Private E. G. Russell of the 5th South Carolina Infantry Describes his Living Conditions in Moultrie House in Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island, April 30th, 1861 – 4 Pages in Ink Written on Confederate Patriotic Stationery (7 Star Flag) With Original Envelope
The Civil War has begun, Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor fired on two weeks before this letter was written. Confederate forces are manning Fort Moultrie. Private E. G. Russell of the 5th South Carolina Infantry has been stationed at Fort Moultrie. Today, one can visit Fort Moultrie and see exactly where Private Russell lived.
This is the only letter we have ever seen that actually describes living in Moultrie House, and the conditions living there. (This would make a wonderful addition to the Fort Moultrie National Park collection, should one wish to donate it!) Here is a great quote from the letter:
“Our mess which numbers 11 is filled in two comfortable rooms in the second story of the Moultrie House. Our furniture consists of two spring bottomed sofas, 12 chairs, two of which are rockers. We have 5 good mattresses, one cot, and 2 bureaus & one large dining table, which I neglected to mention in the above list of furniture. Thus far some of us are as well situated as we would be at home, but now for the contrast (which is our rations), rancid bacon, sour tough and colored loaf, quite elastic, the meanest of coffee, though it is rendered so by the water of which it is made, as the well water here is rather brackish, and rice which when it has gone through the cooking process and is served to us by our scrupulously, cleanly, and very experienced cook (minor free boy from Uncle J’s neighborhood) looks as though it might have been seasoned with soot.”
The stationery has a colored image of the 1st Confederate 7 Star Flag. The envelope has a fine “Charleston, May 2, 1861” cancellation and is addressed to Russell’s father, who was a Pastor in McConnelsville, York District, S.C. One of our favorite letters in our Confederate collection.
#L4-30-61SC – Price $1,395
