Laughtons Plantation

Hilton Head South Carolina Dec 15

           

Dear Parents

                                    I received your letter on the 13 of December was glad to hear from you and to hear that you are all well. the Winsted boys are all well as well as myself we do not live so high but that we can stand it as for the picket duty that is nothing but fun the rebels get within about 10 miles of us but do not dare come any nearer one of our gun boats went down the river to day between us and them we thought at first that it might be a sesech but it hoisted the / stars and stripes upon our pickets fireing at them we have had no snow here yet but the Darkies say that they have a little sometimes we have not had much rain neither some of the Darkies are set to work on the fort some are to man the boats when we go acrost from one island to the other we visit the other islands for forageing expedition 2 or 3 times a week and the rest of them [?] and women are picking the corn for the government and themselves they run the corn and sweet potatoes prinsipally where companies are stationed on plantations as ours is they occupy the planters and overseers house the rest in the cotton houses 

 

tell brother that I have plenty of shirts but not so many stockings but I have a enough so that I can get along for a spell yet as for washing I do that myself as hire the Darkies to do it for 5 cents apiece I have a good gray overcoat the 3 month boys says that they are better than theirs was the are made with a cape and two pockets in behind and I have put one in the inside myself I am getting to be a pretty good sewer but it is awkward work to mend a hole the seams I get along firstrate with if you send a box I wish you would send some black thread a fine tooth comb and some postage / stamps when we get our meals we take our plate and cup and go and get our food and take our knife and fork and spoon and fingers and set down on the ground and eat I have sent home 15 dollars and I wish you would write and let me know as soon as you receive it tell Mother that I wish she would see that the Dutch shoemaker is paid out of it tell Willard to write to me I wish I could send you some sweet potatoes the boys have sent home after a box I told Jim that he might tell you to send me some things if you send some cake dont send any thing but what will keep a week or 2 every thing cost so like the Devil that we cannot afford to buy much give my love to all inquireing

 

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friends and save some for yourself Write soon

                                                                                               

Charles L Hewitt

SCHH

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