Flag St^mr "Philadelphia"

Charleston S. Carolina

March 28^th 1865

 

Sis:—

            Yours of the 21^st was received yesterday and as there is a mail expected to leave shortly, I will spend a portion of this day in answering it in preference to going in the city, which I am at liberty to do. It is a very unfavorable day however for going on liberty, being a dull rainy day on account of which I am only able to write on this deck by the aid of a candle and our "Uncle" is kind enough to furnish us with sperm.

 

            There has been a mail just served us and in it I received the "Weekly Herald" of the 18^th it is covered with headings and looking over them I see they are favorable as usual except one item which is rather humiliating, an official report of / the capture of Gen. Sheridan from rebel forces. I am relieved, however to see directly under it in large letters that the same unfortunate Gen. is twenty miles of their Capitol.

 

            There are rumors here from a very good source that Sherman has taken Goldsborough with considerable fighting and a loss of three thousand (3,000) men. The Herald states that he is again resting his men for another advance. It is something that one would think they certainly need, but I dare say the number is few of those who are with him that desires any thing of the kind For I do not think there was ever a body of men together who where so eager for marching as they where. Their "Billy" seems to be gratifying them, but as he is pursuing the same course as in his "retreat" through Georgia, I have no doubt but that they are even getting sorry that Richmond is so close. I am afraid he will meet with a stubborn resistance before he reaches the "Goal" but as to the final end of his glorious march I have not the least doubt. but / it is a subject of pity that such men should be the victims of the stubbornness of a few Rebel rulers who have no other object in view than to spill as much blood as possible in order that their own necks may be more secure, for a short time at least.

            There has not been any thing going on in this department since my last writing and it is not likely there will be this summer unless something unforeseen turns up. A great number of all the large vessels have been sent and are now preparing to go north and on other stations. The Admiral is expecting Sec. Welles to day or tomorrow and I expect to see him but I must acknowledge that my desire for such a privilege is not very great, maby our Governor will be with him I would like much to see him.

 

            I have not been in the city since my last writing. Quite a large family of women and children where brought down on a tug from the country up Cooper River. They left a home where / they had plenty. on account of the negroes and rebel scouts there depredation on the inhabitants of the country are of a like nature and indicate a like amount of disciplin and humane feeling. The family spoaken of where kept by the Admiral's Staff one night and after breakfast in the morning they where sent ashore and are now with friends in the city. They where a very respectable looking family and every thing about them indicated that they had once lived and walked in the best of circles.

 

            You say you are glad the "HM" is lost since no one was hurt. I cannot say that I am sorry myself not because she was unsafe however but because she was a very uncomfortable vessel and a very filthy one, and it was not unfrequently necessary for you to pick up your tin of coffee in order to keep it from being washed off the mess cloth and a dry foot you where seldom blessed with and even the Admiral was very unpleasantly situated situated and I can assure you it was by no means his wish that he ever went on board of her. In the past year I have spent some five or six months on board of her and I dare say ere this, if she was not lost I would have had several more trips on her. It is a fact worthy / of note that often and by a large number of the crew, the misfortune that she met with on the 1^st inst. was before devoutly wished, and in fact it was the opinion of all of us that it was impossible for her to float when it was the silent wish of every one even Officers that she might meet the fate she did and no one be hurt.

 

            You mention a party of ladies and gentlemen who where about leaving Washington to visit this city. They have not arrived yet to my knowledge, I suppose they will pay the Admiral a visit if so I shall have the pleasure of seeing them. I think I mentioned in my last the visit the Admiral was paid by a number of northern ladies and gentlemen on the 20^th. I am sorry you cannot have an oppertunity to visit the fallen city but I must confess you do not miss much for all you would see would not pay you for the unpleasant trip you would have.

 

            The weather here is quite warm and the people around the city have onions / and green peas ready to pull and every thing looks like summer. The grass is green flowers of all kinds blooming, except the flowers in the city, they have not put on their summer robe yet and I think I can safely say they will not bloom, at least very few of them, this season.

 

            I received a letter from Harry a few days since. He say he is having quite easy times now and thinks he will soon pay Savannah & Charleston a visit, if he comes to the latter place I will more than likely get to see him.

 

I am well

Charley

 

Miss M. E. Leaman

            Leaman Place

                        Lanc. Co.

                                    Pa.

 

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March 28/65

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