Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-06-06

ssting. The writer is a Deawarean, and |
belongs to this county.
s. W. Pass, MISSISSIPPI RIvBR,
May lst, 1862.
My DEAR Sister:
Your long and very vel
come letter came TO hand Oh Monday last
also one from father. + | only wish
could see you all to tell you some of the
things | have seen lately ! have passed
through some hard fighting, and many brave
and good men have gone TO their final ac-
count close to me, but / am sound so far
A person can have no idea of what n fight
is on board vessel, without trying it; there
is no dodging or running, and to tell the
truth, there was but one instance Of any
cowar1ice on board this vessel, and that was
by man who should have behaved better.
All acted coolly and done their duty. We
were in the most danger, and were ashore
within one hundred yards ofthe heaviest guns
ON Fort Jackson, but not man tinched. The
vessel was struck by Z balls, which passed
almost through her; 3 of them are now in
our possession. The rest went through from
one side out the other. Only two of our
men were injured in the least, and those not
seriously; one is at work again, and the
other will probably have TO lose his little
finger, right hand.
| was ut New Orleans on Monday, April
18th. 1t looks deserted. We saw the
Union flag hoisted over the city Tuesday
we came down to Fort jackson we found
the Forts had surrendered, and the old flag
flying over them | was ashore at Jack
son, and got lot of trophies, among the
rest rebel drum. will send it and some
more things home, ii get chance soon.
| will send you Sam Guthries enlistment,
also picked up in the Fort.
We have been carrying troops ever since
soming down here again. and are now taking
800 on board for New Orleans. There have
about 5000 already gone up there. We
have had Glen. Butler and Staff on board
for the last A or days. lie went to New
Orleans on our vessel and back, and scent
to have taken great liking for her alto
getl.cr.
DO not write me any war news, as we know
more than the papers do about il. lhel
had New Orleans taken month ago eX
actly We have just passed til,
Forts on our way up the river, and are 60
ing right up TO New Orleans. We have
800 soldiers of the 9th Michigan Regimen
on board with their band, and are SO crowd
ed they have no room to lie down. They
are all on deck the weather however is fine
and has been for long while warm ant
very pleasant, but mosquitoes are plenty
We have only had n few drops of rain dur.
ing the last IS days. 1t is now hali-pas
seven o'clock We will run all night, an,
probably get To New Orleans about s o'clocl
tomorrow friday morning.
FMDAY,-Arrived here at $50, and dis
charged all the soldiers. Glad to get ri'
of them. One died on board at a. m
from sickness and the exposure he was no
used TO. Generally they are very heart.
and healthy, and fine, stout set of men
The New Orleans people generally, il
fact all we have yet seen are most yiolen
secesh, They swear and 20 on at us whe
they get chance at n terrible rate. The
will come out Of that after while We ar
now, s p. M, on our way down the river +
take in coal and provisions, and then I
start up the river to Baton Rouge. Gu
Captain, Smith, is going to leave us an
come home, on account of ill-health, an
we cannot tell who will be sent in his place
Good night have to 20 on deck for
long hours.
, 4th,-Arrived here yesterday afternoon
after lying aground nilr or two up til
river all day viii coal, Nc, to-morrov
and start for New Orleaus as soon as poss
BILE. | will send you secesh postage stamI
4 The picture looks as much like jeff Dayi
a as it does like Lincoln. will also sen
you New Orleans paper of the I'd Of Ma,
TUESDAY, May Finished coaling tn
! morning, and are to start up to New Orleal
y as soon as the engines are ready This
! to go by the Rhode Island She was I
u start on Friday last hut got aground at Ne
Orleans; she is expected every minute no,
The crew are getting rather sickly; ther
are IA or Is of them now sick with th
dysentery. am in the best of health, an
hope by taking care of myself to continr
I so. Good bye.