1861 December 31 Skidway Island Ga

4th Ga Bat. [Battalion]
Dear Ma,
I will write now to correct an error
made in my last letter to you. In that I said
I had sent you a sack of salt. I failed to do
it and will give my reasons. When I came
through Savannah Monday the 23rd inst, salt
was worth $14 a sack. I had with me just
money enough to buy a sack, and was waiting
to see if I could have my boxes brought down
for nothing, in which case I intended to
buy a sack & send it on. But just before
I had made arrangements to have them
brought, orders came for all absentees to
hasten to camps at once. So I failed to
get the salt. Last Saturday Lieut Carliles
went to town & I gave him money to buy a sack
and wrote to you. He found it worth $24.00
& of course failed to buy. You see then how
it is. I ought to have written sooner but I have
not had time. There are now 7 Yankee vessels
in sight and we are expecting every moment

[page 2]
to hear the ball open. We work and stand
guard day & night. Sunday we worked on
the battery & at night our company was
detailed to go out on picket. I watched
all night without sleeping at all. We were
in hearing of the Yankees. We could hear
them call the hour distinctly & ring the
bells every half hour. We are trying to mount
another cannon on our battery, but can only
work at night for fear of being seen
by the enemy. I am sorry to know that
the men do not have that confidence in the
Authorities at Savannah, which men should
have in those who command them, and this
want of confidence is not without cause. I
hope however that the justness of the cause
in which we are engaged will enable us to give
the victory, notwithstanding the weakness of
of [sic] our Heads of Departments? We will get
another uniform for the men in a few days
it will be a very good suit & will cost $3.50
each. It is made by the Soldiers Relief Society of
Savannah, hence the cheapness. – I will
write again as soon as anything important
occurs, ____ We are listening for the firing to
begin, and all are anxious for the fight. Bob
keeps well & cheerful. ___ John
Respects &c understood.

[Written in the margin at the top of page one:]
I think salt will be cheaper after a while. If you can
possibly do without a while, I think you would do
well to wait. If you say so I will send you a
sack any how, at any price.

MSS 11319