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On The Fall of Port Royal in November 1861

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War-date Confederate soldier's letter by Sgt. Leonard Williams, Hampton Legion, South Carolina Cavalry, 4p. octavo, pencil, Camp Butler, Virginia, November 24, 1861, and reads in part: "...I am inclined to believe you & the people of Charleston overestimate the enemy's success at Pt. Royal. I regret that the inhabitants of the Islands & country in vicinity of Pt. Royal did not dispose of their cotton & negroes out of their reach. I see by extracts of Northern journals that they are rejoicing most extravagantly over their success & the Secy of the Navy has ordered a national salute at all the Navy yards. This shows their desperation & they are endeavoring to buoy up the public mind by holding up this achievement as a brilliant victory when in reality the odds against the little garrison was so over overwhelming the wonder is they held out so long. The only real damage to our cause consists in the destruction of property in the neighborhood. If proper measures are taken it matters not what force may land they can never reach Charleston indeed I do not believe they would attempt to march towards Charleston with 50,000 troops. I am not acquainted with all the modes of attack the enemy can make on the city, nor the means of its defense, but if the harbor & surroundings are sufficiently fortified & garrisoned...If the people of Charleston are compelled to leave the city or if it is in any way endangered of course I would be glad Billy's family would take refuge with you & as many of our relations as you can accommodate...Col. Hampton applied to Davis for a transfer of our Legion to S.C. but under present conditions he could not grant it...Mr. Ira C. Williams has taken our measures for a new uniform, the cloth is being made at McBee's Factory..." Fine.

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