1 Bucks County Intelligencer, From the 104th
Regiment, Pa. Vols. Page 3 Col. 4-5 1
From the 104th Regiment, Pa. Vols. BEAUFORT,
S. C., June 13th, 1863. Messrs. Editors :—Having just been relieved from that tiresome task, “ guard duty,” and thinking that perhaps a short epistle from me would be satisfactory to you and the many readers of the Intelligencer, I proceed to give a minute account of things, before the mail closes. Very little has been done towards weakening the enemy, except by the 2d South Carolina Regiment. They have been on several scouting expeditions, scouring the country for many miles around, destroying large quantities of rice, cotton, &c., burning cotton gins, damaging and destroying everything in their reach that they thought would be of available use to the enemy. They captured slaves by the “ wholesale,” thus depriving the “ rebs” of their use hereafter in cultivating their large plantations of rice, corn, cotton, &c. While they are deprived of their use, they are lending a helping hand to us, and the free soil of the Palmetto State. When our soldiers (the noble band of freedmen) landed, they found the slaves busy at work in the corn and rice fields. When our troops made their appearance among them, hoes were immediately thrown aside, and they went to work as hastily as possible pre- paring themselves to come across the lines into the land of liberty, to enjoy perpetual freedom with those who have already been delivered over to the Yankee hosts, and freed forever from that curse—human slavery. Many were en- tirely destitute, having nothing to cover their human frames from the torrid sun, or the eyes of the lookers-on. Poor creatures! unclad as they were, they are now in a land of prosperity and wealth, and thanking God for their deliverance. We hope to see them clad in better garments than rebeldom can afford. The male population who are fit for service will be placed in the ranks of their brethren, the rest employed in laboring for the Govern- ment. They seem delighted with their escape from bond- age, and they have already breathed into their nostrils, the vibrating sound of the President’s proclamation, pro- claiming “ You are all free!” Your patriotic correspondents, Carver and Markley, will, no doubt, give you a full description of their doings, so I will digress. Gen. Saxton and lady re- turned on the Arago, paying but brief visits in the North. A report is current in camp that Hunter is to be, or is re- lieved from this department, and superceded by General Gilmore. I think there is truth in the report, but for what reasons he has been relieved I know not. I am afraid that we will find no General so kind and who looks to the wants of the men as Gen. Hunter. Hunter is an excellent General for this Department, as regards caring for the health of the men. We have as yet never found a Gen- eral that has taken such good care of the men as General Hunter. Indeed, I am afraid we shall miss him—at least his good orders. The fort is being completed slowly, and is already mounted with some half dozen heavy guns. It is about being stockaded in the ditch, which will make it a very formidable, if not impregnable work against the rebel hordes, should they attempt to make a raid on this place. Of late, we (104th) have been working two days in one week upon it, keeping us on guard, picket, or fatigue duty nearly all the rest of the time. It is reported that when the 174th’s time expires, Companies G, I and K are to relieve the men of that regiment now on Lady Island. The 11th Maine has left us and gone to Florida, leaving out ? regiments of the citizens on duty at this place. We presume that Col. Davis will again take command of the regiment, as the Commandant of the Post can easily command the force stationed here. Most of the officers and men who went home on furlough have returned, and tell of delightful times experienced at their Northern homes—spending their time among their fond mothers, sisters and sweethearts. How happy some must have been made to feel by clasping the bronzed hands of their lovers, who have been periling their lives for nearly two years in defence of our glorious country! No one can imagine how the tears of joy burst from their hearts as they meet the one who has been so long in the army. I know from experience ! George Hartley, a member of Company K, arrived here a day or two ago, having been away from the regiment for more than a year. He was wounded at the bloody battle of Fair Oaks. We have had some good showers of late, and the air is cooler and more invigora- ting. I favor Col. Davis so much that I expect to get a position soon—over the left. I did forward my name for a commission in a colored regiment, but with what suc- cess I have not yet learned. A poor chance, as so many officers have applied for commissions. T. C. A member of the 104th Regiment writes to his friends in Doylestown, as follows: BEAUFORT,
S.C., May 29th, 1863. It is altogether likely our Brigade will be in Virginia before many weeks, as there is such a report about now ; also, that furloughs are about “ played out .” I hope not, as I had set my mind on going home soon. The weather is very warm here; but it seems that the warmer the weather, and the less duty other regiments have to do, the more the 104th has to do. Just think of it, 56 men on guard one day, 56 come off and 56 on police, and every other day a detail for fatigue duty—making nearly two hundred men on duty at one time. What makes it seem so hard, is that our neighbors, the 55th Pennsylvania Vol- unteers, have no camp guard at all and we have fifteen men on one relief. I must say that the 104th is the hardest regiment in the service—that is in the duty line. There is no necessity at all for more than 10 guards a day, as there is a patrol which travels all around the town, and the poor soldier who is caught without a pass goes to the guard house, and is not let out until his regiment has had dress parade, when he will be reported absent with- out leave, and dealt with accordingly. I believe if the |
Medical Inspector would go through our regiment to-day, he would report fifty men for their discharges—and ? man must be so sick that he cannot walk before he gets to the hospital. Woe be to the man who dares say a word against this “ reign of terror,” for if found out he will have about two months’ pay stopped, and a week or so of extra guard duty. My health is very good—but our company is being reduced very fast since we came to this Department. When we came here we drew rations for sixty-one men, now we draw for only fifty-two men. BEAUFORT,
S. C., June 6th, 1863. We are having very fine times now, as we go swimming every evening when off duty. The weather gets warmer and warmer every week ; and the sand is warm enough to boil an egg, almost. The 174th Pennsylvania Militia intend leaving here the first of July for Philadelphia ; and it is altogether likely that our regiment will be broken up and take their place on Lady’s Island, and out to the batteries. I was at the colored Sunday School this morning. It would do some people good if they could only see this school, and hear the little negroes sing. There are two Sunday schools in operation in this place, and they are both very well attended. A colored regi- ment from Massachusetts arrived here one evening last week. They are numbered in with the white troops from that State ; but I hear they were mostly from Pennsylva- nia and New Jersey. They are going to be put in active service soon as they are putting provisions on some vessels now. The Second South Carolina Volunteers were on an expedition a week ago; and they started on another on Saturday morning. On their first trip they captured about eight hundred slaves, mostly women and children, and burned a vast amount of property. Yesterday we had a musquito net issued to every two men in the regiment ; and some time this week we are to have high felt hats to wear in place of the warm ones we now have. I am very glad to see that the people gave the 128th such a grand reception ; it shows that they have not forgotten their soldiers boys. Our company still keeps on the decrease. Two men are to go to the hospital, and five are off duty in quarters. One or two will go home in the first-boat that leaves for the North, as they have their discharges. |