1863 Civil War Letter By Pvt. Jackson Cornelius, 52nd Pennsylvania - Hilton Head
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:164135 |
A nice 1863 letter written by Private Jackson Cornelius of the 52nd Pennsylvania Volunteers. Written from Hilton Head, South Carolina, Cornelius described the twenty-three-day sea voyage from Yorktown and the build-up of Union forces on the island, including friends in the 76th Pennsylvania. “There is a great many troops stationed here, ” he wrote, “and probably will attack Charleston before long.” He also described his pleasant surroundings: “Oranges are plenty. Alligators a...re plenty. Some of the boys captured one the other day seven feet two inches long, ” he wrote. “I would like it better here if they would allow us to go and hunt game, ” he lamented. “But no such things are allowed. Some of the boys in the 9th New Jersey Regt. routed a lot of darkies and since then we are not allowed to go outside of camp without a pass.” The letter reads:
Hilton Head IslandFeb 13th 1863
Dear SisterI shall improve the present opportunity by informing you of my present situation and how I have been getting along since I last heard from you.
At present I am well and enjoying myself first rate. We are encamped at present in quite a pleasant place, Hilton Head Island. But do not know how long we will stay here. There is a great many troops stationed here and probably will attack Charleston before long.
We had quite a pleasant time coming here from Yorktown. Since we left Beaufort North Carolina we have been aboard the steamer 23 days and you can suppose we were glad to get ashore.
I saw Charles McGregor’s son [Private D. B. McGregor] and [Private] James Pross [both of Company H, 76th Pennsylvania]. They look well and live fine for soldiers. If it was not for the hot weather they say they would like it better.
On this Island most anything in the shape of game and fruit [may be found]. Oranges are plenty. Alligators are plenty. Some of the boys captured one the other day seven feet two inches long. Snakes are in abundance and the next 3 or 4 days of hot weather and they will be twice the no. than at present infest[ing] the soil.
The weather is hot here for the month of Feb. I can go all day in my shirt sleeves and sweat at the same time. Queer country this. The nights are cool and very heavy dews fall.
You can not expect a very long letter from me this time, but I shall write more next time. I think it is pretty near time I had a letter from you. I have not heard from home [since] we left Yorktown and would like to hear from you very much. We might leave here soon and go north again, as there is such report is current among the boys. I wish we would. I would like it better here if they would allow us to go and hunt game. But no such things are allowed. Some of the boys in the 9th New Jersey Regt. routed a lot of darkies and since then we are not allowed to go outside of camp without a pass. But I must close and hope you will write soon and I remain you affect. brotherA J Cornelius
Direct your letter toCo “D” 52d Regt P.V.Naglee’s DivisionPort Royal S.C.Via New York
The letter was written on three pages of a 7 3/4” x 9 3/4” stationery sheet. Very good condition with very light toning. Creased where originally folded. There is some very slight separation at the two places where the folds meet.
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Hilton Head IslandFeb 13th 1863
Dear SisterI shall improve the present opportunity by informing you of my present situation and how I have been getting along since I last heard from you.
At present I am well and enjoying myself first rate. We are encamped at present in quite a pleasant place, Hilton Head Island. But do not know how long we will stay here. There is a great many troops stationed here and probably will attack Charleston before long.
We had quite a pleasant time coming here from Yorktown. Since we left Beaufort North Carolina we have been aboard the steamer 23 days and you can suppose we were glad to get ashore.
I saw Charles McGregor’s son [Private D. B. McGregor] and [Private] James Pross [both of Company H, 76th Pennsylvania]. They look well and live fine for soldiers. If it was not for the hot weather they say they would like it better.
On this Island most anything in the shape of game and fruit [may be found]. Oranges are plenty. Alligators are plenty. Some of the boys captured one the other day seven feet two inches long. Snakes are in abundance and the next 3 or 4 days of hot weather and they will be twice the no. than at present infest[ing] the soil.
The weather is hot here for the month of Feb. I can go all day in my shirt sleeves and sweat at the same time. Queer country this. The nights are cool and very heavy dews fall.
You can not expect a very long letter from me this time, but I shall write more next time. I think it is pretty near time I had a letter from you. I have not heard from home [since] we left Yorktown and would like to hear from you very much. We might leave here soon and go north again, as there is such report is current among the boys. I wish we would. I would like it better here if they would allow us to go and hunt game. But no such things are allowed. Some of the boys in the 9th New Jersey Regt. routed a lot of darkies and since then we are not allowed to go outside of camp without a pass. But I must close and hope you will write soon and I remain you affect. brotherA J Cornelius
Direct your letter toCo “D” 52d Regt P.V.Naglee’s DivisionPort Royal S.C.Via New York
The letter was written on three pages of a 7 3/4” x 9 3/4” stationery sheet. Very good condition with very light toning. Creased where originally folded. There is some very slight separation at the two places where the folds meet.
Please see my other items for more interesting Civil War letters, documents, and images.
Foreign shipping is provided through eBay's global shipping program.
