The Portland daily press., 1863-09-21
COMMUNICATIONS.


Private Letter from South Carolina.
7othe Editor Of the Press:
The following letter was written by sol
dier formerlya pupil in that excellent insttu-
tion, the Reform School, from which he was
honorably discharged, and then Immediately
enlisted in the 9th Maine Regt.
U. S. GENERAL HOSPITAL No. 8,
Beaufort, 5. c., Sept. o, 1868.
Mr.. BERRY, Dear Sir - Perhaps You
would like TO hear from one you know in this
Department, in the vicinity Of the cradle of
rebellion. | know the eyes of all loyal people
are now turned in this direction: they are ho-
ping that Charleston will soon tall, and il hard
fighting will do it, ii ,ciU.
You will suppose by the above date that |
am either sick or wounded. | was wounded
on the 10Th of July in that unsuccessful
charge upon Fort Wagner, by mimic ball
striking me in the right hip, passing through
into my left leg and lodging there 1t was
extracted after | arrived here and now car
. ry 1t in my pocket.
On the morning of the 18th our regiment
received orders to march to the entrench-
ments to support the batteries: the land and
naval forces were to open on Wagner at @
O'Clock. For some reason they did not COM
meBce until 10 o'clock, the monitors throwing
the first shell. Then began the terrible scene
ucdf1 TpdE vi EdililOu Is SUN ring
ing in my ears. The monitors threw shot and
shrapnel As they struck the earthworks of
Wagner the sand was thrown up so as almost
to hide the fort from our sight. 1t seemed as
though men could not live there: but they did,
for they gave US warm reception at night.
At o'clock the Adj General of our brigade
gave orders to our colonel to have his regi-
ment ready 10 march in half an hour. We hur-
riedly swallowed our bacon and hard tack. and
were soon ready for the conflict. We march
ed up the beach towards Wagner, the enemy's
shells passing harmlessly over our heads as
we went marching on When we reached
our batteries we came to q halt. Strong's
brigade was in front. He addressed few
words to the 54th Mass. (coloredl and then
rode down the line; as he passed us we gave
him three cheers. He was good and brave
officer, and was loved aud respected by all
who knew him. especially by his command.
The regiment that was to have the post of
honor appeared to be the 54th Mass, for they
marched out into the clearing and formed line
OF battle, the 4Sth n. Y. 9th and 7th Conn.
on their right, the 9th Maine, and l believe,
the Sd n. III. and 10th Penn. on their left
Then came the order Forward" and we
again marched towards Wagner:-Sumter saw
the movement and she with battery Gregg
pitched shell into our ranks; then Wagner
sent grape and canister, junk bottles, old rail-
road spikes and pieces of chain. These with
Sumters shells told largely in our ranks, but
the boys seemed not to finch at all; they clos
ed up the ranks where the brave boys fell,
some with an arm or leg shattered, and others
all torn to pieces. / received my wound but
few yards from Wagner. 1t seemed as
though some one struck me with stick across
the hip. 1t was not at all painful. had six
holes in me, all made by one ball; they are
now all healed up. l am going TO my regi-
ment in few days, and If ever come in sight
of John Reb' / will see what | can do for
him in the way of pills. Yours truly,
John b. F.
P.S. The hospital ship has just arrived
with 20 wounded on board. She brings news
that we are in possession of all Morris Island
We took 300 prisoners, 90 large guns, and a
large number of small arms.