Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Soldier's Letter, Civil War, May 1862

 Oxford Times, June 25, 1862

U.S. Gun Boat Kittatinny, Off Ft. Livingston, La., May 1, '62

Ed. of Times:  On the 27th April, Fort Livingston surrendered to the Gunboat Kittatinny, and the 2d Division of Captain Potter's Mortal Fleet.  The rebels spiked all the guns and threw the powder and shell into the well before leaving. They then hoisted the white flag of surrender.  Immediately upon the discovery of it, boats from the Kittatinny and the Mortal Fleet put off for the Fort.  Our boats reached the shore first, and soon over the parapets the stars and stripes floated to the breeze, while from the decks of our vessels arose three hearty cheers mingled with the stirring strains of the fife and drum, to the tune of the Star Spangled Banner.  The Fort is casemated, and armed as follows:  9 thirty-two pounders, one 30-pound rifle, three 12-pounders, and one 24-pounder, commanding the gateway.  We are now in possession of it, awaiting the arrival of troops from Ship Island, where we have sent for them. We then expect to leave for Mobile, Ala., which is the next place of attack, New Orleans being already in our possession. Some of us may never return, but we have the satisfaction of knowing that we lay down our lives upon the altar of our country's liberty.

The following is a list of our officers:  Master Commanding, C.W. Lamson; Master and Ex-Officer, S. Mattison; Master, E.E. Pendleton; Paymaster, D.D. Clarke (formerly of Smithville Flatts), Masters Mates, G.W. Riley, John Gregorian; Paymaster's Clerk, Henry Walleston, paymaster's Steward, Joseph Wallace.

Yours, D.D.C.

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