a-breeze, which was always cool and refreshing.

"The amount of sickness was great, the large amount of duty
being the probable cause. On the 7th of August the
percentage was the smallest observed during the siege, being
18.6. At this date the aggregate garrison of Morris Island
was 9,353, of which 1,741 were sick. On the 17th of August
22.9 per cent. of the whole garrison were on the sick list.
This was the most unhealthy period of the siege.

"The average strength of the command on Morris Island during
the siege was, of all arms, 10,678 men, of which the average
percentage sick was 19.88. The number of black troops varied
from 1,127 to 1947.

"Average percentage of sick in Artillery, 6.2; ditto, in
Engineers, 11.9; ditto, in Black Infantry, 13.9; ditto, in
White Infantry, (excluding one brigade), 20.1.

"This brigade consisted of the Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania,
Twenty-fourth Massachusetts and Tenth Connecticut
Volunteers. It averaged thirty per cent sick. This was due
to the fact that these three regiments had been stationed,
before moving to Morris Island, on Seabrook Island, which
proved very unhealthy. The engineers and black infantry were
employed exclusively on fatigue duty. The white infantry
served as guard of the trenches, as well as for work in the
same.

"Details from the troops on Folly Island took part in the
operations on Morris Island.

"It was found by experience that men under these
circumstances could not work more than one-fourth the time.
A greater amount at once increased the sick list. Eight
hours in thirty-two, or eight hours on and twenty-four off,
was found to be the best arrangement, as it made a daily
change in the hours of duty for those regiments permanently
detailed for work.

"The organization found most advantageous in working a
command permanently detailed for fatigue duty, was to divide
its effective force into four equal detachments, on duty
eight hours each, relieving each other at 4 A. M., 12 M. and
8 P. M. The large number of extra troops employed in the
trenches each night were usually changed daily.

"The engineer officers in charge of the works were divided
into corresponding groups, four in each, relieving each
other at 8 A. M., 4 P. M., and 12 midnight, four hour