1 Bucks County Intelligencer, From the 104th Regiment, P.
V. April 21, 1863 Page 1
Col. 1 1
LETTERS FROM THE ARMY.
From the 104th Regiment, P. V.
ST.
HELENA ISLAND, S. C., April 3d, 1863.
Messrs. Editors.—As the impartial historian chron-
icles the events of each day, relating to the war for the
preservation o the Union, honorable mention will be
made of the United and unceasing efforts of the patriotic
ladies to aid the sick and wounded soldiers. They are set-
ting a noble, humane and laudable part in this soul-trying
struggle for our nationality. The doings of the “ Ladies
Aid ” associations will be handed down to unborn gen-
erations as one of the great philanthropic measures of this
age, and the zeal and fidelity they have shown in provid-
ing for the absolute wants of the soldier will not be for-
gotten as long as memory lasts. Many times we have
heard soldiers, after returning from some Philadelphia
hospital, speak in grateful remembrance of the kindness
shown, and favors received from the ladies. In this par-
ticular our Philadelphia ladies have established as reputa-
tion that will be borne in memory’s store throughout the
Free States. The boastful New Yorker, the Green Moun-
tain boys from Vermont, the Maine wood-choppers, the
Massachusets abolitionists, the patriotic sons of old Key-
stone, and the intrepid soldiery from the great rising
West speak in the same terms of esteem of their exalted
deeds. When the soldiers return to their homes, scattered
as they are over our vast domain, and gather with father,
mother, sisters and brothers around the hearthstone or
family altar to narrate their experience in the army, the
field of battle and the hospital, then is when merited jus-
tice will be done to hose who have visited our hospitals
and administered to the wants of the sick as well as com-
forted the dying. No one can realize the life of a soldier
fully, without experience, and surrounding circumstances
enables him to appreciate the real worth of every gift,
though it may be trifling ; consequently every kind act or
present will be remembered. The ladies of Bucks
county ; through their aid societies, have done nobly in
this great cause, and the good work continues, as every
number of the Intelligencer brings intelligence of their
unceasing efforts in providing for the soldiers. We may
not be immediately rewarded for the many sacrifices that
are being made upon the altar of our country, but we have
the sweet consolation that our good deeds live after us.
The members of Company H, Captain Pickering, and of
Company C, Captain W. W. Marple, have presented their
respective Captains with magnificent dress swords, the
finest that we have seen in appreciation of the worth of
their company commanders.
The Chaplain was ordered home to take the money, and
left on the morning of April 3d. About $10,000 has been
sent home from our regiment by express. This money,
though it has been earned by soldiers’ hardships, will
gladden the hearts of many.
We received marching orders this morning while on
battalion drill. The men have been ordered to pack
their knapsacks and be ready to march as soon as four
days’ rations are cooked.
April 6th.—On the afternoon of the 4th we struck tents
and marched to the pier, leaving the island to the guar-
dian care of alligators, snakes and gnats—after having
acted the part of exiled Napoleons on St. Helena Island
amid adverse winds and most unpleasant blowing sands
for nearly two months. A change of location was desired
by every one, as we, the soldiers, possess an intense de-
sire to see a portion of the country noted for “ cotton bales
and niggers “ while on this war excursion. Uncle Sam
pays the fare.” Our steamboat rides are not as pleasant
as they might be, but they are designed for the good of
the country, and we must submit to things as we find
them with as little grumbling as possible. On arriving
at the pier we marched on board the steamer City of Bath,
and she steamed for the Cahawba, which lay at anchor in
the harbor, some distance from the pier. As soon as the
City of Bath was secured to the Cahawba we embarked on
her for the second time and felt a home. The men and
officers were ordered to the quarters occupied by them be-
fore, and everything passed off quietly an apparently har-
monious. The 11th Maine also came on board and occu-
pied their old quarters. The night was pleasantly spent
and the morning was delightful, the sun rising with more
than usual splendor. Very little interest was shown in
regard to our destination, but it was presumed that we
were to be a part of the expedition to operate against
Charleston. Soon the anchor was raised and our stately
ships steamed toward the bar, after the flag ship, bearing
our division commander, Gen. Heckman. The scene as
we passed Hilton Head and naval headquarters was sub-
limely grand, and must have convinced every observer
that the army is the thing to be in to see grand sights
and learn much. After leaving the bar we steered in the
direction of Charleston and at noon we anchored off North
Elisto river. The tide being low, we waited until 6 o’-
clock p.m. to enter the mouth of the river, where some
of the transports are laying at anchor, waiting for further
orders. To-day was pleasantly spent. The men get plen-
ty of rations and good coffee twice a day. They have the
advantage of the officers, for they are not furnished with
meals, but must depend upon the hospitalities of their
friends and the small stock of “ ox-tail” soup that the
steward keeps for sale. We never before heard of ox-tails
being made into soup and canned, but we have a repre-
sentation of the article here, and we presume ox-tails are
in demand up North. We are very anxious to learn the
progress of operations before Charleston, which is the cen-
tre of anxiety throughout the United States at present,
and we hope to enjoy the pleasure of narrating its capture
in our next letter. L. H. M.