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

Online access and copy requests are not available for this item. You may request to be notified of when this becomes available digitally.

Notify me when this becomes available

GLC#
GLC03836.41-View header record
Type
Letters
Date
January 23, 1863
Author/Creator
West, Lewis H., 1829-?
Title
to R. West
Place Written
Aboard the USS "Ladona" at Newport News, Virginia
Pagination
4 p. : docket ; Height: 24.6 cm, Width: 19.6 cm
Primary time period
Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1877
Sub-Era
The American Civil War

References his mother's letter of 20 January. Says they are waiting in Newport News under sailing orders, which means they could leave at any minute or sit for an indefinite period. Says the tugboats are sent 8 or 9 miles upriver to keep a lookout for Confederate riverboats and that they announced an attack the night before. There was great confusion when the ships deployed to defend against the attack because of a night fog. Nothing came of the supposed attack. Goes on to describe the Norfolk navy yard in detail, saying it was "a scene of utter ruin and desolation." Says the hull of the USS "United States" is still at the navy yard.

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources