The Placer herald., 1865-01-28
Letter from Morris Island, South Carolina


A lady friend Of ours has kindly permitted us
to publish the following letter from her brother
who is in the United States service:
MORRIS ISLAND. S. G.. Dec. S, 1864.
Dear Sistsr:My work for Uncle Samuel is
finished for the day and have long evening be-
fore me. with nothing to read and nothing par
| tculat to do cannot better improve the time
th.,n by penning you few lines, though l have
nothing OF interest to give. II wished TO cast a
gloom over your heart and make you more than
ever feel what horrible thing war is. | could
relate ia" events that have transpred in this De-
parlmcnt within the past week, during the ter
lOlc battles that our men have passed through
tnd til" u,3,ny friends have lost in killed and
Wnu.ri", | will speak OF it at no great length
ior my heart is sad and sorrowing for those
cherished with the strongest ties that Friendship
/ cln bind h'"r,s together.
Last week the news came to us that Sherman
was, with large force, making his way towards
the Atlantic with the view of capturing Savan-
nab. There WAS Immediately started from this
and adjoining Islands an expedition to cooperate
with Sherman. They und ertook to burn Pocatoli-
go Bridge, on the Charleston and Savannah rail
road, but after terrible fight in which we lost a
thousand men in killed. wounded, and missing
were forced TO retreat
Sherman was expected to reach Savannah yes
terday, and we were also to open the ball again
Henry Battuson Of the l27th New York Nolun-
best friends, and his home in Hartford, Conn.
where he leaves many 10 mourn his loss. His
poor father and mother feel sorry for
Lieut.. Hallc, OF the oath Massachusetts Vol
untecrs. and son of Hallett the great Piano Man
ufacturcr ot Boston, WAS very badly wounded
and am very 0nXously waiting for more news
| His company did not 60 but he volunteered his
services. | expect TO hear OF many more who are
killed. for as yet | have only heard OF few o
| the officers. So many officers being killed We
! look, Of course. for large number Of meu who
! have fallen. Ii Sherman ttkes Savannah we will
soon make Charleston tremble.
II we. get into Charleston, shall try and strike
some business other than this constant sitting at
the desk, and hope to make some ding bats
our uame for greenblcks).
We have the wind blowing directly from the
front TO nj ght and the noise of the artillery is
terrific and shakes the office so that it is almost
impossible TO keep the pen on the paper.
We have had good success tor the past mouth
in sinking blockade runners Every dark night
there is one goes out or in, and it requires great
vigilance to catch them. Lieut. Clifford the other
night sunk Il splendid steamer right under the
rebel forts aud captured her crew and many val
| liable articles.
Yesterday being Sunday, and nothing to do,
went out to the fleet, and aboard the Steamer that
had just arrived from the North, and bou ght the
late papers. In the afternoon we all went up tC
'front.' | had young friend with me who ha
just come from the North to work in the Ord
nance Office, As We walked through the famous
parallels, where our forces dug their way up Il
Fort Wagner. he was much interested in picking
up the bones OF the poor soldiers who laid down
their lives for their country. They were but
! slightly buried and the wind is ever changin.
the sand, and soon the remains are scattered anC
mingled together. After picking up severa
pieces he became disguised and gave it up. We
staid but a little while, rs the batteries began to
open hercely, and do not like to put my lite il
danger any more than am obliged to.
Within six rods Of our office and within three
rods OF where sleep, there is pile of more thai
a thousand loaded shell OF the largest size.
they should ever happen to go off good bye tC
this end of Morris Island and every body on it
But there is no danger. When, however, W,
have thunder and lightning such as we have here
in hot weather. it is not very pretty to lie abet
and think it might strike them