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April 1862
Off Poquosin River 22,,At 6 ok this morning I
left the ship on board of the
life boat to obtain a tug or
steamer to use during the day in
bringing the rations to land to
be cooked. I obtained three boats.
The first went to Old Point Comfort
the second ran aground and
the third succeeded in reaching
the ship.
We also got off our
horses who by this time must
be feeling stiff and sore. They
will have an opportunity to
stretch themselves and lay down
which they so much need.
This kind of life is getting
to be extremely monotonous. The
men can do little in the way
of bodily exercise and they have
to pass the time by singing,
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joking, reading, writing, playing
games, conversing, and drinking.
I can now plainly see how it is
that men may become indolent
and inactive in their ways from
long service in the army. I
appreciate the fact. Indulgence
in the matter of liquors is a
custom as general among those
with whom I am forced to
associate as taking dinner or
supper. I have seen more drinking
in a week’s time while I have
been a soldier than I was previously
accustomed to see during a whole
year. And so it is with card
playing and gambling and
profanity. It is not surprising
that I am fast getting inclined
to pass these vices by and abhor
them less. Yet I must be very
careful lest betrayed into the same
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indulgence. Thank God I can
still say that the first glass of
liquor has yet to pass my lips.
In such a course my safety lies.
Yet there are other vices other sins.
And let me avoid them, too.
* * * *
We have some interesting
conversations together among the
staff officers. Last evening the General
told us something of the proposed
plan in which our division is
to have a chief part. We shall be
accompanied by gunboats under
command of Captain Rodgers. I
saw him on board of the Mystic,
Genl. Franklin’s head quarters, a
few days since and listened
to his explanation of a debarkation
under fire. We shall probably have
to try it soon. This the General
says. There will be two divisions
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under the command of Genl. Franklin
and we shall operate against Glou-
cester. The expedition will be
successful and make Genl. Franklin
a Maj. General probably. He is able.
* * *
23,,
I have been reading “The
Partisan Leader” a work that
has been laying about our cabin
quarters. It professes to have been
written a dozen or more years
since and is curiously prophetic.
It is nothing more than a compilation
of the arguments used by “States
Rights men” and a defense for
forcibly opposing the U.S. Government
—an apology for disunion. It is harmless
I presume of it would not be
allowed publication. The writer is
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evidently a full blooded South Carolinian.
I have been reading some very
interesting fiction, too. Henry Arkell
is splendid and to my best liking.
Student life—its jealousies, rivalries
honors, generous actions and mean
ones, also, are portrayed in fine
terms. The chief actor is my favorite
as well as the Dean’s and “all the
rest.” If ever I shall be permitted
to resume my studies again may
it be with such a noble and
Christian spirit.
* * * *
They say that we are going
to steam down to Fortress Munroe
today for pleasure. It is only a
two hour sail. |
