Str. Phila.

Stono River

July 7^th/64

 

Sis:

                        I received your letter of the 22^nd on the 29^th while I was engaged writing a letter to Harry. I received one from him to day of the 1^st. He says he is well and that he has received your letter of the 22^nd.

 

I suppose you will hear before this reaches you the reason we are here. We are now about two miles from Stone up the river with two Monitors, two gunboats, and two mortar schooners. One of the mortar schooners is just now being placed in position a few hundred yards above this vessel with the other schooner. The Monitors when engaged are a short distance above them, and are so close to the Rebs that they can see what dammage the shells do with the naked eye. They can see the Rebels in their rifle pits thrown clean out of them, musket and all. We have been here since the evening of the 2^nd. The Monitor Lehigh and the Harvest Moon came up with us that evening the latter taking no part in the firing yet. On the 3d. the vessels here kept up a lively fire all day. / The two Monitors and the gun boat Pawnee kept a fire up untill evening the latter with her after pivot gun. The Com. M^cDonough in going up to the front in the morning run aground and was not able to get off untill afternoon; and in the evening fired a few shots. I understand it was the 3d, that the unsuccessful charge on Ft. Johnson was made. I got the story something like this, which is all I know about it. On the evening of the 3d, there was two Regt's of N. York & Penna. troops selected for the charging of the fort. The Penna. Regt had succeeded in capturing the Ft. with eighty prisners which was all it was garisoned with, but when they where attacked again by another party of Rebels, the N.Y. Regt. failed to support them and they where compelled to retire with some hundred and twenty captured. Since there has been but very little firing untill to day, and this afternoon especially they have been very lively, all the vessels taking part. The pickets on both sides seem to be very close at night. We are able to see the flash of the Rebel guns at times in the thickets which surround us. They can not be over a half mile from us. /

 

On the night of the 1^st, there was a party of troops landed at North Edisto assisted by the Navy. I understand the intention of it was to cut the Savannah and Charleston R.R. and I believe they have been successful in burning the bridge crossing the Edisto River. This seems to be the important point of the movement for Gen. Foster and the Admrl. are both laying here. They are on the very best of terms assisting each other in every way they can which is very good sine of success They are very strongly fortified here though and I am afraid Gen. Foster has not troops to carry out the great work before him.

 

We have from deserters on board here now that they have been building bateries in this direction for two years and they say it is as strongly fortified as Richmond. If that is the case the movement may not be successful and if it is it will be attended with great lose of life. I do not know what the Army is doing but I understand they give the Navy great credit for the assistance they have given them.

 

            Tell Rosh that I received his likeness and was very much pleased with it, and think it a very good one. The weather is very warm and musquetos and sand flies are very / troublesome. I am allmost eat up with them but as every one around me is the same I cannot complain. I am thankfull that I am still able to let you know I am well and I hope I may continue so. I hope by the time you will receive this we may be in Cha^ston or what is left of it. I forgot to mention that I received your batch of papers sent to me on the 22^nd. With much love to all I will now close.

Charley.

 

Miss. M. E. Leaman

 

[upside down]

 

July, 7/64

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