Dear Annie

     I scratched off a few lines to you on Saturday, indeed a tolerably long letter I believe but I wrote while sleepy and in a hurry and dont recollect much about it, so I'll go back to the beginning. WE made our first start WEdnesday Evening. Every man had a strip of white muslin on his left arm the two Conn Regiments were to go in boats up a creek behind the batteries on this island and maKe an attack in flank and rear As soon as we heard their guns we (the rest of the brigade) who would be waiting in boats a little ways up the river were to push rapidly on land and take the battery by storm from directly in front. WE were to head this attack. Under Cover of the darkness we expected to land undiscovered. If we had done so and had landed in the right place all would have been easy enough, otherwise our work would have been difficult. But transportation enough had not been Collected owing to some Quartermaster's blunder and all we did that night was to march ten miles much of it at a Killing pace and after all had to go back to Camp and wait until next day or night rather.
     Meanwhile the plan was changed. The Monitors and batteries on Folly Island were to open at daylight, as many of our brigade as there were boats for were to be in readiness to push on and land as soon as the batteries had punished the rebs sufficiently the balance were to be under cover on the end of Folly Island and our boats were to go over for them. The flank movement was given up, the Conn Regiments going with us. This sent us back to the left

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of the brigade, and made us the last to attack, the column moving right in front. WE all liked the change in plan. A night attack among swamps with which of whose position and extent we Knew nothing would have been a rather desperate business. WE fell in about dark as before but did not get embarked until midnight, getting a nap on the ground while waiting. There were only boats for four companies, the other four had to march back to cross in the morning with two regiments of Vogdes [i.e., Brig. Gen. Israel B. Vodges's] brigade who were to join us. We rowed until daylight having embarked some miles from our destination lest rebel lookouts or pickets should take alarm. Just as the sun rose the Folly Island batteries opened and we all ran into the ban k to wait the results. Our position, our batteries and those of the rebs forming the angles of an equilateral triangle with sides something under a mile in length. In about a half hour the word was passed to form And advance, four navy boats armed with howitzers leading. after rounding a point we were in full view of the rebs and were vigorously shelled, our howitzers replying, as there were about Eighty boats it is a wonder that so little damage was done. Shell flew thickly over us or burst in front, the pieces flying in all directions. Some officers say they find this sitting still and being shelled the most trying part of fighting. I find it the reverse of this. It is so Completely impossible to tell whether the shell that Comes screaming along will burst close to you or a quarter of a mile off and the chances so decidedly in favor of its not doing much damage that I can look on rather indifferantly.

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but the sharp ping, ping, of rifle balls passing close to you is decidedly disagreeable where continuously kept up. At last two Monitors opened, out of sight from where we where but the heavy boom of their 15 inch guns making their presence evident. The rebel fire now had slackened considerably and the order Came to land. The Conn 7th (four companies) led. WE were to have been last but the rest were slow in getting up and Lieut Col Green who commanded our four Companies obtained permission to land from Gen Strong [i.e., Brig. Gen. George C. Strong], and in we went. The 6th Conn had commenced to land before us but we were formed first and for awhile were the leading battallion in line, the 7th being acting as skirmishers. As soon as the 6th came up we let them take their proper place in front of us, but the few minutes during which we led and during which we drove the rebs out of their rifle pits were the hottest of the whole. I think it must be difficult to give any description of a fight after you are yourself engaged in it. Your own immediate duties prevent you noticing what passes a little ways off. So it was with me. WE charged at double quick until the so close that the rebs could enfilade us then lay down and fired until another regiment joined us and then forward again Gen Strong at the head. As the other regiments Came up they took their proper places in column or were ordered to positions and we went on until Sumter opened on us with such accuracy of aim

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that we had to move to the left away from the beach and under cover of the sand hills. Most of the rebs escaped to Fort Wagner. WE cut off some forty but they surrendered to the 6th Conn. I dont Know the total loss on either side or how many prisoners we took. Our regiment had thirty three Killed and wounded all from the four right Companies. The left wing did not join us until the battery was taken. Several of the men were so slightly hurt that they were not reported. Of nine struck in our Company, three were but slightly hurt, one has since died and two more are dangerously wounded. Sergeant Laurence [i.e., Sgt. John T. Lawrence, Co. C, 48th New York Infantry] the one who has since died was as brave and good a soldier as we had, a faithful Christian too. Indeed six of our best men were among those hurt. WE all mourn especially for Capt Lent, as brave a soldier and thorough a soldier gentleman as ever I Knew. While Fort Sumter was firing at us one of my men had a narrow escape. A shell burst in front the pieces flying in all directions. This man writhed and staggered as if wounded. I was near him and Caught him in arms but on examination found that a piece of shell had torn his clothes but merely scratched his sKin just drawing blood. There was no hand to hand fighting, all we Could see of the enemy was their heads rising above the parapet and as we closed on them they either surrendered or ran, the formation of these sand hills, much like a very rough sea suddenly Congealed, greatly favoring this latter manuever. Since Friday we have occupied a deserted rebel camp and

occasionally Fort Sumter fires a shot or shell at us. Until lately they fired a little too high and with about two seconds too much fuse, the shells passing over our heads and exploding just in our rear. Lately they have improved in accuracy and while I have been writing this half a dozen shells have passed within a few rods of my tent.
     The danger is very slight though. a man is Kept on the lookout who calls out whenever a shell is coming and everyone drops behind a sand hill. The rear of these sand hills is scooped out a little so that the men may have the better protection. One poor fellow a few minutes ago neglected to get into shelter and was instantly Killed by a hundred pounder shell not two rods from where I am sitting. WE are Constructing batteries that will soon stop this work. The navy can assist but that is all. The Monitors are not good for much except defensive operations or against other vessels. Tonight we are going on picket and shall be in the rifle pits for twenty four hours. It is not a dangerous post however unless the rebs attack us which is not likely.

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You must not feel troubled if you dont hear from me for some time. There is no regular way of getting our letters into the mail and they are quite liable to be left over or lost.
     The mail has just come in bringing your welcome letters of June 28 and July 5th. That enclosing a letter from Ogden of which you speak did not Come. If Charleston is taken as I trust it soon will be there may be some chance of getting a leave of absence. At present none of us would take one if it could be had. I Know you Cannot but be somewhat anxious about me dear. It is you women's way, and I Cannot easily explain how it is that our present enterprise is not likely to be accompanied with much loss of life. It will be a siege altogether, I think. At all events we will trust that our Heavenly Father will bring us safely together again.
Our regiment was not Engaged

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in the unsuccessful assault on Fort Wagner. The loss there was heavy. The 7th Conn who led the storming party Complain bitterly of the Conduct of the 76th P^a and 9th Maine They say that they reached the foot of the slope with but slight loss, lay there some time, Killed two gunners who attempted to fire their guns and had the supporting regiments promptly followed them would have jumped over the parapet and have easily stormed the fort. After ten or fifteen minutes they say the rebs managed to get an enfilading fire on them and compelled them to retreat, as soon as they were fairly clear of the fort, Sumter opened on them with Grape and shell and here while retreating the principle loss occurred.
     The 76th say they Could not cross the ditch where they attempted it on account of the depth. Some of their officers succeeded in crossing.
WE fare rather roughly of course. We brought nothing with us but haversacks & canteens and my boy Careless proved the propriety of his name by losing

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mine the first day. A new haversack & canteen were easily picked up from among the rebel spoils but a little dressing case lost was a convenience I cannot at once replace. However we get along pretty well, getting hungry & tired enough to eat anything and sleep in the rain. An occasional dip in the rain is our great luxury.
     The glorious news from the North puts us all in the best of spirits, but I must close Much love to O. N & F

In haste most affectionately
Robert S Edwards

Miss A L Edwards
Care Mrs B B Edwards
Andover Mass