Franklin County: John J. Miller to George Miller,
August 4, 1862
Summary:
John J. Miller provides news about troop movement, enlistment and coming battles
in South Carolina.
Letterhead: 76th REGIMENT, P.V.
POWER'S ZOUAVES,
Camp George Miller
Aug'st 4th 1862
Hilton Head
Port Royal
South Carolina
Dear Brother
I received both of your letters yesterday and was
glad to learn that you were all in the enjoyment of good health as i am
receiving the same blessing. we are pretty busy here just now preparing to give
the rebels a warm reception they have got an iron ram at
Savannah and tried to run past Fort Pulaski and
they have got flat boats and rafts to cross over to us with a large land force
but it will be the most sorrowful thing they ever
attempted we have only
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about six
thousand men here and I wish they would bring forty
thousand and try to lick us we would show them the difference of fighting behind
batteries there was heavy canonading this morning about two o'clock towards Fort Pulaski I don't know
what it was but I guess it was the ram trying to pass you may do as you think
proper with the money put in the bank or keep it
yourself change is getting Scarce here too at first you could see nothing but
gold, now you get all one dollar bills we get paid with United States Bank notes
that was a fine turtle you was writing about but it was not as large as a one
the boys brought
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in about two weeks ago it came out on land to lay -
they were out on picket and five of them run their bayonets into it and could
hardly master it it weighed two hundred and thirty
five pounds i saw it weighed i got them post stamps which you sent leave me know
how recruiting takes in York if they would know what i know it would go pretty
hard to raise one company in York I'm afraid the nigger question will raise a rumpus in the army Yet if
ever i get back i'll shoot all the niggers I come
across Give my respects to all inquiring friends no
more at present but remain
Your affectionate Brother
John J Miller
the boys are catching plenty of fish about here we are
making a large seine to drag
Write soon I send you a ring made of James Island live Oak
