_Nov. 28._ C. brought word that all the troops had been sent to
Savannah to meet Sherman, and that citizens were on guard at Beaufort.
_Dec. 1._ To-night comes C. from Beaufort with news of the Grahamville
fight.[177] It is said we have been twice repulsed, and the fight is
not over.
_Dec. 2._ A cart came down from R.'s and brought a note from him to
the effect that Captain Crane, who was with us such a short time ago,
has been killed in the fight at Grahamville, but that C. Soule was
unhurt.
_Dec. 3._ The rumors with regard to the expedition are various and
contradictory, but the impression seems to be that we have been
whipped, but hold on and have intrenched at Grahamville. Mr. and Mrs.
Soule are cheerful and brave, but very anxious, and it makes our
hearts sink to hear the guns as we do. Pray God we may succeed this
time and Sherman may come through. It will be such a day as has not
been seen in this Department since Dupont took the place.
_Dec. 4._ We have repulsed the enemy since we intrenched, and
deserters say Sherman is coming.
_Dec. 6._ Captain Crane found that his company was left behind at
Morris Island, but begged so to go, that Colonel Hartwell[178] took
him on his staff, sending a Captain Gordon, who had just come from the
North, to take charge of his company. Colonel Hartwell was wounded and
Captain Crane killed in one of the first charges, in which our troops
were repulsed, so that Captain Crane's body was left in the hands of
the enemy. To-night we hear that ten thousand troops have come from
Fortress Monroe to reinforce us, and deserters tell of Sherman's
advance and successes. You may imagine we are all on the _qui vive_,
and anxious, for we hear all the firing.
_Dec. 11._ Savannah is in Sherman's hands and Pocotaligo in Foster's.
We hope and trust this is no South Carolina rumor.
_Dec. 15._ To-night Mr. Soule brings word that Sherman breakfasted
with Foster yesterday morning, on a boat that came to Beaufort to-day.
Just after Christmas Mr. Philbrick went back to Port Royal
to see to shipping his cotton.