James Island. SC. June 23^rd.

 

Dear Brother and Sister,

                                    Once more I sit down for the purpose of writing you a few lines to let you know that I am yet in the land of the living and hope this will find you in good health to, and I wish that you could have some of our warm days. to day is very warm. we have just got our two months pay. I send you twenty five dollars. you will get it of Henry Sherwood, (as befor) I presume that it will come in the same mail with this letter. we will have two months more due us the first of July and if you want any more money, let me know when you write to me and I think that I can send you some more.

 

            Everything is very quiet and still and has been ever since the skirmish when our men were repulsed and had to come back to camp again. the other day when we were out on Picket, about a mile from camp, I had a spy glass with me, and I climbed up a tree, and I could see the rebel batteries and the men to work on them / and I could see Fort Sumter, in Charleston Harbor. Our Pickets are in sight of one another (about one hundred rods.) they have stopped firing at one another. our Com has to go out on Picket to night again.

 

            When we came here from Edisto one of our Sergeants was taken sick on the way and went back to Edisto Island he has since died of Typhoid fever. he was from Charleston, Tioga Co. Penna his name was Solon T. Dartt, and as good a man as there was in our Co. he leaves a wife and two children to mourn his loss but such is the fortunes of war. we dont know when our time comes until we are called for, but let it come when it will, or where it will. we will try and do our duty as far we can. Col Welsh is now acting as Brigadier General. some say that he has got his papers. he has a brigade under his command composed of the 45^th Penn. 76^th Penn. 3^rd N.H. and the 3^rd R. I. reg^ts but he says that his interest is in the 45^th. three Com of our reg^t were out on dress parade last night, and we took the shine off of any thing that I have seen in the service / with our dress suit on, sky blue pants, coats nearly black, black wool hats, with a big black feather in one side, and turned up on the other side, and fastened up with a badge in the shape of a spread eagle. then on the fore part is a bugle with the number 45 and the letter I, a card around the crown with tassels hanging down, then the last (but not the least) is our white cotton gloves. may be you think that we are putting on a good many airs, for soldiers, well you are not the only one that thinks so, for some of our boys have sworn enough about the hats to sink the whole state of SC. by the way, I have got out of postage stamps, and have got where we cant get any, if you can get half a dollars worth without much trouble, I will be very much obliged to you. I heard that there was going to be a wedding up there. write the particulars about it. I guess that I have wrote enough for this time. write soon. direct as before, my love to all. this from your friend and brother. W^m Chase.

                                                                       

to G. W. & M. Kennedy.

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