Flag St^mr "Philadelphia"

Charleston S.C.

March 13^th 1865

 

Sis:—

                        Since my writing you one week ago I have received two letters from you of the 22^nd ult. & 2^nd inst. It is the first instance I remember of the kind that I had two of your letters to answer at the same time. You say you think, and for myself I feel confident that I miss many of your letters and I think it can be accounted for by careless P.Masters. This is my reason for mentioning all the letters received from you.

 

            The "H.M." was the first vessel of her own size that run up to the city although there where several tugs ahead of us. We where up however in good time, and I had the pleasure of seeing the "Old flag" raised on Sumter for the first time in near four years. / I have not had an opportunity to see visit the Ft yet but by passing close to it as you do in coming up to the city, I judge you can see all that is to be seen of it. The walls facing our fire is not to be seen, nothing but the sand. And the opposite ones are destroyed yet a portion of them remains combed, with out much care to the looks. If Maj Gen. Anderson comes to raise the flag on the ruins of the Ft. I hope to enjoy the pleasure of seeing him and also the raising of the flag.

 

            I was sorry to hear that your tea party for our cousin was prevented by so sad an affair.

 

            The questions mentioned in yours of the 22^nd ult, or the letter that contained them I never received. However since you mention a circumstance which you are in the dark about I will try and satisfy you, for I do not wish you to entertain exalted opinions of Charley without a foundation. You say Harry accidently heard, but the report was accidently incorrect, Harry however heard it from one he had no reason to disbelieve. If I would have had the position mentioned (which I might have) or that of Admiral as you say, I do not think I would have mentioned / it, not as long as I still remain with the rank I have. My duties however remain unchanged.

 

            I was pleased to hear Jim Agnew has the pleasure of enjoying himself for a short period, and has stood soldiering so well You mention that he had a cold from laying in a bed, it was certainly a very pleasant way of getting a cold. I hope he is nothing the worse of it. If he has not returned before this reaches you, I wish to be remembered to him. As for his Brother Nat he must be a curiosity. If the Governor comes to see Charleston I think I will have the pleasure of seeing him for more than likely he will come to see the Admiral.

 

            I suppose ere this you are satisfied that I was not among the sufferers at the Wilmington depot. You mentioned the prophesies of an old prophet who visited Governor Curtin. Whether it is the same man or not I can not say, but but I seen a prophesy of a man in 1849. At that time he predicted a civil strife in America, cause slavery, and this year is to be the bloodiest conflicts. He claimes to have a knowledge of this from astronomy, and contends that / that the movements of men are governed by those of the planets. I believe it is from the number of eclipses this year that he prophesies the flowing of much blood. A short time now and we will know the truth.

 

I have been in the city a couple of times since my last writing. It is begining to present a more lively appearance. Stores are opening (such as they are) and I think they are begining to place more confidence in the Yankees. But I do not think they will ever get over the tirible outrage perpetrated upon them by having the town patroled by colored troops.

 

            The desertion of the coast being a "Blessing in disguise" to the confederacy is very apparent when you visit the stores of their towns. I dare say there is nothing in the city of Charleston except some homespun, that has not come through the Blk. Shoes, cloths, paper, pens penknives, in fact every thing they have got, and the same way in Savannah, is all English or French manufacture, and very little even of that. There is not a well stocked store in the whole place.

You speak of Mother damning stockings that is one thing that is one thing the people of Charleston have to some extent, of their own manufacture, knit stockings out of laping yarn, but the yarn came through the Blk. There is nothing destroyed in town more to be regreted than the fine libraries. Some of the most instructive and costly volumes are draged from the shelves and are being carelessly kicked around the deserted rooms. If I only had a way of taking care of them I might have furnished Will with a fine and costly library of law.

 

I still remain well, and will try and keep so. I think my runs ashore has done me good. You do not know what a treat it is, just to have a walk on "Terra firma" after a long confinement on board of a vessel.

 

Charley

 

Miss M. E. Leaman

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