1 Bucks County Intelligencer, From the 104th Regiment. February 9, 1864 Page 2 Col. 4 1
From the 104th Regiment.
MORRIS ISLAND, S. C., Jan. 23, 1864.
Messrs. Editors :—One week ago we were considerably
alarmed by the arrival of three hundred conscripts for the
104th regiment, under charge of detail from this and
several other regiments who are engaged in forwarding the
noble-hearted men to their forlorn destination.
These men have many tales to narrate, as to how they
came under the wings of Uncle Sam, &c. Some say it
was by fraud, others that they were taking a grand jubilee
on the “ ardent,” and when they awakened from their
dreamless repose they found themselves clothed in the gar-
ments—not from Oak Hall—but from well-known emporium
of U. S.
They have already commenced drilling, and while some
are becoming well disciplined in the manoeuvres pertaining
to the service, others are so deficient that it will take a long
time to make them passable soldiers.
The drafted men drill with more alacrity than the subs,
and are in every respect a nobler set of men. It was not
money that prompted these men to come forth to battle for
our country, but merely the draft, that you know being
very strong in many localities, hence their abode on this his-
toric island.
Another deserter came into our lines a few days ago from
one of the camps on James Island. He brings valuable in-
formation, and appears to be a man of profound scholarship,
having with him a memorandum of all transpiring events in
rebeldom, and rebel reports of the Union armies. During
most of his time in the rebel service he has been General
Beauregard’s Orderly. He was present and carried impor-
tant despatches for Gen. Beauregard at the battle fought on
James Island in ’62, and charges our Generals with much
cowardice and treachery on that occasion. He has been in
the Army of Virginia part of his time; where he tried to de-
sert, but was caught and sentenced to be shot, when an order
from Jeff, was issued liberating all of their prisoners, so that
they might rejoin their regiments and be of service to their
cause.
This man joined his regiment in this department, when he
tried deserting again, and accomplished it under difficult and
hazardous circumstances. He left their camp in the evening,
in company with four others, and before they reached the
swamp they came in contact with one of the rebel forts. Here
his four companies failed heart, and turned their steps
backward to their regiment, but this one being inspired with
true Union feeling came trudging along the dismal road
through swamps and creeks toward our lines. Here again
before he reached our lines he came across the rebel picket
boats. He heard their voices and lay concealed in the swamp
until daybreak, when their picket boats moved away. Al-
though cold and nearly perished, he resumed his journey till
near the “Swamp Angel,” when bodily strength gave out,
but he was seen and taken care of by some of the engineers.
They placed him in the sun on boards and wrapped him in
their overcoats until he was again invigorated with life. The
night was intensely cold and he was completely covered
with mud, which was frozen. Surely times must be hard in
the Southern Confederacy when soldiers undertake to desert
with such a road before them as lies between here and James
Island. I have no doubts but that many have perished on
their way to the Union lines, for it is a wonderful undertak-
ing.
Strange things occur here at times. A few days since the
wife of an officer in this department took a trip up to the
front to view the works, and while there threw a shell into
the city of Charleston. This is woman’s ingenuity and pa-
triotism. But shall I tell her misfortunes? The lady
grasped the string, gave it a “ good “ pull, and no sooner
said than done the ground came in violent contact with her
body. I do not think that she was hurt any more than her
crinoline. This is a big thing for a Northern lady—throw-
ing shell into Charleston.
From a 30-pounder in the water battery at Fort Putnam
we have fired 1880 rounds of shell into the city. With some
twelve guns of this description we will make the Charlesto-
nians howl. Things are progressing finely, and I believe
that we shall soon have stirring times. I rather decline giv-
ing you a fuller description of our doings at present, for fear
I would be injuring the future work of our commanding
General. I would not cause a defeat, or bury in the dust
the worthy reputation that our commanding General has
won. God speed the day when fresh laurels may attend and
crown Gen. Gilmore.
Gen. Gilmore has at present his head-quarters at the
Head. Gen. Terry has command of the two islands Morris
and Folly. The colored regiments I think will move soon,
probably further south—in the direction of Florida.
It is reported here that Gen. Hunter is about to take com-
mand and Gilmore to have a command in some other sphere.
T. C.