The morning news., 1899-11-24
EIGHrY-FIyE YEARS AGO.
Letter Written From savannah Rel
ative 10 Capture or St. Mary's.

Mr.. James d. Carter Of Atlanta, who
is in the city attending the reunion Of
the Georgia Division of United Confed-
crate Veterans, gave to the Morning
News yesterday an interesting letter, writ
ten Ia the early sphng Of 1913. 1t has
reference to the anticipated attack by the
| British forces upon the American lines
around Savannah. and viii be read with
interest by every Savannahiau who has
made the question Of the early history OF
the colony and the state a matter of
close study
Mr Carter discovered the letter among
some old records of his family and has
| preserved It as an interesting relic. 1t
contains a reference 10 the death of Pay
master Wilde of the United States Navy
who was killed in a duel with Capt. John
son of the army a few days before the
letter was written. It Is addressed to DR..
Thomas Hoxey of Philadelphia and was
written by Mr. Wilson Williams. In these
unes OF the Confederate reunion the let
ter Will be interesting, though it may be
as well to say that the threatened' and an
tlcipa tedWattack upon Savannah never
TOOK place. The letter reads as follows:
Dear Hoxey:
| had the pleasure to receive yours of
the TN inst. yesterday evening. which af-
fofded me full satisfaction relative 10 ev
erything that particularly interested me
and as this is time that affords news
which l am certain you would wish T.
near, l make use of the first leisure hour
TO write to you.
1ou VIII in all probability before the re-
ceplion Of this hear that st. Marys is in
possession of the enemy. who first made
descent on Cumberland Island and took
possession of that city; we have had va
rlous accounts relative to their uumber,
some say 1,500 mostly black troops; hut
an intelligent gentleman who was capur-
ed there and made his escape states that
their force, was about 5000 strong. part
black troops who had VOLUNTEERED their
services; he further states that an addi-
uonai force was expected, that the Capt
Of the Lacedemontan expressed great in
dlgnation towards this city. We have had
other numerous accounts from them by
ether informants, all of whom suppose
their attentions directed towards Savan-
nah, and that they say they viii capture
the city 0Savannah) or lose their whole
army. There is not a doubt but they in
tend attacking this place and we are now
IN continual expectation Of an immediate
combat; Immediately after receiving the
Information of their having possession OF
ST Mafys, detachment was ordered on
consisting of Mintcns and Glascock's
company's commanded by Major King as
an advance guard. The last information we
received from them they had reached Da-
1ien; this Is q c Sc 'enlh day since the'r
departure You can not immagine the
alarm and cons iernation excited in the
citizens Of this place by the above infor-
nation; numbers OF them, in fact almost
the whole of them sending away their
property ana helpless Part of their fami-
lies, they are now subjected to mardal
law and not suffered 10 abandon their
own possessions like dastardly towards.
The militia from the adjacent country s
ordered on here, some Of whom have ar
rived. Our force when concentrated Which
can be doneeWhen necessary will amount
to near or quite 5000, 5000 of wh-m ave
equal 10 any veterans in the world; every
preparation is making to give them a
powerful and effeetual resistance and
they win no doubt be much d sapDointel
when they come if they come at all which
is not doubted.
Yesterday morning detachmsu
was sent on fatigue to block the
roads up to prevent their bringing their
artillery il they should come bv land from
st. Marys after receiving their additional
force spoken Of, IL is however not much
expected that they win attempt to come
by land, but there are no limits to their
boldness, witness Washington city-never
were troops more anxious 10 meet the
enemy than ours at this time There is
much more conviviality in camps now than
before the enemy began to approach US
| much expect that this brigade wil
erase some Of the stigma attached 10 mi
htia troops If they come to action; If
they do not it is folly to call them into
service. Genl Flcyd's concern for the
victory of our troops and the safety cf
this place appears to be somewhat ex-
cited but If this is not sufficient to disp |
his tOrpor what is? Colo Thomas is tie
anchor Of hope notwithstanding.- -T~e
health of our troops is improving, those
UNFIT for duty will be sent to Camp Jack
son as place of safety. 1 have latterly
had short attack of fever which dis
qualified me for business a few days I
have now recovered my health very well
have received no news from Eatonton-
matters l believe are nearly ia the con1i-
ton We left iheni. Walter is boarding with
Dr. Branham. Should we have an alta
shah write to you Immediately giving
you information who of your acquaint-
ances are wounded and who killed.
With much esteem, your friend ard obt
servant, Wilson VIII lam~.
Paymaster Wilde was killed a few dqys
ago at this place by Capt johnson Of the
Sth regmt lighting "A duel after the 4th
stant.
About the first of this month Major
Pace who was in the Indian expedit on
was wounded in The head fighting a duel
with Capt Carr.