Flag St^mr "Philadelphia"

Charleston Harbor S.C.

May 15^th 1865

 

Sis:—

            I was surprised and very agreeably too, at the receipt of Harry's letter yesterday of the 6^th.

 

            I think I hear some one say "Pashaw" I thought I would get out of writing since Harry has come". Well I will consider you relieved if Harry or in fact any one is willing to be promoted, but economy will compell me nevertheless to address you, as I have a number of stamped and printed envelopes which circumstances will not permit me to throw away.

 

            Well Harry I was much relieved to hear of your safe arrival home, and I am glad you had so pleasant a trip, you where certainly fortunate / in having good weather. You made quite a quick trip, one day sooner than we made on the same vessel. I expected you would be crowded.

 

            You say you found every thing around home the same as when you left. I dare say I would be able see many changes if I could come home. I fancy I would not know the old place. You felt as though you had been only a week away. I have no doubt I would feel the same, for I feel now as though I have been only away the shortest period. Looking back I can scarsely realize that it has been thirty months, not because I have forgoten it, but the contrary. Every thing concerning it is so fresh in my memory, every part of the house, every field, every fence comes and every thing that causes the regret to one in leaving a home is as bright before me as though I parted with them yesterday

 

            Considering what I have passed / through in that time, how fortunate I have been, and how much greater things I might have been compelled to suffer and endure, I feel as though I have a great deal to be thankful for, and I trust I am.

 

            I came on board early in the evening after parting with you, and you may be ancious to know nothing was said or done. I made up my lost time, and as I told you there the end was. I have been in the city several times since and have not seen either of your friend Drs. Since you left, the Ram "Columbia" has been raised and is now prepairing for her trip north, which, it is expected she will be ready to make by the first of the month.

 

            They have been trying and have succeeded in recovering a number of the bodies of the unfortunate crew of the "Patapsco" which, you / remember, was sunk in the winter, off Moultrie by a torpedo. among the bodies found where Ensign Johnson son of the Fleet Surgeon who you may have heard D^r Kirk speak of. I was surprised when I heard of any of them being found I thought it would be impossible at so late an hour, but it seems they are able to recognize some of them.

 

            A speady and honorable peace seems now to be beyond a doubt, but as the London Times says, "The resistance of the south by organized armies we can hardly think can much longer be protracted, but southern resistance may easly take other forms". This is certainly true and the authorities will have to be very carefull. Some of the rankest traitors are now trying to get in power again, and if the government will not be injured it will be greatly anoyed by them. I was surprised to those charges brought against Gov. Aiken, if he is found wanting the State of South Carolina is certainly lost. I have not been talking to any of the parroled prisoners but I think they are pretty well satisfied with their change, a great number of them have arrived in the city.

 

            I will now close, I still am well.

                                                                                                           

Charley.

SOURCES