West, Lewis H. (b. 1829) to R. West
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03836.28 Author/Creator: West, Lewis H. (b. 1829) Place Written: Port Royal, South Carolina Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 4 December 1861 Pagination: 6 p. : docket ; 24.7 x 19.4 cm. Order a Copy
References his mother's letter of 26 November. Says the Confederates are trying to avoid the blockade by stopping in Nassau and transferring their cargo to smaller ships to slip past the Union Navy. Says the Union controls the sea islands off South Carolina and that "the niggers being lords of the land. They have availed themselves of the opportunity to sell to the invaders large quantities of beer, mutton and vegetables, the ownership of which nobody troubles themselves to inquire about." Says he gave some money to one of the former slaves and he remarked that he would probably give it to his master, to which the slave said "Massu run away I dont think he come back." Says the navy is "disgusted" by the slow advance of the army. Goes on to describe the army outside of Charleston. Says "We call the navy here, the dry nurse of the army." Says the HMS "Immortalite" is lying near them and that they discussed the seizure of Slidell and Mason. Just finished coaling and expects to go to sea soon. Continues on 5 December. Says there has been a large fire burning up the country to the north. Says the lighthouse at Tybee was burned by the Confederates.
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