Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-03-11


as TO the movements of the Augusta Volunteers:
BARauE May Flower,
oil Florida Reefs, Feb A. lS47.S
DEAR SIR II have just heard that we will
come TO anchor off the port OF Havana, Cuba) and
| will avail myself of the opportunity that will
thus be afforded of informing you of our where
abouts, &c.
We'll, as have not time to write out the notes
have taken, us Imay at future time do, in dc.
tail, will briefly give you some incidents that have
occurred since my last to you from Fort Monroe-
On Saturday the 23d Of january, we came aboard
this vessel, -four companies Of Volunteers, name
ly :-Scott's, Archcr's, liarper's and Bankhcad's
numbering together 3Ol men, exclusive of Officers
Servants, Officers and crew of vessel in all max.
ing about 800 men, a number quite too great for a
vessel whose tonnage is only $50. The whole de-
tachment is under the command of Lieut.. Col Ran
doph, who am pleased to say is quite popular,
and think deservedly so, uniting the sterner quail
tiles OF the soldier with the aiiability of the gen
teman. Well, we were detained ON beard Off
Fort Monroe until Capt. Hitchcock (the command
er of the vcsseD arrived from Norfolk, with his
clearance papers On Tuesday the Goth, at six
O'Clock, a. NJ anchor was weighed and we set
sail, with scant breeze, and dropped down 10 the
Capes, where we Were for some hours beating a
bout for want Of breeze to bear us onward At
9 O'Clock, r. NJ. breeze sprung up, and in short
time we lost sight Of Cape Henry Light House,
and with 1t the shores of Virginia Ga the 2Nh
we had rain and heavy sea, Il something almost
appalling to individuals who had been born and
reared amongst tho mountains OF Virginia, and
some OF whom had never before looked upon water
OF any considerable extent, much less upon the
broad eXpanse of the deep blue waters of the ocean
whose angry suTges seemed anxious, if not TO over
whelm, at least TO strike terror into the minds of
the unaccustoined beholdcr. Sea sickness too,-
loa,hsome nauscating in the eXtreme--began its
work. pOrpOlSCS. as if to mock the deDresson of
spirits, which change of circumstances had pro-
duced, learcd and spoTcd all around us by hun
dreds, if not by thousands, showing us if VIC were
not In cur proper element, that they at least were in
theirs, at home and happy. On Thursday, the
weather continued bad and the sea rough. On this
day sea sickness had reached its height. OF the
Augusta Volunteers, not one dozen were WELL and
on the night of that day, as sat in my bunk about
md ship in the Storage cabin, and by the light of
several lamps, looked upon many faces rendered
haggard by excessive retching and vomiting, TO see
50 many counenances oveIhung with gloon, l
could not but think that il the volunteers should
er return to their homes, though no laurels cncr-
cled their brows though they bore about their per-
sons no honorable scars obtained in fierce conflict,
yet, they could most assuredy say they had suffer-
ed in the service of their country. l could myself
say, had not suffered least. On Friday, the
weather became better, the wind somewhat abated
atintervals the shone out and imperfect observa-
been good. On Saturday, the weather became
clear with but few scattering clouds, and with fair
weather and smooth sea, the sickness rapidly sub
sided. On Sunday morning the sun rose most
beautifully as if out of the deep blue waters and
scarce breeze famed the expanded sail, and old
ocean herself seemed TO look upon the Sabbath as
day of rest. On this day | finished the distribu-
ton of the fine Bibles presented the company by
the Ladies of the Presbyterian Bible Society of
Staunton. The day closed it began-a perfect
calm,-the appeared TO sink quietly into the bo-
som OF the ocean, and we could gaze upon and admire
the prospect surrounding us,-but no where could be
T.. seen the Blue Ridge of Mountains.
| On Monday fine breeze bore us onward. and
we passed near the Island of Abaco This being
the first land we had seen, all eyes appeared to
gaze upon it with delight. This day we saw hun
dreds Of Flying Fish, small species of the finny
tribe which can fly from 20 to 100 yds. On Tues
day and yesterday We were kept by adverse winds
in the neighborhood Of the Bahama Islands, making
/ frequent tacks. This day Thursday we have a
good breeze and have passed the Southern part OF
! Florida.-This day we saw hundreds of porpoises
playing near the vessel On tonight or tomorrow
morning expect to come 10 anchor off the harbor
of Havana, where this will receive its destination
will state that we all as well as could be expect
ed. Capt. Harper suffered much from sen sick
ness, as did his LleutenantS Kinney, GeGcr and
Hartman. But am happy to inform you that he
and they are quite well, and | think the Captain
will be greatly benefited by the trip. 1t is unne-
cessary to say that in present latitude, (beween
"a and 25O NJ the weather is always warm
While you are crowding around the fire for com
fort, we seek 1t in the shade of the vessels sails
/ Ten days ago were in Virginia winter, now
we are in climate where perpetual spring and
summer reign, and frost and snow are not known.
| The transition to all is sudden--to those not ac-
! quaned with geography, surprising.
VIII say word or two more, particularly, i'll
regard to Capt. H. Many feared that he
would not have the ability to suffer the privations
and endure the fatigues incident TO long and a dis
/ ant campaign. In regard to this. can assure his
numerous friends that consider their fears entirely
groundess. Though the sea-sickness for a few days
sat heavily upon him in the few DAYS that have
elapsed since his recovery from it, his general APP
! pearance bespcaks more of health and vgor than
for years past He possesses the affections of the
men, not only of his own command, but OF the
whole detachment In an eminent degree and should
an opportunity offer, in fierce conflict on the bat
tie field, he will be Here-there manfully-nobly
to do his duty. or his subalterns my sheet will
not permit me to speak as | could wish Suffice it
to say they have not, and will not shrink from the
discharge of their appropriate duties
! 10 the friends of the privates in this company
who will not have an opportunity to write before
getting to Point Isabel, will say, that there is no
case OF serious ndisposlton aboard the vessel that
though we have no mountain butter or good sweet
cream, and are for the time being deprived of MANY
small comforts that we would have enjoyed at home
or even in the army on shore. vet we have stout
hearts, and good somachs, and are resolved, what
ever may come, to do our duty.
Yours, &C.,
The Union declares that the 'blow' recently
struck in the Senate, was not confined to the editor
OF that paper, but ''was aimed at the President OF