Flag St^mr "Phil^da"

Near Savannah Ga.

January 4^th 1865

 

Sis:—

                        We are now laying at the obstructions just below the city, and as it is uncertain when a mail will leave here, I will write you in time.

 

            The Admiral is laying here superintending the removal of the obstructions of the river, which is a very difficult matter, as the obstruction consist of spiles driven in an irregular manner across the river and between them are thrown logs and bricks. They have left a passage of some sixty feet, just wide enough for the passage of one vessel, which I judge was used by Blk. Runners.

 

            My desire expressed to you in a / former letter, to see Savannah and particularly Sherman and his men has, to my great delight, since been gratified, as I informed you in the few lines I enclosed in the papers. After seeing a little of the town I thought I would look up the 79^th, which after but very little trouble I found, about fifteen or twenty minutes walk from the depot, out of town, in a swamp surrounded by woods and brush of all kinds. When I got out to the boys it was about dusk, and all where enjoying themselves beside their campfires, and all seemed in the best of spirits. There are very few of the men but are very much in want of clothing, but their rations they can get along with very well, yet they have none to spare and live mostly on what they are able to buy and otherwise get in the town and around / their camps. They speak with the greatest delight of the march they have had. They live on the very best of everything, and there was not a potato mound on the whole rout, that escaped them. Each man had his darkey to carry his things for him. They say they would like to have some clothes before going any further, some of them are realy suffering for want of them, being without shoes or stockings and the rest of their clothing in shreds. Yet with all these privation you will hear them say "if stoping here will do any harm, I am willing to move on". They all have the greatest confidence in their "Billey", and prefer him before Grant, and are willing to follow him any where. Their Brigade (3d. 14^th Corps) was reviewed by Sherman the morning of the day I went out to them. I stoped with / them all night, and the manner some of them have there tents fixed show planely what kind of material the army of Sherman is composed. I asked where they got the bricks to make the small chimnies that is in front of their tents, they said they had torn down a brick building back of their camp. It shows they are not afraid of a little work, to do little things, which adds greatly to there comfort, and health although they expect to, and are ready and willing to leave at any minute. Some say they would sooner be on the march than laying in the camp. Col. Hainbright who is commanding the Brigade is now very ill, but is recovering from his cronic illness created in Mexico, and is expected to go home. Lieut. Col. Miles has now command of the Brigade

 

In the city there are some splendid buildings but the streets are not in a good condition and every thing being locked up it is a dreary looking place. No one is to be seen in the streets but soldiers, except some women old men, and children. men of fighting age either do not show themselves or are not there. The women are as a general thing very poorly dressed and the fact that the most respectable looking of them walk the streets alone, where there is no one but mudsills of soldiers, showes their / gallants must be few, or too cowardly to show themselves. I think also, that it speaks well for our men that lone ladies can so trust themselves in the street, without any protection but the disiplin, and good breeding of the conquerors. While in the city I went to the office of the "Loyal Georgian" and the proprietor gave me quite a bundle of the first No. of the paper published and as that is the only relic I brought off with me, I thought I would send some of them to you, although there is nothing interesting in it, any more than it is a Savannah paper.

 

I had another good look at Sherman last evening, he was on board to see the Admiral.

 

I was sorry to hear in your letter of the death of Lizzie Ellmakes. Aunt must be entirely alone now as both of the girls are gone. However she must be relieved in some respects / from the anxiety and trouble they caused her.

 

            I was surprised to hear of Horace Yundt comeing to Lancaster as Reading is so much better a situation for his business. You would like to know whether I could get a box that would be sent to me. I would certainly be able to get it some time but maby not for some time as I could not get it before going to Hilton Head for it. So I would much sooner you would not trouble yourselves about getting one up. If I want any thing I will not be tardy in letting you know.

 

I received the papers you sent me with your letter of the 17^th

 

I enclose to Mother a copy of a song ("To My Mother") composed by the Paymasters Stewart of this vessel, please give it to her for me.

           

I am still well and close as ever—

Charley.

 

M. E. Leaman

Leaman Place

Lancaster Co.

Penna.

 

[upside down]

 

Jan. 4/65

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