The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1886-09-24

went oack to our post. The Lieut.. and relief
went withus TWAS now daylight. We found
old shces, hats, bonnets, shswls, walking sticks,
&C., strewn along the road which revealed the
character of our foe, who had taken to the
marsh when they heard US coming behind
them. We found out from an old darkey liv.
ing near our picket post that large body OF
the slaves from the up county, as il were, had
that night attempted to get to the yankees, but
coming upon our pickets they were stopped.
Some Of them, however. got past and we're
fAksn on Edsto Island that evening. Some we
found, and others returned to their homes. I
found my cap in the edge Of the water, in the
canal, just ready to be taken off by the rising
tide.
On another occasion before this, 1 was
on picket at the same place. Bill Savage and
Gillian Thomas were on post with me. We
were standing at the bridge which have told
you was about 200 yards from the Mathews
house. Tom Fowler, Qong hungry with the
rest of the relief was in the house asleep. II
was as dark night as I ever saw, think. In
rear of the house, in little hut, lived an old
negro who had o liltn dog. Soon after we
went on past the dog began to bark, and kept
up for at least one hour. Our horses we're
restless The ducks and frogs kept such q
quacking and croaking, which, together with
the barking Of the dog made the night hideous
The bridge across the canal had not been torn
up. The night was so dark we could not see
ten steps from us. We brought a horse on
post. Bill Savage watched the horse and
Gillian and watched the road in front. From
the action Of the horse we found that the
trouble was in the direction Of tho house. I
told Bill and Gillian to mind the post. and I
would 60 back and see what was the matter, or
put the reserve on their guard. When passed
around the house l found drove Of 'smarsh
ponies picking about among the rose bushes.
little Jack began to bray, and this aroused
the men in The house. AS 1 returned to my
post, passing the end of the piazza, saw Tom
Fowler standing with his coat shoes and hat
all off. Ispoke to him. He was like Zachariah
-speechess. 1 spoke again and he knew me-
He said "who was that blowing that horn" 1
told him "it was that cavalry in the roar of the
house sounding charge"
Bears Island could beat the world for ducks,
bees, "goobers' and sweet potatoes. 1t was
without doubt the richest land L ever saw.
Many kinds of game could be found on it.
Deer was plentiful. l don't expect there was
another section in the whole rice county of tho
same size that raised an equal quantity of that
article The first night ever stayed on Bear 8
Island, Jack Ison and myself were put on guard
at place where 600 bushels of rice had been
burned in one pile. We hitched our horses at
the base of q straw pile to protect them from
the cold wind. The fog on the river was SO
heavy we could see but short distance, not
half way across the stream. We climbed to
the top of the straw stack, dug out holes
wrapped our blankets around us and buried
ourselves in the straw up to our necks. jack
had his face turned one way aud mine was the
other. The wind blew gale all night In
the river the water lashed itself into foam.
cold rain set in soon after we had got en-
sconeed in our comparatively comfortable posi-
tions, which at times turned to sleet. In this
position we spent long, cold January night.
Next msrning when we left, could scarcely
ride, was SO benumbcd, and Jack was in the
same fix. This night contracted the "pleu.
ritic affection" of which 1 have heretofore
spoken. 1t was not customary for one relief to
stand all night, but we had agreed to do So in
order to get relieved next day and night It
was no fault of Lieut.. Thomas but our own
voluntary acts After we returned to our head
quarters next morning, we found our men had
procured lot of honey. The bees were flying
about in The cold rain as though it was June.
Charley Fowler had captured the gums and
honey. We had nothing to eat with it but
"hard tack,' and it was poor go.
As have already intimated our men found
out that they could dispense with picket duty
on this Island, and we were Withdrawn. We
made one raid even then short time before
we went to Virginia, of which will tell your
readers after q while.
Col. Stevens liked for his soldiers to attend
church He was truly good man. OF course
we could get permission from our company
officers to 60 to church, or anywhere else we
wanted but when we had TO pass through
several lines Of troops it was necessary 10 get
permission from Regimental head quarters at
least, or 60 in company with some commissioned
officers so several of us, including Joe Lsech.
got permission to go to Willtown to hear on
Episcopal minister preach. Col. Stevens, 1
think, belonged to that denomination. The
church building showed the wealth and refine
ment Of the congregation that had been acous-
toned to worship there. With oil the polite
ness for which that denomination are proven
bal, we wero invited to seats. We felt our
selves OF home. AS the minister stepped into
the pulpit the organ announced "Sweet Hour
Of Prayer" The music was superb. The
organist was mistress Of her situation. She
was certainly an embodiment Of oil the refine
ment, grace and beauty Of which South Caro-
lima boasted in better days. The minister was
none the less so. His text was, Eccl. xI chap