West, Lewis H. (b. 1829) to R. West

Letter begins on 8 June at sea and continues on 17 June (he writes July 17, but that is impossible) at Fernandina, Florida; 27 June; 8 July; and 16 July at Hampton Roads, Virginia. On 8 June says he is 30 miles south of Savannah and near their destination of the boundary between Georgia and Florida. Says their departure from Charleston was sudden and was not able to tell her that he was put in charge of the privateer that was captured a week earlier. Was overhauling her and found the signal book, which gave them the ability to read Confederate signals from the shore. Tried to trick another ship into coming out to assist them, but the ruse failed. Describes the prisoners they took. Says it is easy for the newspapers to demand they be strung up as pirates, but that things get complicated when you meet them and realize they are decent human beings. Says the men were drunk when they were captured and refused to fight when they realized they were going to be caught. Found copies of the Charleston "Mercury," which has given them up-to-date news. Goes on to critique some of the views expressed in the paper. Wants his mother to "Let every body at home who possesses any influence whatever with the government, impress upon it, the immense importance of sending out a fleet of light draught steamers as soon as possible, or our commerce will suffer heavily." Says they arrived off Florida on 12 June and describes his blockading duties. On 25 June tells of stopping a Russian ship that just made it out of port under deadline. Tells his mother that he mans the "powder division" and that he is stationed below deck. Describes his duties. Says that privateers are not pirates and explains his reasoning.