James Island SC

                                                                                                                        Jan 1^st 1864

 

            Dear Sister.

                                    As it is Newyears day I thought I would write you a letter. Henry and myself are both well and hearty and I hope you are well also. I have not rec’d a line from home since I left and it has been nearly a month since I arrived here. However we did get one from Butler and John wrote with pencil at the bottom and said—“we have received one letter from Jim.” I reckon he considered that as an answer. I have been reduced to ranks and I have to tote a musket and cartridge Box and go into fights I dont know how I will stand it when we get on a march but I do not believe that I can stand it. It seems from the way that Congress has gone to work that the Substitute law will be rooted up from the very bottom, and So Jackson and Butler will be compelled to go into Service at last.

 

I do not know what I shall do when our time is out (11^th June 1864) but I know we will not be allowed to go home. I expect our Brigade will be consolidated that is, take two or three Regiments and make one out of them so as to get full regiments. If we were allowed to reorganize, I think that Henry would be Captain of this Company. But I cannot tell any thing about it. I think we will have some hard fighting here but I don’t know how long before it will commence. The yankees keep throwing shells into Charleston./

 

I think perhaps Henry will get a furlough in about a month if nothing happens and then he will see you all. Sometimes I am afraid we will have to go Johnstons Army (formerly Bragg’s) in Tenn. and I do not want to go there, for we will be always running about, and here we do not have runabout Here we stay in houses or cabins and when it rains we keep as dry as you do at home. It rained last night and I was glad I did not have to take it. I was detail to go on picket and one fellow came to me and said “Let me take your place, for I want to go on Johns Island to get some articles which were left by the people who left there.” “Well I told him to go ahead.” So it happened that that the picket did not go whare he expected & he was disappointed; but the best of it was it rained nearly all night and he got soaked in it and I staid at home & slept in my bed. He says he’ll be D—d if he ever goes in another man’s place.

 

Mary, you must write as soon as you get this letter and tell me all the news. I feel very lonesome when I can not get any letters in so long a time. Tell Mollie howdy for me; also Lula. On the 4^th page of this letter I send you the beautiful tune called “Lula is gone” as a New Years Gift. Just three verses. It is all tenor. there is no bass & trebble given. Give Martha the blue paper which has, “I see still in my Dreams.” Give Balus my best wishes and tell him to write to us.

 

                                                            Your Afft Bro             Jas R Williams/

 

                                                Lula is gone.                                       J.R.W.

 

[sheet music with one verse printed]

      Nor gladness returns with the dawn

      Not a smile is murmured in the fountain

      For Lula sweet Lula is gone

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