West, Lewis H. (b. 1829) to R. West
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03836.40 Author/Creator: West, Lewis H. (b. 1829) Place Written: Aboard the USS "Ladona" at Newport News, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 17 January 1863 Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; 20.2 x 12.6 cm. Order a Copy
Rumors abound of a Confederate attack on Newport News by Longstreet's Corps and riverboats. Says the "Galena," "Patapsco," "Minnesota," "Pawnee," "Ladona," "Commodore Morris," and "Commodore Perry," are present. Says things are in order, but he has been critical of some of the younger officers. Reports that they "Neither like me very well and I think they will like me still less as they get better acquainted." Says his ship will soon leave Newport News for Port Royal to join DuPont's fleet. Says the ship is "wretchedly out of stern," which has been slowing her down. Says it occurred when the "Ladona" was converted into a man-of-war. Likes his current captain, saying he is strict about the crew drinking "spirituous liquors." Says he likes the aggressive nature of the captain, as he lost a smokestack of a previous ship in tree branches when he got too close to shore to attack a Confederate battery.
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