have writen to you and I have neither heard from you or the box since, but I expect to receive one from the Arago's Mail which passed yesterday for Port Royal. The box may come but it is the least I expect, there are several here who have received small packages by the express, and have received as high as three and four letters after the box is sent before receiving it. so I think the one you sent me may come yet. As you have sent me the box, and have gone to so much trouble prepareing it, I should hate very much to lose it, but I hope you will not put yourselves to so much trouble again for more than likely your labor and expence will be all in vain, and only giveing you more trouble. If I should receive it, you know it is very likely that I would glutton myself and haveing very little exercize, might put me on the sick list.

 

            There is nothing new concerning the operations here that I have seen myself or in the New South either which I have subscribed for in pardnership with another Marine for three months, but have not received the last Saturdays number yet, so I know nothing about last week yet. 

 

I forgot to mention in my last of the 14^th that a man was found floating near the shore of Morris Isl. on the 12^th. there was nothing left of his person but his body and limbs, haveing an officers vest on he was supposed to be one of the Engineers of the Weehawken. He was buried the next day, and the funeral was attended by a respectable number of Navy and Army officers.

 

On the 15^th three deserters are brought on board, and are taken before the Admiral separately and he seemed to detain each of them a good while, haveing his clerk in writeing the conversation. They speak of the determination of the Rebels to hold out as long as they can, and for that purpose are building Iron Clads in Charleston and will soon have one of them finished. The Charlestonians are getting so used to the Greek, they say, that they scarsely mind it any more. These three I have mentioned, (from James Island) are the best and warmest dressed, and has more uniform about it, than any I have seen yet. It was a course dark grey coat, with red collar and cuffs and pants nearly the same stuff, only a lighter grey. the shoes very poor, and worn but slouch hats. Like all the rest, report a very hard time getting away, and allso say that they left a Serg't & Corp. who was comeing with them and by some means where left.

On the 23^rd there was a torpedo brought on board from Stono, and the story that comes with it is, that there was three of them set by the Rebels at Stono, and where replaced by Union men on their side not to do any harm. These three deserters that I have / mentioned pointed them out to the crew of the Pawnee who got them and brought them one of them here for the Admiral to see. It was nothing but a wooden kegg, you might call it, pointed at both ends, with two brass cocks in the senter, and opposite sides of it, which where the means of setting it off I suppose, and a thick coat of pitch covered it allso. The powder was taken out before being brought here.

 

Since I wrote you last the Fleet Capt. (Mr. Bradford) has been removed, and gone North for some reason, and as far as I am able to juge it was about the best could be done for to see him walk at times it was plane to see that he used the Pale Sherry to freely, and besides he is reported here to have Secesh ideas about living, which I know nothing about for it is only a rumor here from no reliable source. Lieut. Com. Fythian is now Act Fleet Capt.

 

On the 22^nd Col. Dahlgren started in the Massachusetts for the north. The admiral accompanies him to the Transport so I do not see the parting. The Col. did not stir out much while he was here only occasionally he would take a ride to Gen. Gillmore's head quarters and back. He can ride on horse back very well. His crutches I think I have not mention before are are an improved Yankey invention, and a splendid one to, the place for the arm is a gumalastic pad, and gives to the arm and prevents galling, the foot of them allso is made of gum which makes them very easy for the arm pit in walking.

 

This morning there are some troops leaveing Morris Island / Island for some place farther south I do not know where. It is reported here that Gen. Gillmore is going to Savannah & Gen Hunter is going to take his place I see by the papers you are haveing prety cold wether now and from the heavy draft I do not wonder at it, for we can see the effects of it here. The weather here has been very warm for some time past, the Murcury keeping between 50 & 60. The health of the crew is very good only one on the sick list and he has only got a cold. I will now close wishing to be remembered to all inquireing friends, and when you have five minutes idle time remember you have a brother off Charleston.

 

Charley

 

Miss M.E.L.

 

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Jan. 28. 63

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