Item No. 6617609

Captain William A. Walker of the “Chester Troop” (Company D, 1st South Carolina Cavalry) writes to his lieutenant, John S. Wilson, then absent from the company while serving in the South Carolina Legislature as a representative from Chester District. Writing from South Island on December 9, 1861, Walker describes the regiment's role guarding the South Carolina coast in the aftermath of the Confederate defeat at Port Royal.

The captain explains that the cavalry now serves as a “coast police,” riding patrols along the beach “all night by twos every two hours.” He expresses concern over the vulnerability of the coast, believing that little prevented a Federal landing beyond the enemy's unfamiliarity with the local channels. He then mentions the constant appearance of blockading ships from the U.S. Navy:

The Blockaders are in sight every day from one to three. The other day the Dixie, a small boat from this point, went down to the mouth of Santee. The Blockaders approached her and fired at her twice, but without effect. I would not be much surprised to hear the roar of the cannon at any time.

Walker expresses some relief that “We are in houses now, but with the understanding that if Col. [Arthur M.] Manigault brings the remainder of his Regt. here, we are to go into our tents should he require it. I hope he may not so order.” Still, Walker is not impressed with the area. “I would have no objection to move at any time, for I admire the place less & less every day, and the people still less.”

The loss of Port Royal on November 7 had given the Federal army a toehold on the coast from which they could threaten Walker’s position on South Island, and he expresses frustration in the poor condition of Confederate coastal defenses and appealing to Wilson for news of support from the state government in Columbia:

They still have but the two companies at South Island fort and one at Cat Island. How they expect to defend the forts with a few men, against our enemy of ten thousand, I cannot see. It is exactly like the Port Royal affair. 40 guns on our side to 400 on the side of the enemy. Have you heard anything from that point? What is the Legislature doing? Will it organize Hailee’s Legion? If they intend to do it, they had better be quick about it. There is one company on North Island opposite to our quarters. For what, I cannot see, unless to watch the coast like us.

In a postscript, Walker discusses the reassignment of a cavalry horse due to the rumored death of Private James Carson, writing, “If you have not made some arrangement about Whiteside’s horse, you can send him up the country. I understand James Carson is dead. If so, Whiteside can take the Carson horse. If Carson is not dead, but will return, you had better send him on to camp.”

The letter was written on three pages of a four-page bifold letter sheet. Minor foxing. Creased at the original folds. Included is the original postal cover with Georgetown, South Carolina, postmark. The letter’s full transcript appears below:

South Island Cavalry Camp
Decr. 9th 1861

Lieut. Wilson

Dear Sir
We are still here as a coast police. Our duties are more laborious now than before we came here, as we have to ride the Beach all night by twos every two hours. From the observation I have made my opinion, is there is not much to prevent the enemy from coming into this Island but an igroovance of the channel. The Blockaders are in sight every day from one to three. The other day the Dixie, a small boat from this point, went down to the mouth of Santee. The Blockaders approached her and fired at her twice, but without effect. I would not be much surprised to hear the roar of the cannon at any time. We are in houses now, but with the understanding that if Col. Manigault brings the remainder of his Regt. here, we are to go into our tents, should he require it. I hope he may not so order. Crawford has returned. I sent Lewis and Wm. Peden to Charleston to draw the money according to Col. Black’s suggestion. I rec’d a long letter from the Col., which I will send to you. Take care of it and return it to me. I would have no objection to move at any time, for I admire the place less & less every day, and the people still less.

They still have but the two companies at South Island fort and one at Cat Island. How they expect to defend the forts with a few men, against our enemy of ten thousand, I cannot see. It is exactly like the Port Royal affair. 40 guns on our side to 400 on the side of the enemy. Have you heard anything from that point? What is the Legislature doing? Will it organize Hailee’s Legion? If they intend to do it, they had better be quick about it. There is one company on North Island opposite to our quarters. For what, I cannot see, unless to watch the coast like us. Ask McAliley and Melton how they like Secession with all its concomitant blessings. Give each of them my respects. Tell McAliley to bring the d__n thing to a close as speedily as possible. Tell Farley to make me a nice cut of the clothes you have got for me, if he pleases.

Legislating is easier than the Semper Parati maneuver, especially in the eating, goes as pretty much as when you left. Our breakfast this morning was bread and molasses, with some fried bacon. Ask Dave Melton how he would like to take such a dose. All Well.
I am yours
W. A. Walker

If you have not made some arrangement about Whiteside’s horse, you can send him up the country. I understand James Carson is dead. If so, Whiteside can take the Carson horse. If Carson is not dead, but will return, you had better send him on to camp. Try and ascertain into N. G. Hope.