Goldsborough, John Rodgers (1808-1877) to Mrs. J. R. Goldsborough

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1
No 19
U.S. Steamer Florida
Off Charleston Dec 15 1861
My Dearest Wife:
I closed No. 18 at 2 P.M. to day while in chase of a steamer, she proved to be the spalding from Port Royal bound to Hampton Roads-the Captain said he would take our letter bag with great pleasure, and we gave him quite a large one well filled-The Augusta ran down and sent a letter by her also-The Capt of the spalding informed me that the stone Fleet for blocking up the harbour of Charleston where to sail from Port Royal To-morrow-I hope this may be true and that it may be effectually done-When they arrive we will have some active work to perform-and in the language of Shakspeare-If it were done, when 'tis done, then 'twere well it were done quickly. And I am for doing it at once-it will relieve us of

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much anxiety and many sleepless nights-we were also informed that the long looked for steamer [inserted: Connecticut] had arrived at Port Royal, and sailed the day before yesterday for New York-this piece of news was a sad disappointment to us all and particularly to me as I was anxious to send you the Treasury Notes-I had packed and sealed them up carefully and directed to yr Father per Adams Express and put under cover to Capt Woodhull with a note from me asking him to take charge of the package and take Adams receipt and send it also to yr Father- Now its impossible for me to say when or by whom I can send it-but I expect upon our return to port Royal some opportunity or other will turn up-It will not be very long before it reaches you-there will be lots of chances fr [sic] Port Royal and you may be assured that I will take advantage of the first favorable one. I am anxious that you should have before the

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Christmas holiday come on plenty of money at disposal-dont forget to collect our Harrisburgh dividend on the 1st of January-The weather continues to be perfectly lovely-generally calm and as warm as a May morn-The nights are as lovely as the day but the dews are very heavy and the fogs immensely thick-in the night time it is impossible to see more then a quarter to [struck: a] half a mile from the ship and sometimes not half that distance-this compells us to be more vigilant and therefore during the night we are scouting around as close in shore as we can get in hopes that if any vessel should attempt to escape we may run afoul of her. However I dont think [inserted: any] have escaped since I have been off here but there is no telling-perhaps some of these days the Southern papers will come out an [sic] announce the remarable [sic escape of another remarable vessel loaded with cotton and Commissioners

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I see by the papers its reported that Hunter of Virginia and Soule of Lousianna [sic] have made their escape in some vessel from New Orleans and arrived at Havanna-and that it was intended by the Southern Confederacy that these gentlemen should proceed to Europe to assume the position that Messr. Mason and Slidell were to occupy-Now I don't believe one word of this. I don't believe any vessel has escaped. [struck: from] New Orleans is much easier to blockade than Charleston-there the outlets are narrow and we have several vessels stationed at the mouth of the river-here the outlet is wide and we have to cover an immense space and at the same time be within Signal distance of each other-These reports are circulated for the purpose of endeavoring to convince the Europeans powers that the blockade is all a humbug and elicit their interference to assist in having it raised-

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2
Dec 16
Off Charleston
5
You see my darling I dont allow an hour to escape me without writing. I am determined to keep you well posted up in my daily and if possible my hourly doings-It would make yr noble heart glad if you could only drop suddenly upon me and see for yr self with what zeal and pleasure I take up my pen whenever a thought worth communicating occurs-It gives me such real pleasure when I am engaged in writing to you that I believe I enjoy it almost as much as reading yr letters. The stone Fleet have not arrived they are losing some valuable good weather for such an undertaking-I am afraid they will put it off so long that the stormy weather will come on and interfere very much with the successful accomplishment of the work. Last night I had to let my fires down to repair my boilers-of course I felt anxious but i was a lovely night and just wind enough for me to keep my ship

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steady under sail if it became necessary-I was up all night and it being one of those bright moon light nights we could see an immense distance especially with the aid of glasses-for the first time in my life I went inside of a steamers boilers and funny things they are-Nothing would ever induce me to be an Engineer-I am going to apply when I fall in with the Flag Officer to have new boilers ordered for the Florida they are now nearly five years old and my Chief Engineer thinks that by March or April they should be replaced by new ones-I am of that opinion likewise and shall exert my influence to procure them-in all other respects our Engines and there dependencies are perfect-by ordering new ones in time we would not be delayed so long in port in replacing them-I am told its a terrible job-and if this war is to continue we must have everything on board of all our vessels in good strong and substantial order

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by five oclock in the morning our boilers were completed and I had steam on her again, and no one out of the vessel was any the wiser-These are attended with more or less risk fortunately we succeeded without encountering any-Neither of the other vessels even suspected that anything was the matter with us and I managed very adroitly to let them know at Fort Sumpter [sic] and Moultrie that I was about at my station and on the lookout by holding on to a little steam in one of the boilers and occasionally leting [sic] it off-To day when Capt Parrott of the Augusta came on board to see me I told him of it and he was perfectly astonished and thought it was a good dodge-But that game wont do to be tried very often indeed I dont think I would try it again-I intended to send you in my No 18 a list of articles for sale by the sutlers on board of the Rhode Island & Connecticut with the prices affixed but forgot it-I enclose it now and you will see how infamous their

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charges are and how they impose upon us poor mortals-they know we must be in want and take advantage of our necessities and position as well as inability to do otherwise and charge just what they please-and if we are in want we must go without or buy-for instance I bought from one of them some time since a barrel of apples and was compelled [inserted: to pay] for them $5.50 or go without-they cost him in New York about 2.50 or 2.00 at the farthest-they were not near as good as the barrel my steward bought in New York for 2.25 but unfortunately for us everything is on the vine in the New York Market just before they sail-so they say-should this state of things exist much longer those fellows will make an independent fortune because its a cash business with us when we buy and I suppose credit with them then they buy-some one will report them before long and put a stop to the whole concern

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3
Dec 17
Off Charleston
9
The monotony of our blockading was relieved this afternoon by the arrival of the Steamer James Adger Capt Marchand from Baltimore va. Hampton Roads-Marchand came on board [struck: and] to see me and brought with him a bundle of late papers to the 14t inst-he goes direct to Port Royal to report for duty to Flag Officer Dupont-but I persuaded him to remain a few hours with me which he kindly [inserted: did] and we had quite a long and interesting talk-he gave me a full account of his trip to England in pursuit of the Nashville and the handsome manner in which he was treated where ever he went-Well by the papers I see we are to have not only another but a more extensive retired list then ever-perhaps you have seen or heard something about it. I see it has passed the Senate and doubtless will pass the other House and I presume go into effect immediately-By

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the bill as it passed the Senate and according to my calculation 51 Captains will be retired immediately, that will make me a Captain the moment they are retired and it will bring me pretty well up on the list of Captains but in seven years from next November I will have to go upon the retired list myself and perhaps I shall not object to it at that time-If they will only retire us upon decent pay-However I hope they will deal not only fairly but liberally and no one will object. I make it out for Wilks to be at the head of the Navy for the first year-all above him to be retired. Now if you have yr New Register you can see who they all are. LM. G. and Dupont go along in the crowd, but I see there is a proviso which permits the President to call into Active Service any of the retired officer who will receive while on duty the full or maximum pay he would have

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4
Dec 18

Off Charleston
13
We had been laying lazily at anchor all day watching any movements that might happen in the harbour, and the weather was so warm and sultry that our winter clothing became almost insufferable when towards sundown a light breeze from the S & W covered the atmosphere and we began to breathe a little freer-when all of a sudden some ten or fifteen vessels hove in sight coming from the S & W-I could not be mistaken-I was lying down at the time trying to get a short forget-me-not when the orderly came down to inform me. I ran upon deck and there they were sure enough-the whole Ocean appeared covered with strange vessels-Oh what joy I felt in my own bosom-It was the stone Fleet to block up the harbour of Charleston, to shut them out from the Ocean-poor miserable wretches. Many of them were in tow of steamers, and the whole concern was under the command of the

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Fleet Captain Chas H. Davis-the Mohican Godon was in the crowd, and one or two other Gun boats. Oh what a relief to my anxious mind and sleepless nights-but thank gracious they are here some fifteen or twenty and they still appear to be heaving in sight-The weather could not be better it really seems as if it was intended for this purpose. Oh what fools what simpletons what weak deluded people and they have no one but themselves to blame-I could not sleep for joy I have laid down but rise again to tell you what a load has been taken off my anxious mind- the man who first conceived the idea of blocking up this rebellious place will always hold a sacred place in my heart. Davis brought us down letters and papers I recd several of the latter sent me by your Father for which I desire to return my grateful thanks, I also recd your No. 22 of the 29 & 30 of November and oh what delicious

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pleasure it gave me. I have almost devoured it. My children well and my wife happy and enjoying herself-Oh darling I cannot tell you what infinite satisfaction your letter although eighteen days old gave-God bless you my darling-you & my darling little ones-truly this has been a feast day to me-your letter was my supper this evening and will be my food for days to come-It also enclosed one from yr mother to you and one from dear Mrs. Baker to me-how can I thank Mrs. B. for remembering me so kindly-say to her my darling I shall always prise her letter as an evidence of her warm attachment to you and the appreciation of honors I hope yet in reserve for your husband-I am truly delighted to learn that you have concluded to finish your visit and that my darling little pets are begining [sic] to rally again-Oh if you all were only in the same climate that I am now luxuriateing [sic] and basking in-We

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have not had rain for two months nearly-but I am told that all January and half of Feb are the worse months in the year in this Lat. I dont wonder southern people alway look sallow exposed as they constantly are to such burning Sun's and scorching airs-but this season of the year the climate is perfectly delicious. I am glad my darling that you gave Mrs. B the Butterfly ask her to keep as a slight memento from us both-the poor thing was tired of rebellion and flew on board of the Florida to lay itself down and die under the glorious stars & stripes the flag perhaps it was born under what a noble example for those who pretend to have understanding with their miscalled patriotism. In one of my letters I sent you about a thimble full of cotton that I picked myself from a field formerly belonging to Genl Drayton the traitor but now to the government of the U.S. did you ever receive that letter-when you write let me know what letters have been recd by No.

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5
Dec 19th
Off Charleston
17
Half past nine-no its later it has just struck ten in the evening and Godon has left me but a few minutes since after a short visit of six hours and spitting all over my carpet his stay has interrupted my evening avocation and much as I like him I wished him on board of his own vessel about twenty times. I have satisfied myself with one thing that Godon is no reader of human thoughts. Although he may and certainly [inserted: is] very clever in many things-Well this morning at daybreak I went on board of the steamer Cahawba to call on Capt Davis and offer my services to assist in blocking up the harbour. Consequently we have been employed nearly all day in doing one thing or another such as placing vessels in there proper position and preparing them for sinking. There are seventeen in all, and by this time tomorrow night

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the whole concern will be down to the bottom but what do [inserted: you] think-at day break this morning we discovered that the rebels had absolutely during the night blown or pulled down the Light House-It was standing at Sun down and at day light not a trace not a brick was left-to be sure the Keepers house stands all right but the L.H. has suddenly disappeared they must have been active and work briskly but it was of no earthly service to us-it has not been lighted since the state seceded. It was a good land mark in the day time but we can do very well without it. The Mohican takes the place of the Florida and we go to Port Royall to coal and then I believe we go either to or off Fernandina. We shall keep the blockade up off Charleston [struck: up] for about ninety days longer when its is supposed that by that time there vessels will have so embeded themselves as to form

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a complete break water across the harbour fine prospect for vessels attempting to run in and find themselves high & dry on the shoals and quick sands of their own dear native soil-they will then become an easy prey to the "Hessian" or Lincoln Fleet of "sea constables." Its a tedious operation sinking these vessels but better take time and do it well, than do it badly in a hurry I am for doing it effectually and I think Davis is the right man for this kind of work-Forts Sumpter & Moultrie have [struck: ing] been densely crowded all day, and I suppose one hundred ships have been employed looking at the interesting operations of the Hessian-You know I now begin to think that there people are a great set of cowards and they are fearful we are coming in upon them to burn sink and destroy their lives their property and the sacred honor of their females in fact I have so understood that they are

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[struck: that they are] really & truly under that impression hence the hurrying away in to the interior [struck: away] from the Sea-board all females no matter who they are. White, Black, or coppered colored off they must go-and I learn that about 4000 men have [inserted: been] left behind to protect the city and many of them are in favor of surrendering it for which purpose they had a meeting a few evenings since and more then two [strikeout] voted in the affirmative-did you see a speech made a week or ten days [inserted: since] in the Circuit Court at Charleston the first they have ever had since the days of rebeldom-by a Mr. Petrigrew refusing to give to the Court information of absence citizens who own property in the state. I learn that Mr. Petrigrew is and has been a strong Union man but afraid to come out and speak his sentiments and I suppose there [inserted: are] many of the same sort left-Why I am told since the battle of Port Royal all shops close

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6
Dec 20
Off Charleston
21
Another lovely May day in december-its seems as if spring was resting in the lap of Winter- This morning a little after day break the Rebel man of War Steamer Lady Davis came a short distance below Fort Sumpter to take a look at what was going on-she took could care not to come within range of any of our guns especially those of the Mohican's she having two 11in guns on board. She soon turned and went back-and they can report for their morning or afternoon edition of the Charleston Mercury that their main ship channel is completely blocked up-never never to be entered in or passed out by any vessel again-but I suppose they will laugh at this kind of work and perhaps say we have done them immense service-I would really like to see what they do or will say about it-Commerce must now turn to the magnificent harbour of Port Royal which is ten times better than ever Charleston or Savannah could possibly

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be made, in fact nature intended that Port Royal should be the great Southern Mart. And I suppose it would have been but for the jealousy and want of generosity of some of their wiseacres. I suppose you are aware that these vessels are all loaded with stone, and fitted with valves-so that the moment you get her in the right place-all you have to do is out valve and down she goes. All these have been sunk with there mastyards and rigging all upon them, and then when everything is ready-all movable articles being taken out-they are to be set on fire and burnt to the waters edge-what a magnificent blaze it will create-it will be almost equal to the conflagration of the 11 on shore-At all events it will let them see that we can have a fire in the water as well as they on the shore-but this reminds me of one of Aesop's fables-of the boys stoneing [sic] the Frogs. It may be fun for you boys said the frogs-but its death to us-there's another-do you remember some boys

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went into a farmers orchard to steal apples-the farmer came along and caught them up his trees in the very act-he first told them to come down but they would not-he then took up [toughs] of grass and threw at them-when they laughed at him he then took stones & pelted them-and like Major Scott's coon they came down-do you see the simile-may they not like the boys-or the coon which ever you please come down likewise-time will reveal-Godon told me he had a duck for dinner to day and invited me to come on board and help him eat it-I am undecided wither to go or not as I have not had any thing fresh to eat for some days. I think I will go on board and share his duck every thing fresh that I had has given out-and I am now living on salt grub-pretty hard fare-but I submit without a murmur-you know my wants are small and my steward says I am the smallest eater he ever saw. My potatoes, onions and tomatoes still hold out-on them I can get along.
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I waited until 4 oclock and seeing Godon still on board of the Catawba on one of his long yarns with Davis and knowing the latter to be as great a talker as the former and as long as those two were together my chances to share any portion of the duck would be slim it being then two hours after my dinner hour, I concluded to give up the duck and eat my own dinner on board my own ship which I accordingly did-but I had scarcely finished when Godon pulled alongside to say his dinner was ready (it being then nearly five oclock) I told him it was too late-I had already waited two hours after my own regular dinner hour and seeing but a slight prospect of Davis and himself ever finishing their talk being hungry I had been to dinner-he then said that he would go on board of the Mohican get her under-way and keep sailing round the Florida until I came on board-which he did for several times until at last we compromised the matter by my promising to go on board at 8 oclock to supper.

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7
Dec 21
Off Charleston
25
Well I kept my engagement with Godon and a little after dark-(the Mohican & Florida having previously taken there position off the centre of the harbour and anchored for the night) I went on board of the Mohican and Godon and I talked all Philadelphia to pieces he gave me a full account of Mr. & Mrs. Sidney Smith all their relations and antecedents-It appears that Godon knew both Mrs. Smith & Monges long before they were married and he thinks that shortly after Mrs. Smith was married they went to house keeping in the house now numbered 127 South 7 Street if not in that then in one of the others on either side-he that time was living in Sansom St-we talked of you and the children-of Mrs. Godon and her children and while talking on in this way Davis was setting fire to the wrecks-but it was not much of a fire as there was a slight sprinkling of rain at the time the first we have had for nearly two months-still one ship blazed up quite handsomely-sufficiently

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to be seen by the rebels-while enjoying ourselves by talking smoking and occasionally going on deck to look at the Fire-A strange sail was reported approaching us from seaward.-Godon sent the Augusta to ascertain her character-she proved to be the James Adger Capt Marchand from Port Royal to blockade off Georgetown S.C. She came in here to deliver a letter bag for the Florida and when it was opened out fell your sweet letter my darling of December the 6 giving me the gratifying intelligence of the continued good health of yourself and my darling little ones for which I feel very thankful-your letter had enclosed one from your Mother to you which told me all the news about the family at home-and from the same letter bag out tumbled about a dozen newspapers the "Press" sent me by your Father for which I hope you will not forget not only to thank him kindly for sending them-but pay him also for the postage on them-Among the newspapers I received one from you-the Herald of dec 3

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giving the position of the encounter between the Union Gunboats and the rebel Tattnall's Mosquito Fleet, on the 26 of Nov. at the entrance to Savannah river-there is a slight mistake in the map published by the Herald-the McClellan was not there-that position was occupied by the Gunboat Seneca-the [struck: other] position of all the other vessels appears to be correct- And since I have mentioned the name of the McClellan and while I think of it I will tell you why I did not write by her-and endeavor to acquit myself of any want of neglect-The [insert: Florida] being down off Tybee the steamer McClellan at Port Royal was I understood (several days afterward) directed to get ready to go to New York-the day that she was to sail for New York Genl Sherman and several other Army Officers went on board of her and proceeded in her to Tybee L.H. as she was going down we were coming up and we passed each other within hailing distance-The next day I took Dupont down, and about half way between

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Tybee and Port Royal we again passed and spoke the McClellan returning-I knew nothing all this time of her being sent up New York-Dupont despatches were on board of her at this time when we returned to Port Ryal the McClellan had sailed-Now Mrs. G. dont you think this is a very clear case, and will you not acquit me of all blame-what a pleasant day you all must have had sight seeing in Boston-Oh, if I could only have been the fifth in the party how I should have enjoyed it-Why what a beautiful and appropriate frame you must have for my carte de visite-Should your Arctic man come along this way and show himself I will most certainly be glad to see him-I hope you gave him a line to me-and in the event of his meeting the Florida, he will not hesitate to come on board-you did not mention his name. I am glad you have concluded to procure yrself a pair of moccasins, I hope you will get a good and serviceable pr. while you are about it-

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8
Dec 22
Off Charleston
29
I had a most racking headache all day yesterday which I attributed to Godon's supper the night before. I suppose I must have put too much vinegar with my cabbage as I thought but his steward called it sour-krout-it was mixed with rancid oil-To day I am all right again and feel as well as ever-we have a strong N.E. storm to day and are compelled to be steaming up and down in front of the harbour. We have how ever every thing in view-Forts Sumpter Moultrie church steeples and what is left of the city-but Godon in the Mohican is not in sight-he must have been pretty well off last night-To day for the first time I am inside of one of my blockading shirts and like them very much, but they are too small for me and I am going to sell them off for the same I gave for them-I have already sold one, and if I dont sell the others I will make them do duty as under shirts-I think I shall require more flannel drawers, I have only four clean pr

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left and how I am to have any washing done is more then I can say-If at any time you may desire to send me any thing-you may do so by either consulting Mrs. Trenchard as to when her husband will sail in the Rhode Island or by [struck: it to] the Navy Yard New York to the care of Capt Almy-but yr letters and papers send direct to the Post Office New York-I have seen the retiring bill as it passed the Senate, as soon as it becomes a law I shall be a Captain my minimum pay will then be $3000 maximum $4,200 on shore duty $3,600 but in seven years from next November I too go up on the retired list and my minimum pay will then be only $1,300 and four rations a day at 30 cts the rations which with my pay [struck: and rations] be less then $1,800 a year think of all this my darling. Now what I propose is that we lay by as much money as we can and before I am retired buy ourselves a smug little place in some country village any where but Mount Holly-I am sick

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of that place-lets remove to some place where we can get to Philadelphia for ten cents, and where water dont cost $12 a year or gas $7 a thousand and where there is but one Episcopal Church. I am tired of all the bickerings and quarrels of Mount Holly-There is one thing certain that we must begin to look ahead and you being such a good financier I shall depend entirely upon you and am willing to submit without a word to your judgement. I shall send you all the money I can make & scrape to do with just as you please-If this retired bill becomes a law of which there is very little doubt, you may give up all hope of my ever being the Commander in a Navy Yard. I may if luck is on my side be the Captain-perhaps I may be promoted before we meet-It will all be very pleasant for seven years, but after that what are we to do-our little pets if they live will be near 13 the most expensive time in their life-think of all this my darling wife

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and tell me what you think we had better do-If I am promoted while in command of the Florida and be retained in command, which I am perfectly willing, my pay will be $4,200 which will be quite handsome and will enable us to lay up something more than we have been doing-Godon has been in the Navy since 1819 he will be retired in two years from now, he says he is perfectly indifferent about it-and well he may for he has plenty of money he live upon notwithstanding he has lost $15,000 by the troubles-My calculation is that by this time you are safely domiciled in 1414 Pine Street. I feel anxious to hear all about your return trip I hope the pets will not feel it as much as they did going, in your next tell me all about yr journey from Boston to Phil. I hope you tarried a day in New York to rest. It would be too much of a journey for the children to travel the whole distance in one day

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9
Dec 23
Off Charleston
33
Two days from Christmas, where are you and what are you doing-Oh what a doleful Christmas this will be to me-I dread its coming-the only Christmas we have been separated since you made me a happy man-Oh darling if we could only meet on that day-Oh how I shall turn to you and my little ones with all my thoughts-all my feelings and all my love when that day comes-Oh how I will think of you-I will think of you all tomorrow night with the presents and toys spread out perhaps in your Mothers room upon a table and all the dear little ones brought in to take what belongs to each. Oh if we could only look into their little hearts and see what joy and gladness reigns there-I shall think [inserted: of you] in the morning going to church-I shall think [inserted: of you] at the Holy Communion Table-I shall think of all at the dinner table-and know that your thoughts will be upon [inserted: one] far away and I shall think of you all

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assembled in the evening and fancy you all talking away upon every subject-but your thoughts will be still upon your absent one-what rompery there will be with yr Father and all the little ones in the parlour-And who is agoing to assist your Mother & Meta in hanging the evergreens in the parlours this Christmas-will I be missed. Who will go home with the Roberts girls-Oh if I could only be with you it makes me almost sick to know that I will not be there-I begin to think that it was either never intended that I should be married, or if married, not to be in the Navy this separation is awful is too painful-my heart is not hard enough to endure it-the only consolation I have is that I am endeavouring to serve my country and that she is entitled to all my energies and all my naval experiences both of which she shall have to the utmost extent of my ability-And I shall endeavor to prove faithful and conscientious in the performance of all

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and every piece of duty assigned me-North E gale died away last night to a calm but this morning the wind commenced blowing a half gale of wind from the S & W and early in the morning before day light we had a heavy fall of rain-the first regular rain that we have had since we left Philadelphia-however towards noon it cleared away and the sun came out quite lovely, but it is still blowing very fresh and several degrees colder then we have yet had it. I am afraid some accident has happened to the Mohican and that she has gone back to Port Royal. I have not seen her for two days-the barque Roebuck and ourselves are the only two vessels now off Charleston the Augusta having been sent a little lower down to Blockade Bull's Bay about twenty miles to the Eastward of this place. To day the sloop of war Vandalia made her appearance in offing from New York bound to Royal. I did [insert: not] speak her it was blowing too fresh. We merely ex-

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changed numbers-hers being 68 and mine 248. I learn that the Department have informed Dupont of there intention to add another steamer to perform similar duty as the Rhode Island and Connecticut making three, and it was there intention that there steamers should visit us every ten days-I hope this may be true-Its very comfortable to have a fresh beef steak for breakfast or a piece of Roast beef for dinner occasionally-The beef the Government send down is good and cheap only 7cts a lb. but things on board belonging to the sutler are outrageous as you will perceive I have made it my daily task to finish or rather to fill one of these sheets of note paper before retiring for the night-And I think you will find that the quantity is far better then the quality but I write every thing that comes into my head and if you dont find my letters interesting you will find them sufficiently long-at all events I hope No. 18 which you should have long ere this, will amuse you for some time-

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10
Dec 24
Off Charleston
37
Christmas eve 8 P.M. I imagine that I can see you all-the toys have all been distributed their little hearts have been made to swell with joy and gladness-Oh what a happy time for all-but my darling have you not missed me is the picture entirely complete-you are all assembled together this evening as usual-but one of the number is away will you not think of him my darling wife-Yes indeed I know you will-You will think of more of me this evening and all to-morrow then you have done since I have been away-I hope you presented your mother with a turkey and gave something to each of the dear little ones as coming from me-I shall look with anxious interest for a full account of your doings from this Christmas eve until you all settle down quietly again to your sewing machine. To-morrow I shall I suppose have a nice piece salt beef and onions-macaroni perhaps-potatoes

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Tomatoes-corn-bread & pickles for my dinner-well I have some good wine and plenty of [it]. I will drink all your health in a full bumper thats the most I can do-so you may [inserted: be] sure that one and all both old & young will be remembered. Last night about one oclock A.M. the officer of the deck sent the orderly down to inform me that he could see a strange and suspicious looking vessel hovering around about five miles to seaward of us-he did not know what to make of her as you may imagine, I was into my clothes in quarter less no time and on deck it was bitter cold-but there was the stranger dead to leeward of me-I immediately cleared for action and stood towards him under a full head of steam-determined to lay him aboard by throwing every one of my [inserted: men] upon his deck should he turn out to be the Nashville- Sumpter, or any other Rebel craft of that caliber-all my men and officers were eager for the fray

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I thought that would be the easiest and quickest method of settling the affair-but judge my disappointment as we neared him to discover that it was the Mohican returning to her station-I hailed Godon and told him I had missed him-and between you and I-I did not think that Godon would leave his station as he has done for last three days because as he says it was blowing too fresh for him to remain [struck: out]. The Pocahontas Balch [commands] was equally as bad both vessels cleared out and went off away out of sight of Charleston and left the little Barque Roebuck and ourselves to look out-No wonder the press and the people find fault with vessels running the blockade-I could not do such a thing my conscience would not permit me to be guilty of such a wanton dereliction of duty-Mr. Scott inform me that was the old fashioned style of blockading in the Roanoke last summer when she was commanded by a gentleman who now

[38]
lives in Clinton and who has friends living within fifty doors of Bessie-Don't mention anything about either of these vessels or their Captains for you know how many friends they have all over the city. Keep yr own council but think as much as you please-Godon came on board and dined with me to day on Pork & Beans, and to-morrow Christmas I am agoing to dine with him on a sesesh Turkey-so you see that some people can have Turkey for their Christmas dinner as well as other people. And while upon the Turkey question Mr. Scott informed me this afternoon that when he was last on shore at Port Royal a friend of his in the Army presented him with two Turkeys and a Saddle of Mutton-that he had been keeping the former up and fattening them for to-morrows dinner and askd my acceptance of one which I gladly accepted-and as I dine with Godon, and Mr. Lathrop in the ward room to-morrow-I shall hold on to him for my New Years dinner and invite Godon and Scott to dine with me on that day.

[39]
11
Christmas 1861
Blockading Off Charleston
41
A Merry and a happy Christmas to you all both old and young-God bless every one of you. May you all live to see many many happy returns of this day-and if you all will only think of me as I shall think of every one of you I will be as contented as a man can possibly be who is away from his devoted & affectionate wife and two lovely and interesting children-I feel my seperation to day probably more than you are aware of-Godon informed me a day or two ago that Dupont had or had heard that he would receive a letter or rather a petition from the people of Brunswick in Georgia invititing [sic] him to come there-they were all for the Union-there may be some truth in this. I hope there is, Georgia has always been a sort of doubtfull state-We are preparing an expedition to visit that section and we may down upon them before they can say Jack Robinson-I learn the Steamer Rhode Island Capt Trenchard

[40]
instead of going in New York on her return trip this time go [inserted: es] in to Philadelphia-she may not be there for two weeks to come, but I tell you this in time to prepare you in the event of the rumor being true. The weather today has been perfectly lovely-although cold at night its warm and pleasant during the day. It reminds me very much like our fall weather during the months of October and November. The Mohican-Barque Roebuck and Florida have been lying quietly at anchor at a convenient distance from each other across the harbour of Charleston having the city in full view and imagine that we can almost hear the church bells ringing-Fort Sumpter has been firing some [struck: of] heavy guns for what purpose is best known to themselves-but I wonder if they are Christians enough to keep the day, and go to church. You see my sweet wife I write not only my thoughts but my daily and nearly hourly doings during the 24 as I desire to let you know every transaction and every thing I do that you may follow me in yr

[41]
thoughts and know exactly what I am about-Each sheet of this letter will tell you nearly all my daily doings and where abouts since the close of my last, and I take great pleasure in writing in this kind of narrative form in hopes that it will be more acceptable to you-but at the same time I must ask you to overlook all omissions, all grammatical errors. I write frequently in a great hurry and never have time to read and correct what I have written. I expect you will [insert: do] that when you are reading my letters aloud to any of the family-hence my objection to others reading them-I am glad to see that some swindler and forgerer has done old Gumpert out of fifty dollr [sic]. Say to Ned that last box of segars he sent me was the most trashy concerns I have ever smoked. It has reduced me to my pipe again-they where not worth the box that contained them-and I wish he would give old Gumpert a blowing up-I believe him to be an informal scoundrel-Last night about nine oclock the ward room officer

[42]
gave a supper-I was invited but declined-Mr. Lathrop who went said it [inserted: was] quite a handsome affair for blockade times-about 1/2 past nine their waiter brought me in a nice dish of lobster salad which I enjoyed exceedingly. You see my darling I tell you everything; do you like me to write about trifling things in this way-Well its 8 oclock Christmas evening and I have just returned from Godon's Turkey dinner-accompanied with Ham and various other dishes-a very good blockading dinner-However, I can beat it-Capt Balch of the Pocahontas, the 2 Lieut & Surgeon of the Mohican composed the party-Capt Balch joined us this afternoon he made me a cumshaw of about 25 lb of fresh beef that he procured from some of the Negroes along shore. I shall have beef-steak for Breakfast in the morning. Godon told me that he had written to his wife to tell you what a horrible dinner he had on-board of the Florida yesterday when he dined unexpectedly with me-I gave him an excellent dish of salt Pork and beans-a dish that a King might be proud of-

[43]
12
Dec 26
Off Charleston
45
We had a light breeze to day from the N & E and the sky was overcast and so we thought by way of relieving the monotony of a blockade and affording the days amusement for all on board we got up a fishing excursion and with Godon young Whelen and several others officers of the Mohican we started in the Florida about 1/2 past nine oclock and ran off some five or six miles, and fished until sundown having miserable luck as a matter of course-because we made such extensive preparations and anticipated so much-We caught about a hundred bass where as we fully expected to hook about five times that number but still we had a pleasant and agreeable day and they all appeared to enjoy it notwithstanding they had not the luck they hoped to have-Godon & young Whelen dined with me and I gave him some of my secesh beef presented me yesterday by Balch-and I never say any one enjoy his dinner more then

[44]
Godon he confessed to a tip top dinner and said that he write to Sallie all about it and request her to read his letter to you when you and Sallie met. After dinner Godon went into my room wrapped himself up in pea jackets and shawls and after spiting all over my room and carpet fell asleep and while he is in the somniferous state and I am temporarily relieved from his agreeable conversation I take advantage of the lull to commence my daily occupation on my forty-fifth page-My envelope directed to you is becoming so voluminous with my nonsense that I am begining to look forward with some anxiety for another opportunity to send you No. 19-vessels employed upon blockading duty never have the same chances of either sending or receiving letters of those that remain stationary at the depot-especially if you have a Post Office at the depot-about one sail a week shows herself off this station she generally is about ten miles to seaward

[45]
and in ninety nine cases out of a hundred she will turn out to be either a coal-stone or vessel loaded with government stores-these fellows never think of asking for letters to bring down to the Fleet they never read anything but some penny paper such as the True blue-little-[genus] or some other paper with the same kind of stamp governed entirely by its title and when you ask them if they have any late papers they may perhaps give you ones with the above euphonious inscription in large black letters on a margin covering nearly half of one side of the paper. We are also unfortunate in regard to vessels bound home-Port Royal is only fifty miles to the Southward of us-And steamers intending to leave for the North generally hold on until late in the day-giving themselves just day light enough to get sea-by the time they reach the neighborhood of Charleston if in sight its ten or twelve o'clock at night and they are fully ten miles off and going as rapidly steam will take them-It would be the height

[46]
of folly to attempt chasing them-you would never overtake them, and they would see you in the deep ocean buried before they would stop-if you [fore] [again] you may expose yr position to some chap who is trying to get either in or out-the only thing that you can do is to remain perfectly passive and see there lovely opportunities pass you (which has been the several times)- And [inserted: be] denied the gratification of sending a letter to [inserted: our] loved ones at home. Once in a while a steamer passes by here in open day light and we pounce upon him like a duck upon [inserted: a] June Bug regardless of coal and every thing else-And we dont care how many guns we fire at him-so that we only bring him too-the spaulding was one of there accidental day steamers that passed within sight, and you would have been amazed to have seen both the Augusta and ourselves after him to send our letter bags by him-Godon is waking up. I hear his voice-he wants to know who I am writing to and when I told him he requests me to remember him affectionately to you.

[47]
14
Dec 28
Port Royal
53
This morning about ten o'clock after receiving a letter bag from the Mohican Pocahontas and Roebuck I weighed anchor and having a stiff fair wind from the NE proceeded on my way to Port Royal-we reached the entrance to the harbour about 3 P.M. and discovered to our sorry and regret a steamer supposed to be the Ariel had just passed out bound North. It was blowing too fresh at the time and besides it was a little too late in the afternoon for me to run down and put a letter bag on board-I had some ten or twelve miles to go and that over the most intricate part of the whole distance and I wanted broad daylight to accomplish it in-It was a great mortification to us all but some times things will happen so-We anchored in the harbour of Port Royal and close alongside of the Wabash about sundown-when I went on board and reported my arrival to the Flag Officer and he

[48]
as well as Davis gave me a hearty welcome after reading Godon's despatches which I conveyed to him, he informed me that Godon had reported to him officially the close admirable & conscientious manner in which I had performed my duty as a blockader-And said he was highly gratified to hear it-I then heard for the first time the escape of the Isabel from Charleston which occurred a week before I arrived on that station, which was a source of great relief to me I assure you-And I have yet to hear of any vessel either entering or leaving the port of Charleston during the twenty five days I was off that port-Dupont informed me that two men from Tattnall's flotilla who had deserted where then on board of the Wabash-they say that the Fingal is laying in the Savannah river loaded with a thousand bales of cotton waiting for an opportunity to make her escape-Dupont has three vessels in sight of

[49]
her, they can see her mastheads and will certainly nab her if she attempts to come out-These men of Tatnall's say they were on board of his vessel the day Tatnall came down in Savannah river to attack us-And that before he commenced the attack his Flag Captain the Rebel ex Lieut Moffit was so beastly drunk that Tatnall sent him out of his ship, also that Tatnal himself was very little better-These two men deserted in Tatnalls barge a fine boat which Dupont has now on board of the Wabash-Upon receiving our mail I returned to my ship where on opening the letter bag to my joy and delight out fell your sweet and lovely letters No. 25 from Dorchester commenced on the 12 and finished on the 16 of Dec with a sweet little P.S. from my darling little pets May & Lea-also your letter No. 26 from the 5 Avenue Hotel at Midnight on the 20 of Dec on your way back to Philadelphia-thank you my sweet darling wife for both of these lovely

[50]
letters they will be my food until I hear from you again, I carry them near my heart until they are relieved by fresh ones-I am so glad to learn that you were pleased and made so comfortable at the 5 Avenue Hotel, I shall write to the proprietor and thank him for his attention-and will never put my foot inside of the Astor House unless I compelled to on business-I am exceedingly anxious now to hear how you reached home and how the children bore the journey-darling little things to be up and travelling and midnight-how sleepy they must have been-my calculation is that you reached home on Saturday the 21 about 7 P.M. that your Father retained my letter No. 18 by the spaulding which I think he received on Thursday the 19 to welcome you upon your arrival at your Mothers-was it not so my darling-It was a good long letter and what with talking and reading, and reading & talking you must have been kept pretty busy in the occupation of both that first night of yr arrival in Philadelphia.

[51]
15
Dec 29
Port Royal
57
The weather to day has been perfectly lovely-The Sun bright and the temperature just such as your Father would take pleasure to be in-The stationary that you allude to Mr Groom. I remember distinctly we crossed the Atlantic in July 44 in the Packet ship Liverpool Capt. Eldridge from Liverpool to New York and we had nearly six hundred immigrants on board during the passage.-Mr. Groom had a little lame son with him a boy about ten or twelve years of age-I remember I took a great fancy to this boy-he won or rather we gave him all the bets that we made on the passage-I should like to hear something about him-I wonder if he is alive. It [struck: was] must have been pleasant for you meeting Mr. Groom-and he must have been delighted to make your acquaintance and hear those darlings of ours sing the star spangled Banner-I am charmed to hear that not only on that occasion but also throughout their whole visit

[52]
to their kind Aunty Baker they behaved like such good little girls-tell them so my darling as coming from their papa who loves them more than he can express-After tea last evening young L Mr. G. came on board to see me-he is now attached to the Flag ship Wabash-and is perfectly delighted at being on board of her, I never saw him looking so well in all my life-he is begining to fatten up and will be as large a man as his father-he has now a large pair of black whiskers and mustache-he has heard very frequently from home and it appears that young Lizzy is his content correspondent-he informed me that Lizzy had written to him very recently saying that her Father Genl. McClellan & Burnsides and Fox & Bache had been having several midnight consultations at their house in Franklin square that something was in the wind-but that her Father would not say what it was-so if we put this and that together I expect you will hear before long of a blow being struck that will astonish those

[53]
infernal traitors-I hope so with all my heart-I am very sorry to inform you-that I have understood but I can't say true-that the Fernandina expedition has been abandoned for the present-I have not heard so officially, but such is the rumour-Genl. Sherman I learn has become disgusted and expects to be relieved dont repeat this-I am sorry to hear of it-but I expect he is sick and disgusted with the volunteers he told me that it was impossible to do anything with them-they would rather be confined in the guard house or irons than work-they prefer gambling geting drunk when they can get the liquor-playing cards singing songs to anything else, and the officers are much worse they set them the example-I pity poor Sherman he certainly has laboured like a horse to make these fellows too the mark-he sacrifices all comforts lives in his tent-sleeps upon the ground and fares no better then his men and all to no purpose-perhaps Sherman expects too much from them and would it not be better for volunteers

[54]
to be commanded by volunteers, and then dragoons in by the regulars-On one occasion I remember when on shore at Hilton Head I passed the post of a sentry the fellow was as naked as when he was born washing himself in a stream of water-in that condition he he [sic] hailed me and asked for the "password"-I told him to go to the deavile and passed on-and I am imagine this is the way that many of them perform their duties as sentries-they don't look to me like Americans they remind me more of the Chinese in their soldering then any one I know of-but notwithstanding all this I believe there fellows will fight like tigers when they are set at it-Young LM. G. told me last evening that when he returned he expected to be married-I askd him if he had his eye on any one, and said yes on two-one in Baltimore and the other a daughter of Bennet Forbes in Boston, the latter he preferred-Many a true wood said in jest-and I expect both families would like a matrimonial alliance with the one from the Hyperborean region-Think of Wm.

[55]
16
Dec 30
Port Royal
61
Wirt and Doct Robinson both rabid secessionist and the former Surgeon Genl. of the Rebel Army at Manassas-writing to Louis imploring him to resign with the offer of their influence to procure him the command of the confederate navy-This letter was recd by his wife to be handed to Louis upon his arrival at Boston in the Congress-did you ever hear of such a piece of impudence-now only think of the case of Doct. Robinson-leaving his family of four daughters & four sons by his first wife, and I don't know how many by his second in Baltimore and fleeing into Virginia and joining the Rebels-after which he attempted to revisit his family in the act he was discovered and only make his escape by the skin of his teeth-by having a fleet of horses and fleeing for the second time over the lines-he now ask forgiveness is willing to take the oath of allegiance, and has appealed to [struck: Henry] Alexander Randall and other union men to intercede in his behalf with LM. G.

[56]
to use his influence to have him restored-after writing the joint letter with Wm Wirt and now asking Louis to come to his rescue-strange things will happen some times-The Flag Officer has just sent me word that the Steamer Catawba will sail this afternoon for New York-that our letters must be on board of the Flag ship by three o'clock. I must therefore bring this to a close. Wishing you one and all a happy New Year-I shall think of you all on that day dining with Bessie and shall sincerely wish that I was one of the party-I hope you all will remember me on that day-Kiss my darling pets for their papa and give them my blessing and for yourself my darling and lovely wife my heart is too full to express either my admiration or love both of which is unbounded-God bless and protect you-Ever yr faithful & devoted
Affectionate Husband
John
Monday Dec 30/61 3 P.M.

[57]
I have decided to run the risk and will send by mail on the Catawba this afternoon the $140 mentioned in my No. 18 should it reach safely it will be enclosed in a yellow envelope and directed Official to myself 1414 Pine street I need not say how anxious I shall be to hear that it has arrived all right and I beg you to inform me immediately-

[58]
Parts of no 19.

[envelope-front]
U S Steamer Florida
Port Royal S.C.

Mrs. JR. Goldsborough
No. 1414 Pine Street
Philadelphia

[envelope-back]
Letter in yellow envelope not sent-will be by Trenchard.