Consisting of Civil War letters written by William H. Johnson from various locations in coastal South Carolina and Georgia and addressed to his wife, Hannah J. Johnson. South Carolina places represented include Daufuskie Island, Beaufort, Hilton Head Island, James Island, and Morris Island. Johnson's letters express optimism over the outcome of the war, discuss the health of the troops, convey business advice, and express love for daughters Mary and Lillian. Other letters, Jan. - May 1862, written from Georgia, relate to the Federal bombardment and occupation of Fort Pulaski, near Savannah. Johnson supplemented his income by selling watches, chewing tobacco, cigars, and other goods forwarded to him by family and friends, and several letters speculate on the prices at which items were expected to sell. Other letters report the Union defeat at the battle of Secessionville or Fort Johnson (16 June 1862); describe changes at Hilton Head, S.C., since arrival of Connecticut troops in 1861 (6 Aug. 1862); describe Thanksgiving festivities at Camp Palmer, near Beaufort, S.C. (30 Nov. 1862); and comment on the bombardment of Charleston from Morris Island, S.C. (15 Sept. 1863).
