Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-12-10

Correspondence Of the Worcester Spy.
REAIrEnRr N @ Nov 90 Is


BEAUFORT, n. c., Nov. 80, 1862.
The Merrimack safely landed the 5lst regi
ment near this place this afternoon. We made
the light early Saturday morning; but owing to
the heavy swell have not till now been permitted
to go over the bar. Our steamer is three hum
bred feet long and draws sixteen feet of water.
1t was built for the New Orleans and Boston
trade and is not calculated for the shallow waters
of the North Carolina coast. The Mississippi
with the Massachusetts Sth on board is waiting
for us to unload, when we shall both take the
cars for Newbern
Our voyage out was somewhat rough and
heavy gale off Point Hatteras had the usual effect
on a ship load of landsmen. Many of the men
will never go to sea again if they can possibly
avoid it. Their quarters on ship board were not
the most cheerful that could have been devised,
and the men who managed the stewards de-
partment persisted in regarding the men as SO
much freight. A sea-sick man just recovering
his appetite found it impossible to get a cup of
tea or bowl of cruel or any deicaey, notwith-
standing there plenty aboard and money
was offered. But thanks to God the sun shone
most of the time and the deck was free to all.
SA'CpS ~ rANNt va NSNAA
a moonlight night they presented comical sight
tightly wrapped in their blankets, their heads
and feet covered, -loD king like so many bags of
grain scattered about. In some places they
would pile up in pyramids, where they costly
slept till morning, disturbed only by an OCCASION
al lurch of the vessel which would oil the sleep
ers across the deck
Thanksgiving day will long be remembered by
the ffty-firs regiment. Pilot bread and coffee
constituted the dinner of such as had an appe-
tite The only vessel that came within reasoIa-
Bile distance during the voyage, was Spanish
brig, which hove in sight that day. long
speculation to the character of the craft occu-
pied the attention of the crowded decks. 1t was
finally satisfactorily settled that it was not the
pirate Alabama. The steamer Mississippi next
turned up in that character. Her smoke pipe
dimly seen through the mist and suspicious
flag flying at the stern, excite The most lively
apprehenSions among those who did not under
stand the captains were Signalling each other
and that the suspicious tri-color was only sig
nal flag, saying GLOW do you dc? ?" to which our
captain made proper reply.
To-day we feel we are in a warmer climate
Overcoats an incumbrance in the day time,
and boat load of negroes are picking up The
tall hats which accidentally drop overheard.
About hundred hats have drifted astern on our
passage from Boston. Sunday services on deck
this forenoon, were conducted by our chaplain,
Rev. Mr.. Cummings The good old tunes of
New England were sung with fervor and
the discourse by the chaplain WAS very i'm
pressive, and his illusions TO home and its
blessed influences brought The tears to mary
eyes. Rev. Mr.. Barnard of Warren street chapel,
Boston, also spoke to the soldiers, and the SER
vices were closed by the singing Of Old Hundred.
1t was an impressive scene, and had its influence
on the negro boatmen, who rested on their oars
until the last strain of music had floated away.
Even the turbulent ocean was calm on this hal
lowed day, and the star spangled banner floated
peacefully overdstant fort Macon, as if no such
thing as war was known
The men are all writing letters to go back in
mail which closes to-day; and this is one of
them. Every one is we'll and will be thankful
for letters addressed to them at Newbern.