Accession Number: XX84:63:12
U.S.S. Mohawk
Fernandina Fla
Nov 11. 1862
Dear People at Home,
I have neglected writing you since the "Massachusetts" came in a week ago last Sunday, as I have been quite busy, and news has been scarse, and now I only have a moments time to write you, as a schooner leaves very soon for Port Royal.
Last Sunday, we bombarded the town of St. Mary, laying most of it ruins. I presume you will see accounts of it in the papers.
About 8 A.M. we got under weigh from this place. The Army Transport "Neptune" had gone ahead about an hour, as we had to wait for higher water. When we got nearly to St Mary, we met the Neptune coming back with a wounded man on board. He was brought on to our ship for medical attendance, have been shot through the back just under the shoulder blade, the ball penetrating the left lung and coming out of the port breast. It seems that when the Neptune had reached the place, the soldiers who were on board of her, landed and commenced roaming through the place, when they were fired upon by a party of Rebels about 150 strong, and the soldiers left instanter. We went on up to the town, and anchored close by the wharf, then we opened upon the town with our Starboard battery of three guns, the Parrott upon the Fore Castle and the 12 pounder boat howitzer- throwing shell and canister in every direction, after we had fired maybe three rounds, I espied two old women in a house a little ways back from the river, and told the Captain, who immediately stopped the firing. He sent a boat on shore under a flag of truce to bring them off, but they wouldn’t come; and then went ashore himself. And asked me to accompany him to hear all that was said. We met the Ladies, and the Captain offered them his protection, his cabin, a passage to Fernandina house & servants there, which they all refused. They begged that he would take no notice of the wounding of the man, a party of foolish boys did it they said, they had property there which they did not want to have destroyed &c, &c. The Captain was inexorable however but promised to protect them, and did not injure the house in which they lived. We returned on board, but after consulting with Col Rich of the Regiment and the officers of the ship, he concluded not to burn the town as he first intended, but to go back down the river. We got up anchor, and had got about 500 yards from the wharf, when we heard musket firing, and as I was standing upon the quarter deck way aft. I saw the balls dropping into the water just under our stern some not more than 15 feet off. Those were dear shots for the rebels, for we turned around as soon as we could. (The channel being very narrow it took some time), and went back and anchored near our old place. Musket balls were dropping into the water all around us, and one struck the top of the Ward Room Hatch. We gave them all the shell and canister they wanted, for their firing soon ceased. Several houses took fire from the bursting shell, and spread a good deal. I think there must have been 25 buildings burned, maybe more, for the fire was still burning last evening. It was the first time I had heard the music of balls whistling over my head, but it seemed good music. I did not know how I should stand it, but I don’t think I shewed much trepidation.
The Captain has had a great time writing his dispatch to the Admiral and has been in constant communication with his officers on the subject. The Dr. his Clerk, and myself he wanted to write reports so that he could get all our ideas, and this morning he called us all in, to let us hear what he had written.
There is a rumor around here, that all these old vessels are to be recalled, and their officers & crew are to be transferred to other & better ships. I don’t know how true that report is, but I hardly think we shall see New York before next spring. In fact I do not know as I want to go back now, for it will be cold weather, and I should have little time to go and see my friends, as I should have to finish up all my a/c’s before going away from New York.
I presume by this time you are nicely settled at your rooms in the Lincklam House, but I hope by spring you will be back in Troy. Did you have a pleasant visit Father & Mother all through the west, and did you find the friends all well. I am expecting a letter from Mary. Did she get one from me while you were there. If there are any of my old clothes that Eddy would like, you better give them to him, except my black coat, silk vest, and light pants & vest. I don’t think it will pay to keep old clothes a year for me to come back. We are having very pleasant weather here, but nights and mornings are rather cool, and two or three days a fire would have been very comfortable. You are about indulging in Sleigh Rides I suppose. Thanksgiving is close at hand. How strange it will be for our family not to have a dinner of samp & milk, because the poor children claimed the attention of the cooks. I don’t see any turkeys lying around loose here for our dinner, so I suppose Pork & beans will be the dish.
But I must close. Goodbye Love to all
George