Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 12.djvu/266

 256 Southern Historical Society Papers.

ruins against an assault, and when the launch was first discovered it was thought to be a storming party, but it was evidently only a small force to take possession of the Fort. The enemy were doubtless in- duced to believe that the Fort was evacuated from the fact that no evening gun was fired yesterday — a thing so unusual, and which was caused partly by neglect and partly by an accident.

We have endured another day's hard shelling and pelting. It is now just after dark, and not a sound salutes the ear. The whole har- bor seems at rest and quiet ; whether they are or not, I cannot tell. We look for the monitors to come up again in the morning. How I wish we had something with which to fight them ! I was officer of the guard yesterday, and during the fight this morning had to remain at the sally-port with my guard. I had a dangerous post, being in the line of fire, but fortunately escaped untouched. One of my men was killed, and seven negroes, who were taking protection in the casemates with me, were wounded. There were an unusual number of casualties to-day, particularly as to officers. A shell burst just over the mess-room while several officers were at dinner, wounding slightly the Colonel, Adjutant and ordnance officer, together with a negro waiter.

It seems to be the policy of General Beauregard to hold the Fort at all hazards until he gets his fortifications completed on James and Sullivan's Islands, when we will probably be sent to the latter place. I don't think that the enemy will make an assault. If they do, however, they will find it an ugly little job. Our men are in good spirits, though considerably chafed and worried in consequence of the tremendous bombardment that they have been under for seven days. If it is the wish of our Generals that we should remain here and suf- fer for the good of our country, I hope we will be equal to any danger or hardship that we may be required to endure. I trust the city will be saved, even after Morris' Island and Sumter are abandoned. * '

Iredell Jones.

Fort Sumter, August 25, 1863.

My Dear Mother : — It gratified me much to receive your kind let- ter yesterday evening. It so happened that I read it at the same time that I received the Charleston papers containing the vile, brutal, un- civilized demand of the wretch who commands the Yankee forces in this department, and its pure, pious, trustful spirit, representing the