Accession Number: XX84:63:23
"Mohawk"
Port Royal S.C.
July 20, 1863.
My Dear Mother,
I expect when I am writing this, that you are left all alone by the absence of the rest of the family skylarking somewhere, but where I am unable to say, for the letter of Libby which I recd yesterday dated July 5th is very indistinct. If you are alone, I hope you are enjoying your "otium cum dignitate" in a proper manner, but now I think of it, you are left behind so as to take care of the young scions of the house, and I am afraid that your hands or voice will not have many idle moments. I am glad that Father and the girls are feeling able to take an extensive trip during their suspension of business. For just the opposite reason I cannot join them for my business is so good, that I do not feel disposed to leave it, or rather though disposed, I am unable to do so with justice to myself. I have very little to say Mother in this letter. I am feeling dour hearted and sad at our recent reverse on Morris Island and the loss of a good many of my friends. Saturday night our forces made another assault on Fort Wagner, and were repulsed with a loss of from 10 to 1200 men, killed & wounded. Among the men killed are Col Putnam of the 7th N.H. Col Green of 18th N.Y. four Captains of the 7th Conn. and Capt Shaw of 9th Maine all personal friends. I feel especially the death of Col Putnam, for although our acquaintance was not long, only during the latter part of our stay at Fernandina, yet he had impressed me as one of the most prefect gentlemen, & thorough officers that I had ever met, and it seems strange that officers of his stamp should be killed, and many others far less brave are left. He was killed at the head of his Regiment while bravely cheering them on with a flag in his hand. Such a death is noble. I am sorry to say that there are reports in circulation about my old friends of the 9th Maine which are not complimentary but I am in hopes they are false.
I also heard yesterday from Andrew that Major Cromwell, Anna Bartons husband, was killed at Gettysburgh, and Tom Sheldon wounded. I am anxious to hear about the fate of my other friends. Oh I forgot to say in my last that I saw among the wounded the name of Lieut S. G. Walker, 4th Mich. – Is that Mary Libs Brother? I wish you would let me know.
I don’t know whether I ought to say you can congratulate yourself that I am in a very safe place or not. My position is not an envious one, on an old hulk good for nothing except fire wood, without the power of moving I am getting discontented enough, and I often think about trying to get out of it, even if it is necessary to resign, for my life and services are useless. I had made up my mind to apply to the Admiral for a relief, but he went up to Charleston before I had an opportunity, and has not yet retd, and I cannot say when he will. I consider that my IX months of service on board here, will entitle me on my return to something better, and if I don’t get it, I will leave-for I cannot endure another such year as the one I have just passed, and I do not intend applying to Mr Sedgwick any more for any favors.
Capt Hughes leaving has made matters a great deal worse, for that left in Command a young, ignorant, good for nothing fellow, one who would make a good third mate of a fishing smack, and has never been any thing better, and now a little authority puff him out of all shape. I detest him and despise him, and always have, and its not pleasant to be under the authority of such a man. There is no use of grumbling however, for that will not help matters any, but its all I do from morning until night. The only trouble about me is that with all my growling and dissatisfaction, I cannot get poor, and so get sympathy, but I am as fat as a bear in the fall, and to all appearances shall remain so. People will not believe me when I say I am dying of ennui.
I was very glad to hear from Mary, and I wrote to her only a couple of weeks ago, thinking she might not have seen any of my letters since Father left there. How I wish you had a large house, where she might come & live. She has had a hard life poor sister.
I am very much grieved to hear of Marcias continued ill health. I suppose you see her frequently now, and tell her she must get well before I come home, for I want to go out to Syracuse and spend a week with her, and cannot do so if she is sick. I notice in Wrights letter, that he speaks of Edwards name being mentioned in connection with a Professorship in Wesleyan University I wish he might change, and there are various reasons in favor of it, but of course he will have those in mind, but at all events allow me to Congratulate "Bro Andrews" upon the deserved increase he has received to his salary. I hope it reverts back during the entire time of his stay at Cazenovia.
The Arago goes North on Wednesday, and I will close this letter, as I do not expect any later news which will be of interest to you. So with much love to all the family I am
Your Aff Son
George