Steamboat Rob’t Morris

                                                                                                            Mouth York River

                                                                                                                        Apr 7^th/62

 

            Dear friend Lou

                                    I received your very welcome letter since coming on board & as Cy. is sending a letter to Alick I will just put in a note to you. I suppose Cy has written to Alick of our trip so far, or at least to the “Fortress”. It was by mistake that we ran down there for we were ordered to return to the York river. It is said that they have been fighting along the river the last two days—have taken the batteries on the river—and are now engaged at Yorktown.

 

I am glad that our boat ran down to Monroe, for we got seeing some grand sights./ We were anchored but a short distance from the little Monitor. I tell you Lou, it is a very insignificant looking affair, and answers well to the description given to it by the rebels, “A cheese box on a raft.” It does not appear to be the least bit injured, and is watching night and day for the Merrimac to come round Sewall’s point and a steamer alongside. There is no possible hope for any vessel to pass out from the James River and pass our guns and gun boats at the Fortress. The big Union gun is mounted on the beach just under the walls of the Fortress. It is/ indeed a monster.

 

The Pa. Reserves are still lying at Alex, waiting for transportation. They do not like it very well, that we were in active service ever since the advance on Manasses, and then brought back and put on board, only stopping one hour at our old camp to gather up knapsacks &c The fact is, they are rushing our Div. through pretty fast now. They have given us two opportunities for fighting but the Rebels would not stand. And now we purpose to pay a visit to Richmond Providence and the Rebels permitting. as for the latter I don’t think they can help it. And the former is undoubtedly on our side. Well Lou, we are/ just getting ready to leave & there is great confusion, so I must close. Hoping I will hear from you soon

 

                                    I remain Yours truly

                                                JW. Barnett

 

Address

            Co. K 53 Reg’t P.V.

            Richardson’s Division

                        2^nd Corps de Army

                                    Washington

                                                DC

 

For Lou

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