Flag S. Phil^a

Off Morris Isl.

 Feb. 6^th /64

 

Sis.

            Since I last wrote I have received your two of the 12^th & 25^th. You may think I am lazy about writeing sometimes, but it is on account of the mail, it goes very irregularly and as I do not write untill a mail is about going, I am the same. The New South I sent you (which I suppose you have received by this time) was more to leave you see the paper than the news it contained. It is quite an interesting little paper to us, but to you of course the news must be all old.

 

            There are still deserters comeing in, and on the 1^st of last month, there was one from the 27^th S.C. regt. brought on bord for examination by the Admiral, and was sent back directly to the Isl. again. He said he was in Sumter for 8 days before and it was nothing but a compleet ruin allthough it was garrisoned by three hundred, 300 men who where secured in bumproofs, and relieved every 12 day. There are no large guns mounted, but a great many small ones to rake the foot in case of an attack. James Isl. is covered with batteries one playing on the other and Sullivans Isl is just covered with guns and he said to see them you would think nothing could come up the channel and they think they can sink our Iron Clad if they attempt it. They all say their rations are / are as bad as they can be nothing but rice & homoney, meet and bread are of rare occurrence. There is no one in Charleston except those to poor to leave and Army Officers. They have no paticular time for enlisting men or ask no questions at all but put them down for the war. There was two more came out with him and he say most all the Regt. would do the same if they could. On the 4^th of this month there was eight brought on bord that where caught comeing out to a blockade runner that was aground and destroyed by our Monitors and batteries off Moultrie.

 

The Admiral & Party of Staff left last night for the Southerin, but I am not certain wether he is going on an expedition or to visit his Comd. this vessel is getting her rudder repaired or he would of taken her. I will now have to close. I will send with this a Journal of the Cruise of the Susquehanna, from which you can form a good idea of a life on a man of war, it is writen by Amos Burton (Marine) belonging to our guard. I am well, good night.

 

Charley.

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