West, Lewis H. (b. 1829) to R. West
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03836.21 Author/Creator: West, Lewis H. (b. 1829) Place Written: Fortress Monroe, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 6 September 1861 Pagination: 8 p. : docket ; 19.4 x 12.4 cm. Order a Copy
Says he is still waiting for his ship to arrive. Describes the people he has met at the fort. References General John Wool -- "Old Wool" -- who works the troops in reviews and drills. Says "I never saw a more beautiful sight than a review of the 4th artillery (regulars) that we had the other day. I only wish that we had a hundred thousand such troops." Tells the story of a captain who took his ship oystering and was fired upon by Union pickets when he tried to return. The captain was so angry that he declared "Nothing would satisfy him but that an equal number of them should get into the boat and give him as many shots at them at the same distance, as they had had at him!" References runaway slaves at Fortress Monroe, saying "We have nearly two thousand 'contrabands' here at present, and they are constantly coming in. They are very useful here at present, but what will be eventually done with them is a problem." Mentions seeing the USS "Monticello" and "Harriet Lane." Continues letter on 7 September and says Commodore Stringham has arrived and that he has been ordered on board the USS "Flag," going to Charleston, to join the USS "Wabash."
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