1962 February 9

My Dear Creek
I have just received your welcome letter of the
2nd inst and as Gambrell Smith is going to start home
tonight, I will embrace the opportunity of writing you by
him, and I know no one will than see it before you do.
Oh Creek at any other time than this the news you send me
would have made me feel the happiest man on
earth but as it is, (although it makes me proud to think
that another link is about to be added to the chain of
happiness,) I almost regret that it has happened at
a time when their [sic] is little prospect of my being with you,
to give you the proper attention your condition demands
had I been assured of your condition three days ago, I
should not have volunteered, but the intelligence has
reached me to [sic] late to help myself now, as the deed is
already done, and my name entered on the muster
rolls of the company, I know this will be sad news
to you, but let us trust in providence and all may
yet be well, I dont think that the war can last a
great deal longer when I hope to return to you with
honour to myself and family, and the approbation
of my fellow citizens; I tried to evade volunteering
just yet, but when the call was made, there was a
great many of the Regt said they would not go without
I did, and you know I could not stand in the way
of any man doing his duty to his contry [sic]; what
office I may get in the Regt I cannot yet say,
but I am pretty certain of getting one of some sort
and perhaps a higher one than what I have now
but time will tell all, there is a good many of the Regt

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volunteered already and they keep adding to the numbers
every day. I think we will get a good strong Regiment
out of it yet, and than [sic] recruit it to its full strength.
None of the Palmetto Riffle men have revolunteered
as yet except Mike Magee and Bob Nevitt I dont
know what they mean so many single men among
them to [sic], but I think they will come out yet in
large numbers, most of them say they want to come
home before they revolunteer, that their parents have
wrote them to do this, but they are very foolish in
doing it, for by doing so now they go in for two years
and get a Furlough of one month at home, but
if they disband come home and than [sic] reenlist
they have to go in for three years, or the war so
you see they gain one years service by the operation, and
also save the reputation of our Regiment, but I know
this does not entertain you much, and as I have a
letter nearly half wrote for Jink with all of the news
in it I will not say any more about it to you.
I am surprised to hear that the Richmond dispatch
has never come to you, I must write the editor and
see if he is not missending it, as it ought to have
come nearly as soon as the letter which I sent you from
Richmond. I subscribed for the Daily paper six months
You will likely see a good many of the boys from camp
who will give you all the news, I have just heard that
Orrs Regt are ordered to Kentucky, the ladies will
not be able to go their [sic] to see their Husbands, and all
of them will find out what Soldering in field is they
will miss their five rooms in the Moultrie House.
Kiss our darling little Maggie for me and except [sic] one
of her sweet ones for me yourself, good night Heaven
Bless you both
William

Orr’s Regiment: Orrs Regiment refers to the 1st Regiment South Carolina Rifles, which was organized by John Lawrence Orr, a South Carolinian member of the House of Representatives, and, after secession, of the Confederate Congress. Orr resigned from command of the regiment in 1862, but the regiment continued to be known by his name throughout the war. The regiment was also nick-named, “The Pound Cake Regiment,” because it saw little action in the beginning of the war. The move to Kentucky, which Anderson anticipates in his letter, did not take place. Instead, the regiment went to Virignia and participated in the Seven Days’ Battles, along with Anderson’s Regiment.

Some regiments stationed at Fort Moultrie were quartered at the Moultrie House, a public lodging on Sullivan’s Island.

[transcription and annotations by Emily cone-Miller

MSS 10366