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Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Fortress Monroe Mar. 23rd 1862
My Own Dear Mary.
I think I have been way
lucky in one respect since leaving you. for
every few days I could get a letter from one I
love as I love truth and honor. now I hear when
I do. We left our old Camp Thursday after-
noon at nine oclock. after wading through
mud and water and raining all the time
we brought up three miles west of Alexandria
where we stopped for the night, sleeping in some
tents other soldiers had left and which were
pretty well supplied with mud to sleep in. sleep I did
though, with the rain pouring in torrents, the
tents over me having but little more power to
turn the water off me than my own prayers.
Friday about four oclock we took the back
track as far as the dock at Alexandria. and
just after dark were snugly aboard the Steamer
Emperor. we were packed pretty close and
again I slept in the rain and go soaked to
my hide any way and I had an idea clear though
it of that I am not certain.
After getting loaded the boat dropped down
stream and anchored until noon Saturday
when the rest of the fleet got ready in all
some thirty vessels. half with troops and the
others with supplies.
Fort Washington and
Mount Vernon, were soon left behind and
the famous Rebel blockade looked it seemed
to me
[ ? ] down upon us. I could not
see much to be freightened at but supprise
us they scared better and braver men than
I am. that they were a big thing. Getting
into the Chesapeake the fleet dropped anchor
until day light this morning. I am lucky
when I win and win. Brewer and I did
last night. we got a state room and had
a gay old sleep. it was eight oclock before
awoke from my dreams. It was a bright
beautiful morning but cold and disagreeable.
many were the pleasant scenes for the eye as we
steamed down the bay. the coast in all its varied
scenery sometimes low and covered with what
looked to me in the dim distance and to the naked
eye like ever greens. and occasionally a point
jutting into the bay with a light
[ ? ] upon it
to guide the massises.
Night has come and we
are yet aboard the Emperor. and since I began
this our boat has hoisted anchor from under
the guns of Fortress Monroe and steamed up
into Hampton Roads. and anchored for the
night. where to morrow will land us is un-
certain. and I do not care. The Rebel battery
at Sewalls Point
are is within shelling distance
of Fortress Monroe. but whether it is able to reach
us here I do not now. Shall I give you a
description of the Rip Reaps. imagine if you
can a huge pile of stone about the
the size of
the old sand hill viewed from the Bridge
Street bridge and then set it down in a
large body of water and then place the old
stars and stripes afloat over it and you
have the Rip Reaps as they appeared upon the
first sight to me.
But the “Yankee Cheese
box on a raft” is the one great sight of this
harbor she lies between Fortress Monroe
the Sewall Point Buttress. The Rebels knew
what she should be called when they gave her
that name . I can give no better description
of the “Monitor” for “Monitor” I believe the
Rebels will find her
[ ? ] they have done with
her. She is a long low black mass about
a foot above water with large round box
on the center
[ ? ] for two guns. one
up showing but a small mark and that made
of son impregnable I beleive against am
“Merrimac” the Secesh are capable of stealing
from Uncle Sam.
Berdan has been trying to
write to his Bridget but he is some like me,
if his words are good for any thing. and by
days he cant write any thing fit to read
We have the same state room to night
and I am pretty certain if the Rebels dont
open up that I shall sleep sound to night.
Where to direct you letters I cannot
tell and will write again in a few days
if Secesh dont object and I hardly think
they will. Sharps Rifles have not come for the Reg.
and so they tried to force Colts on the Reg. only one Co.
the Col. brought them along and as I write he is trying
by threats to make them take them I guess he has got
hands full for the boys had
[ ? ] be taken prisoners
as take the guns. The end is not yet but good night
and sweet dreams of me that is sure to think of you and
love you always
Gardner
Y You will see I commenced this n the wrong
side but if it makes no difference to you it closes
not to me. with a kiss good night, Gardner
[On Envelope:]
Mrs. G. B. Clark
Middlesex
Vermont
