United States Navy - Negative Opinion of General Hunter

Item NMC-9753

Description

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


U.S. Steamer Flambeau
Off Charleston, South Carolina

June 30, 1862

Dear Father,

Your favor of 18th/19th reached me yesterday. Also, one of the 20th from Captain Nous. It gave me great pleasure and satisfaction to hear from you all. More especially from Mary Ann and the baby. And of the well doing and continued prospect of their health and comfort. For Mary Ann I have not much fear. She generally recovers pretty rapidly after confinement. I sincerely hope and trust the dear baby be spared to us and raised. We have so unfortunate heretofore that I am fearful for this one. Request Dr. Maule (as Willis is absent) to pay good attention to both mother and child and leave nothing undue for their health. They will, I know, receive all attention possible from you and mother Houston.

I am very glad to hear that the failure of Esquire Hazzard is untrue. Mary Ann heard the report, I am sure. I have no intention of resigning without a good prospect of some employment. Though I must say I am not at all satisfied with my present employment. I did not expect to have to lay month in and month out off one place with nothing hardly to do to occupy mind or body. I expected a life of labor and excitement and some practical work in my profession as surgeon. But so far nothing to do and no likelihood of it. The difference between this life and a prison is the name and pay attached to it. Still, as I am into it, I must be reconciled to it and make the best I can of it.

It is awful hot down here. The thermometer shows 100 degrees in the shade. Nights very little. Better shut up as we have to be to keep our lights from showing. I think the government has made a great mistake in sending and keeping General Hunter down here. He is doing no good. But I think positive harm. He made an advance some two weeks ago on James Island with an insufficient force. It was repulsed and lost over 500 men besides his wounded and now I hear without notice to the Navy. He is vacating the Island and falling back to Stono Inlet. He is an old abolitionist granny.

There is nothing new here. No prospect of an attack on Charleston till more troops and a better general arrive.

Keep me advised on the health of my wife and child. The size of it will not significantly affect the health of its organization, its perfect.

My love to all.

Yours affectionately,

J. R. Layton