This letter was written by George Elbert Jayne of Huntington, New York, who enlisted when he was 18 years old to serve three years in Co. I, on 8 September 1862. He was later promoted to corporal and then sergeant by January 1863. He mustered out of the regiment at Charleston, South Carolina, on 30 June 1865. When he enlisted, he was described as a blue-eyed, sandy-haired, five and a half feet tall “printer.”

George was born in Babylon, New York—the son of Charles Jayne (1823-1891) and Deborah Ann Burling (1826-1886). After the war, he became a Methodist minister and served in the pulpit for over forty years.

This letter gives us an account of the “Battle of Fort Johnson” which was a planned amphibious attack against Ft. Johnson and Fort Simpkins located on James Island on 2 July 1864. Delays caused the attack to falter as well as. the “want of spirit and energy on the part of many of the subordinates.” See The Battle of Fort Johnson.

Transcription

Morris Island, South Carolina
August 6th I864

Eunice,

Your kind missive dated July 10th did not come at hand until yesterday afternoon, August 5th, thus being nearly a month reaching its destination.

You have doubtless heard by report or seen in the papers an account of our unsuccessful attack on Forts Johnson and Simkins on the third of July—Sunday morning. The 127th New York and 52nd Pennsylvania with a few of the 3rd Rhode Island for artillerists were ordered to attack the most formidable place in Rebeldom under circumstances very unfavorable. We attacked it in small boats and I think we could have taken the place by surprise had the whole of the 52nd obeyed orders. The regiment is most all substitutes. The few old soldiers of the regiment done as ordered but because they were not supported properly by the balance of their regiment, they were taken prisoners. They were to attack Johnson while we attacked Simkins & the forts lay in such a position that the 52nd had to go ahead in order to strike both at once, and in waiting for them so as to carry out the order of the General, we became belated until we were observed by the enemy and driven back with considerable loss. God knows the fault was not with the 127th for every man went determined to win a or die and I can assure you if we ever have an opportunity, we will wipe out the stain.

Last night we were kept awake by the shelling of our camps by the rebs. There is a great and good work broke out in our detachment—a revival of religion. God is convicting and converting sinners in this part of his vineyard. We hold meetings every afternoon and evening and truly I feel it is good to wait upon the Lord. Pray for the soldiers in the field that while they are fighting for their country, they may gird on the whole christian armor and & fight for the blood stained banner of the cross & press forward the cause of salvation.

I trust that Grant will be successful in all his undertakings before Petersburg & that he will succeed in reducing it. The soldiers put a good deal of confidence in him & I hope he will not disappoint them.

Corporal William Smith that used to accompany me to your house has received his discharge and is now home. Quite a number of the 127th have made application to be transferred to the Navy, but I believe that the quota of this department is filled.

Remember me to all inquiring friends and hoping you may ever be the recipient of God’s choicest blessings, I bid you goodbye. From — G. E. J.

In haste.