Well Sis, the "Alhambra" is going to leave early in the morning with the mail, and I commence at this (1 A.M.) to meet its demands. I do not wish to claim any credit for writing at this unnatural hour for you may think I am up for that special purpose, which if I had to be, I daresay you would look in vain for a letter from Charley when she arrives in York.

 

            Having no notion of writing you five minutes ago, and just getting up from the middle of a dreamless sleep, my ideas of course are not on hand, some being here and the rest in my bunk, and if I will be able to muster enough of them to finish this before four o'clock I do not know. I will try & do something however, as one week / has passed around since I performed the same fear before.

 

            Yes another week has passed around and that is about all I have to say of the opperations here. During that time nevertheless I have raided through the city twice. Last Sabbath, being the first one I have had an opportunity to be ashore, I improved it by going, & attended services at the Episcopal church on Meeting St. which the Post Chaplain of the 127^th N.Y. Vols. (M^r Willis I think) has charge of at presant. There where probably fifty presant, a respectable number of citizens, including five or six ladies one of them performing on the organ. We where told however there was more presant than was expected on account of the misunderstanding of the time when services was to be. 

 

            The Chaplain told us they had nothing to be discouraged at, and every thing to encourage them, and he was glad to say the Prayer Meetings & Sabbath School where both increasing in interest. He gave notice of two Prayer Meetings to be held during the week one in the lecture room of that church. As to the sermon it was the best one I have heard in a year, for it is the only one I have had an opportunity to hear during that time.

 

            I was reading yesterday Sherman's testimony in the N.Y. Tribune where it is given in full. Sherman seems to be as able to defend himself with his tongue as the sword, and I am glad to see it, if he was not, it would have been better for him to enter the insane asylum when advised to / by his friend the Hon. Sec. of War. Sherman the Gen. will also show himself, I think, to be the Sherman not to be trifled with even if a little insane. To be sure up to this time it has been a one sided question and I am ancious to hear from the other side of the house. But I have never doubted Sherman when he said he was out of harms way in the field and I cannot but believe him now when he says he is not afraid of loosing his honor. I am however open to conviction, and when they are properly proven I will not be blind to the faults of the man, who I have learned so well, during the whole period of war to trust & place my hopes. For I know every man has his share of faults and our object is to get one as near perfect as possible and I think in a military point, we have found him in Sherman. It will be a strange thing in history if Sherman who has done so much good, will not live superior in the hearts of a free people, to those who have done so much harm. The country should never be done thanking him for what is acknowledged he has done, untill it is proven he has not done it.

 

            I think we can have every confidence in our President, / for he seems to have the right notions, as shown by his recent proclamations, and showes much the character of his predecessor in his steadyness of purpose and determination to do what is right according to the best of his judgement. He has become the instrument in a misterious way, I have no doubt, to perform a great good which no one can yet see.

 

            Kirby Smith has surrendered and the Stone Wall has not seen fit to come any further. Rebellion is played out, but treason still is, & like the small-pox the clothes that harbor it will have to be burned before we are safe, and we would advise the fire to be administered in the shape of hemp, severely, but with justice.

 

            I will not disturb your slumbers, by talking any more tonight, but I would like to know how the Bennet subscription / to pay the national debt is taking at home or whether it is taking at all. It would be a glorious thing if we could wipe out so tremendious a bugbare to some people, in no time. I do not think it an impossible thing and it is certainly worth trying

 

            Well I have drove sleep compleetly away and in doing so I have roused an appetite which I must try and satisfy, but do not think I will come across any mince pies in the search. Nevertheless I still keep well and am able for any thing of the kind if I should meet them.

                       

Good Night

Charley.

St^mr "Phila"

Charleston Harbor

            June 10^th 1865

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