Written to his sister Mary. Aboard the USS "Delaware" about 60 miles from Richmond on the James River. Says they are with the USS "Monitor." Says they have left the company of the "Mosquitoe fleet" and are now with the "ironclads." Says they are eating well: chicken, mutton, veal, cherries, strawberries, plenty of fresh milk. Reports that the enslaved people of a rebel colonel named Cass sold them a young steer they stole from him for 5 dollars. Says he is getting the gout some nights when he goes to bed. Says there are sharpshooters along the banks of the James when they travel up it, but tells her not to be afraid "for I am sharper than the shooters." Says no one has been hurt yet. Sends regards to many of his individual family and friends. Postscript says the Rebels came down to where the fleet was anchored at City Point and poured artillery into them for 15 minutes. Says the "Galena" got as close to the shore as she could, while the "Delaware" followed her. Infantry then fired on the ships from the shore, but they were scared off with grape shot. Asks for her to send their mother and father's photographs. Says he will pay for them.