American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography

Manuscript account of a southern soldier's service during July and November of 1861, appearing to have been drawn from war-date correspondence. Book also includes clipped poems from newspapers and magazines, and manuscript copied excerpts from newspaper articles about relevant troop movements and war happenings in the south. Pages numbered with blue-ink stamps 1-36, with several pages clipped away at the end of the book. Back pastedown features a penciled outline of the continent of North America, with certain geographical features highlighted, and faint inked name "Florence Tylee[?]" to edge.

Names of enlisted men and officers referenced by the author of this account (including a Lieutenant James Salvo, Goodwin Mordecai, Ben S. Pelot, and W. T. McCormack) line up with service in the 1st South Carolina Infantry Regiment. HDS lists 2 soldiers with the last name "Tylee" in the 1st South Carolina Infantry, one being "J. W. L. Tylee" and the other "N. Tylee." Is is unclear who the author of this book is, but it could very likely be either of the two recorded there.

The soldier begins his account by describing a trip on the steamer Edisto, en route to Bull Island outside of Charleston. Aboard the ship, he notes, "As I write we can see one of the Blockading fleet (over a little point of land) which we take to be the 'Union.'"

He reaches Bull Island on what is estimated to be 23 July 1861, where they soon set up camp and later name it "Dupre." They are positioned near a plantation, owned by a Mr. Whilden who, rather interestingly, "charges the company one dollar per day for a black woman to do our cooking &c. which is an outrage."

The regiment receives news of the battle at Manassas from a letter sent to "Lieutenant Lucas" and a few newspapers they were able to acquire. The author writes, "Lieut Lucas also, got a letter which with the papers, gave us the news of the great battle in Virginia. We are all of us anxious to get the full particulars. We could just make out to hear what we took to be Fort Sumter firing a salute when we immediately fired one also."

"We also held a meeting expressing our feelings to the company stationed down here who have lost in that battle their ex captain (Johnson). I know a great many who were engaged in it and am very anxious to know who among my friends have gone to their long home. While Lieut Lucas was reading his letter to our company the big tears were streaming down his face and he was almost choked with his feelings overcoming him. He has lost some dear friends in the battle and has worn a gloomy sad look ever since."

The author of this journal notes that he volunteers to stay behind for longer than the 10 days originally promised by the men. He ends up staying a few weeks before a steamboat arrived to take him and his remaining regimental fellows home (for a short while, for their services would be needed again shortly thereafter). The day before leaving, he sees a steamer chase in the bay. He writes, "The day before we left the island we had a very exciting time witnessing a blockade steamer chase a schooner in the bay and finally up past our battery where being safe the latter vessel came to anchor and the blockader after receiving a notice from our battery turned heels and left for sea again."

At the end of this entry simply entitled "Note," he writes, "Our trip to town was very pleasant but is forgotten pretty much in the variety and multiplicity of trying events which I will try to relate from my letters &c in these pages, and which for over 4 years pressed so heavy on every Southern man." In a similar vein a few pages later, he specifically acknowledges the later authorship of this journal and its source material, writing: "I have concluded to gather from my correspondence such items of interest as may suit these pages leaving out of course such private expressions to a certain interested lady..."

The remainder of entries are dated from 11 - 21 November, at "Symore's [Seymour's] Landing." At the landing, the regiment is connected with the "Citadel Cadets who are our flanking company and who are to accompany us wherever we go...about 140 strong. Besides that we have col Radcliffe's No. Ca. Regiment nearly 800 more and with teamsters &c there is nearly 1,100 men over here..."

Rumors of the approach of Union troops have excited Charleston, which is dreadful news to our author. He writes, "From all accounts teh enemy must be within a few miles of us on this very creek. I only hope we may be deceived and that the enemy intend to demonstrate upon some other place than Charleston...We will soon commence to drill which we are in need of if we are to do any service, and the horses are much in want of training."

As civilians leave the area, the nearness of the enemy becomes even more real: "While we were drilling we saw a number of boats coming from the plantations on the islands with the families of the planters who are running away as fast as they can. The report is that the enemy are 3 miles from Church flats which is about 15 miles from here. How true this report is I cannot say but things look scary and I certainly am inclined to place some faith in them..."

Much music and enjoyment takes place in camp over the next few days, with no sightings of the enemy. Our author does note the presence of General Lee on 18 November, along with talks of enlistment. In his final entry, he notes that the Citadel Cadets are "on the move" and it is the impression that his regiment will return to the city as well. He writes, "There is much talk of enlistment &c going on, but out of our company I do not think there are 3 out of every 20 men who will do it except the officers, who have everything to gain and nothing to lose." His resistance is palpable in his closing lines, "If the company does not join (Stephens Legion is talked of) something in the Confederate service for the war we will lose our Battery, Horses, Equipments &c. Let them go: but enlist I will not. If I do it is because I am drafted. In a few days we will know positively I am told."