Newyork Harber

Fort Scuylar    Sep 1^th 1863

 

Brother Charles I received a letter from your daughter Lizze a few days ago it was dated Aug 1 it had been South.

 

i believe the last time i wrote to you was on board the bendeford well we did not make much that time but they have done something since. we engaged them two hours and twenty minits at that time the result was we lost one monitor. i think General Gilmore is the man to take Charleston it was he that done the engenearing to take fort Polaski altho he never got much credit.

 

after i came back from that Charleston expedition i was detailed from the Co to the hospital i did not want to go but i had to obey orders i remained there until about the middle of June when i applied for my releaf from there and before i got it i was taken sick i stayed in the hospital as a patient until the 15^th of July when i and about one Hundred more left in the steam ship fulton for new york where we arrived on the 18^th i thought at one time while in the hospital that i never would get north but i got nearly wel before i left there it was not my desire but i was advised by the docktor i gus it is for the best. our Ridgment had a fight at fort Wagner before i left and got badly cut up i saw the wounded at the hospital we remained in york 2 days at the batery barricks while there i lost my knapsack which was worth 30 dollars to me / i had to draw 20 dollars worth that i would not if i had not lost it it was stolen and several others met the same fate. beside i lost a small sum of mony that was taken by a souldier that slept with me at a hotel and cleared before i was up i carried it in a belt i made part of it prety easy he left me five dollars in a small pocket book but with the bad luck i have some good luck things has turned up in my favour to the amount of 45 dollars so that wil help the loss this is a very different climate to the south if a man gets sick in the south he hardly ever gets right over it there but i have got well and hearty i can eat my rashings without any trouble but in the south it cost me half of a souldiers pay for extry grub. we expect to get 4 monts pay shortly it is due the last of august. i am transfured to the first betalion of invilid core we have little or nothing to do it is the laysieth life i ever lived

 

We ar encamped at fort Scuyler about 15 miles above new york right on the banks of the north river the Great Eastern came past us a few days ago and lies in sight of our camp now she is discharging her cargo the boys al expects furlows to go home shortly some has taken french there is not much said when they come back i do not think i shal ask for one before my time is out which will be in about ten monts i shal try to leave the service with 450 dollars beside my bounty i think i can do it. fort Scuyler is a strong fort mounting 300 guns and it is not finished yet there is a large hospital there outside the fort 

 

I answered Lizzes letter she tels me you wrote to me but i never got a letter from you since i sent you that order.

 

as my knapsack contained al my letters i do not know how to direct a letter to Mary. I hope you wil write soon and state how i wil direct a letter to her

 

            Give my respects to Mary your wife and if you know how Jim is getting along let me know

 

I Remain Your Affectnet Brother

William W Shivers

 

Direct 1^st Battalion Inv Corps

            Fort Schuyler N york Harber

            Care of Lieut A H Mands       N york

 

How long we shal remain at this place i can not tel we may go to staten Eyland for winter quarters i suppose cold weather will go tuf

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