Oxford Times February 26, 1862
Cape Hatteras, N. Carolina, February 4th, 1862
I have a few leisure moments, and have thought best to occupy them in writing a few lines for our friends, not because I have any particular news, or that we have had any great exploits to surprise them with, but because I thought a few lines would interest them; that we are right in the land of old secesh, wallowing through the sands of Pamlico Sound; the boys call it Dixey. It is surely sandy bottom and a hard road to travel also.
We have had rather a hard time for a few weeks. While on the vessel, we were not fed quite as well as we were accustomed to. Hard crackers and coffee was all we had. It was not all the time we could get water to make coffee. At one time our water was used up. A storm came up which lasted four days, the hardest storm that has been known here in a number of years. Not being able to get to the shore, were without water three days, except a little rain water we caught which run down the mast and off the deck, which was all dirt and tobacco spit. It didn't relish very well. We were glad to get it however, as it was. All these things brought on home sickness. Sea sickness set in which left us in rather an unpleasant condition. What a pitiful sight to stand on the forecastle and see the row of heads hung over the railing, to see them work with the ship. When the ship heaves, they heave too. Next comes a spray over the decks, which piles them all in a heap. Then go down into the midship. What a spectacle is before you. Half a dozen heads over one sub, as many over another, on their knees giving over their accounts. In their faces can be seen and read very distinctly the old poem, "Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home," or in other words, "why did I ever roam, O shall I never see again those dear old folks at home."
Well, such is a soldier's career. It is a combination of events, adventures, hardships, privations, of sorrow (thoughts of home) of fun and frolic and lately of hard work, which when taken together is rather romantic.
We left Washington, Jan. 5th, went to Annapolis to join Burnside's Expedition, arrived there at 9 P.M., slept on the cars that night, The next morning we marched to the Navy Yard where we stood in the snow all day waiting for the transports to take us on board our vessel. It snowed the night before to the depth of two inches. We suffered not a little with the cold. The transports did not arrive that day as was expected, so at night we marched to a meeting house. Part of us took lodgings there, the remainder of the regiment slept in the college buildings. The next morning we were taken on board the transport, which took us on board the A--- Our quarters there were not very comfortable, we were stowed in like a lot of hogs, as tight as we could possibly be squeezed. We received our pay the day we went on board. I think our regiment did well. For the first payment they sent home over $30,000, which was more than any other regiment has done, I think.
We sailed with the fleet Jan. 9th, cast anchor 12 o'clock midnight in the bay, on account of the fog; set sail at 6 A.M., arrived at Fortress Monroe, at 12 o'clock, noon. Cast anchor under the walls of the Fortress.
Weighed anchor Jan. 12th. Cast anchor off Cape Hatteras 2 P.M., Jan. 13th. Blew a hard gale all day and night. Our position is considered dangerous. The storm increased. The next day a steamer is wrecked in attempting to pass the inlet, also one or two schooners. The storm abates the next day. We pass the inlet into the sound (Pamlico), all safe. Our Captain and Lieut. Rooms think they will go on shore in a small boat, assisted by Mr. Wilbur and others. The swell of the sea is rather rough and as they shove out from the shore to come back to the vessel, a wave comes and capsized them all handsomely in the briny deep. The next wave sets them on shore again, all right. They succeed in getting their boat to a point where it is less rough and reach the ship with no serious injury. As they came along side we gave three hearty cheers for Capt. Gurnsey's Expedition. Don't know as they appreciated it much. They looked rather sheepish as they climbed over the bulwarks of the ship and hunted their holes immediately, and were not seen much on deck till the next morning, when they came out brighter than ever, after their salt water bath.
Nothing of note has occurred since we have been on the sound. Five contrabands made their escape from Plymouth, and came to us. They were fired at on their way by the Rebels. They are with us on the Island.
We were landed at Fort Hatteras Jan. 28th, marched 6 miles up the coast, pitched our tents at camp Windfield, and glad enough to get on terra firma once more.
The soil is sandy. It is covered with small timber, scrub oak and other kinds which I cannot mention. The inhabitants are mostly fishermen, once in a while, a farmer. They raise corn, sweet potatoes, figs, &c. We are living like kings. Now we gather oysters and clams on the beach, buy potatoes, fish and eggs. On the whole we are a happy crew. The Regiment is in good spirits and good health generally. We received our first mail yesterday, which was received as a hungry man receivers his rations. Gen. Williams is our commanding General, and puts us through eight hours each day. he tells us we shall soon meet the rebels.
The land here is very swampy, and the inhabitants tell us they have to shut up their cattle in hot weather to keep the mosquitoes from carrying them off. The weather is now pleasant, the birds sing to us, and it is not unpleasant to hear the robins in the morning, which to us seems like spring. I must close, as our [-?-] starts today.
T.C. Dexter?
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