Flag St^mr "Philadelphia"

"Harvest Moon"

Port Royal Harbor S.C.

Jan 31^st 1865

 

Sis:—

            I am again writing to you from the "H.M." in answer to Mother's and Rosh's letter of the 22^nd received, together with the papers, on Sunday.

 

            Although it is something warmer than when writing you this day week, yet it is sufficiently cold for writing purposes now. During the past week we have experienced, to my knowledge, the severest cold that we have had since I have been on the S. A. Blk, at least it has been felt more by me and the rest of us, which may probably be owing to us being from our own vessel and where we are certainly more exposed and have not the same comforts we other wise would. However if you would not have had colder weather before this you would have been surprised and most likely inclined to grumble, for the Thermometer has only been to 23, at the lowest that I know of.

 

            It was with great pleasure, mingled with surprise that I saw & recognized Mother's hand write, for it has been a very long / long time since I have been so greatly favored and on that account those few lines where hailed and read with greater delight, and more highly appreciated. Yet do not think that Mother is less thought of on that account, for it is something I do not expect regularly from her, but do look to you always for my letters from home, which are received as coming from all the family and my responses are to be viewed in the same broad light.

 

I cannot but feel pleased to see the great improvement Rosh has made in his writing since his last to me, for there is undoubtedly a great improvement in every respect, and it is something we should all be pleased to know. I dare say I was considerably older before I could make an equaly good attempt and in comparison I place it in equality, if not better than the one I am now pening. But you did not let me know, Rosh, whether you received the story I sent you of that famous mutineer and how you where pleased with it. I hope you have read it however, and if I am ever able to get the whole account of the Mutiny I will send it you. Keep the rifle clean, but I trust you may never have the oppertunity to use it, in the manner I expected at one time.

 

Rosh mentions a big snow which fell on Saturday I suppose you have been enjoying it before this. I understand you have had fine skating and sleighing this winter before / I judge Jack will make good use of the latter.

 

            You where right in supposing that I did not find any one in the 79^th who I was acquainted with, but I seen many familiar faces and there where quite a No. who said they knew father, as they call him "Hen Lemon" How ever my visit was no less pleasant on that account for I was not expecting to meet any one I was personally acquainted with in that Regt. but if the 9^th P.V. Cavalry had not been so far from town I would have met with some I knew. I was treated very well by the boys, and in fact by all the men I came across belonging to the army, as was all the men who visited them from the Navy and a great number of them expressed there desires to enter the Naval service. I did not see Col. Hainbright for he was quartered in town, and any way I did not consider it proper under the circumstances to make so much freedom with the Col, who of course would not have remembered me

 

If I shall have an oppertunity to get to Savannah again I shall try to find Henry Linville, however it might be dangerous for one wearing blue to come in contact with his wife, but she may have become reconciled and arrived at the conclusion like thousands more in the same place that a whole loaf is better than no bread I do not think it likely I would be able to find them, but curiosity will cause me to try. 

 

The Admiral is now here superintending the raising of another Naval landing force to opperate against Charleston, a great number of those engaged at Fort Fisher are now drilling here. There are none of Porters men who speak very favorable of him in reference to the storming of the fort. The Admiral seems to be doing all he can to be ready to cooperate with Sherman when the attack is made. If Hardee makes a stand there will certainly be heavy work done at Charleston, but it is the general opinion that the place will be evacuated, and deserters report that they are already making arrangements for such a move. Sherman is on the move and I think his object is more to bag Hardee than the mear matter of the city for his move on Branchville shows he is not in a great hurry to occupy the city of Charleston. I think in two weeks from this Charleston will either have surrendered or been run over as occupying and running over is all that Sherman has to to do or is all that he is doing at presant.

 

            The Admiral has been very unfortunate with his vessels lately. The "Dai Ching" was a great loss, but the schooner of cotton captured will it is thought pay for the loss. There is some sensure placed on the Capt. of the "Dai Ching" but whether it is just or not I wouldnot like to say.

 

            I will now close. I still am well.

 

Charley

 

Miss M. E. Leaman

            Leaman Place.

 

[upside down]

 

Jan. 31/65

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