Dear Miss Leavitt

     Write you a letter about the "roses and sweet potatoes and alligators."? It would be as short as the famous chapter on the snaKes of Ireland. No doubt there are plenty of the last mentioned article at no great distance but as I am not partial to wading in Swamps I have seen none of them since we stopped sending out pickets. I have been intending to write you ever since receiving a letter of yours to Annie but have been too busy and too low spirited. Things seem to be improving now though and I dont despair yet awhile.
     My advice to Charley came most inopportunely. I did not dream of such reverses then as we have had when I wrote. I see that the militia had been ordered back home and Charley has probably doffed his uniform

before this. Why were not those Penn^a regiments sent to reinforce McClellan? Ten thousand more troops might have turned the rebel repulse at Antietam into a rout. It was on a par with our usual management. If we have trusted too much to our material strength we have been severely punished for it. It is pitiable enough when a nation as willing to sacrifice anything in blood and treasure that may be needed and can't find a ruler able to frame a national policy or a General who can maneuver an army. If the administration can do nothing but drift and our Generals nothing but dig we may as well accept our fate at once. Heaven help us, for all help of man is vain enough. WE have had several rebel officers here lately under a flag of truce. They gave their ideas with apparant frankness and I fear too much truth. They say "there is no difference in the courage displayed on the two sides. Why should there be between men of the same race? but our men are as a rule better marksmen than yours, and as to generals, McClellan, your best one, has some talent but is far too slow to contend with Jackson and Lee." but I

did not mean to write about these gloomy subjects.
     I am perfectly well again and we now have pleasantly cool weather. From my tent on the ramparts I used every morning to see flocks of herons dotting the shore and white as so many snow wreathes while Clumsy pelicans were sailing Continually overhead. They have all gone further South now and the September gales have driven me down into the fort, my tent having once blown into the moat and threatening to repeat the manuever. Now that they have been put in good repair my quarters are very pleasant. Two of us have a Casemate to ourselves, each having a small room besides a large one used in Common.
Gen Mitchel's [i.e., Maj. Gen. Ormsby M. Mitchel's] arrival encourages us all that something will be done. If no move is soon made I shall try hard to get into the Army of the Potomac. I am tired of this holiday soldiering. WE have four ladies, wives of officers, now in the fort and the Colonel talks of having visitors from Brooklyn this Winter!!
     A few days ago we made a raid on Bluffton and the salt works beyond. WE started, five companies, on the little Gunboat Planter about midnight. Our guide was to land us two or

three miles this side of the town and by a rapid march we hope to reach the town, surprise and Capture the troops there by Sunrise. Unfortunately our pilot, a contraband, ran us agrounds WE lost two precious hours of darkness and just as we were about to land at last had the mortification of seeing a vedette gallop past us to Bluffton. However we landed and hurried on, the rebel force was estimated as nearly as large as ours (three hundred) and perhaps they would make a stand. They did not however but sKedaddled leaving us a dismounted field piece. The Planter by a much longer route reached Bluffton about as soon as we and steaming on & once catching sight of the retreating rebels threw some shell among them with effect. We meantime went on by land, the fresh tracks leading us to hope we might overtake the secesh. At the salt works however we gave it up and after destroying them reembarked. After a sleepless night and hot march of near ten miles it was pleasant to stretch myself on the deck and enjoy the Cool breeze and picturesque view. Marching under this hot sun and through this soft sandy soil is quite fatiguing. Bluffton is a pretty village (the "bluff" on which it stands is not thirty feet high) It was deserted by inhabitants soon after we took Hilton Head but considerable heavy furniture was left & as our quarters at the fort were rather bare we stopped on our way back to secure some. My share of the "loot"

was a cushioned easy chair, mahogony centre table, marble topped bureau and secretary. WE brought back a piano for our Colonels wife. So Mr B has gone home. bon voyage. I sincerely trust that poor Sindbad wont have another old man of the sea fastening on his shoulders. Pity [illeg] a man's purse should usually be in inverse ratio to his heart. My love to Mrs L and Mrs B and a Kiss to the children

sincerely yours
Robert S Edwards

P. S. Oct 10th. Much to our joy we learn another expedition is on foot. WE are to have a hand in it and it will Consist they say of four thousand men and some gun boats probably under Gen Mitchel's own Command, where bound no one Knows Some say Savannah or Charleston, but the force seems quite too small for that. I guess our aim to be to take the steamer Nashvill and the batteries at the mouth of the Ogeechee

River. Possibly it is only a reconnoisance in force but I hope we shall accomplish something. The meeKest of homeguards could accompany most of our expeditions

without serious shock to his nerves. May this be of a different Kind. Mitchell has visited all the troops in the department and has won universal confidence & goodwill