Accession Number: XX84:63:25
U.S.S. "Mohawk"
Port Royal S.C.
Sep 20, 1863
My Dear Sister,
This morning a fire should not be uncomfortable, and I am apt to think of it more, when I am answering a letter which was written by the side of good blazing pine logs in home far away. I am developing a great talent for sleep, and am greatly aided therein by these cool nights when some covering, besides the open canopy of Heaven, is required for warmth. (Excuse this writing for the squirrel is playing around in my lap, and on my back and shoulders sticking his knowing countenance around in front of my face, as much as to enquire what I am doing) He is really a great deal of company now in our loneliness while Mr Tillinghast and myself are the sole survivors of the Ward Room Mess. I should be tempted to take him home, if he was not addicted to so bad habits similar to a dog I once bought for your amusement, but which you and Libby unceremoniously kicked (if Ladies ever do such a thing) out of the house, unmindful that he was a pure blood black and tan terrier. I have been reading since breakfast, its now noon, the Independents you so kindly send me. I always keep them for Sunday reading. There is a great deal of interesting and instructive matter in them, but I think Henry Ward Beechers letters are a good deal like skim milk. Do you appreciate them? The most interesting paper I have received during the past week has been a Troy Times giving a list of the drafted. Amongst the lucky ones are Andrew, Geo Cluelt, Geo Thompson (Mary Averys husband) but of course they will all pay the $300, and so get clear. I candidly wish that that clause was out of the bill, and either “go or get a substitute” was the rule. Our Armies would certainly feel the benefit of it. I have not heard of any of our relatives being drafted. Have any of them been? I did not know but Edward might have a call to go and shoulder his carnal weapons, and instead of trying to beat knowledge into the heads of Cazenovia boys, try and beat it out of the heads of rebs. I find the "pen mightier than the sword," for with the former I have already annihilated several correspondents, while the latter has yet its maiden blush to wear. Oh fie upon the perfidy of those who are always so anxious to have any one write when they leave home, promising faithfully to answer, but forgetting promises and everything as soon as they are out of sight. I am glad that you are not one of that kind, and I greatly enjoy your letters Clara, and the last always serves the best. From Libby I have not heard since she left Cazenovia, only indirectly I heard through Sarah Golden, that she and Lydia took tea at her house a few weeks ago. You probably wonder how I heard from that source, but the fact is that I also received from Sarah a very pretty invitation to her wedding, but only having received it the day previous to the ceremony, I was obliged to decline in a not very formal manner, unless you call three pages formal – Probably our family was invited because they were at Libbys. The day of wonder is surely not passed, but I cant help thinking that sometimes "curses come home to roost" I wonder if the Goldens ever think of their tirades against the Cluelt family a short time ago, when that unheard of thing a "choir squabble" was in progress. I believe that I am consistent anyway, for I always disliked them, and "distance" does not "lend enchantment to the view." I was (I will make a confession if you will not think me too wicked) secretly rejoiced that one of the family, I did not care who, was drafted, and of course as Geo will not go, his $300 will help the Government, and it would not have got it in any other way. A war with England for which I confidently look, will give them another chance. When that war comes, I want to be in a good fast gun boat, and then for glory and prize money. You probably remember as one of Mothers apothems "Try and fill well the notch in which you are placed" which proposition carries with it its [illegible] application, which is, that if you do, the tuck will be let out, and the bands loosened. I was only led into this "train of thought" by thinking. That’s all. You made me very anxious to hear from Father the result of his conference with Tibbilts, and I hope he will write me in reference to it. I had laid that matter one side as out of date, not having that it yet revolved in the mind of any of the Tibbits. "Great oaks from a little acorn grow" and maybe that inquiry of John T may lead to important results. Father is only coming around to the idea formed by me when I first heard of his being appointed agent, and I am really glad of it, for whats the use of bothering about such a thing, for a man of Fathers age and habits. If he could only have a mill to start up, and something to do with which he is familiar, it would undoubtedly be a great benefit to him, and I should like to be with him.
I enjoyed your description of your visit to Richfield and environs, but did not your mentions of the young Ladies whom you saw, for it brought more forcibly to my mind the existence of an aching void. If you could ship a few I should like it, for they really are "handy to have in the house," to mend, sew on buttons and such like cook, at Fernandina we frequently enjoyed their presence on board. Mrs Hawley is yet at San Augistine, but Miss Foote has returned North, also two of the School [illegible]. Pardon me Clara, for I remember you once taught S Kule. When riding through New Hartford, did you point out to J. A. S. the site of your early labors in "teaching the young idea how to shoot" and give him a history of your troubles and trials, the least of which was not your paying Lydia [illegible] half for washing your dishes. I remember as vividly as though it was yesterday the ride we all took out to Trenton Falls, when we lived "in the lane" and accompanied by Uncle Charles & Wife. I never have been there since that time, and although I should now better appreciate the scenery, yet I doubt much if I should pass a pleasanter day than that was. I remember the lunch we had at the Hotel and the dinner afterwards, was perfectly regal in my eyes. To be sure my enjoyment was rather sensual than intellectual, but then I was a boy, but I must confess that I have not even yet learned to despise a good dinner, and do not now very often look down upon one. I think I will not enclose this yet a while, for something may turn up before a mail goes which will be of interest to you. Everything in the Military line is dull and dead. We want Farragut here, and then it would be stand from under.
21st You probably remember my oft repeated mention of Capt Baker of the 9th Maine Regt at Fernandina. Poor fellow he was killed at Fort Gregg a few days ago. Only last Christmas did his Sister arrive at F with his fiancé, and they were married that day, even when on board here, we were enjoying a feast of [illegible] and flew of soul. Mrs Baker will be prostrated by the blow, for in addition to having very little strength of mind, she was devoted as a little child, and only lived in the light of her husbands eyes. What a contrast there was in the two Ladies. Miss B was a cold, stately, dignified woman, with a very severe kind of beauty, always making me feel as though I was near an iceberg when in her presence; of great strength of character, and strong will which would make everything bend to it. She was 27 or 28 years of age, and remained single because her brother did. Mrs B was her perfect counterpart. Full round ruddy face always in smiles, youthful in her feelings and of a childlike innocence. Seeming to never know what art or affection was, and with a mind and character to be moulded by the one she loved.
The "Arago" came in this morning bringing us papers of the 17th, but our mail is not yet distributed. I hope to get at least one letter from home. I have commenced this morning at my only quarterly work, making out my accounts for the quarter, which I am happy to say will fill up my time for a couple of weeks. Its about the only work I have to do our number is so small, only about 80 all told officers & Men, and in fact on any of the smaller boats in the Navy the Paymaster is only busy when he first joins a ship and is opening his books and getting the machinery in working order, then once a quarter, and finally when he leaves a vessel, and has to close up his a/cs and make his final returns. I am in hopes that the 31st day of December next will not see me working at another quarterly return on board this ballahue.
Well Clara I must retain a little thunder for another shower, and so by bidding you goodbye, and by sending much love to all the household I am
Your Aff Brother
George