Dear Miss Leavitt

     I have certainly atoned for any former negligence for I believe this is the third letter I have (or shall have) written you in about a fortnight. — WEll I'm in a writing mood just now and may as well take advantage of it.
The mail came in today bringing us dates from FEb 14 to 25th — particulars of our successes of which we had only vague reports before and your letter of the 18th. I was again reminded of you all this evening while disposing of a goodly piece of mince pie. I believe I have before this mentioned them

They have been a great luxury. The candy too was delicious and I believe partly caused the popularity my tent enjoyed at that time.
Cake usually arrives in good order but the doughnuts were rather the worse for their long journey, not so the crackers,
     WE have no cider here to put in the pies as Mrs L directed, but use brandy when we can get it and when we cannot put whisky in its place. It answers very well.
     From what you say I judge that Colwell & Co. are going out of business. I wish business was more flourishing in the East Indies, I might be of some use to Charley, but my cousin Ned who went out there last Winter, (that is 60-61) found things so dull that he thinks of returning.
     Am I going to stay in the army after the war is over? — I don't Know, perhaps So if I can, probably one tenth of the volunteers will be retained in the service.
If there was any chance of another

war I would not leave on any account. One year of active campaigning is worth six of stupid city life. In spite of privations and disagreeable accompaniments there is a charm about this life in camp.
     You ask if I was not frightened at Port Royal Ferry. Candidly, no. Indeed I think scarcely any of our regiment were The remark I heard a private make I think expressed the general feeling "If fighting battles is as easy as all this I'd like to fight every day." I suppose we hardly realized our danger. Harmless nearly as the enemy's fire was it would have been very fatal if the range had been made a little lower.
At such times too I suppose an officer's duties prevent his thinking much of himself. and I was busy tearing down a fence over which we would have to charge and after that was so full of wrath at a few rascals who would not "dress"^x decently that I did not think much about the danger. I confess to dodging once when a ball whistled pretty close to my ears. It is a perfectly useless though very natural thing to do under such circumstances.
Last monday came orders to us to leave Camp Perry

x Charley will explain the term

and return to our old station here as the pickets were to be extended and one company could not supply them all. The enemy are no doubt collecting in force near Savannah and may attempt a sudden dash at the little force on this island, A party of sixteen went past this island last week and reached Pulaski in safety and was the immediate cause of our being sent here. I don't think another boat will get by us though the swamps between us and the mainland covered with reeds eight feet tall and intersected with numberless creeks just large enough for a row boat to go through give them good opportunities to get nearly past us unseen.
Last evening we [...]ad a bit of an alarm. WE have an outpost about a mile up the river and on the opposite bank. If they require armed assistance the signal is three gunshots in succession. Just as we were talking of going to bed we heard them in that direction. To yell to the guard drummer to beat the long roll, to seize belts and pistols and reach the company parades took only a moment, Cap Coan [i.e., Capt. William B. Coan, Co. E, 48th New York Infantry] with the crew hurried of to launch a boat while I formed the company who were falling in quicker than I ever knew them to do before

Taking twenty men we hurried off leaving Capt Farrell [i.e., Capt. James Farrell, Co. C, 48th New York Infantry] to follow in the larger boat as soon as possible. It was an exciting pull. The moon just above the horizon left the river in darkness and we could see but a few rods. Rowing close to the shore to avoid the strong tide the water shone like fire with the phosphoric marsh ooze as it dripped from bow and oars. At length rounding the point we came on the picket quietly waiting our expected arrival. Hurst [i.e., 1st Lt. Frederick Hurst, Co. E, 48th New York Infantry] who is in command there explained that the shots were fired by some stupid on a little steamboat of ours then passing up the river. Said stupid has been put under arrest and will be more careful in future I presume The night was so still that the reports were heard at Camp Perry and the Colonel rode down through the woods to find out what was to pay. Getting into a "bramble bush" he came near meeting the fate of the famous wise man mentioned in Mother Goose. As we pulled leisurely back we heard Capt Farrell's boat approaching from a direction so different from what we supposed he would take that we thought it must be a party of secesh so

quietly pushing our boat into the reeds we waited their approach with cocked pieces. Their answer to our challenge of course enlightened us as to whom they were and we went back together.
     Today I have posting a new picket about a mile from here and had a precious time finding a proper place for them as they had to Keep guard over two creeks for some distance.
Although we watch so carefully I don't think we shall see any more of the rebels here than we have done all along that is an occasional picket fire on the mainland one or two miles off.
WE have quite pleasant times here, decidedly better than at the batteries on the Savannah where the sKirmishing has entirely ceased and the men either work in the mud or when the tide is too high roost like chicKens on wheelbarrows, caissons and gunwheels. Savannah is not yet taken as you have by this time found out and as we are the advance regiment we ought to have a hand in the affair whenever it comes off.
     I dont expect a furlough this Summer, unless, which is not liKely, all active operations are Suspended during the hottest months.
At present I would not ask for one, and

could not get it if I did. Remember me to Mrs L & Mrs B. Likewise to Miss Holmes, and Dick Colwell. He ought to come down here. It would cure him. Much obliged for your suggestion in regard to Miss H. but fear I shall not be in that line for some years at all events. Indeed I found the little lady in Walnut St the most attractive of my Philadelphia young lady friends.
I have not seen a single specimen of the genus young lady since we left Annapolis and have 'most forgotten how they look. Write

soon again. Your letters are capitally chatty, most as good as a conversation face to face

most Sincerely
Robert S Edwards