Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-10-25
LETTER. FROM FORTRESS MONROE
Correspondence Of the Journal and Statesman.
LETTER No. A.
Fortress MONROE Va, I
Monday night, October 81.

FoRTREss MONROE, Va,
Monday night October 2l,
FmESD EcKEL
As a self-constituted committee Of
one on correspondence relating to the First
Delaware Regiment, it becomes us to inform
YOU by what prHpulsive measures said Regiment
was transferred from Hare's Corner to this famed
locality in secessia.
As you are aware, we struck our tents on Sun
day morning, aud marched to Newport, which
place we left at twelve O'Clock, large number
of persons being present to witness our depart
ure the cars transported us to Baltimore where
we arrived at four o'clock in the afternoon. An
immense throng Of citizens was on the street
handkerchiefs waved from the windows, and
hats were swung in the air, and wthal the de-
monstratiOn Of union feeling WIS quite satisfac-
tory We were detained in that city several
hours in consequence Of the amount of baggage
that had to be carted from the cars to the
steamer. To give you an idea of the necessary
accom- animents OF military organization, we
will state that sixty wagon loads of baggage
wers transported from our encampment at the
Corner The boys became quite tired of waiting
in the monumental city so long their KNAPP
sacks and haversacks were heavy, for in addi-
tion to their blanket, Oyer-ooat aud other effects,
they were obliged 10 take along with them
cooked rations. After being marched down to
the wharf and finding that the boat would not
leave for some time, they one by one broke
ranks in very orderly manner, aud took seats
upon the curbs where they stld until the last
load was brought down. No incident OF note
occurred, save one. One young man in attempt
ing to go on board the boat, and unmindful of
the dangers Of shower bath, stepped into the
river after dark, making quite a splurge with
some difficulty, he was extricated he came out
il not n wiser, at least wetter man. Finally
everything was in readiness for our departure /;
our effects hud all been slowed away; all the
companies were marched on; the order was
given "all aboard" ropes were thrown off from
the wharf, and the steamer louisiana, with
freight Of one thousand beings, at just nine
o'clock started upon her voyage.
The Putupsc1 as the boa: pOughed her waters
mnde quite pleasant scene with the moon to
leave patches OF silvery light upon the rippled
surface the lights along the shore reflected
themselves the wind was gentle, just sufficient
to fan the brow heated by day OF excitement
and the night was such as one could enjoy.
But what picture was presented on board of
that crowded boat No sooner did the men find
themselves on her, than exhausted nature as
serted her supremacy; for very expeditiousy
did oil begin TO bestOw themselves for the night
and soon every available foot Of space was oecu.
pied from the hurricane deck to the lowest cahin
all the hunks and the state rooms were filled
and the floors on all the decks were strewn with
sleeping forms. The picturesque Zouave dress
white and dark blankets, sheepskn legg MS
black knapsacks, were prominent by the light ol
the lamp in the cabin, and by the light Of the
moon on deck all took it in true soldierlike
style, only intent upon finding some few inches
OF space for recumbent posi;iOn; every nook
was seized upon and appropriated; barrels and
boxes served as n resting pacs for some. aud
packages Of canvass for others; some had KNAPP
sacks for pillows, whilst others had no head est
at oil. All were slowed away about as thckly
MS sardines IN box, and one could scarcely step
about the floors without treading upon some
one. Occasionally the steam whistle would
sound, aud the hoarse notes would cause u SC re
OF heads 10 pop up in amaze Mt the unlocked for
noise. The men were quiet, for they were too
sleepy to be otherwise.
From our log we note that we passed the fleet
of Annapolis at half-past eleven o'clock the
lights were numerous aud beautiful the stars
now came out more brightly, aud the night in-
creased in eplendor. We now went down in the
saloon appropriated for the officers, whom we
found discussing the affairs of the country and
their cigars, supper having been disposed Of
Soon the saloon was nearly vacated, the ma jori-
" having Ietirel to their state rooms. We threw
ourself down upon the floor, made n pillow of
our overcoat, aud soon fell asleep. Flna ly all
slept. At four in the morning awoke, arose, and
walked out upon deck the breeze was stilfening
and the waves were increasing in volume Every
body was astir by six little sea sickness thus
far. The men opened their haversacks and
made an inroad upon the contents some were
nibblng at a cracker and others cake, whilst
others were engaged upon slice Of meat The
gong sounds for breakfast, and not nm officer is
missing at the table; they preserve their appe-
tites remarkably well. The band now goes upon
deck, and whilst we are sailing between two
hostile shores, plays " The Star Spanged B m
ner;" under these circumstances, they were
soul-inspiring strains, and all felt it; what emo
tiona did they give riee to there was virtue in
that music, and force in that sentiment, ind we
felt not like excursionists, but as men bound on
au eirand in which such con give us inspiration
The sea now became what sailors term choppy;
the wind increased and the steamer rocked; those
that had not their sea legs on reeled like drunk
en- men, and soon there was a general upheav-
ing nature was convulsed, and the contents of
the stomach elected. What hopeless looking
cases were those sea. sick men faces pale, per.
spiration pouring from them, a wrelcbed feeling,
help to make up the case the salutation on ali
sides was " how do you feel ?" "are you sick ?"
What laugh was created when some poor fell
low would run to the side of the boat to offer up
his tribute to old Neptune But as we ap-
preached Fortress Monroe the sea became
smoother and the sick ones began 10 recover
At ten o'clock we arrived at the wharf and
marched over TO this encnmpment situated
about three-iourths of mile from the Fortress
No sooner did our regiment arrive on the
ground than the rain began to fall The bag
gage wagons came up, and the men Immediately
began TO pitch their tents, and long before night
they had everything as comfortable and as trim
as they could have it in this section. There be.
ing no straw, they proceeded to another portion
of the field, where they broke off armfulls OF
high weeds TO cAipet their tents with.
Now, something as to our position. There is
nothing familiar to the eye everything is new
to us. When We first stepped on the wharf we
did not feel much at home, there was SO much
that We had not been accustomed TO. We expe-
renced, we imagine, the sensations Of cat in
strange garrett But we are going to adapt our
self to our new temporary residence as soon as
we can. There is an exclusively military aspect
pervading the entire place. Te large fleet IN the
harbor, the frowning guns in the Fort, the mill
tary dress, the various encampments, all CON
spre to point out some earnest work to be ao-
cOmplished. We have been here but few
hours, yet we have already seen much, and
learned that our much respected regiment will
have a chance to show the character of its COM
positiOn there will be no danger of its resting
here for want Of something to do; it's attention
will not be directed to the mOnotonOus business
of guarding railroads and bridges; there will be
no inactivity; all will be action, action. We
are now in the heart OF an enemys country
Our pickets extend only about mile from here.
But our men do not regret their approximation j:
it is Just what they have been desiring, and now
they are gIaiifed. Thtir situation does not ap-
pear to trouble them, for tonight they are sing
ing, laughing and making merry. Though the
rain is descending, their spirits are exuherant.
There are camps oil around us; Little Dea-
ware and Little Rhode Island are side by side !;
the Pennsylvania Forty-eighth is near US. To
both of these regiments ome Of us were indebt-
ed for certain marks Of favor shown us about
dinner lime to.daY Our T. Rimeut has received