Morris Island S.C.

October 9^th 1863

 

Dear Parents,

                        We recieved a small mail to day which came from the north, per str. Arago. I was very much rejoiced to see it come into camp and went & helped sort it, and was rewarded for my trouble by not getting any thing whatever. Nothing serious happened as a consequence—

 

I am feeling very well at present, except a little fatigued. I am gradually getting better of my trouble in my bowels 

 

I was on fatigue yesterday all day, left camp about six in the morning, and did not get back until about half past six in the evening. We were up in Gregg our most forward battery quite near to Sumpter and Moultries and the batteries on Sullivan and James Island, and they did their duty well. Moultries and the Sullivan island batteries pay their complements to Battery Gregg while the James island batteries gave particular attention to Battery Wagner (more properly Fort). it is very dangerous work on that end of the island the range is so short, one scarcely has time to get under cover before the shot is there there was some very narrow escapes, but only / one man was hurt and he was killed, nearly cut in two by a piece of shell. There was a very large fatigue out yesterday over seven hundred men from our brigade alone were on that end of the island, besides what were there from other brigades. the casualties in wanger were more. I believe there were some fifteen killed or wounded in all yesterday, more than in any day for some time. Our regiment has been very fortunate in regard to accidents since we came on the island. very few men have been either killed or wounded. There is another large detail going out tonight for Grand Guard. that does not effect me, although it does those men that were on fatigue yesterday. Silas E. told me last / night, he had been up to Gregg every day for the this week. it is not right; and is really to bad to work men that way. But as we do not hear anything from the box yet, I hope when we get the Arago's express up here, it will come I went over to our daguerrean artist this afternoon and had my phiz struck off. I hardly know whether it is best to send it or not. they all say (what every one says must be so) that it is a very good one but it seems to me he has to much color in the cheeks otherwise it is good rather light. I was taken by one of our band men. I have learn any thing more about my position yet.                                                     

 

Your aff. Son

W L Savage

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