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Regiment: 5th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Camp Hamilton, Va
March 21st 1862
Dr Parents. I am sorry that
I cannot now, as I have repeat-
edly here before, assure you of
our good health. Luther has
the measles + is at the gen-
eral hospital at Fortress Monroe
He was taken down yesterday
+ I have just come from the
hospital where I have been
several hours. His appearance
now indicates a speedy recovery
The measles broke out last
night + I have never seen them
broke out better. He has the best
of care. A warm comfortable
room, good nurses + has
good victuals a look at which
to day almost made me
wish that I was sick. Luther has
now a great deal better care
than he would have had at
Alexandria. The sick have here
female nurses who wait on
them a portion of the time
I saw to day Miss Dix who
commands the care of female
nurses. She has resently come
from Washington + is here
ministering to the wants
of the sick soldiers.
They told me at the hospital
that Luther would no doubt
be about in a few days but he
would not be allowed to leave
the hospital + join his Regt
under 3 or 4 weeks or untill he
is fully recovered + can bear
all the exposures that a soldier
finds. We embarked at
Alexandria last Monday
I wrote to you at the time
We lay anchored off Alexandria
till Tuesday at one oclock
when we started down the
River 13 steamers laden
with troops (Infantry) + several
small boats loaded with
supplies (which were towed by
the steamers) + an escort of 3 gun
boats composed the fleet
12,000 men were aboard. As we came
down the Potomac the gun boats
kept between us and the Va shore
+ as we passed where the rebel
batteries once was they fired
a few shots into them but got
no response. At Acquia Creek
there was a great smoke the
rebels having that morning
burnt every thing in that neighbor-
hood. We arrived at Fortress Monroe
Wednesday at 4 P.M.
2 of the steamers landed their
troops. Our vessel anchored
in the woods. Thursday
morn the vessels again com-
menced landing their men
but we remained on board till
4 oclock when we landed
Luther got into an ambulance
+ went to the hospital he not
feeling able to walk but
the measles had not yet made
their appearance. Our Regt
crossed on the bridge from
the Fort to the main land
marched 1 ½ miles + encamped in a
field where we now are + shall
probably remain a few days
We are one mile from the once
beautiful Village of Hampton
which was burnt last summer
by the rebels. ½ mile from
us is the country residence
of expresident Tyler. I have
had no time to visit neither
this place or Hampton, but the
boys who have been over that
way have returned with
twigs of Peach trees in full
bloom. We have a view of
part of the harbor from where
we now are. The country as far
as the eye extends is covered
with soldiers encamped
It is a beautiful sight to look around
in the evening + see the campfires
Saturday Morn the 22nd
Not having time to complete
my letter last night I will
now pen a few more lines
Since we arrived here a few Regts
have come each day. Yesterday
2 Regts today 3 Regts
some artillery have come up from
the Fort + will camp somewhere
about here. The vessels that
brought us up have gone back
to Alexandria for more troops
There is now quite an army
here + many of the Regts that
were waiting near to Alexandria
for transportation have not
arrived. The Mich 1
st Regt
came down from Baltimore
last week + are but ¾ miles
from us. Yesterday I had the
pleasure of seeing Hiram Hurd
I have also come across Walter
Jones + John Prine who are
in the 3
rd Regt but I was not
aware of it untill a few
days ago. There are over 200
vessels of all descriptions in Hampton
roads though many of them
are small sloops + schooners
engaged in the fisheries.
Here are steam ships armed
frigates Steamers and Gun Boats.
Some of the steamers are from
Hudson River + are used only
on the Chesapeake + are not
calculated for the Ocean
The vessels laden with mules
have not yet discharged their cargoes
+ I think they will not here
the iron clad gun Boat
monitor is in the harbor + is
steamed up all the time awaiting
the appearance of the Merrimac
We passed close beside her
in the harbor + gave her 3 cheers
I counted the marks of 7 balls
against her where she had been
struck in her fight with the
Merrimac. The balls caused noth
ing but slight dents + in the
distance she looks like a raft
her dark edge can scarcely be
seen above the water except her Pilot
house + steam pipe + the iron
Cylinder that contains her guns
Her deck is bomb proof + water
tight the men are below in an
action except those who work the
guns who are equally as secure
In looking at the strong +
massive walls of Fortress Monroe
it seems an impossibility for it
ever to be taken no matter how
large the attacking force.
It is built on an Island + is
connected with the main land
by a bridge 40 rods in length.
The
[ ? ] are little over half
way across the channel opposite
the Fort. There has been a change
made in our Generals
Gen Richardson now commands
+ Division opposite Washington
Col Terry commands this
Brigade but ranks only as Col
+ I see by an order read
last night on parade that
we belong to Gen Hamilton’s
Division. There are but 3 sick
in the Regt 2 of these with the
measles. I miss Luther much
I will see him again tomorrow
if possible + we are here. He will
write to you + also to me when
we depart. Our Destination of
course no one knows.
We expect no pay till the first of
May when we will get
wages for 4 months. That Sugar
you may keep for us + if our lives
are shared we expect to be home
next fall + will eat it then.
John Franklin. Yours affectionately
E. Franklin
