Str. Phila.

P. Royal S.C.

July 16^th/64.

 

Sis:

                        I received your letter of the 4^th on the 12^th. I hear the Fulton will leave tomorrow so I will answer it this evening after having just finished a few lines to Harry. I received a note from him of 15^th he was then well.

 

            The Fulton brings very good and very bad news. She arrived here yesterday morning which was the first posative intelegence we had of an invasion. As to the resistance they are meeting we have no very encourageing news, but I hope to hear in a few days by the Arago, that Hunter has come up and prevented their return in to Virginia. If he has / done so and there is only twenty thousand of them as reported here I think there ought to be enough of blood in the north or even in the Keystone herself to make short work of them. The news we have received yet does not show that Grant is minding the raid at all, which I think will quite surprise the Rebs, for there is no doubt that was the intention of the movement to draw Grants attention.

 

            We received the news of the sinking of the Alabama by the Kearsarge some days ago and it caused quite an excitement on deck. It is glorious news without doubt. It is a great pitty that Capt Winslow did not capture or sink the whole crew. Capt Simmes has a brother here in command of the Lehigh and before he knew of the Alabama being / sunk he said he would like to meet him to blow him out of the water. Capt Winslow has saved him trouble.

 

When I wrote to you before we where in Stono River and some thought we might soon be in Cha'ston and I think we might if Gen. Foster would have had enough of troops. With the force he had and the hasty return of the expedition, it is quite likely the whole movement was intended as a feint to draw troops from Richmond or Georgia. Whether it has accomplished that object or not you will know more than we will. We returned to this post on the first of this week and are now having our machinery repaired or rather cleaned. It is pretty generaly talked of that the Admiral is going home in / a short time but I do not put much faith in it and if he should I do not think it likely that we will go with him, as men seem scarse in the Squadron.

 

            I am spending my time as usual but not my money. Twice a week and sometimes oftener now, there are contrabands comes around in small boats with tomatoes, green corn, and water mellion &c. in which I indulge a great deal. I am still in good health as is all the crew. I will now close hoping you may not be disturbed by the Rebs. and their capture may be soon.

Charley.

 

Miss M. E. Leaman.

Leaman Place,

Lanc.

 

[upside down]  July 16/64

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