Seabrook Island S.C.

Friday April 16^th 1863

 

Dear Parents,

                        It is now about a week since I have written anything. One week ago this morning, we went out on picket expecting to stay three days. I did not suppose that I should have much opportunity to write, and as it was not convenient to carry paper I did not take any with me. When our three days were up it was decided that we should stay six, so we staid on the rest of the time. And I had no opportunity to write. Yesterday we returned to camp. soon / Soon after we came in, a steamer left with the mail without our knowing of it. The last mail in had no letters for me, but two packages of papers mailed the twenty first I have recieved no letters since the twenty fourth of March. We had a good time for picket pleasant and moonlight nights all the time we were out. The rebels did not give us any trouble all the time we were out. Although we saw them nearly ever day. I heard the regiment that relieved ours yesterday had their picket fired into twice yesterday P.M. We I had as fine a place to do picket as they could be. they were on the beach where they could get as many clams and oysters as they wanted. / Fried clams fried oysters boiled clams and I do not know how many other ways they were got up. I went to there post, and had one or two good eats of clams. Silas E. was not out with us he was doing duty in camp. We all kinds of rumors from Charleston but none which we can put any confidence in. There is quite a fleet in the harbor here now of schooners and steamers. some of the steamers have troops on board. steamers run in here from the fleet at Charleston to coal up nearly every day. Yesterday afternoon after we got in I had to detail fifty men to go on board of the steamers and shovel coal. This morning one hundred / men have been detailed for fatigue, seventy five of them on the fortifications. This is the first time our regiment has been in the ditches. Our camp here is on a neck of land which is formed by a deep creek on one side and the harbor on the other. the fortifications run across this neck can be defended against a large force by a small number of men. There was an express came in with the last mail. Jimmy E. had a box. It had a loaf of cake in from Sarah Jane for me. It is real good dont see much such things round here. Robbins had a barrel or something come with a few apples in he gave me a couple. They were jaz I believe the boys generally a pretty well except Joshua Lyon. he is rather poorly.

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