Sillivans Island Dec 17th 1862
Dear Wife I seat myself with much Eccitement
to drop you a few lines as our copany met with sutch a serio-
us acident Esturday Eavning about 5 Oclock while tha
ware practioning on the canon in loading the piece
while raming the bawl down the cannon fired
and shot three of the mens hand all to peices J J W
Joiner left hand has bin taken off between the
rist and Elbo and twoo fingers taken taken off
of his right hand but I consider the right hand
Entirly lost also James Mack had about half of
both his hand taken off J. Hutto has his left arm
taken off between the Elbo and sholder and all
the fingers taken off of his right Except the fore
finger. all three of the men are badly burnt
their faices are almost as black as a negro and
Swolen verry much neither of them can see
a wink I consider them all dangereously wounded
I saw the doctors when tha ware about takeing
off theire arms and I tell you Rachel it was
the offelist sight I Ever saw an to heare theire
groans and crys you can give no discription of the
sight, Brother Joel was gunner he had his finger
on the teach hole of the cannon at the time she
fired he was knocke down by the britch as she
kicked back which struck him in the Brest the midle
finger of his right hand was burnt right smart the
hold hand was knocked numb he threw up several
time last night from the lick in the Brest
but I dont think his wound Enney ways dangero
usly from what I can heare I have not seen him
yet myself I saw the others last night as tha
ware bought hare to the hospitol I tell you
it was and aufull axident and Just tha
luck tha ware not all killed Joel was able
for duty this morning therefore I dont supose him hurt bad
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Dear Rachel it is verry strange that
I have not received a word from you sence
you left heare I told you wen you reached
home to be shore to right to me amediantly
Esturday was a week sience wee parted and
I have not received a word from you yet
doe you think that is treating me right
I also rote to you by Harriet but can heare nothing
from home I would like to no your meaning
for such perhaps I might save some paper pen
and ink, I wish sisey new how to right I believe
she would feel a deeper concern about it than
you doe, Dear Rachel I must tell you wee drew a
part of our uniform Esturday the pants one shirt
one pr of sock a little round coat and cap I dont like
the uniform atall it is light and coal not fit
for winter and I would not have taken them
but tha say wee must take them or git
nothin therefore wee have to put up with
Enney thing wee can git this leaves me well
hoping to heare some day that you are all
Injoying good helth and doing well I would say
to you to right to me but I recon it is hardly
worth while therefore I must bring this to
a close by presenting my Respects before you
you will please hand the same down
to little sisey tell her houdye
for pah and Except the same
Mrs for yourself your affectionate
R. E. Jefcoat John J. Jefcoat

What peacefull hours wee onece injoyed
How sweet theire memory still
but tha have left and aching voyed
The world can never fill