West, Lewis H., 1829-? to R. West

Received 2 letters from his mother and four from his sister Mary. Says he went up to Washington and got the box sent to him. Says Captain Parrott left and has been replaced with Captain Haggerty. Has not been able to form an opinion on his character. Also says their first lieutenant has left and their second lieutenant, Miller, has replaced him. Says the entrenchments in town are getting along well and that they are called Fort Dahlgren. Says "I am getting very impatient at our present occupation, which consists of doing nothing at all, just lying at anchor and looking at the town, and this too at a time when the coast of the Carolinas is swarming with privateers." Goes on to say that ships like his brig are needed to capture privateers, claiming that "Men were made of different metal in 1812 when officers thought of nothing but a chance to get to sea in any vessel they could." Says the newspaper are still talking about hanging pirates, but says "If they really wish to hang the most dangerous enemies of the country, it would be far better to hang a few of the politicians, of the 'peace at any price' school." Saw a regiment of three-year men from Wisconsin who looked like good soldiers who "were burnt black as Indians, with nothing showy about them except their arms."