Accession Number: XX84:63:30
U.S.S. "Mohawk"
Port Royal S.C.
Nov 25 1863
My Dear Father
I have just recd your letter of the 12th, and wish to answer part of it immediately. You need not be told how I would rejoice to have you come down here this winter, and if we should remain, I can see no reason why you could not spend a few weeks very pleasantly, but it is uncertain what we shall do after the first Dec. At that late quarantine is to be taken off, and consequently we shall be through, and I hope go North, but supposing that we do stay in the Squadron, and are not ordered to some perfectly inaccessible place, I would love to have you visit me. We have three empty state rooms all of which you could occupy, a long table, and extra plates, cups & saucers, & knives & forks with a steward, cook & three boys to wait upon you. This much for my ability to give you a place to live, where at least, if you like corn beef, you can subsist, and expense nothing.
To get down here on the Arago or Fulton, you will have to get a pass from the Sec’y of War, which you can get through Sedgwick, or Gin, or Theodore could get it for you through some member he knows. Your only expense would be $8.00 each way for Mess bill - $6.00 total expense from New York until you get back. Maybe if we were situated right, I might get leave of absence, and go down to Fernandina and San Augustine with you.
As to Clara & Libby coming, notwithstanding I want to see them much, and no one knows how great a gratification it would be, I cannot advise it, for this is no place for Ladies. There is no place ashore when they could be comfortable, the Hotel being miserable in every respect, and there are no suitable accommodations on board for three to spend a few days or weeks in, and if we should be at some other place on the coast, there would be no place but the ship for them. If we were again at Fernandina, I could make it very comfortable and nice for them, and then I should eagerly watch for their coming I know the girls will not change this advise, to any want of affection, but I fear as it is, I must forego my desire to see them. It is almost impossible to get Ladies down here, unless they come as teachers under the Auspices of the Freedmans Association.
Now I hope to see you this winter at Caz, but if I do not, do you come down Father, and I will do everything I can to make it pleasant for you, & it will be a great pleasure for me to see you. I wish you could be here tomorrow. Turkey & all fixins, including mice pies are on hand. It ought to be good, for it cost enough of a pound.
I can not be thankful enough Father for your munificent present of land. I am now a "landed proprietor" Whew how I feel, but I am a little afraid that if my salary is not raised, I will have to mortgage it to raise money to pay taxes. I am afraid Father that you are treating your sons too generously, at the expense of the girls. Don’t they feel afflicted at this disposition of your propriety. But candidly Father, I think it the best thing you can do. Now all your property is in Cash or available property, and in case of your death much trouble will be avoided. I don’t know as I ought to say that, for I do not think any of your children would make any. Its better for the girls, and the boys are able to take care of themselves even with the weight of this property. But with the competition of Railroads in the state, and they or it runs not far from my property I believe, it will improve in value, and eventually be worth a good deal. I think I will pay taxes and hold on to mine. How much are the taxes. Accept my thanks Father for the present.
I will let you know at the first moment any thing definite is ascertained as to our doings after the first. A schooner is along side coaling us, and its bump – bump
Love to all
Your Aff Son
George