Franklin County: Jacob Christy to Mary Jane Demus, July 2, 1864
Summary:
Christy updates his sister on the welfare of her brothers and her husband. He also expresses
frustration that his regiment has not been paid, especially given how hard he and his comrades
have fought.
Mary Jane Demus
July the 2 1864
Morris Island South Carolina
Dear Sister
I take this present Opportunity to inform a few lines to you that I am well At present hoping these few lines may find you all well I receive your Letter and was very glad to hear from you all once more Again that you was all well and was getting Along so well I hope that you all may get Along well for I can not do anything for you for we will not get any money as long as we are in the surfers But they Say that they Won't pay us and we won't fight no more [unclear: thay] are great fighting going on At Richmond and [unclear: thay] had last night on James Island and are still fighting there now And has been fighting all day and are going To fight tonight But our Company will not be in it I don't know whether the Company that David and George is in will be there or not for we are on another Island I haven't saw them two or three weeks But David will not be in the fight for he Butchering now Samuel and Joseph is well and are getting along very well we have very easy times now We are on detach duty and have nothing to do But Picket duty we drill a little some times I can't say when we may get home But We may get home sooner then what we expect for all colored troops fights well But still they are getting nothing for it and we Will stop our fighting now until we know and See what we are fighting for We [unclear: shant] run ourselves into places where we well be slaughter up we have done enough of it to know how it goes [unclear: thay] was a many a man die this day And will be a many a one more before the 4th of July is over I am sitting out on a Picket post writing this letter and the big cannon is roaring in a mile distant from me And every time I raise up my head I can see the smoke raising from the big guns our camp is not more than two miles of I am seting now not more than a mile of from the rebels forts and Battery we can see Them But they are water between us I am Looking right at rebels now walking around All the Mercersburg boys are well except Jeff [unclear: teat] I am very sorry that I haven't got my likeness taken to send you I would have written to you sooner but I have been waiting until I would get my likeness taken But I haven't got it taken yet but the [unclear: nix] time I write I think that I will be able to send it I don't know how [unclear: tikeovers] that was I Judge that you all will have good time in the fourth of July But that the day When poor soldiers are fighting as hard as they can it is very warm here and dry give my love to father and Elizeberth and All the inquiring friends we can sit and Think about a many a thing to see a woman or a girls is a show to us to see now All the boys send their to you all and all the friends very likely I may be taken to A fight tonight myself But I won't fight any my love to you all Remember me while part we be
Nothing More At Present But still Remain
your Dear Brother
Jacob Elliot Christy
Please to Write Soon And Direct Your Letter
To Company J 54
Massachusetts
Volunteers
Morris Island South Carolina
Via of Hilton
Head
Jacob Elliot Christy to Mary Jane Demes
