GEORGE ANDREWS LETTERS

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This is a collection of 36 letters from George Andrews, Acting Assistant Paymaster on the U.S.S. Mohawk, a steamer in the Southern Blockading Squadron of the Union Navy. He served from May 20, 1862, to January, 1864.

Letter 1
Transcription,  Actual Letter

Summary of May 25, 1862, Letter
In this letter, George informs his mother of the passing of one of the family's friends, Mr. Joust. He also discusses some financial matters that he feels his mother should know about. George tells his mother that his father has arrived in Lydias the evening he is writing the letter. The rest is questions about home and his sisters and friends.

 

Letter 2
Transcription

Summary of July 1, 1862, Letter
George writes to his mother about life on board the "Mohawk." How hard it is to write when being tossed from side to side. He also tells her about all the gifts he received from friends he made in Troy. He informs her of their difficulty getting to shore because they had no pilot who could steer the ship to shore.

 

Letter 3
Transcription

Summary of July 25,1862, Letter
George is very friendly with his sisters, Clara and Libby. He teases them for not writing to him more. He tells them about all the pesky flies on board ship and the mistake he made of getting his hair cut too short. He tells them how he has become friends with the Captain of the ship the "Planter" -Lloyd Phoenix. He jokes with his sisters about the unlikeliness of his name becoming immortal during this war because they can't seem to find any of the enemies. He tells his sisters how they found an enemy battery but there were no guns or any trace of the enemy there. George tells them how sorry he was that he could not see them before he left for war but hopes that he can see them very soon although the end of the war is very uncertain.

 

Letter 4
Transcription

Summary of August 3, 1862, Letter
This is another letter to George's sisters. He addresses some of it to Clara, who seems to be the younger of his two sisters. He explains to her why he doesn't always address his letters to her. George tells his sisters more about what life is like on board the U.S.S. Mohawk - the kind of food they serve - how he is sick of ham for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. He also describes several of the ship's officers including the Captain's first mate who he despises.

 

Letter 5
Transcription

Summary of August 9, 1862, Letter
George mainly addresses this letter to his sister Libby. He tells her how boring it is on board the Mohawk and how hot the weather is. He explains that he has sent her several letters though she claims to have only received a couple. George wishes he could be at home with his sister and to have the privilege of attending a church service. There is a church near him but there is no pastor or people to attend it. He asks Libby several questions about friends of his at home who have been married. He also tells her about the kind of food they have been eating recently - watermelon, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, figs etc. George apologizes to his sister for any repetition in his letters since he has been writing so many to her and the rest of the family and his girl friend that he can't always remember what he has written to each individual.

 

Letter 6
Transcription

Summary of August 11, 1862, Letter
George tells his mother the same things he tells his sisters. He tells her about the hot weather they are having, how dull things are on board ship, what kind of food he has been eating and other trivial things that mothers like to hear about. George is a very good letter writer. He writes to his mother even though she does not always write him first. He rarely makes a spelling or grammatical error in his letters either. He tells his mother that he expects to go to Port Royal to get the ship's boilers fixed because they are rather old and will not last much longer. George finally gets some of the action that he has been waiting for. Two of the officers from on board the Mohawk were taken prisoner by the rebels while they were exercising on the Island. This means that he can no longer go onto the Island for more food or exercise. This will limit the things he can do with all the time he has and probably make life on board the Mohawk even less interesting for him.

 

Letter 7
Transcription

Summary of August 25, 1862, Letter
George addresses this letter to his whole family to keep from being repetitive. He tells his family how he feels about their spending the winter in Syracuse, New York, rather than in Troy. He likes Syracuse but is sorry to have to leave his friends in Troy. Nothing of interest has happened to him or the Mohawk's crew since his last letter. He asks how his family and friends are doing and if they have received any of his letters. He complains that they don't write to him enough. He is worried that his father will not be working at the Mill for much longer especially if they move to Syracuse. George says that he will remain in the Navy after the war if business at the Mill is not very promising. George has been told that the Ironclads are ready to attack them at Port Royal or on the North Edisto River. He hopes that they will not have to stay at Port Royal after having been there for two months. Their wooden Mohawk needs repair on the boiler and they will return to Port Royal to get it fixed and to get provisions and coal.

 

Letter 8
Transcription

Summary of September 7, 1862 Letter
George writes this letter to his sisters. A corner of it is torn off so some parts are missing some words here and there. He starts by telling them they have not gotten mail or papers in awhile. He talks about home in New York. He mentions what they do on Sundays and how the day is respected on board ship. Then he tells them about some run away slaves. They hire them to do their laundry and such. He is happy to have his clothes clean. Finally he talks about drinking on the ship. He is impressed with one man on board who never seems to get drunk. He tells his sisters how much he drinks and all about his stories.

 

Letter 9
Transcription

Summary of September 28, 1862, Letter
George addresses this letter to his sister understanding that she will forward it to his mother. He tells her that his ship has left North Edisto and has gone back to Head Quarters at Port Royal. He tells of how the settlement there has grown. He then talks about Fernandina, where his ship will be stationed next. He mentions the new Chief Engineer and how he will be a good addition to his mess. He goes on to tell about the food he bought for the mess. He writes briefly about the operations there and mentions how the Admiral has told all the soldiers not to write about them so he tells his sister not to make it public. He then talks about a friend who died of Yellow Fever, and some girls his sister mentioned in a letter to him. He then asks how his friends and are doing.

 

Letter 10
Transcription

Summary of October 8, 1862, Letter
He writes this letter to his sisters. He starts off by describing the town and landscape. He then explains in the middle of writing he was called away and began writing again on the 10th. He tells how he went out to meet young ladies but there was only one and she was in mourning because her aunt died. Next he mentions how he went riding at night with the Captain. He also tells of an expedition up the St. Johns River. He says that the rebels left as soon as they saw the ship. He then complains about the Captain on the ship. He says the Captain never makes up his mind and changes his orders every 5 minutes.

 

Letter 11
Transcription

Summary of October 29, 1862, Letter
In this letter George writes to his father. He has not written to him in awhile and is anxious to hear about how business is going. He asks about business matters and talks about his money matters. He says he will save $1,000 of his salary by June of 1863. He talks briefly about what he might do after the war in terms of working. He then tells his father that they should not leave Troy and he hopes to call it home again. He tells his father he is doing fine despite the cool temperatures at night.

 

Letter 12
Transcription

Summary of November 11, 1862, Letter
This letter is written to the people at home. In it he tells of an engagement their ship was in. They bombarded the town of St. Mary which had 150 rebels in it. During the bombardment George spotted two women and the Captain stopped the bombardment, went into town, and tried to get the ladies on the ship so they would be safe. They refused so they decided to leave. While leaving the rebels began firing at the ship so they turned back and continued the bombardment, avoiding the women's house. He then tells of a rumor on the ship that the old ships will be recalled and they will all get new ships. Next he asks about home and how everyone is doing. He mentions that Thanksgiving is coming and wonders what he will have to eat.

 

Letter 13
Transcription

Summary of November 25, 1862, Letter
George writes this letter to his parent and sisters. He describes how things are going in Fernandina. He talks about a social gathering that he and party of friends are going to. He hopes it has something to do with Thanksgiving. He says the weather is pleasant though it is cooler. He mentions going ashore to eat with the Captain, the food was cooked by a woman, and it reminded him of home. He then asks how things are going at home. He mentions he is disappointed at the result of the elections in New York. He then continues the letter on the 28th, the day after Thanksgiving. He was invited to dine with the Captain for Thanksgiving, and he describes what he had to eat. He asks how the family's Thanksgiving was. He writes again on the 30th that he must finish the letter. He tells his mother that he is able to send a letter to a family friend across the lines as long as it is unsealed.

 

Letter 14
Transcription

Summary of January 11, 1863 Letter
This letter is to his sisters. He writes about church services where he is and asks about those at home. He talks about some of the events since he last wrote, including the dismissal of a Colonel. He tells about when he, the Captain, and a few others were riding on shore, and while the Captain was dismounted his horse ran off and George had to chase it several miles before catching it. He talks about how the war is going, and how his ship is in poor condition so they don’t see much action. He asks how his family is doing and how his mother is after she took time off from doing house work.

 

Letter 15
Transcription

Summary of February 14, 1863 Letter
George writes this letter to his sister. He talks about the mail that he has received and who its from. He tells his sister about the people at home and things that they tell him. He tells them that there will be an attack on Charleston soon. He mentions a servant boy he has with him. The boy cleans his quarters for him and watches his things while he is away. He asks about things going on at home, and wants to know how they are.

 

Letter 16
Transcription

Summary of March 15, 1863 Letter
He writes this letter to his mother. He talks about home, and he wishes he could return to see them. He tells them about troop movements. He thinks that rather than spreading their forces out they should mass them for an attack at Charleston or Savannah. He asks about people at home. He talks about the weather and that a steamer has just arrived with mail and that he has to finish so he can send this letter on it.

 

Letter 17
Transcription

Summary of March 27, 1863 Letter
This is to the people at home. He tells them that the boilers on the ship wore out and they had to spend some time repairing them, but they have returned to their station. He talks about some of the things he has been doing. He writes again on the 29^th. He tells them that he has received some more mail. He asks about his father’s business. He also tells them that the position of paymaster now ranks with Lieutenant. He tells them he has lace for his uniform. The end of the letter is missing.

 

Letter 18
Transcription

Summary of April 7, 1863 Letter
George writes this letter to his mother and sisters. He tells them about a dinner party the Captain is having. He tells of the people going to it and says how the Captain has been talking about it a lot. He then tells about how he had tried to buy some old iron, which was just lying around, from the Florida Railroad. The railroad then sold it to someone else for less, so George brought the Colonel and the Captain over and they stopped the transaction. He then asks about the family and home. He says he has received their mail.

 

Letter 19
Transcription

Summary of April 18, 1863 Letter
This letter is to his father. He writes about what there ship is doing and about troop movements in the area. He asks about his father’s business and about where they will be living in the summer. He talks about how the attack on Charleston has been called off, but they would have been successful. He read some papers from Charleston from earlier that month and they said that they could repel the attacks, but George says the papers don’t sound as confident as usual. He then asks about what some of the people at home are doing.

 

Letter 20
Transcription

Summary of July 2, 1863 Letter
He writes this letter to his sister Libby. He tells her he has been very busy the past week. They are waiting for the new Admiral to arrive; he says that Admiral DuPont will suggest their ship return home, so he hopes to return soon. He talks about his Captain’s absence and how he does not like the temporary commander. Then he talks about home and things mentioned in the letters to him. He asks where people are living and how they are doing. He sees that most of the people he knows are getting married. He finds he cannot think of anything else to write so he closes.

 

Letter 21
Transcription

Summary of July 6, 1863 Letter
George addresses this letter to his whole family. He says his last letter did not go through because of preparations for an attack. He talks about all that’s being done around there to prepare for it. He mentions the arrival of the new Admiral, but he does not seem to think very highly of him. He talks about the Fourth of July celebration, and about a dinner he had with two others. He is unhappy with the way the war is going. He wants to be on ship that actually does something. Finally he asks about home, and wonders what is going on there.

 

Letter 22
Transcription

Summary of July 13, 1863 Letter
George writes to the people at home. He is happy to hear the news of the recent Union victories. He explains in detail what is going on in South Carolina. He tells them that the forces have nearly defeated the rebels on an island near Charleston. Then he says that he is still waiting for the Admiral to send them home. He tells them the weather is getting warmer and he is anxious to see his family and friends.

 

Letter 23
Transcription

Summary of July 20, 1863 Letter
This letter is to his mother. He hopes she is well. He is depressed at the recent losses near Charleston. Several of his friends were killed in battle, and he thought very highly of them. He also says that he heard that some friends were casualties at Gettysburg. He says that he is tired of his ship and wants to leave if he cannot get on a better one. He hates the man in command of the ship in the absence of the Captain. He then talks about the people at home and asks about their health and what they are doing.

 

Letter 24
Transcription

Summary of September 16 1863 Letter
George writes this letter to his father. He talks about business back home, and what they should do. He says that he will not stay in the Navy after the war is over. He gives his father news of what is happening around Charleston. He dislikes the Admiral, and says that he is doing nothing. He says that nothing will happen until his successor arrives. He asks his father to come and join them on the ship because they have four empty rooms.

 

Letter 25
Transcription

Summary of September 20, 1863 Letter
George writes this letter to his sister. He starts off writing about the temperature, a squirrel that is on board, and the newspapers they have received. Then he talks about the draft because in one paper he read the names of some people he knew who were drafted. He mentions some news of people back home and talks about what they are doing. He also writes about business with his father. He talks about his past and his sister’s past and where they were before the war. He talks about what he does now and what his job is.

 

Letter 26
Transcription

Summary of October 2, 1863 Letter
This letter is to his father. George tells him about what he had been doing the last couple of days. He mentions he went ashore and talked with some friends. He saw some people from back home, got to bed late. He then talks about home and the weather. He asks his father about business and wants to discuss some things with him.

 

Letter 27
Transcription

Summary of October 25, 1863 Letter
George writes this letter to his father. He tells him that the weather is getting cooler and that they have overcoats on. He tells his father that their ship will no get to go home when he expected. He says that when they do get to go they will either have to pay for extensive repairs or they will use it as a storeship, and either way they will all be reassigned. He figures that he will get longer at home because he has been out longer than any of the other paymasters in the squadron. He spends most of the letter talking about bonds and talking about getting a mill going. He asks his father to keep him advised while he is away.

 

Letter 28
Transcription

Summary of November 6, 1863 Letter
George writes this letter to sister Libby. He had just received a letter from her and with it there were several other letters from friends and some photographs; he thanks her for these. He tells her about his weight and talks about some new pants that don’t fit. He also talks about how he had hoped to go down to Fernandina again but the steamers going had no empty space. He continues the letter on the 7^th and writes about how it is the anniversary of taking the area two years ago. He hopes if he has to come out again he goes out with the West Indies squadron so he can get cheap cigars in Havana. He finishes the letter on the 9^th. He tells her about the cold temperatures that have come. He wishes that he could be at home with his family.

 

Letter 29
Transcription

Summary of November 19 1863 Letter
George writes this to the people at home. He says he went down to Fernandina and San Augustine like he wanted to. He also heard that they are relieved on the 1^st of December and he cannot wait. He then tells them about a scare they had when he was gone. The commander of the ship thought a tugboat was an enemy ram and he notified the whole port, which was unable to do anything about it. Then when they found out it was not a ram he was the laughing stock of everyone. He then mentions a friend he saw when he was away.

 

Letter 30
Transcription

Summary of November 25, 1863 Letter
He writes this letter to his father. In it he talks about the possibility of his father coming down and staying with him if he does not get to go home. He tells him about the accommodations they have on board. He says that his sisters could not come because the hotel is bad and there are no accommodations on board for ladies, though he wishes he could see them. He also discusses the land his father gave him as a present.

 

Letter 31
Transcription

Summary of January 6, 1864 Letter
George writes this to the people at home. He tells them what he has been doing for the past week, and that nothing interesting has happened. He says he was hoping to be home for the holidays but they had passed, and he does not know when he will get leave to go home. He tells them his clothes are running out and they are very expensive to buy. He talks about Christmas and how he was not disappointed he did not get anything because he did not expect to get anything. He writes about someone who left their ship to be a Captain on the flagship, and he says how he dislikes the Admiral so is not envious. He then talks about home and how everyone is doing.

 

Letter 32
Transcription

Summary
This is an incomplete letter. It is missing the first few pages so it starts in the middle of a story. He then talks about a fellow officer who treats his subordinates badly. He talks about how the army is removing several of its commanders. He does not seemed very pleased with what the army is doing. He talks about rumors of another operation at Charleston.

 

Letter 33
Transcription

Summary
This is the last page of a letter. In it George mostly asks about his family and friends. He writes about who is getting married. He says that his moral character is good and then sends his love and closes the letter.

 

Letter 34
Transcription

Summary
This letter is missing the first few pages. It starts off in the middle of a story. He then asks about his Father, and talks about business. He also asks about his friends and then closes.

 

Letter 35
Transcription

Summary
This is the last page of a letter George wrote to one of his siblings. He talks about a former shipmate who wants to be back with them. He mentions it is near to Thanksgiving and he wants to know what his family is doing.

 

Letter 36
Transcription

Summary
This is the last page of a letter probably to his sister Clara. In it George talks about people at home. He asks her how here home is and if the people around are nice. He apologizes for ink blots and sends his love.

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