The following letter was written by Pvt. Silas “Green” Hitch (1847-1871) who served in Co. D (Sumter Guards), 27th South Carolina Infantry (formed in 1863 by merging the Charleston Battalion Infantry and 1st S. C. Sharpshooter Battalion). Green survived the war, despite suffering from chronic diarrhea for much of his service, married Elizabeth Pinson in 1866, and died five years later at the age of 24. He was the son of Joseph Allen Hitch (1822-1896) and Elizabeth Caroline Motes (1821-1900) of Laurens, Laurens county, South Carolina.

Green wrote his letter from Legare’s Point on the Stono River where Confederate troops were placed to guard the river approach to Charleston.

Transcription

Legare’s Point, James Island
November 6, 1863

Dear Aunt,

I embrace the opportunity [to] let you know that I am well, hoping when these few lines reaches your kind hand, they will find you well and find the rest well. I am doing as well as could be expected. I received your kind letter in due time but I did not answer it in due time. But if you please excuse me, it was so that I could not. The Yankees, it is expected that they will attack this place.

Tell Abraham that if he wants to come to this company for him to come on. The Charleston Battalion is on James Island. Mr. Franklin Pool is well. He says for Abraham to bring him something to eat if he comes down. We are all doing fine. You must excuse bad writing and spelling. I must come to a close so i remain your loving nephew until death.

So goodbye. Back your letter in this way:

S. G. Hitch
Co. D, 27th Regiment
Legare’s Point, James Island
In care of Captain [J. W.] Hopkins