St. Helena Island Port Royal harbor S.C.

March 2^d 1863.

           

Dear brother Roscoe:

                                                Yours of Dec 23^d reached me Feb 14^th and I assure you I was glad to hear from you once again and that you were prospering so well. Your letter found me far from Newbern. my Regt left that place about the middle of Jan. and after spending three weeks on an old transport we brought up on this Island—the Devils half acre unfinished—Gen. Foster organized an expedition which was to operate against Charleston and Savannah. After the usual delays it sailed, bringing up in the harbor of Port Royal S.C. It had been represented to Gen. Foster that the troops in the Dept. of S.C. would cooperate with him. Arriving here he found Gen. Hunter who came forward and claimed Foster's troops as reinforcements for him (Hunter). A quarrel ensued and Gen. Foster went to Washington to have the matter settled. We were landed on this barren Island, by whose order I know not, but Gen. Hunter at once assumes command of all troops in the Dept. of S.C., places his guard over us and in fact treated us much like prisoners. for many days we could not leave camp for love or money and our officers must have a pass before they could. Foster's Quartermaster declined to turn over his stores to Hunter and was placed under arrest. Gen. Stevenson had a row with "Hunter's Pets", the Negro soldiers, and was arrested / It was one grand row and all caused by the officials in Washington. Hunter is to be blamed but it was a blind piece of work in sending Foster here without having an understanding with Hunter. The troops were finally turned over to Gen. Hunter for the time being and Foster returned to Newbern. Had he been many Gens. he would have resigned but he cares more for his country than many of them do.

 

We have not yet attacted Charleston. I suppose they are waiting for the Rebels to get fairly ready. The ironclads are slowly arriving and soon I hope they will commence work. The land force is not large, could do nothing without the assistance of the Navy and then it will be a hard struggle.

 

            You say that you wish you was with me. I am glad that you are not! You know nothing about the way this war is carried on, you imagine that the most discouraging part of the soldiers life is the long hard march and the battle but it is not. You can hardly imagine what a set of men many of our officers are! I came here to fight for my country, not to be a slave to low-bred tyrants. I came expecting to be drilled enough to make me a good soldier but not a "regular". I expected and wish to keep myself and equipments clean but I did not expect to drill three fourths of the time and to spend the other fourth in blacking brogs. and polishing brasses. Every day it is drill, drill! if we fall into line without our brogs polished we are sent to our quarters. I tell you the thing is fast playing out. the country is fast going to ruin. Last Sunday we / were visited by a "regular" officer and the consequence was we were kept in the harness all day long going without our dinner! We were inspected and drilled and I know not what. The boys are fairly discouraged, they see corruption on every side and are completely disgusted. We are not homesick, no one can say that of us but this war is one grand humbug. Many of our officers are playing the part of the British in the Revolutionary war well, they are feasting, drinking and quarrelling while the country is going to H—l. I shall not dare to write home so plainly, there I must show the bright side of the picture but to you I can state it just as it is. I am not sorry that I enlisted, I could not have remained quietly at home and as long as I have my good health can stand it. It is enough to make the true patriot weep to see how this war is carried on. You doubtless wonder why our troops are not more successful and ask if they are not as brave as those of the South. The trouble is not with the private soldier, it is with our Gens. they will not work together, each is jealous of the other, we have many Fitz John Porters in our army. I certainly hope that we shall conquer but our prospects are far from bright, unless there is a change very soon the South will gain the day. Soon a half of our Army is going home. I suppose Govt. will attempt to raise more troops but if the people volunteer or stand a draft I shall be greatly surprised, after what has been done they will be justified in resisting both.

 

            This is a hard place that we are now in, a low / swampy island abounding toads, alligators and snakes. The health of the army is much better than I should suppose it could be, I hear of but little sickness. One day it is hot and the next quite cold.

 

            I am very glad to learn that you have been so lucky thus far. I think you have done remarkably well. Your life this winter is just the one that would suit me. I should like it tip top and your living is a little better than salt junk and hard bread. I advise you to remain in Cal. 'till you get enough to settle you in good shape at home, then start for home, take some fair damsel and settle down for life. Do you receive letters from any of the young ladies of our town? I rec'd a good letter from Hattie a few weeks since and hear from others through Georges and Abbies letters. What a sweet time they will have at home the last of this month! wish you and I could be there to enjoy it. Fred is well, I hear from him often. H. M. Bearce is Trea^s of the American Shoe Tip Co., the Goodyears own two thirds and C. McK & Co. one third of the stock. Fred is with this Co. C. McK & Co. paid 40 cts on the dollar and then dissolved. Chase Merritt & Co is the firm now Blanchard being the Co. he is married. He and Merritt will both look out for the dimes and I think they will do well. Bearce has bought a house in Boston paying $1000. I hear from Mary occasionally, others in Boston write to me quite often, heard from one of the Ballou boys yester-day. Some kind friends in Boston have sent me a box of the good things. I expect to receive it to-day. The eatables will taste good and coming from the quarter that it did makes it all the more valuable. I expect a box from home by the same Exp.

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