The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1863-07-15

Correspondence of the Pcrrysburg Journal.l
Folly ISLAND, s. c., June %, 1868.
Eps. JouRSAL; We have again joined the well
rcputed 67th Ohio, which is now stationed ON Folly
Island, s. c. We reached here on the 10th inst,
after pleasant trip of days via Baltimore, Phil
alclphia and New York. Our passage down the
coast, aboard the Arago, was more like taking
pleasure trip than that of soldier returning to
the wars. On arriving at our camp we found
many familiar faces and warm hearts. and although
we were far from own dear homes, yet il was
to great degree like being there, as we met so
many of our country's brave veterans, with whom
we had soldiered and fought in the hills and val
leys of old Virginia.
Some changes have taken place since We left in
August 1862. Capt Spaf1rd is no longer with us.
Lieutenant Bell has thus far proved himself gem
temau possessed of heart full oflove and respect
for his men, and is one of the few among the many
officers, whom we can believe to be q Christian in
the full sense of the word
Among the dead of our Company, one rests on
this island. This is Cassius Campbell, of Plain
township; he was a noble boy and a brave and du-
ful soldier whose death is deeply lamentcd by the
entire company and, as a last tribute of respect,
his comrades, commanded by CorporalJ. II. White
head buried him in the honors of war, and to-day
he sleeps in soldiers grave on the south brink
of little sand knoll, hard by our camp, and around
his grave his friends in arms have built rough
fence of pine poles to guard it from the intruder's
foot.
Folly Island lies in sight of all the most noted
points about Charleston, running nearly east and
west with length of about six miles, but isquite
narrow, being not half mile wide at any point.
The east point, or what is termed the head of the
island, is separated from Morris Island by narrow
passage of water, which at low tide is not more
than ten rods in width at certain point; yet it is
quite deep, rendering it convenient for boats of an
ordinary size to pass. At this point, we have our
pckets posted and two small guns in position.
The opposite point on Morris Island is to all ap-
pearances we'll fortified and supplied with several
heavy guns and mOrtars, which we know to be a
fact from the large shells that occasionally visit
| our camp.
Some ten or twelve days ago, a large iron-clad
British steamer attempted to run the blockade near
the points spoken Of, but was unsuccessful in her
enterprise, having run aground on sandbar
within musket shot, and few degrees to the right
of the head of this island, while eudeavoring to
avoid the shots from our gun-boatS, thus rendering
her helpless and immovable, at about equal dis
| tances from ours and the rebel guns. She was
Immediately set on fire by the crew, who made
their escape by means of small boats to Morris Is
land but from some reason the fires died out, do
ing but very little if any damageto to her cargo, which
is said to be worth about 100000. As the prize
is valuable one, a hard strife has been going on
| Al Ia cf
part thereof; but owing to the vigilant watch
that has been kept, and the advantages of heavy
! artillery on both islands, each party yet has
gained but little by her visit in the harbOr. Thus
each seems be satisfied with the idea, that ifthey
can not get the desired treasures they can keep the
other from it.
The LIST Brigade, Commanded by Colonel Put
man, of the 9TH n. H., consists of the 62d and 9th
Ohio, and 4th and 7th n. II. Regiments, and is en-
| camped about one mile back from the head, and t,
the rear Of an excellent line of breastworks behint
which we have four 30 FOUNDER Parrot guns, which
are capable of doing gooi execution in shelling the
| Norris Island batterics-a distance of nearly twC
miles while at the same time our camp is very
easily reached by the rebel guns from that source
They have thrown several large shells and sho
|
inches in diameter and in its falling man of the
seth Illinois was slightly hurt aside from this, nc
casualties have occurred in our camp.
The fire of the enemy is, however, mostly di
rected on our piSkc!s, whe are at the head OF thu
| island. yet no harm has been done excepting thC
wounding of one man. They have thus been KEEP
| secure even at times when the rebel shells were
bursting among them Z; the rate Of 90 per minute
by digging themselves holes in the opposite side o
the little sand banks which plenty on the island
In these holes the pickets usually remain for fv'
| days, coming out only at night to shake the san'
| from their clothes and blankets,
For several days back things have been yer!
quiet on both sides, while General Gilmore seem
to be energctcally engaged in making preparation
for something of importance. Heavy fatigue par
ties are detailed every night to work at the poin
in erecting strong breastworks, where, in few
days several large siege guns and mortars are
be placed.
Holding the humble position that | do in tn
army, it becomes very difficult to obtain much re
liable information; but being blessed with com
mon observation, feel safe in saying, that fror
| all appearances, General Gilman and Admira
Foot are making all necessary preparations for tn
day not far distant, when our monitors will agail
visit the harbor of Charleston and that with grea
success to the national arms.
The health of our men is rather poor at present
owing to the inferior quality of water. In short
the water is most miserable being salty and, il
nineteen eases out of twenty of the color of steepe
tea. notwithstanding this, they are all anxiou
| to be among that number who shall have the homo
of taking the place where the rebels fred their frs
guns on Major Anderson and his valiant little party
Within the last three days, some eight or te
men have deserted the enemy and come over to us
They say that there are but few men at and abou
Charleston, and that many of them would com
through our lines if they dared and on bein
asked why they deserted, they replied that the
had starved long enough, their food consisting I
nothing but Germ bread and corn coffee, Sewers
others started with them, but being unable to swir
were obliged to return.
Our men were highly gratitied few days sine
on hearing of the capture of the rebel ram at Sa
, yannah, which was taken by one of our monitors
which was covered with green brush and hid frol
view in bend of the river. Not long after, one
our wooden guuboats made its appearance in tn
, river below, when the steamed down after her
but as she passed the monitor, she was fired OF
the shot carrying away the pilot house; two moi
shots were fired and she surrendered. Severn
pleasure-boats came down from Savannah to Sc
/ the ram perform her great teats, but on hearin