Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 16.djvu/132

 126 Southern Historical Society Papers.

portion of the road from Battery Island to Green Creek was over causeway. Battery Island is separated from the island next belo by a marsh two hundred yards wide. The road crossed this mars and the creek (near its middle) on a substantial bridge. There w a good road leading from Battery Island to the city. At the time < which I write, Wappoo Cut was crossed at a ferry near its entranc into Stono river. Thence the road, then traveled, ran over the mai land to the Long Bridge across Ashley river. A pontoon bridge an a fixed bridge, just above it across Wappoo, were both built subse quently. Battery Island is separated from James Island by a narro' creek and contained about seven or eight acres. A marsh bor,dei the river for a mile or more above. The fort, barracks and parad ground covered about one-half of the island.

On the nth of January the whole of Company E was sent up froi Cole's Island, and the detachments from the other companies wer sent back to the regiment. The Wee Nees (Company E) now foun themselves very comfortable. Rations were plenty and of goo quality, partly by the government and partly by the patriotic ladie of Williamsburg ; they were comfortably clad. I never had m command as comfortably quartered again during the war. They ha passed through the diseases incidental to camp-life with the loss < only one man, and were now in good health. They were thoroughl drilled as artillerists. A small detachment was kept at Green Cree bridge and had charge of the howitzer there. This detachment wa frequently changed so that all could alike enjoy our comfortabl quarters. B. P. Brockinton, the Orderly Sergeant, a most efficier officer, shared my quarters with me. Garrison duty was faithfull attended to and discipline rigidly enforced, to which, almost withou exception, the men submitted cheerfully and without complaint. W were separated from our excellent surgeon, Dr. Martin Bellinger, bu his place was filled by Dr. Thomas Grimke, who was the surgeon c the post. He was well supplied with medicines, kept in an office i vials and boxes, all neatly labeled. In his absence I attended a surgeon's call and prescribed for the men. As malaria was the cause either immediate or remote, of nearly every case of sickness, th most common dose was ten grains of quinine. When any of th men were very ill, Dr. Bellinger was called in for consultation, had the satisfaction of knowing that my prescriptions were approvei by the Doctor in every case but one. To that one, instead of th usual dose, castor oil had been given. The Doctor said that was mistake, and administered an emetic. No very serious consequenc