The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-04-25
Yours &C.,
JOHN D. HELM.
CANT OF 55TH RECT. PA. VoL's.,
Edisto Island, March 16, '62.
Def,r Sister.

CAMP OF 55TII REG'T. PA. VoL's.,
Edisto Island, March 16, '62.
Dear Sister:
We reached this Island on Thurs
day, the 9TH inst, and found the 47th New
York stationed here, but almost scared to death
They received us with open arms, saying they
had been praying that our Regiment would be
sent to reinforce them the 55th has got big
name down here.) Their pckets have been
driven in almost every night, and rs they were
only 20 miles from Charleston with so small a
force, an attack was hourly looked for. We
encamped about mile on the Rebel side of
their quarters, which somewhat relieved their
fears. On last Saturday the pckcts of the 47th,
picked up two men from Charleston. They
owned ''sloop" which had come down the River
to the Island after a load of rice, thinking the
Rebel pickets still extended over the whole Is
land, they, after landing their vessel, wandered
out in search of some cattle, they walked into
the pickets, talked for some time, and were about
to return, were considerably surprised, but not
alarmed, TO hear they were United States pris-
oners. They said they were Union men, will
ing to take the oath of allegiance and would do
any thing the authorities directed, provided they
could make living; were born and raised in
South Carolina, are catholics and among great
many things, told Father McClosker four Chap
lain) the following interesting items:
1st, That the working people of Charleston,
are opposed to the formation of a southern
confederacy and are Union men.
I'd, That the great fire in Charleston was
caused by the explosion, during the experiments
of portable steam engine which was introdu-
ced by specializing Yankee.
Sd, That all the wealthy citizens of Charles
ton had gone to Columbia.
4th, That the Darkcs had been driven into
the interior where they Cut down trees, build
log houses and live on sweet potatoes.
5th, That Charleston Har'bor was blockadcd
together and sunk in zig gag course, with
10 nave pilot who UNDERSTOOD aH
the turns to get them through.
1h, That every man and boy in South Caro-
lima able to carry gun has been pressed into
service, except the aristocrats, who were in
search of lucrative offices, under their Govern
ment in which they could not have any fight
ing to do,
9th, That as near as they co ud judge there
were about 5000 soldiers in and between the
two cities of Charleston and Savannah. This
Island is divided by a small river don't know
its nancy The opposite side is occupied by
Rebels. The other night four darkies got into
boat for the purpose of escaping. They were
not discovered until almost half way over, when
they were fired at. Two were killed and the
other two got over safe. Every negro you see
''says' all dc cold foxes would leave der Mas
ter and come to de Island but de master shoot
en- if tley ketch en- tryin' to run off," +. III.
Seabrook, an Ex Gov. of South Carolina
lived on this island. The plantation he himself
occupied, is vastly superior to any thing ever
saw in my life never built an air-castle that
could compare with it and feel it impossible to
give description that will convey to your mind
the least idea of the beauty and elegance that
tile art of man has here built up suffice tito say
that if were worth millions and had all the
taste and fancy notions of a Il, could
not build palace like this. The avenue
leading to the House is about of mile long.
On each side is row of immense live oaks.
The house and yards cover four or five acres OF
ground. The latter arefed with artificial lakes,
fish ponds and little islands scattered here
and there, covered with flowers and summer
houses, that are almost concealed by the thick
hedges that surround them. Suspension bridges,
that stretch from one to the other, gold fish
swimming around in the lakes, and every thing
the imagination of man could conceive. This is
the same man that owned Seabrook on Hilton
Head lie must have been worth Million
The house still contains much of the furniture
as he left it lit is the finest i have ever seen
There are French mirrors reaching from the
floor to the ceiling, fifteen feet high, Pianos
and every thing money could buy. And yet
you will say this man left all this in his old
days, for the good of his country Is. Confed-
eracy). True, the South must be right when
such things shall occur. When this Island was
first occupied by our troops tbut few weeks
ago) two letters were found on u table in Mr.
Scabrooks house, in which letters he says he
is Union man and opposed to the course the
South has taken; that he remained on his plan
tation long after every body else had left, and
that party had returned to bring him away by
force, if necessary, and were even then waiting
on him. You may think this 'dodge" to
save his property, but report says he owned as
much on the Main land, as he does here.
will leave you to draw your own conclusions
from all that have written and will but say
that believe them to be true.
Your Affectionate bro,