U.S.F. Steamer Phil^da.

Port Royal S.C.

Oct . 26^th 1864

 

Sis:—

                        I received your letters of the 14^th & 19^th yesterday in the Fultons mail.

 

            As I expect to go on the H. Moon this evening or in the morning, I will write you a few lines for fear it may be my last oppertunity for a week or more. Where we will go to on the H. Moon I am unable to say, but I suppose I am not far out of the way when I say Charleston Harbor.

 

Before I go any further I will ask you to excuse these tears you see. They are all for Little Mac. I have not heard any thing from Harry since my last writing / I received the batch of papers you sent me this morning but have had no time to read them since, however I have glanced over George Eckert's letter. I must say it sound very much like George's language but the sentiment expressed, as far as I am able to judge is of the right character. I suppose it has a tendency to change his parents mind. I will forward the letter to Harry as soon as I can.

 

You speak of Janey Kinzer teaching school in Lancaster. I must say I admire her spunk very much but I am sorry to hear she has been so unfortunate as to get in to such a bedlam.

 

Since I last wrote we have had an election day on board here. There was but very few voted, / not more than a half dozen. I believe the majority of them where republicans. They where only New York men that voted however. There was a commissioner sent down on a Revenue Cutter to collect the votes. His name is Mr. Miller, he expects to leave on Fryday for New York. For the past few days there has been two Rebel escaped Union prisoners on board. They where sent this morning to Gen. Foster They belong to the 15^th Ohio Regt. have been 13 months prisoners and two months of that time at Andersonville. They still have the same story of their terrible treatment and allso say our men are taking the oath of illegence, not because they have changed their sentiments, but mearly in self defence, to save their / their lives. I do not think the men are much to blame.

 

These men say they have been treated very bad since they escaped. The first vessel they where on, the Capt. threatened to put them in irons and spoke to them very insultingly on account of having Rebel cloths on. They say there times are up.

 

You speak of Yellow Fever being in Charleston. I have heard of no cases of it in the Fleet. I do not think there is much danger of any thing of that kind here now for it is getting to cold.

 

I am well and will close by asking to be remembered to all.

Charley.

 

Miss M. E. Leaman

 

[upside down]

 

Oct. 26/64

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