21st South Carolina Infantry

Item CON-11092

Description

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


Morris Island
 July 24, 1862
 
I received your letter in due time and am glad to hear that you were well and given up the idea that you had the consumption.  But you never said anything about the little ones.  I like always mention to be made of the children.  I want to know how Mary and Loop are getting on with their books, and how Jula and Bud does.  I think Mary ought to be put to making books and hangers for she is now getting old enough to begin to write.  I would like to get a letter from her when I am far away, for I think she can learn to write by the time this war closes unless foreign intervention puts a stop to it. There is some such talk as this, but it is hard to tell whether there is anything in it or not.  
 
As to the regiment going to Virginia, it will not go until General Pemberton goes and when that will be is uncertain now. He may not go at all, it is owing altogether whether the enemy makes any more demonstrations about Charleston.  It is thought however that there will be no fighting until next winter here.  This being the case, I think the troops will all be carried away with a few exceptions.  Time will prove who are to go.  The Yankee ships are still hovering about James Island pretending that they are going to land troops.  But none have landed since they all left.  This is done to keep our troops all here in order for them not to go to Virginia.  Thinking in this way to keep us divided so there is a chance of victory may be the intent.  Should our regiment go to Virginia, I will endeavor to touch at home to bid you all farewell and perhaps forever.  These words are hard to write but we must prepare our hearts for such a parting and look to a kind providence for our safe deliverance from the sad and melancholy calamity that may befall us.  And at the same time, prepare for to meet the worst.  Let it be what it will.  Many have suffered and many more will suffer if this war continues.  I hope it will soon end and return back to their families and friends.  The survivors of this war so far as it has gone.  I will close on this subject.
 
 I wish you would write to G. D. C. Huggins and tell him about our heifer that is about Chancellor Dargan’s plantation, provided he is overseeing there or to whoever is overseeing on the plantation.  And let him know giving the description that she belongs to us and is without any mark.  If you can get her among Uncle Billy’s cattle, do so.
 
I got a letter from Matt Bronson day before yesterday saying that he wanted to join my company.  That McIntosh would not agree to transfer him.  But if I had a man to swap for Matt, he would agree to it.  I am going to write to McIntosh on the subject and say to him that as he has one of my men, Darius Cook, who ran away, I will take Matt in his place.  Don’t say anything about this.  Matt says he like me better than any other man he knows of and wishes to be with me and if I can get him, I will do it.
 
Your brother Tom is in rather bad health now and low spirited.  I don’t know whether he has tried to get a furlough or not.  I think though he can’t get one.  As I told you the rules are very strict about furloughs and has not been slackened yet.
 
I expect to go over to the city in a few days and will then send you some salt and a pair of shoes, if I can find them in the place.  Whatever you want let me know it and I will furnish it for you if I can.  I thought at one time that I would make something to lay up, but the chances begins to look slim for everything is so high and getting more so every day, that it will take all or nearly so to support all hands.  Write to me as soon as you receive this letter and tell me all the news about the reserves, Stein, Hoole and company.
 
I forgot to tell you that one man belonging to Captain Reid’s Company of this regiment was captured on Tuesday last while on Folly Island rambling about.  There were two together.  The other go away and came into camp and related the facts.  They went over there in a small boat.  The two islands being very near together, a little creek dividing them and the points.  He was carried off to the Yankee gun boats.  The regiment has not been paid off yet.  We expect to get it in a few days and when I do, I will send you some more to take care of and you must let it be known that you have it.  For there is danger of being robbed.
 
I have run out of news and have nothing more to write about.  Please find enclosed ten dollars and use it as economically as possible, as far as it will go.  If you cotton card, you had better buy them at once.  If there is anything that the children want that I can buy in Charleston, I would like to know it.  How is Clarissa’s baby getting along?  Write and let me know everything that is going on.  So after sending love to the children and yourself, I bed you a short farewell.
 
Your affectionate Husband,
 
R. Dickinson