Sullivans Island July 14th /63
Dear Rachel I have Just had the
pleasure of receiving yours of the 10
and am quite sorry to heare of your
being so badly hurt by a faul but
I trust it is all right by this time
you should learn to be more cearful
I have often tryed to give you advise
but I am doubtfull you pay but
little attention to it this is one greate
reson why thing so often go wrong with
us, but I deem it unnesary to dwell
upon a subject of this theirefore I drop it
Dear Rachel this leaves me quite well
hoping it may reach you and all well
but wee have verry Exciting timese heare at
this time tha have bin fighting on
Morris Isld for the last four days it comence
on friday morning at sunrise and continued
til sun down the yankes now hold too
thirds of the Island on saturday mor=
=ning at day breake tha undertook to
charge batry wagner but failed [1]
[page 2]
tha had ninty five of theire men
killed at the Edg of the batry and
upward of one hundred taken pri
=ners I tell you it was a hard fight
I could heare the musketry verry
distinctly, sience that tha have bin
constantly bumbing the Isld and heavy
schirmishing going on I have not yit
understoad what our loss have bin but
no doubt it is considerable it is thought
the yanke loss has bin upwards of five
hundred killed consider that Morris Island
has become to be a perfect slaughter pen
and it is my oppinion that this Island
will become the same wee are Expecting
them to attact us Evry day and god
only nows what will be the consiquences
I have Entirley give up myself to the
mercy of god I see no chance for us to
ascape otherwise I consider chaleston is
bound to fall suner or later altho tha
will be menney lives loss at it the
yanke have got a little foot holt on Morris
Island and no doubt tha will hold it
[page 3]
tha have plenty of theire gun boats
to protect them and keep cralling up
close Enough til tha can reduse fort
sumter, Capt Donnelly compay with
three other came back to this Iland last
night tha have bin skirmishing over
L[me?] Island for the last four days
and have not slept under a tent
sence last wednessday night I Expect
tha will remain heare until the
fight is over I am glad to heare that
G. R. Furtick has got home onece more
I wold be verry glad to see him I want
you to give him my best Respects
[page 4]
Dear Rachel I am at a loss what
more to say to you that would be
Enney satisfaction to you I have but
little hope but to fall in this struggle
I trust you will try to rais sisey as
she aught to be and dont forgit your-
=self give my love and Respects to
Mother and all the family and
a due portion for yourself your
Most obediant John. J. Jefcoat
Rachel I Ecpect my box is in Orangeburg
Depo I sent it over by calvin last friday it
has my new wolen suit in it an scarfe
and Glove and if Enney one go down git them to inquire