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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 recieved 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 a iron ram at savanna 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 sorrowfull thing they ever attemted we have only

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about six thousand men here and I wish they would bring fourty thousand and try to lick us we would show them the difference of fighting behind batteries there was heavy canonading this morning about two oclock towards Fort Pulaski I dont know what it was but I guess it was the ram trying to pass you may do as you think propper 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 trirty 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 im afraid the niggar question will raise a rumpus in the army Yet if ever i get back i'll shoot all the niggars I come across Give my respects to all enquiring friends no more at presant 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



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