Morris Island S.C.

Wednesday October 21^st 1863

 

Dear Parents,

                        It has been quite warm again to day, in fact for some time past we have been having quite warm weather. I have had several tours of duty to the front since I wrote you last. Sunday night I was up on Grand Guard came into camp in the morning. there was not a gun fired from the time we left camp until after we had been returned some time

 

            Our Regiment has been very fortunate about that / with the exception of Colonel Leggett there has been scarce a man scratched, but we have enough sick to make up.

 

            There is Grand Guard tonight it came very near taking me, if some of the officers had not returned to duty it would.

 

            But now I shall not have to go out until day after tomorrow probably and then on fatigue.

 

            I am all alone in the tent tonight. Capt. is away on G. Guard consequently there is not the usual company in and gives me a chance to write.

 

            The doctor returned Silas E. to duty this morning. he does not look able to do duty, nor do I believe he is. he has gone to the / front tonight on G. Guard.

 

            We got our express matter today. Silas E's box came it came in very good condition.

 

            One of the cans of pickles we opened they are very nice, not much like pickles government gives us some times, vinegar made of acid.

 

            Lieut. Wright went to the Head yesterday. he expects to be there when the Arago arrives and to get the express if there is any.

 

            I sent by him to get me a sword and belt. I expect it will cost me a considerable.

 

            Every thing bought here is very high.

 

            Remember me to Ann M[?] I hope the time will be short when I see all the old friends. I very / often think of my class of little boys big boys I suppose now, and wish I was with them again.

 

            I was to see the mustering officer this afternoon I am in hopes I shall succeed in getting mustered now. I am not quite sure about it yet. there is but one company in the regiment in which there is any possibility of my being mustered until the regt is filled that is Company B. a company must have eighty men or they can not have a second Lieut. if they have no officers at all and have not eighty men, a second Lieut. can not be mustered in the company.

 

But I must close for to night Sergt. Salter went over to the hospital to night. He looks very thin. I guess he will get along now. 

 

October 22^nd Thursday eve

I will add a few lines more to my epistle again this evening.

 

            It has been quite warm again to day. toward night a breeze started up. there is now every prospect of a storm.

 

            A large steamer went down toward Hilton Head this afternoon supposed to be the Arago

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