Flag St^mr "Phil^da"

Off Charleston City S.C.

Feby 24^th 1865

 

Sis:

                        Yesterday I was made the happy recipient of a letter and papers from Mother and Rosh, and one from Harry of the 14^th.

 

            Since my writing to you there has been truly an important event taken place in this Dept, and that is the evacuation of this city. When I was writing to you this day week, I classed the rumor of the evacuation, with the many going around the decks and so it was a mere conjecture of those who started it. But official news came on board the following morning that the city was being evacuated and about eleven A.M. we left / Stono for Charleston harbor to ascertain the facts and on entering the harbor we where hailed by a tug and informed that the enemy had left every thing and that two monitors had gone up to the city We proceeded immediately up to the city, having on board the capt of the Blk. Runner Celt who offered to pilot the vessel up and done so with out any difficulty. We came to anchor off the wharf about half past three and there where quite a number of shaby looking people on the wharf to greet us and a couple who where fortunate enough to have white handkerchiefs gave them a few feable waves.

 

            The Navy Yard was still burning and the fire on the Blk. runner "Syrene" had just been drownded by the Tug "Gladiolus" and she was being halled from the wharf. There was quite a number of escaped prisoners came on board, and among them a / drummer boy belonging to an Indiana Regt. He asked to see the Admiral and was received and treated very kindly by him. On account of being on duty I was not able to obtain permission to go in the city on our arrival, but those who did go where treated very well by most of the citizens and in the generality of cases seemed pleased to see us. They where suffering very much for most all the necessaries of life, and to obtain a good meal is an utter impossibility in the whole place.

 

            Since laying here I have had my curiosity gratified by having a run through the town, and although it presents a much better appearance than Savannah yet it is a terriable shaby looking place and it will require a considerable amount Yankee ingenuity to repair the damage done by fire and shell. The destruction of property is very great and to consider the loss of innocent life which must / have certainly attended it is a terriable picture for one to look upon. But when we consider the former history of the place we can view the ruins without the least feelings of regret.

 

            The people consider themselves terriable outraged at the colored troops being in the town and nothing but the worst that can be thought and said of them is done. I do not approve of the manner in which many of the colored troops behave by insulting defenceless citizens, But since it has come to that pass that there are colored troops, and as we cannot expect of them every thing that belongs to the intelligent soldier there is no town in the south I would sooner see them in than this city. The citizens are hoping that white troops may soon occupy the town. The 52^nd P.V. are now in the town and are to remain in it I hear. The fortifications around the place, especially in front, are very strong, and as far as I am able to judge it would have been impossible for any, Army or Navy to enter it in the front.

 

            Sherman is still showing himself the man and I hope now, after being so successfull, that he may meet with no reverse. I think Hardee will have to hunt shelter under the wings of Lee and when that is the case rebellion will soon be played out. 

 

            While in the city I met a M^r Vanwinkle a hardware merchant and one who clames to be a union man. I will not say for or against him on that point, but of course nothing but union passes from his lips. He gave me very kindly, however, quite a number of papers of different dates which I send you with this letter. One is a Courier of 1834 which I send you merely because he gave it me and the remaining Nos. are of the period of the war. He was kind enough to give me dates of the Courier from the 13^th up to the 21^st and the 21^st & 22^nd I had opertunity to buy. You will notice the Courier headed on the 18^th "Confederate States of America" and on Monday 20^th Charleston S.C. only. A look at the papers of different periods of the war shows plainly the decline of the confederacy. He also gave me a "Christian Advocate" which I send. I do not think it advocates its name very / very strongly. I send four "Murcuries" one containing an account of the battle of Manassas.

 

            M^r Vanwinkle also gave me a five dollar Confederate State note, which he seemed to have plenty of. I enclose it, and I will ask you to keep it untill it becomes payable as stated in the face. I think by that time I will be home and can give other directions.

 

            I did not think when I was writing to you on the 17^th that I did not think that the news of Charleston would go in the same steamer in fact the next day I could not realize that we where passing Sullivans Isl. and Ft. Sumter and where moving up to the wharf. The town was surrendered early on the morning of the 18^th to Act. Master Gifford / at Mount Pleasant near Sullivans Isl. M^r Gifford is the scout here and has been ever since I have been here. He came on board in the evening to deliver the papers to the Admiral and I was surprised when he told me the Mayor had surrendered to him.

 

On the 20^th the "Phil^da" come up to the City from Stono and on the next day we came on board of her and I suppose Charleston the Admiral will make his head quarters untill he goes home which I do not think will be very long now. Whether he will take us with him or not I cannot say but I have no particular desire to go any farther north than I am untill spring.

 

            I have just now finished an unusual good diner for us (roast meet and potatoes) and I will finish / my letter also.

 

            I continue well as usual, and close with much love to all.

 

Charley

 

Miss M. E. Leaman

            Leaman Place

                        Lan^c Co.

                                    Penna.

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