Dederer, Nicholas A. (fl. 1862-1863) to Peter B. Rathbone
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04703.02 Author/Creator: Dederer, Nicholas A. (fl. 1862-1863) Place Written: s.l. Type: Letter Date: 23 circa November 1862 Pagination: 12 p. : docket. Order a Copy
Continued on 24 November and 25 November. Written on board Transport Thames near Fortress Monroe. The ship carried General Emory's Brigade. Provides instructions for dispensing money he sent home. Describes attending "Divine Worship" on the ship (which was more solemn than any service he ever attended), and discusses food available. Notes that he went to Fortress Monroe to "liberate" some of his men who were arrested for shooting a duck outside the fort. Sailing near "Severe Point" a rebel battery that had been destroyed by the guns of Fortress Monroe from a distance of five miles, and passes by the spot where the Merimac lies. Relays rumors of their assignment being either guard duty in Texas or supporting [General Ambrose] Burnside. Discusses men feigning illness to avoid duty; seven men in the hospital have the measles, and due to overcrowding on the ship, one section from each company must remain on deck at all times. While at Norfolk he notes a female mail carrier named Mrs. Johnson, a resident of Norfolk, who is a prisoner. At the time of her arrest she was carrying over 1500 letters bound for Richmond, Virginia. Also a black prisoner who was arrested for killing a Union soldier is described: "as fine a specimen of a man physically speaking, as I ever beheld in the shape of a Negro, of Massive strength and beautiful symmetry and very good looking, and having only the remnant of an old blanket about him, gave us a firm opportunity to see his form."
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