[page 1] South Carolina Deserts May 17th 1863 I take this opertunity to let you no that we are all well at present and hoping these fiew lines will find you all the same we are on Sea Brook Island about twenty miles from Charleston we left Hilten [Hilton] Head about a month a go and left all our clothing and things onley wat we wanted and I left my paper at the Head this is the reson that I dident write sooner this is the first letter that I have wrote for about two months our regt has bin on picket for a weak [page 2] We are in now and cuting timber and building brest works the rebbels is thundern Sasey here for they no we hante alowd to shoot at them they came riden out and shaken their sabers within gun shot of us I understood that the hundred and twenty forth regt wouldent stand fire it is reported down here that they run like wite heads we have bin driled for nearley two years and they hant lurnt us that yet it is hard to tell what we may do but we have the first time to turn our tales to the rebels without orders the reson I dident send eny money home the last pament was because [page 3] I bought a revolver and cotrages write soon and let me no how you are getin along with your ofice and how the crops looks they are given out furlows now for thirty days their is five out of our company now and mabey i may get one in a month as to they have six of eight pets more to send first we have a better name for them but i hant tell hit now you nedent looke for me before two or three months no more at present G K Pierce Fd To Elias Pierce [envelope] [stamped] Due 3 Mr Elias Pierce of Aaron Wilmington P.C. Delaware [written vertically on left margin] G.K.P. Soldiers letter G Pennypacker Major 97 Pv