On Board Steamboat City of Albany

                                                                        from White House for Fortress Monroe

                                                                                                July 3^rd 1863

 

My Darling Mamie

                                    To day again I am enjoying the refreshing sea breese instead of being roasted on the land. I wrote you on my last trip down. I have had no letters from my darling since. I have not expected any although I have wished for one. To day I should receive one if you wrote on Sunday. I am going down to day with 5 Confederate Prisinors two Lieuts, one Private & two men arrested on suspicion of being spies. I have had a long talk with one of the Lt’s. I consider myself very fortunate for while I am having a pleasant sail & an agreable job our Reg. is on the march God only/where. The order came to strike tents just as I woke up this morning But I being detached yesterday to come down to day, it did not trouble me much. When I was detached yesterday I was to come along with three Prisoners but two more coming in last night Lt. Hubbell was sent down to. Our forces have When I got back from the Fortress Wednesday night I found only our Reg. left at White House. The rest having gone forward. I think probable our Reg has gone forward to day. There was heavy canonading last night & this morning I hear our forces have met the rebs. in large force at Bottom’s Bridge some 7 miles out toward Richmond There are a number of our men aboard that were/wounded yesterday one poor fellow cannot live long I just went aft & saw him By the way I was requested to give him all the consolation I could as he was near his end by the Minister that left him this morning. The Minister I speak of I became acquainted with on the trip down from Baltimore He is agent for the “Young mens Christian Mind Association” A young man himself & a fine fellow. I have met him several times & have become quite well acquainted with him. He asked me the other day if I was a professer I told him I was. But I told him I was one of those that did not live what they professed. You will find this poorly written for the Boat is unsteady/

 

Col. Dutton came back late last night. I went out Blackberrying yesterday they are quite plenty We are living quite well & I have a good appetite for the food I hear that another of our Company is dead one the sick that we left back to camp It is either Jim Geer or Latham Maine Brother to that Lucy that used to live at Big Clarks. I cannot write more now I will write again as soon as I hear from darling Tomorrow is the fourth of July I suppose the old Fortress will speak tomorrow morning. I hope the next anniversary of our Independence as a nation will see me at home with my Mamie My love to mother I send my first order to go to Fortress Monroe                             Court

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