3rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery

Item LTR-10600

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 3 pages, written in period ink.


Hilton Head, South Carolina

September 21st 1863

Dear Colonel,

I have just received yours of the 15th and am happy to learn that your health has so much improved. All of us wish much to have you with us. It would not be prudent for you to come at present. The weather has been very changeable. The last three or four days has been cold enough for a fire. Gorton is well and at his post again. I was fearful that his sickness would prove serious.

Your communication to General Gilmore was forwarded at once. And I supposed you must have heard from it before this. The fact of it is they do not want a volunteer officer there who claims or has the right to act as Chief of Artillery. The land forces can do nothing at present unless to strengthen their works. They will have to wait the motion of the Navy and the Navy are doing nothing and have done nothing. And in all probability, nothing more will be done for two months.

Captain Colwell has asked and obtained permission to move his company back to Hilton Head in order to arrange his affairs. That is, he receipted for seven hundred rounds of canister and can find but three hundred. A lot of shrapnel are missing. He must contrive some way to expense them. He has the promise from the General of going back again as soon as active operations are resumed.

Captain Comstock has accepted and is here awaiting a chance to go north. The company is in command of Grant Barker, Company D and by the way is it not strange that I should know nothing of these promotions. Captain C. had his and was mustered out before I knew of it. Young Irons came with one and now I learn that Sergeant Williams, Company A, is mustered out and has a commission in the Negro Regiment. It may not be actually necessary for me to know of these changes. At all events it would be an act of courtesy on the part of the Adjutant General to say the least. I shall assign Irons to Company M as soon as mustered. Which I have been unable to do as yet. The mustering officer is at Morris Island. Will be here Friday. Your son will have a good chance in K Company, which will be better for him.

The application for a furlough for Wright I have forwarded. With a statement of the case, as you wished. But it is extremely doubtful about its being granted. An order has been issued granting furloughs to two per cent of those companies in the field. Which gives one man from each company of ours at Morris Island the priviledge of going north. They have gone and I forwarded applications for one form each of the companies here. But I think they will not be granted.

Thornton is with his company which will be here this week. I will see him and write to his wife. I know of no way of stopping his pay or a portion of it without his consent. Will do the best I can with him.

The court martial adjourned yesterday and I assure you it is a relief to me. We have been at it about five weeks. The proceedings have been approved so far as heard from.

The health of the regiment remains good. The sick list turns from 15 to 22, nothing serious, I suppose because we have two surgeons. Please don’t send another.

Orderly Hill is with me and done nicely. I am much pleased with the men generally. No drunkenness and of course no noise. None attempts to leave camp without permission. The grass around the camp is being cut again. The companies have new tents and in two or three days, we shall be in good order. Lieutenant James will make a good Captain and I would like to see him promoted. There must be some first lieutenant manufacturing and also some 2nd . I have about it. Thinking that some at Morris Island would be named by their Captains. But there is none yet.

I have tried to give you a general overview of affairs. If I have neglected anything, you must excuse it. For I cannot write a letter equal to those of yours.

Yours Truly,

J. Frieze

Colonel E. Metcalf