Light House Hills, 17th April 1861
Dear father and mother,
You have long before this been made happy by hearing the Fort Sumter has been taken, not only without the loss of any of your sons, but not even one of Carolina's. A glorious day it was, and marked so deeply by the protecting hand of divine Providence that it calls to mind the miraculous victories of the chosen people. The fire and cannonading was tremendous and conducted by a skill which, although exhibited by volunteers, has excited the wonder and admiration of our veteran Commander and of our gallant foes. They did prove themselves men at the last, and gallant ones. Fort Sumter is a terrible wreck. Amid all the rejoicing, it was rather a bitter day for the 1st Regiment, who after toiling day and night in the trenches under our gallant and skillful Colonel, were pushed aside and neglected in the whole affair. Ten hours before the fight begun, Simons, a pompous coward who shielded himself and staff under the Hospital Flag, came over and with an amount of injustice which he only could execute superseded Gregg in command and sent him off to the end of the Island. The whole Island was thrown into confusion by a host of upstarts who came over at the same time to snatch away what honour was to be reaped, while the organisation of the 17 Regt. alone, fed and
transported and supported the whole Island. We have done the whole work and had Colonel Gregg chosen he could have made them feel their insolent assumption, but he worked manfully and has helped them out of their troubles even at the expense of his own Regiment. Such however is military style, merit is not always appreciated at the right time and place.
But it will be long before "Hospital Tom" and the holiday officers will be forgotten.
The artillerists who fought the battle are gallant fellows and deserve all the credit that can be given. It is rather a bitter pill to swallow to when we think of having been cut out of the whole affair which we have been waiting three months to share. We were sure once of a fight from the soldiers, but the dastardly wretches disappointed friend and foe alike by not striking one blow for their Flag and burning Fort. The soldiers on our side gave a cheer to Anderson at every shot towards the last, and a groan for the cowards in the Fleet. It was as gallant an affair as the world ever witnessed, and when the officers in the Fort were told of it afterwards, it affected them almost to tears.
The prospects all are now, though I won't triumph, on my side of the argument, war and a long and bloody
one. I feel as if I was going to be made a soldier whether I would or no. I hope I will get home though one of these days. though the prospect at present is small. I have but little idea of being able to leave at the end of the six months. I am here now, in the field in tents and messing with the colonel's {} I would be very glad if you could send me something to contribute my portion to the Mess.
I hear that a cavalry company is going from Abbeville to Florida. I wish very much I could get up a good cavalry company to take up on the 12th of July or before and go on with the war as an officer instead of private. I wish now very much that Willy had the place that McGowan offered him or that it were possible for him to get it. Do tell me if anything can be done in my old country in the way of organizing a troop to go into the war.
Give kindest love to all,
Your affec Son
AC Haskell
