West, Lewis H. (b. 1829) to Harriet Moore
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03836.65 Author/Creator: West, Lewis H. (b. 1829) Place Written: Aboard USS "New Ironsides" off Charleston, South Carolina Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 24 April 1864 Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; 24.4 x 19.2 cm. Order a Copy
References her previous letter. A playful letter in response to Harriet's account of a fair at home. Says their boring existence continues and that the only distraction is going fishing 7 or 8 miles outside of Charleston. Says that "The white troops are all leaving this department and their places are being filled with the black regiments. I only hope if Charleston is ever taken that a black Massachusetts regiment may be the first one to march in and take possession." Says he has been hearing news of an impending battle in Virginia. Tells the story of a man who the Union Army allowed to remain in his house because he declared to be for the Union. Turns out the man and his two daughters were spies and were run out of the area. Written on letterhead of the USS "New Ironsides."
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