Flag St^rm "Phil^da"

Bees Creek S.C.

Dec. 7^th 1864

 

Sis:

                        I received your letter of the 25^th in the Donegal's mail.

 

In the evening of the day I wrote to you (29^th) the Admiral and Staff returned, and the following morning he followed the expedition to within a short distance of the landing (Boyd's) in pine creek. We returned to Port Royal again in the evening, and the following morning (Dec 1^st) we again proceed up Broad River to the landing which is I judge about 15 miles in a direct line from P. Royal. We have not been in P. Royal since and I do not think we will return again untill the expedition is over. The advance of our men / on Pocotaligo bridge from Boyds Landing was successfully checked by the "Rebs", and the whole of the Naval force with a portion of the Army was withdrawn from the landing yesterday morning and where landed again in the vicinity of the creek in which we lay for an attack on the bridge in this direction, which is much nearer the bridge than Boyds Landing. We have heard nothing reliable since they have landed but it is rumored that they where successful in holding part of the bridge last evening.

 

            The marine portion of the expedition where on board here yesterday morning previous to there landing. They where about one hundred and fifty in number and they say they lost ten or twelve, in all, on there advance / from Boyd's Landing.

 

The Pawnee, Sonoma, and Mingoe are now laying but a few hundred yds. above us in to branches of this (Bees) creek, and are covering the landing and advance of the troops. There is some wounded coming in and the Hospital boats are runing all the time.

 

            There is reports here that Sherman is very near Savannah and some of the prisoners captured at first said they believed that this was a part of Sherman's Army. There was quite a number of cattle and sheep captured, which came quite good to are men.

 

I received a letter from Harry of the same date as yours. He says if Sherman succeed in taking Cha'ston or Savannah he will likely change his mind in regard to going home. 

 

We are not able to hear much reliable of what is going on here but I expect to hear something soon from the papers.

 

As there was not one of the guard of this ship, sent off the vessel, my duties remain unchanged.

 

I will now close with much love, and wish to be remembered to all.

Charley.

 

Miss M. E. Leaman

            Leamans Place

                        Lan^c Co.

                                    Penna.

 

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Dec. 7/64

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