Correspondence of the American
Hilton Head, Port Royal
South Carolina, Nov. 28
Dear American : Although we had an order more than a week ago to hold ourselves in readiness to move at a moment’s notice, we have not “budged an inch” since. The story in camp is that we have been ordered to leave to-morrow, but l am not certain about it. We are not allowed to know where we are going, but it is said to be not over one day’s sail. I hope it will not be far, for I am heartily sick of “steaming it o’er the main.”
I have nothing very particular to write you for news. Everything seems to be moving on to the completion of the defence of this island. Hundreds of men are continually throwing up entrenchments and fortifications. It is said that “Jeff.” says “he will have this island in his hands again, if it takes every man he can raise.” It will take every man he can raise, and then “he will not be able to re-take it. Gen. Sherman says: “Give me two weeks more, and I will defy all he can bring against me.” We have no idea that an effort will be made to regain what they have lost here. Yesterday, our gunboats “let loose their dogs of war,”” on a small place, about six miles from here, where a number of rebels had made their appearance. I understand they scattered in “double quick” time. We distinctly heard the booming of the cannon here. It is of no use for them to come prying into our affairs, to get information in regard to our proceedings, in order to report to their rebel chief, because “argus eyes’’ are upon them—our pickets are stationed at every corner and loophole, ready and most willing to give the alarm on the instant any appearance of their “ugly phizes,” becomes manifest.
At the time I am writing this, one of our number is being buried. A. Freeman Sanborn died in our Hospital yesterday. He had been sick two or three weeks, with typhoid fever. He was one of those baptized at Washington, and was an excellent young man, of good habits, and bidding fair to be of much use in the world ; but to-day, to the beat of the muffled drum, and the slow measured tread of most of the Regiment, we bury him under a beautiful live oak, in a quiet place en the creek running near our camp. The stars and stripes covered his coffin and the members of his company fired a volley of three rounds over his grave. The Chaplain addressed the audience, and made a prayer ; he alluded in feeling terms to the fact, that many of our young men would probably lay them down to rest, here in this southern land, away from home and friends ; but if all were prepared to meet the event, they would be happy notwithstanding all the difficulties and trials they may be called to pass through.
Perhaps it would not be altogether uninteresting to some of your agricultural readers to have me write a word in regard to such matters as will not be all war.
In the first place, the weather is very fine to-day, (Thanksgiving, we remember, in N. H., and how we long for the scenes of to-day with the loved ones at home,) as pleasant as in the last of August with you, although the nights are rather cool, making our overcoats indispensible. The cotton, some of it, is still in blossom, and many other flowers. I saw, yesterday, a splendid butterfly, and mosquitoes and other insects are yet to be found “presenting their bills;” in season and out of season.
Sweet potatoes, excellent ones, we got in plenty from the negroes who dig them and bring in for sale. These negros were slaves belonging to W. Pope, Esq., formerly owner of this plantation. I believe our officers have had similar instructions, in regard to their disposal, with those of Fort Monroe. I heard an officer say to one that if she would come here and do some washing and cooking, and induce others to come, it would be the means of their gaining their liberty and some have done so. We get corn and beans, all we want, that we find growing here. It is said that planting usually commences here in a little mere than a month from this time. We have had two white frosts only, thus far. The soil here is sandy, apparently all made land : there is not a-stone as large as a musket ball to be found, unless brought on here. It seems strange to me to see all the trees looking so green at this time of year. ‘The sweet brier, the root of which enters so largely into the manufacture of pipes, grows here in great abundance, not ten rods from our encampment, and many of our boys have dug large quantities, and in their leisure moments, are fashioning out some smoking utensils to suit themselves.
If we move soon, as quick as we get settled a little, I shall inform you, and keep your readers posted in regard to all matters of interest pertaining to this expedition.
Yours Truly, HARRY.
The Daily Manchester American, Manchester, NH