Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1862-01-03

said l. He dropped the notes and gave me
two halfeagles. aaaa.gr7a. as Vi. @.s.aa
Nov. 19.--Thcy are buzzing it around
here about our taking the lead in the next
expedition. Very likely. We have had
pretty good spell of quietness. five 60 and
can attend to it. will give you an account
Of what see. base s-se .s.a as.rs~ '.s. a#
Nov. 20. Steamer Louisiana came in this
morning with troops. go ashore to-day at
three O'Clock in small steamboat that runs
back and forth from ship to shore. Just got
liberty from First Lieutenant Grafton. "Will
you call at the express office and see If there
is anything for Lieutenant Grafton ?" Oh |!
Of course, most certainly. Would do any
thing for him only let the get my feet on ter
ra firma. Have been OH board nearly seven
months. Then have liberty on shore for the
first time, and from three O'Clock till stinset
Truly, Iought to be thankful. Lieut. Grafton
said the Captain was not in favor Of men
going ashore. / argued the point; yes, in
deed, with the First Lieutenant of frigate
and the flagship at that He looked, he
hesitated, he gave in, he surrendered and
said, I" Yes" touched my cap and thanked
him. --.. .. ...sa t.-....-. ... .F.s.l, I..,r
| Nov. 21.-Yestcrday afternoon left the
ship, on board the steam-tug Rescue, tender
to the ship. At r. N. we cast off from the
frigate and was clear from the authority Of
the Commodore and the whole string of off,
GERS under him. In few minutes We were
alongside the mailboat wharf The Chap.
lain was on board with He As we walked
together to the express Office, contrabands
and sentrics saluted us Cam not sure
that was included.) Arrived at the Fort
Express Office closed. Chaplain tapped at
the window. Would be obliged very much
if they would open. Did notknow that they
closed SO early. One looked through the
window. Chaplain being an officer The door
was opened. lie transacted his business.
transacted mine. Left the Office and went
to the Suffers to make numerous purchases
for my shipmates, such as linen, plaid, paper
&c. Left the Suffers and made for the
ramparts. Arrived, and was looking down
upon the shipping when Dutch sentry who
was on the very top Of the ramparts politely
told me that I " skot not 60 dare." beat
retreat. 1t reminded me Of the famous
leader who with twenty thousand men
marched up the hill and then marched down
again. was cross at the Dutchman and
scowled at every Dutch soldier met after.
ward-of whom there are many at the fort
Time was short. l was to leave for the ship
at sundown or be on shore all night and be
put in the Brig next day. Found had no,
time to examine the fort. Turned my atten.
ton to officers on horseback, dogs, wenches
washing, cooking, grinnng, and negroes
walking about lazily. They were of every
hue. rr-. 10 vs-.,.s ... g..ta. 3
| r. I" S"r.e was black. Some was backer. .. ..-'r
And some was the color Of a chaw tobaker"
had on Pixies coat on account of the big
pockets. Bought sweet potatoes (boled).
Bought cakes from the wenches, who insisted
that they were good, and so they proved to
be when | got on board. Bought two ap
pies. Eat part of one. Proved to be hard
Do very well in case they run short of shot
Pockets by this time full to the top. .,.
No whisky at the Fortress, except for the
initiated Did not see any myself. Plenty
of lager. Could get whisky by little un.
derground work If chose. Did not choose
Saw only two soldiers slightly touched by
the :" crater" Some soldiers were drilling,
some drawing wood, some shoveling coal
Talked with one. Told him thought we
would give them a touch pretty soon. Said
he was on hand, that it was into his hand
like game Of euchrc Left soldier and
walked out of the Fortress. Within the
Fortress there are well-painted houses, in
blocks and separate, cottages, shanties, nice
ly-paved sidewalks, &c.,--a regular village
where you can buy anything, from barrel
Of flour to cakes two for cent. The fort
is build Of hcwn granite. It is surrounded
by a ditch, about sixty-iive feet wide, partly
filled with water. With two thousand men
to defend it, to take it would be no trfling
job. They have any quantity of cannon
mounted and plenty not mounted and round
shot by the thousands of tons ss-r H.,
At sunset, Iwent down to the wharf. In
few moments the Hescte came along and
I went on board Of her. Shortly the Chap
lain appeared. lie had big bouquet, the
gift Of ladies' presume. At all events he
seemed to admire the flowers He looked at
them, smiled at them. 10, to be Chaplain
Of the Minnesota and lay at Hampton Roads y
Boat cast off and was on my way to the
frigate. It was like going home. knew
that the mess had been to supper They
would enquire for me, for had not missed
meal with them for more than half year.
AS we neared the ship, could hear the
Boatswain's mates piping for this and that,
hoictino IN nf hoafs &c Al 1oc< vrn ,,,,.o