Last night a steamer1 attempted to run the blockade and in fact succeeded, but unfortunately ran aground abreast Fort Moultrie on the beach. All was now hurry and confusion on board the boat for they knew that as soon as the Yankees could see her they would knock her to pieces. Consequently, all hands commenced unloading, pulling boats, pitching overboard barrels, boxes, etc. to wash ashore. Our picket guard on the beach pitched in promiscuously, grabbing for themselves, shoes, blankets, oranges, pickles, whiskey, etc. At daylight the rumor reached camp and crowds of men rushed to the beach eager to get a share of the spoils. Some succeeded in getting something, but soon a guard was posted and the things claimed by owners, but a great many had been beforehand and skedaddled with their spoils, and, as you would know, such things that were eatable were immediately consumed, but alas for the poor steamer, as soon as the hovering mist began to recede before the coming light of day the Yankees spied her and commenced firing. At first wide, but gradually improving until she was fairly riddled and knocked to pieces. All day the whiz and shriek of shells are heard and in dangerous proximity to us. It was truly a grand sight to stand off and look at the effect of each shot, first the enemy’s batteries on Morris Island fired, and then the three iron-clad turreted Monitors would steam up and pour forth a stream of lead on the devoted steamer. They wounded and probably killed several of our men who ventured too close. They are firing now at this moment with redoubled severity. I bought two pairs of shoes today that had been taken from the steamer, one pair for twenty dollars, the other for fifteen.
1 The Presto - http://markerhunter.wordpress.com/2014/02/02/maffitts-channel/