17th S.C.V South Carolina

We are now located in splendid quarters, just evacuated by Martin’s North Carolina Brigade¹, but we expect to leave them soon. This evening orders arrived to leave for Weldon again, and we again marched to Wilmington, and again as before the order was countermanded, and we returned cursing the inconstancy of a soldier’s life. It is now thought we will be kept here sometime. The rest of the brigade has gone on to Weldon. General W.S. Walker is now in command of it, Vice General Evans, lately injured by a fall from a buggy.

We are in camp two miles from Wilmington. Will leave in a day or two for Weldon between which place and Tarboro it is reported we are destined for the present to confront General Burnside¹ demonstration on the Peninsular in anticipation of an attack on Richmond from that direction. We marched to Wilmington to take the cars for Weldon, but the order was countermanded and we returned.

I have just returned from home on furlough of twenty days. Had a very pleasant time. On my way back to my regiment, which I had left in camp at Green Pond, S.C. I learned that they were under way for Wilmington, N.C. and probably thence to Virginia. I immediately gave chase and arriving at Charleston, I spent the night there and took the cars next day for Wilmington. I learned on arriving at this place that I had already outstripped my command and had passed the regiment on the road in the night. A very wet day, raining continually.

The first expedition was to Pocotaligo, from there to Port Royal Ferry. We were lying quietly in camp with nothing to do but sleep, eat, drill and run about the country, when a courier came dashing up to the headquarters bringing information of the Yankees landing at Port Royal Ferry and marching towards Pocotaligo, to cut the railroads, said to be several thousand strong, with orders for us to repair immediately to Pocotaligo to resist the advance.

Having failed to keep up my diary on account of the regiment being sent out on detached duty, and not returning to camp, I all begin anew detailing as briefly as possible our employment during the interval. We were again order to Stock’s Causeway to work on the breastworks, and we have been employed every day since putting up a fort at Burnett Farm. Work four hours each day with spades, wheelbarrow,etc. and the rest of the day is at our own disposal, which we spent in various ways. Some hunting, fishing and loafing at camp.

Feb. 25th - Tonight we received marching orders to cook one days rations and start by sun up in the morning for Stock’s Causeway, ten miles distance.

Feb. 26th - We left camp this morning in light marching trim and soon marched over ten miles of sandy road, without any occurrence of interest, and found on our arrival at our destination (the plantation of Dr. Jeride) that we were brought here to work.

We remained in Johns Island some 3 weeks making our stay about two months in this camp. Nothing of any consequence occurring except the reorganization, in which the Regiment enlisted for the war, all over 35 years of age and under 18 being exempted. R.S. Means was elected Major, vice, Major Mills. The Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel were reelected. Captain Wilson being exempt by his age, went home, though greatly against the wish of the company, to which he had endeared himself by many kind acts, and our 1st Lieutenant J.W. Avery, was elected Captain by the unanimous vote of the company.

Slept very soundly last night, and feeling in good spirits. We lie at our bivouac all day, get very tired lying about, but the boys are very merry. Tonight we go back to camp on Sullivan’s Island, the enemy having retreated on Johns Island.

But to return. I will now notice our first picket, and give facts as near as I remember. Our Company was ordered by the Colonel to go on picket to Rockville on the outskirts of Wadmalaw Island, in perfect sight of the enemy’s gunboats, about half mile distance in the Edisto River, and in sight of their camp fires on Edisto Island. Accordingly, we left Camp provided with a weeks rations, a blanket strapped to each ones back, and shouldering our muskets, struck the march for Rockville, 15 miles distance.

Slept very soundly last night, and feeling in good spirits. We lie at our bivouac all day, get very tired lying about, but the boys are very merry. Tonight we go back to camp on Sullivan’s Island, the enemy having retreated on Johns Island.