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Letter to Editor
May 17, 1861
Yorkville Enquirer
York, York County, South Carolina
What is this article about?
A member of the Catawba Light Infantry writes from Sullivan's Island on May 11, 1861, reporting the company's crowded but comfortable quarters near Fort Moultrie, good health except minor diarrhea, enthusiastic drilling, adequate provisions supplemented by home supplies, regular prayers, and high spirits with no deaths or arrests in the regiment; notes a U.S. Steamship Niagara offshore.
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FROM SULLIVAN'S ISLAND.
FRIDAY, May 11, 1861.
Dear Enquirer: Not having seen a communication from any member of the "Catawba Light Infantry," it has occurred to me that it would be nothing amiss to send you a few lines in my humble way. In the first place, the visits of the Enquirer are regular, and you have the thanks of the Company for your kindness in sending it to us.
The "Catawba's" are stationed on the beach between Fort Moultrie and the Moultrie House. We have a comfortable situation, but very much crowded—eighty four men in five small rooms! The health of the company has not suffered from anything except diarrhoea, from which nearly all have recovered—but few men being unfit for duty. We have a fine time of it drilling on the beach, with a fine breeze blowing nearly all the time. The Company is in good spirits, and are all ready and anxious to give our enemies a warm reception if they should presume to set foot on Carolina soil.
There is a large vessel lying off the bar to-day. The knowing ones about headquarters say it is the United States Steamship Niagara. The boys have all been trying to get a peep at her through a glass.
I must say for the honor of the "Catawba's" that there has not been one of the Company in the guard-house, or under arrest, since we have been in service.
We fare better than we might expect. As to provisions, we get a bountiful supply, and that which is good and substantial the bread excepted. We get enough of bread, but being "baker's bread," some of us don't relish it much. Our friends at home send us large quantities of provisions, and that which is as good as the land affords. Our water is not equal to what we have been accustomed at home, but when a man turns soldier, he need not calculate to find everything as he would wish it.
We have prayer in our Company regularly by Mr. John Witherspoon, of Yorkville. It is rather a remarkable circumstance that there is between eleven and twelve hundred men in the regiment which have been in the service about four weeks, and there has not been a death from sickness, accident or otherwise as yet—in short, "nobody hurt."
H. A. W.
FRIDAY, May 11, 1861.
Dear Enquirer: Not having seen a communication from any member of the "Catawba Light Infantry," it has occurred to me that it would be nothing amiss to send you a few lines in my humble way. In the first place, the visits of the Enquirer are regular, and you have the thanks of the Company for your kindness in sending it to us.
The "Catawba's" are stationed on the beach between Fort Moultrie and the Moultrie House. We have a comfortable situation, but very much crowded—eighty four men in five small rooms! The health of the company has not suffered from anything except diarrhoea, from which nearly all have recovered—but few men being unfit for duty. We have a fine time of it drilling on the beach, with a fine breeze blowing nearly all the time. The Company is in good spirits, and are all ready and anxious to give our enemies a warm reception if they should presume to set foot on Carolina soil.
There is a large vessel lying off the bar to-day. The knowing ones about headquarters say it is the United States Steamship Niagara. The boys have all been trying to get a peep at her through a glass.
I must say for the honor of the "Catawba's" that there has not been one of the Company in the guard-house, or under arrest, since we have been in service.
We fare better than we might expect. As to provisions, we get a bountiful supply, and that which is good and substantial the bread excepted. We get enough of bread, but being "baker's bread," some of us don't relish it much. Our friends at home send us large quantities of provisions, and that which is as good as the land affords. Our water is not equal to what we have been accustomed at home, but when a man turns soldier, he need not calculate to find everything as he would wish it.
We have prayer in our Company regularly by Mr. John Witherspoon, of Yorkville. It is rather a remarkable circumstance that there is between eleven and twelve hundred men in the regiment which have been in the service about four weeks, and there has not been a death from sickness, accident or otherwise as yet—in short, "nobody hurt."
H. A. W.
What sub-type of article is it?
Informative
Reflective
What themes does it cover?
Military War
Religion
What keywords are associated?
Catawba Light Infantry
Sullivans Island
Fort Moultrie
Civil War Troops
Confederate Soldiers
Military Health
Provisions
Prayers
Uss Niagara
What entities or persons were involved?
H. A. W.
Enquirer
Letter to Editor Details
Author
H. A. W.
Recipient
Enquirer
Main Argument
the catawba light infantry is in good health, high spirits, and well-provisioned at sullivan's island, ready to defend carolina, with no incidents or deaths in the regiment after four weeks of service.
Notable Details
Stationed Between Fort Moultrie And Moultrie House
Crowded: 84 Men In Five Small Rooms
Diarrhoea Affected Most But Nearly All Recovered
Drilling On Beach With Fine Breeze
U.S. Steamship Niagara Offshore
No Company Members In Guard House Or Under Arrest
Provisions Bountiful Except Baker's Bread; Supplemented By Home Supplies
Regular Prayers By Mr. John Witherspoon Of Yorkville
No Deaths In Regiment Of 1100 1200 Men