Hilton Head,
South Carolina
May 19, 1862
Dear Cousin,
I read your kind letter about a week ago and I was very glad to hear from you. I
also received one from Mary-An and one from Edwin. I was sick when I received your
letter and I am now hardly able to write. The mail goes today and I am hurrying so as
to get this in before the mail closes.
You spoke of sending me some papers. I have not received them yet. Our camp
is now situated right on the seashore and I have only to look out of the tent to see the
ocean. I hope it may not be long before I shall be sailing over it homeward-bound.
The weather is very warm here. Blackberries ripe about a month ago. They grow in
great quantities. The peaches, oranges and other fruits are growing here.
I have not heard from Oscar in some time.
I suppose you have heard of the fall of Fort Pulaski long ere this. I could hear
the cannon very plainly. Our batteries made an awful breech in the wall. An attack
on Savannah is daily expected. It is only about 30 miles from here. Pulaski was its
principal stronghold.
General Hunter has issued a declaration declaring all the slaves of South
Carolina, Georgia and Florida free. It makes the darkies here feel pretty well. The
government is now getting up a darkie regiment merely to stand guard down here
during the hot weather. It will be a good thing for the soldiers here. I am afraid that
we shall be here all summer. I should much rather be on the Potomac. It is beginning
to get uncomfortably warm here already. I should like to be up where Oscar is very
much. Do you hear from him often?
Sometimes there is no mail comes in here in over 2 weeks and then you can
judge my disappointment if I do not receive a letter.
Dear cousin, I sincerely thank you for your kind wishes for my welfare and hope
that should I find a grave in this far off clime, that I may meet you along with my dear
mother in that home where tomorrow never comes.
I close by remaining your affectionate cousin,
Richard H. Angell
Give my love to all or our Mooers people and regards to all Engineering friends.
R. H. A.