West, Lewis H. (b. 1829) to R. West
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03836.62 Author/Creator: West, Lewis H. (b. 1829) Place Written: Aboard USS "New Ironsides" off Charleston, South Carolina Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 March 1864 Pagination: 8 p. : docket ; 20.2 x 12.4 cm. Order a Copy
References his mother's letter of 1 March 1864. Was the pilot for a group of ships that landed 300 soldiers at Bull's Island, South Carolina. The troops disembarked the same day without encountering any Confederate troops. Says that she is right that he seems in low spirits, "the fearful monotony of life on board a vessel of this kind, so much worse than even the outside blockading is a sufficient cause in itself." Is frustrated with being an "acting" officer. Says many of the regular officers are younger than him and that being under them is "not pleasant." Says he can resign at any time, but that he cannot get the proper paperwork to see it through. Says they have a report that Admiral Farragut captured one of the forts around Mobile. Says they do nothing exciting like that; they only watch out for rebel torpedoes.
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