Camp in woods near

Newport News, Va. March 31^st/61

 

Dear Brother

                        I wrote over a week ago while we were on Prospect Hill near Manassas but have received no answer and thinking you would like to hear from your brother, and of our nearness to the enemy.

 

We left Prospect Hill week before last and marched to Tennalytown where we remained untill last Tuesday morn when we started for Washington 9 miles. when there we were reviewed by Gen M^cClellan & Staff & other distinguished men, both military and civil.

 

After the review we marched over long bridge toward Alexandria when within one mile of the city we were ordered to halt, and prepare for rest. this was Tuesday.

 

Wed. 8a.m. were called into line / and marched to the wharf in the city where it took all day to load the men the boats and anchored off the city for the night.

Thurs. at daybreak hoisted sails on brigs which had the horses on board and at 7 oclock the flag ship (C. Vanderbilt) passed us and the boats with troops fell in according to order, the 1^st Long Island was on the Dan^l. Webster of the old California line prominent among the boats were the Elm City, City of Hartford, John Brooks, Bridgeport, Isaac Newton, New World &c to the number of 35 (thirty five), North river steamers. we proceeded down the Potomac in sight of the rebel fortifications they being now evacuated pass Mt Vernon, when the band struck up Hail Columbia & two or three other songs. at night we had got as far as the Chesapeake bay where we anchored for the night 

 

Friday at daybreak were on the move and by 4 the next afternoon were opposite Fortress Monroe, which is a grand structure, in the harbor are a great many vessels but the one our eyes were on was the little monitor.

                                                                                   

[ink drawing of monitor]

 

Sat. was spent in the debarkation of troops. we got off the boat by 12 M. when we marched 8 miles 1½ west of Newport News where we now are.

When coming from Fortress Monroe we had to pass through the once city of Hampton on Hampton Creek near the roads of the same name. it was burnt by the rebels last spring, and reminded one of the pictures we have seen of ancient Babalon for all that is left is the chimneys / and once and sometimes a wall of a brick building even the churches were burnt out the walls are left whole. there was two unfinished churches and were the same as when the city was burnt.

Yes, dear brother I am now in the very midst of death one by one our members fall away. yesterday in our own Company two were killed, being shot by the rebels while on picket guard, and we can see the rebels drill across the river (York). I cannot write the duty we are called on to do in a few days—but if you do not hear from your brother, you must not worry (for suffice it to say we meet the enemy, they will not evacuate Yorktown and any such rumor is nonsense). for if I fall I fall in a good and worthy cause. Love to Father & Mother & George. Good bye, I will write if I live to survive the battle.           

 

Yours &c.

Loomis—

Co. C. 1^st Long Island

Couch's Devision           

Fortress Monroe Va

 

may we meet again                                                                                         

 if not in this world                                                                             

in the world above                                          

SOURCES