Letter from Samuel Haynes - Civil War Soldier - June 1862

Letter from Samuel Haynes - Civil War Soldier

Chenango American, July 3, 1862

Gimball's Plantation
James Island, S.C., June 13 '62

I wrote a few lines to you while we were at Summerville on Stono Inlet; since then things have been more war like in appearance and reality too, than I have ever seen them before.  Last Monday afternoon we left Stono, and came here.  The same night about ten o'clock, Co. I, with Co. H, were sent out about a mile toward the "rebs" to strengthen the picket.  We lay all night on our arms, and about once in fifteen minutes a shell from the secesh batteries would "whew" over our heads and burst somewhere, but without injuring anyone.  You may imagine that we slept soundly that night, "In a great big horn."  The same thing was kept up nearly all the next day with an occasional reply from the gunboats.  About five, PM, we were attacked by a regiment of Georgia Tigers, who came tearing through the woods swinging their bats and yelling like all fury.

Lieut. Howard was in command of Co. H and I was in command of Co. I, Capt. Hillis being absent with about 20 men skirmishing.  We got our companies in position close to the edge of the woods, and all kneeling down, were supported by a company of the 17th N.Y. and one of the 97th Pa.  The enemy charged at us, but we fired so hot and fast that they retreated, but came back again and this time faster and more -?- than ever.  By this time the Capt. had joined us with the men he had out, and the second time we drove them back.  During the second attack we were reinforced by the companies of the 97th Pa, and a battery of Artillery took a position about half mile in the rear of us. They threw shot and shell over our heads into the woods in front of us, and the sound of those shot and shell was the best music I ever heard, for many of our muskets were so hot and dirty that the men couldn't load them.  The "rebs" took themselves off, all that could, but they left about 50 men, dead and dying in the woods.

After the skirmish, we were relieved by two fresh companies, and went into camp. Col. Weish was in good spirits, and Gen. Wright complimented "these two companies of the field for their gallant behavior"; in fact they were highly praised on all sides, but the best of all is that not a man of our company was hurt.  One man of Co. H was killed; he was shot through the lungs.  Night before last we went out on picket again and came in yesterday afternoon, but all was comparatively quiet.  The rebels amused themselves last night by throwing shell at our camp, and the boys would scamper for the intrenchments in a hurry when they heard one coming.

We are so near Charleston and the railroad, that we can hear the cars very plainly, and from a place about a mile from our camp Fort Sumpter can be seen.  I can not write any more now for I am interrupted every two minutes.

Sam'l Haynes

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Samuel Haynes was born 30 June 1834 in Oxford, Chenango County, New York, the son of Artemas and Almira (Burlingame) Haynes.  He died 13 Oct. 1899 in Oil City, Venango County, PA and was buried in Grove Hill Cemetery, Oil City, PA.

Samuel Haynes: First Lieutenant (1LT), Company G, 45th PA Infantry Regiment (Co G 45th PA Inf); enlisted 21 Sep 1861, as First Sergeant in Company I, 45th PA Infantry Regiment, then was transferred and promoted to First Lieutenant in Company G 45th PA Infantry Regiment on 27 Jun 1862, separated 20 Oct 1864.  [findagrave.com, memorial#25112407]

Samuel Haynes

(findagrave.com, memorial #25112407, photo added by Austin long)

"Death of Lieutenant Samuel Haynes - Lieutenant Samuel Haynes, a brother-in-law of Messrs Seth and Job Wetmore, of this borough, who was well known and esteemed by many civil war veterans in this county, died Friday morning at his home in Oil City of cancer, aged 67 years. He had lived in that city since 1870 and was a trusted Division Supervisor of the Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He enlisted here in 1861 in Co I, 45th Volunteers. He was Orderly Sergeant in that company, and the next year was made Lieutenant of Company G in the same regiment. As an officer, and later as Supervisor, he was most successful, as well as popular, owing to the effective combination in his character of geniality and firmness, while his fine appearance physically gave him added distinction as an officer. His death is regretted keenly here by his relatives and veteran comrades. The Oil City Derrick says: 'The deceased was one of the most upright men of this city, enjoying the confidence and esteem of his fellow men to a remarkable extent. He was a Republican in politics, and although not seeking office was honored with several responsible elective positions, among them the presidency of the public schools of the city. He was a member of the Christ Episcopal Church and was a Mason. Mr Haynes is survived by his wife and two daughters."

(Wellsboro Agitator, Oct 18, 1899, p.5)  findagrave.com, memorial #25112407