Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1861-03-15
EDITORIAL ooaREsPonDENcs.
E.S-fFs-. - Mnpnfo t., ne a


DEAR WILSON Il write you this from orr
| camp on Morris Island, where all the ,Compa
MES OF our Regiment are now quartered. Our
Camp is pleasantly situated about mile from
Cummings Point-the point next adjacent to
Fort Sumter. Imagine 10 yourself grassy
knoll, GOV ercd at intervals with small cedar
! trees. and hankcd upon one side by marsh,
| intersected 10y several creeks, and on the other
by the ocean beach, and you may form an idea
of our location. Here we hnve pitched the
tents of onr Company, numbering bctween 90
| and 80, whilst Mt points adjacent nre the quar-
ters Of our comrades in arms.
The order 10 leave Sullivan's Island. came
rather unexpectedly to us on Monday last We
were directed to pack up bed aud baggage bv
O'Clock, p. M, at which time we were trans
ierred to one OF the steamboats,, which Div in
the harbor, and safely landed at Cunminp's
Point We arrived at dark, and being with.
out tent, were forced to pass the pi,.ht in the
open air, on this bleak spot. with the sky
above us, the sand beneath, and the cold winds
sweepng around. Few Of US will forget our
1sroudc at Cummings Point which limited US
into some of the stern realities of the soldier q
lie. On the next day we were marched to our
present quarters. and provided with very ex
celient tents. Here commences our Camp life
proper We miss many of the conveniences
of the Moutrie House. but manage to get
along very comfortably. We are all by this
time pretty we'll hardened by exposure-have
all appeti,es for soldiers fare, and con sleep
soundIy without the luxury Of soft beds.
Morris Island is at present very strongly for.
tilted, and in the opinion of the Commanding
General. Benrregar,l, can be made a peri Feet
Gibralter. There are already 8 stro,g bate
rIes completed, and the work of preparat ion
is still progressing. Three of these batteries
bear upon Fort Sumter, and are armed with
eight and ten inch Columbiads, and heavy NOR.
tars-one of these the "iron batterry" il en-
trely bomb proof The Commanding General
is said to feel great confidence in the capablity
of these batteries to effect a breach in Fort
Snmter-but his policy seems now to be to
prevent reinforoeneuts. and thus to affect its
reduction. lie is. therefore, pressing forward
the work upon the batteries which comm a nd
the channel. and is arming the Island at all
poiu:s. The Channel batteries are We in
number-one Of them armed with two heavy
Dahlgreen guns, which have range of over
four milcs-others arc in the progress Of cree.
ton. Batteries will soon be completed at tn.
South Point of the Island, and also to guard
approaches by land; and if not ALREADY pre-
pared. We will soon be, to very the declaration
of Senator Douglas. that it would require the
whole Navy of the United States and ten
thousand men TO reinforce Fort Sumter.
Are we to have wari Upon this point opin.
ions are as conflicting as ever Seward and
Cameron seem to represent the conservative
element Of Lincoln's Cabinet. and Chase the
war policy, and upon the result of their dissen.
tions hangs the question Of peace or war;
Those who anticipate peaceoble solution of
our troubles rely upon the well known sagac
ity and conceded strength of the Premier. At
present the indications are decidedly pacific,
but to.morrow's advices NAY overthrow the
we'll constructed fabric CT our ihopes Ten
days at farthest, We think, will decide the all.
sorbIng question.
We have been kept hard at work ever since
our arrival here, and instead of the Military
drill, have been exercised in rolling wheelbar
rows and filling sand bags. The Regulars have
oil been sent 10 Sullivan's Island, and they re-.
ly upon the Volunteers to build the batteries.
AT first ten men from each company were de.
tailed every day for this duty, but now we
work by Companies: three companies being
at. t.once-working from o'clock. a. m.
till dark. So you see we have good deal of
hard work IN prospect, at $ll per month
Some of usstand a fair prospect of becoming
ricl'-in health, at least.
COL Pettigrew's Rife Regiment occupany
our former quarters on sullisans Island.
We have constant communication with the
City twice day-but subject to the same 70.
trictions as on Sulliven's Island.
We have every reason to be proud of our
;empany-the officers and members of which !
ire in very excellent reputs in the Regiment.
[he following merited tribute to Capt. Perrin
8 from the pen of brother officer one of the |
Editors of the Marion Star
1T would be indelirate in me to refer In |
erms OF praise. censure or disapprobatiou To
ts oif1cers either Of the field or in the line.
VIII De excused 10 naming one man, as I shall
'ot venture the praise by offering disrespect to
ny one refer 10 Captain Perrin, of the All. |
'evi!le Company, who is man Of varied and
choiariy attsinments, of liberal disposition
nd catholic hesrt. and withal q courteous
IN Ger or rare skill and ability. He Is fayo.
Ites think, Of social ife. and know he ia an
rnament to the Camp. He is the Vicar Of our
segment and shows us how soldier of his
ountEy can be q soldier of Christ"
We are generally in good health.
Yours, very truly.