New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-07-16
The Evacuation Of James ISLAND.

The Evacuation OF James Island.
from Our Special Correspondent.
HIrTos HAD. s C., July $. 1862
/ am informed that the Potomac leaves here to-
morrow for New-York, conveying thther mail, and,
though experience has taught me to place anything
but implicit reliance such statement shall not
resist the opportunity of adding to the bulk OF my
Ms. already accumulated in the upper story OF the
queer little shanty which here serves for Post
Office; particularly Us have nothing else on earth
TO do and am in possession Of the fine falOw even
ing of a deciously temperate day, with the many
voices Of the multitudinous deep moaning outside the
building in which / write, and soothing me TO the
task Only in great city could feel more lonely
and infinitely less tranquil.
arrived here two days ago, from james leland.
BY the time this reaches you, suppose that woody,
swampy sultry, and picturesque locality will be
entirely abandoned by our troops, at all events
before the Charleston subscribers to The TRIBUNE
could receive the copy containing this letter; so
write without fear OF afording the enemy contIaband
information.
The order for tho evacuation reached rs on the
morning OF the 2sth, producing, think, general
feeling of regret if not Of Dissatisfaction To leave
place which we had occupied in which we bad
erected so many charming batteries u refer you TO
the map | forwarded for the number, Just az they
were near completion, was Illuminating especially
after Gen. Beuhams " successful reconnois ance.
ii the question whether VIC mould or should LOT
have parting slap at tie Rebels had been put 10
the vote throughout the camp, i make no doubt
there would have appeared strong majority for the
affirmative. Underlying this feeling, however, III
the minds Of all who based their convictions on
something better than impulse was strong sense
OF the ACCESSIBILITY Of the movement, II moi Hs
necessity.
We had bu. a small force there, which, even II it
drove the enemy from the island could not hope TO
occupy IT, much less successfully attack Chareston,
city which began the work of rebellion and forth.
cation simultaneously. Ger. Hunter could not Afford
TO send more troops having a large extent OF sea-
board territory to retain possession OF, stretching
from tins State TO the Gulf. Lastly, the ierceet
Summer heats were approaching, the weather grow
ing every day more tropical, and tie island was de-
cidedly unhealthy. To keep men upon II Tor one,
two three monhs-until the fall Of all-engrossng
Richmond shall cap the climax Of "a short aud
bloody war;" and allow of the diyersion OF ZONE
portion Of public and Governmental attention 70 otbeI
localties-were O mere holocaust at the hhrine OF
false honor. SO we came away. The cavalry went
frat, the artillery next, the infantry and Cen Wright
last OF all. lie is now at Edisto Island with his
command, where he will temporarily remaln-per-
haps longer than temporarily.
In Battery SteNels-thAt Nearest 10 inc lNcbci
our boys obliQingly left "a few Quaker guns 1hey
talked also of establishing scare-crow picket or
two, but, / believe Icnq uished the idea III virtue
! of the consideration that an imnovable sentinel
induces reflection, and reflection inquiry. For the
last five dave they-thc soldiers not the scare-crOws
had only played at working IN the batteries,
marching 10 them with sticks over their shoulders,
! in lieu Of picks, thOvels, or axes, and amusing
Themselves az they pleased when they got there.
| How did they embark ? you may ask. Chiefly 10
steamers, big and little came hither, for my sins,
in the Burnside not very large htern.wheel steam
or, with civil captain. Respecting the gallant
officer whose name she bears, as l do, cannot as-
sert that her owners paid him very high compli-
ment in the bestowal Of the name. For the Burn
side was decidedly incoun0h0us, ber limited cabn
smelled Of bige-watcr Of bCd-ciOthes saturated
with human persI iratiOn, and OF fGlt fish. -Four
meals on board justify Tie IN believing that no fresh
meats are ever permitted 10 appear al table, Iheni
too Ter deck wGs 20 crowded win fodiers lsiIhS-
glers and promiscuoas PERSONS many Of whom were
there unauthorizedj that we could hardly STIR. These
mon TOO cot al barrel OF whsky in tie hold, pried
il open with their bayoues, filled their caDtccns,
,vith the inevitable Tesu-drunkennets, quairels,
and fighting One Tell overheard, hut escaped
drowning. in consequence Of there beng no room
for salt water IN BIN ana DIS e-Pscly -Oi e"'eIt'
One long cruelly-sultry day did | endure OF TINS
lin which my neck was cooked by the solar beat TO
color between that Of slice OF beet and boiled
lobster and TWO dreary nights; the next morning
brought ne 10 Hilton lead and comfort
found everything quiet enough OF course; long
wharf sand sea and eky, ex-kebel fort, neat, M
pgiuted barracks and stOre-rooms, tents hld hospital
IL WIS the evening Of the Fourth, but SIM delight
fully quiet; no drulns, noJuvehle pyrotechbeS' 10
exayperatirg popping OF pietols no shouting drunk
ards nO--ha ha mo tin horns! Nioeut ram
storIn concluded tho day, ana we slept TRANQUILITY 10
H. ,,u.ic and that Of tho cad, sea waves. and the
l,reat Anniversary daWned ClouGily win no par
fcnlsr celebration beyond the display 81 The national
Gag i,pon The many vessels IN the harbof, ana Nv
noon /, general salute of thirteen guns: .,
Gen. Hunter, considerable always Tor INC healh
and comfort OF his men, had ordered no laFldei %
the troope had a holiday, and disported themselves
es tLsv chose Some bathed, some Ished, some
wr0te le.ters 10 friends and kiusolk, very lew
oot drunk. O,befs-tie vOuLteer engineers ior
examrieat the suggestion OF their excellent Lieut.,
Col, llall, had a shooting match, tie men OF tne
different conpauies 81 first contendln8 N irenoIy
emulation and then the victorious msrksInen tIying
eif skill against each other, for prizes oil money
contributed by the officers. AS usual the Des'
sodiers in general sense, proved the Dess sno's.
BY the way intend todevOtc letter 10 TIE history
OF this regiment; il is peculiar and worth the telling
The Let Regiment South Carolina Volunteers Vhe
negro regmenu was, understand, great on paiaue
on the Fourth, near their quarters On hob3 pFsy
toms plantation But as did not sec it, - as
intend TO write comprehensyely, my I'M fethions o.
tins excellent this stupid y-maligned organizaioh,
which will survive the Of brutal prejudice 10
do honor 10 the man whose moral courage mas