West, Lewis H., 1829-? to Harriet Moore

References her letter of 28 January. Reports that he heard of the news of the fall of Charleston. Says that all the ports into the Confederacy are now closed and that Mexico is the only way to bring goods into the South now. Reports that "The rebel cavalry on the main land are hunting the negroes to drive up the country and have shot some of them. I carried off from the main, the other day a party of eighty of all ages and both sexes. There were some infants a week or two old and some very old people among them." Says he put them on a plantation on St. Catherine's Island and made a raid to give them corn, furniture, and farming and cooking utensils. Says he heard the people he robbed "had been trying to run the darkies up the country to sell, and moreover were so foolish as to run away and leave their houses." Says he was gratified to help the former slaves in this way. Says gunboats at other stations are also picking up the contrabands and bringing them to the sea islands for safety. Mentions seeing Sherman's order to provide for the former slaves and feels like he did the right thing taking some of them to the islands. Hopes to get home quickly as his 80 year old father's health is feeble. Written while aboard the USS "Fernandina".