U.S. Steamer

Harvest Moon

Washing D.C.

March 3^d /64

 

Sis,—

                        I suppose you will wonder at me writeing from this place and not comeing home. We arrived here last evening & I would have writen before this only I was waiting to see how long our liberty would be and if I would have had time you would have seen Charley takeing you by surprise before this reaches you. We only receive 24 hrs liberty so I am disappointed very much.

 

I believe on the 22^nd of last month I left you on the Phil^a on our way to Charleston. I will now try and tell you what I have been doing since. Between three & four Oclock we arrived off Charleston and droped anchor of Morris Isl. There was nothing new in the appearance of the Fleet only the absence of the Housatonic, most all the vessels are decorated with flags on account of the day and at sun down there is quite an excitement caused by salutes being fired from U.S. Str. Ironsides, Wabash, Canandaigua, the decks of the vessels, and hills of Morris Isl. are covered with spectators. In the evening we raise anchor and steam in to the Inlet. The morning of the 24^th the new Flag Str. (Harvest Moon) anchors off the Inlet and in the afternoon the Admiral goes out to see her, and in the evening we receive orders to / be ready to leave in the morning. The next morning (25) the Admiral & Staff and Attendents goes on board the Harvest Moon. By noon every thing is transferred and we are underway for Port Royal and by dark we arrive safely haveing made the quickest trip I have made yet. The next day & night we are coaling and 10 Oclock 27^th we weigh anchor and steam for Chas. where we arrive at seven and anchor near the Ironsides. Com. Rowan comes on bord right away and is in private conversation with the Admiral untill 11½ Oclock by that time the Staff have everything packed up and takes every thing on board the Ironsides. At one oclock every thing is ready we weigh anchor and steam out of the harbor for the North no one new where but all suspected this place. We steam near the land no place untill we come to Cape Henry light house on the morning of the 1^st inst. we have slight rain & heavy fog all day and evening about 8 Oclock we come to anchor off Lookout Point on account of haveing no pilot on board acquainted with the river and not being able to get any. In the morning the Admiral ancious to get to Washington undertakes the piloting himself with the aid of a chart and with Ensign Johnson's (Fleet Lieut.) assistance stears for Washington. Our trip up the river is a very lively and very pleasant one for me and between two & three oclock we passed two sacred spots which I have allways had a desire to see, the birth place of Washington and Mount Vernon, two dreary looking places for so much greatness to be born & rest at. Passing the Mount Vernon the ordered Admiral / ordered the flag to be dipped three times which was done when we where directly oppiset the Toomb. Directly above Mount Vernon we pass Fort Washington which is a splendid fortification and could would give any hostile vessel coming up the river a warm reception. Between this fort & Fort Dahlgren (an earth work) we run aground but soon got off by backing the engine and steared on up the river, and arrive safely and drop anchor of the Navy Yard here at five oclock the Admiral remaining in the Pilot House untill the anchor was droped. He then goes to his Cabin fixes him self, goes ashore with Servant & trunk about half past six and one of his bargemen that helped with his bagage home says he surprised his folks very much. His surprise to every one else may be known from his not being met by any one atall and of course no salute being was fired. The crew where engaged untill a late hour, mooring the ship where we now lay. This morning there was a salute fired of 13 guns for the Admiral. There is a rumor here that the Admiral is relieved and Farragut will surperceed him. Half of us are promised liberty to morrow and the rest the next day wether we will get any more than one day I donot know. How long we will stay here I do not know but by the time this reaches you I think we will be on our way south if we are to be sent as I think we are. I will now have to close on account of the mail. Address this vessel and if you do not here of our return south address to this place.

                                                                                                                       

Charley

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