rt.

_Dec. 3._ The rumors with regard to the expedition are various and
contradictory, but the impression seems to be that we have been
whipped, but hold on and have intrenched at Grahamville. Mr. and Mrs.
Soule are cheerful and brave, but very anxious, and it makes our
hearts sink to hear the guns as we do. Pray God we may succeed this
time and Sherman may come through. It will be such a day as has not
been seen in this Department since Dupont took the place.

_Dec. 4._ We have repulsed the enemy since we intrenched, and
deserters say Sherman is coming.

_Dec. 6._ Captain Crane found that his company was left behind at
Morris Island, but begged so to go, that Colonel Hartwell[178] took
him on his staff, sending a Captain Gordon, who had just come from the
North, to take charge of his company. Colonel Hartwell was wounded and
Captain Crane killed in one of the first charges, in which our troops
were repulsed, so that Captain Crane's body was left in the hands of
the enemy. To-night we hear that ten thousand troops have come from
Fortress Monroe to reinforce us, and deserters tell of Sherman's
advance and successes. You may imagine we are all on the _qui vive_,
and anxious, for we hear all the firing.

_Dec. 11._ Savannah is in Sherman's hands and Pocotaligo in Foster's.
We hope and trust this is no South Carolina rumor.

_Dec. 15._ To-night Mr. Soule brings word that Sherman breakfasted
with Foster yesterday morning, on a boat that came to Beaufort to-day.

Just after Christmas Mr. Philbrick went back to Port Royal
to see to shipping his cotton.

FROM E. S. P.

_Dec. 28._ Arrived this evening. No fellow passengers that I knew.
Most of them were Sherman's officers who had left him at Atlanta for
various reasons and now come to join him. Very pleasant men, with a
degree of hearty good sense and whole-souled patriotism that was truly
refreshing.

1865

_The Georgia refugees--Sherman's army at
Beaufort--Discontent of the negroes about wages--W. C. G.'s
work at Savannah for the refugees--Return home of most of
the letter-writers--The death of Lincoln, its effect on the
negroes--End of the war and return of the planters--Stealing
of cotton by the negroes--Superintendents "demoralized on
the negro question."_

FROM E. S. P.

_Jan. 1._ Yesterday morning I had a talk with Mr. H.[179] in the yard,
where he is at work framing the school-house. I like him very much. He