St. Helena Island, Port Royal harbor

Feb. 14^th. 1863

 

My dear Sister:

                        By the date of this you will see that I am off of that dull transport. After serving three weeks there we were landed on this desolate island. I don't know that it the same one that Napoleon died on but think it must be. We haven't the rocks but toads, alligators and snakes are plenty, no wood and poor water. And we are prisoners as much as ever Napoleon was. We cannot get out of camp with but a pass signed by a Capt. the "Officer of the Day" and the Col. of the Regt. It is the same with our officers, they too are prisoners. The gunboats are in the harbor to see that no officers escape that way, prisoners we are and nothing else.

 

            We are under command of Gen. Hunter, a man who is despised by every white soldier in the department. I will commence at the beginning and tell the story as we have it, it is this. Gen. Foster received orders to embark his army for this port, here to be joined by the troops in this vicinity and then to attact some place probably Charleston. Arriving here he finds Gen. Hunter who refuses to comply to the order. Gen. Foster can do noth- / ing alone so the expedition is knocked in the head. After a good quarrel with Hunter, Foster starts for Washington to see who is Capt. We are landed on this island, through whose order I know not but Hunter assumes command of all troops in this department, issues his strict orders and blockades the harbor! And that is the way the war is carried on, a complete humbug from beginning to end! You cannot see why we are not more victorious. I can, it is because one Gen. falls one way and another, another way, each afraid one will get ahead of the other. a few care for their country, but more for themselves. Gen. Hunter has taken the Negro under his wing. I think he has hope of their becoming a nation of themselves some day and he is figuring to be their chief cook. I wish to see the Negro well used but I do not think him superior to the white man. he is made such by Gen. Hunter. The Negro soldiers are as independent and saucy as you please, they are like the ignorant Irish, make anything of them and they will run over you. Our soldiers all despise them, no matter what the politics is it the same. We all wish to see slavery abolished but at the same time we wish to see them sent out of the country, they and the white man never can live peaceably together.

 

            I wish that all would take hold and work together, for the good of our country. when we do this we shall succeed, then we shall put down the rebellion. But I see no hope of this, we are fast going / to destruction. Soon a large part of our army will go home. I see no way to replace the men, they will not volunteer and Govt. dares not attempt to draft them. We do not realize what our condition is. did we, we could not sit so quietly. I have been living in hope but it grows worse and worse every day. Nero fiddles and Rome burns!

 

            I still have my health and occasionally hear from home so I will not complain. The last letter I received from home was father's written just before he left home. I expect I have several at Newbern but whether Gen. Hunter will allow them us to have them we do not know. And it may be weeks before you receive this I will do my part and if you do not hear from me you must blame Govt.

 

            I have not yet rec'd that box, expect it is at Newbern. I am anxious to get hold of it but I do not think the things are spoiling if the box is kept dry they will keep fresh six weeks. I saw one opened that had been packed just two months and all was fresh & sweet. The Boston box will come about the same time so I shall live high for a while. Fred writes as often as ever. he is one of my best correspondents, is acquainted with many of my Boston acquaintances so can always write me an interesting letter. One of the best letters I ever rec'd in my life came from one of my schoolmates (Sabbath-school) a young lady of about your age. School St. Church still prospers, Mr. Miner is still with them, the school is not so large / as it once was but the interest is the same as ever. The Ballou Association is not doing much, the President, Vice President, Treasurer and many of the members are in the army. My friend Small is Quartermasters Sergt. in the 24^th Me. Regt., it is a good berth. When I last heard from him he was in East N.York but was expecting to join Gen. Banks any day, he writes a good letter. Martin is in the 21^st Me. as 1^st Lieut. he is very popular, his men think every thing of him. I have it from one of his corporals who was on the "J. Morton", was there to take charge of stores belonging to the 21^st.

 

            Just now we are having quite an easy time, no drills but we are expecting that will come any day. Our stores are not yet ashore and consequently our living is not the best. yester-day I had for dinner four crackers and a bit of fat pork. to-day fared better but at my own expense, ate six red herring and some ginger scnapps, they tasted good and cost 20 cts. We have to pay abominable prices for everything. butter 50 cts pr. lb, cheese 25 and 30, small pies 30 cts, cakes the size of a half dol. 10 cts a doz., 2 small apples for 5 cts and everything in that proportion. I buy apples and butter and that is about all, one can easily spend $13.00 a month and get nothing but they are no better off. Butter I will have as long as I can get any money. I expect I could sell my box for 10 or 15 dollars, I shall give each one in the tent something and the rest eat. I wonder if I shall find that can of sauce? I hope so but shall not be greatly surprised if I do not. the butter and cheese will be there and won't they taste good! and the cake and all the good things.

 

            During the day it is quite warm, reminds me of the warmest days of May at home, at night we have heavy dews. I do not know what the health of the place is. the water is rather poor. The 8^th Me. Regt. is in this Dept. but I do not expect I shall see the boys. we are prisoners and nothing else. I hope Gen. Foster will return soon with full powers. he is a man that will do all he can for us.

 

            Since writing the above a good mail has come and in it four letters for me, yours of Jan. 31^st, one from Roscoe, one from Frank Thompson, one from Johny Irish and 15 papers, some from home and several from Boston. Just as glad to hear from you as ever. You do not appreciate how well off you are, at home with your friends, with all the comforts of life. You will never know what home is till you have been absent from it a year or two. I should have enjoyed Uncle Nathaniel's visit much. Did you play whist with him?

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