, 1863-05-28
FROM HUNTERS DEPARTMENT
The 39th Illinois, Yates Phalanx--
at Folly Island.
Facts, Incidents, Condition
Of the Regiment, &c.

correspondence Chicago TEtbuue-1
HEADQUARTERS 3orn REgT. Ill. Vols,
FoILI ISLAND, s. c., May II, 1869
Thinking that 1t might not be unintercsting
TO some Of your many readers to hear from
the only Illinois regiment in Hunters De-
partmcnt, shall devote few moments to
the task.
We, the Yates Phalanx, left st. Helena Isl
and on transports the first day Of April, land
cd on Cole Island the 4th, and on the night
of the 9th crossed over on Folly Island. The
39th taking the advance, led by Col. F. O. Os~
born, we marched till near sunrise, when
word came that large force Of "rebsn we're
masked In dense woods Immediately in our
front. We prepared for the attack, and went
forward, expecting every moment to meet
them; but after thoroughly securing the
woods re found "uary reb." Il there were
any, they had got wind of our approach, and
had "Ekedaddled" across the narrow creek
which separates this Island from Norris
At the head Of the island VIC pitched our
camp-that Is, unpacked our knapsacks,
drew forth our blankets, and prepared to rest.
Hardly night passes but our blockaders cap
tu1e prize. Night before Last schooner
was captured coming out Of Charleston har-
bcr, laden with cotton. Last night schooner
1an the blockade, and got safely into the har-
bor. Owing to the dense fog, the blockading
vessels did not discover the schooner until
ehe had got on line with them, then they
dare not fire. After she had passed, she went
with such speed, that by the time two shots
were fired she mas out of sight.
Folly Island, our present location is about
seven miles in length, and from one to one
and 1alf in width, and running FROM north
cast to southwest. There is but one house
on the leland, aud that WAS deserted, but is al
present occupied By Gen Vogdcs. Gnats o.
| they are very thick and troublesome. Pal
| metto and pine are The principal trees. ALI
| gators are found in the swantps, but not very
numerous.
Our pickets on this island and the encmy's
pickets OIL Morris Island, arc on the very bes'
is only about $50 yards wide, at low
tide. The first question asked by the *'rebs'
was, "Of what regiment are you:" Yates Pha
lanx. ''Tates Phalanx! how in the hi di,
you get down here?' Then followed serle
Of questions and answers: VIC found we Wer
talking with the I'd South C1rolin9, rcgi
mint that VIC first met at Bath, Virginia
wEere they made us wade the Potomac. "
next met them at White House Bridge, whcz
l. We made them skcdadale The next time II
met them WAS at tho battle OF Winchester, tn
next at Fredericksburg; then at Harrison
Landing, at the battle Of Malvern Hills, wher
We captured several Of their men, and now II
have met on the sacred soil of South Carolins
with only a little stream between us. W
have concluded to meet as friends, and hay
established the following rules: That no ii
; ing will be allowed dnring the day, on cishe
side: that no man shall 80 down to the beac
armed; that each party shall stay on his ow'
has been rigidlE adhered to.
The rebels NJ first delighted in "sarcastica
ly'' asking our boys, t'When Charleston #,
to be attacked again, until our boys tauntingl
| asked them 1.-The price Of salt" since wAlc
time VIC hnve heard no more ahoukthe attac
tn Charleston. The rebs arc free to conver.
on any subject but salt. Whenever that
| mentioned they rare tremendously. The
! made some miniature boats, and when Il
c tide was going ont, sent them over to us ladt
| with tobacco. VIC in turn, when tue tide VI;
going III, sent over boats laden with coffee OIL
kalt. We exchange papers in the same ma
: ner.
From our present location, with the make
eye We can see the stceples Of CHarlesto
t Fort Sumter, Fort A1onltrie, Cumming
: Point batteries, and other rebel brcastworl
: and Notifications. With q glass we can S
G the rebs walking on the top OF Fort Sumte
and on the boats In tie harbor.
> Col. Thomas Q. 0sborn is in command
c the :ath Illinois, G2d aud 9th Ohio, aud Il
/ 18th New Hampshire regiments.
:. The health Of the regiments is good, nev
9 was better. Our strength, for duty. is 507 t
: listed men, and 81 commissioned officers. on
| about half the number we had when we Il
Illinois, but what are left are Of the true fgl
: ing materinl, and arc ready to meet the enln
, Ut any time or placc. ". 4. ".