3rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery & Chief of Artillery, Morris Island, SC

Item LTR-9755

Description

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


Office of the Chief of Artillery
Morris Island, SC
December 14, 1863


Dear Colonel,

Yours of the 4th and 9th (Postscript) was duly received a few hours after I had mailed one for you. I think Eddy’s case settled. For I well knew the governor had no personal interest in the matter. Bailey I think was at the bottom of the affair, put up to it by Eddy’s friends at home. If you think the matter needs more attention, I will write the governor about it, but I think it unnecessary.

Major Ames is in command of the battalion. I showed him your letter about Reports and Returns. Peirce of Company “D” had a Descriptive List, which Burton says he gave to Lawson. One having been given the company commander has no right, I think, to give another.

Reenlisting is all the rage here now. Connecticut offers a bounty to Veterans, which with the U.S. bounty makes $792.00 in cash, besides aid to the families. Rhode Island should offer $200.00 in addition to the U. S. bounty of $402.00. This will secure all the old men of the regiment we want and many from others. Regimental Commanders here have appointed Regimental Recruiting Officers to reenlist veterans. Why not appoint some officer in the battalion here or direct Ames to do so. It is a matter that requires immediate attention, else other Regiments will get the start of us. The course is for you to appoint a Recruiting Officer here with orders to report to Lieutenant Reynolds, Com of Musters for Instructions as to his duties. I have the above direct from Colonel Printher.

Why not write the Governor about the bounty and see if the $300.00 now paid by the State will be paid to men reenlisting in the old regiments.

There is nothing new. We have been having a heavy storm during the past week, which has caused the water to encroach on the island 30 or 40 feet. Completely cutting through the island just below “Wagner”. Admiral Dahlgren go caught outside and could not get into the inlet on account of the seas in the bar. The “Weehawken” sank last week. Cause unknown, so the Navy says. I saw her go down. There was a puff of smoke and she sank in less than a minute. Between 20 and 30 lives reported to have been lost. The storm has evidently broken up the “obstructions” between Sumpter and Moultrie as large masses of timber. Evidently links of some chain have been driven on shore. They consist of 9 sticks of 15 in hard pine timber firmly bound together with iron hoops through the center is a tier of rail road iron on either end of which iron links have been attached. So that an indefinite number of these wooden “masses” can be joined together and thus make a chain of great strength. The timber having buoyancy enough to support the rail road iron at all times and the iron being strong enough to prevent vessels for forcing their way past it.

Sumpter was on fire in the southwest corner during the past week. Cause unknown to us. We shell the city every twenty-four hours. I will see about King’s case, Company M, today. Regards to all your officers, I pity Lanahan’s wife. She being alone at Pulaski. But Captain Jerry is “satisfied” I suppose. Write soon. Have not yet received our mail by the Arago. Can’t it be sorted at the Headquarters some way.

Ever your sincere friend,

C. R. Brayton