Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-01-02

night don't suppose two hours of consecutive
rest had been enjoyed by any one on board.
All Saturday night we ''lay to-" not daring to
run for fear of something worse than we had
experienced yet. And this was far worse to
bear, for we knocked about much worse than
we should have done had we run before the
wind. But Sunday and Sunday night were
the dark hours of our passage. The wind
and seas were high, and wave after wave
dashed over us, humping against us, and
making it seem as though we should be en-
tirely submerged in the deep.
But our bodily sufferings during the day
were as nothing compared to our combined
physical and mental sufferings during the
night. We were obliged to put out to sea
during the day, and as night came on, there
was every indication of a great gale. Dark
clouds were banked up along the horizon, and
were chasing each other along the sky, while
the waters surged and seethed along, and
great black waves dashed up against the boats
which made her tremble in every joint. Mat
tiers looked dubious and gloomy. The boats
officers, as they made preparations to meet
the coming storm, could only say, sit looks
bad, in reply to questions upon the subject.
Ropes were frightened, movables dashed still
more firmly, and number stationed them
selves on deck to watch the sky and be pre-
pared for the worst. Between decks an omi-
nous silence prevailed. No one could remain
standing on the deck, and so all were in their
hunks, awaiting with calmness the dreaded
hours of the coming night Occasionally
sob could be heard, and prayers were offered
up by many. Itwas an hour ofmental suffer.
ing, suchsas hope never to experience again.
sleep was not thought of by many as the hours
of night went on, though the storm did not
break on us with such violence as was antic-
pated. But we had enough. 1t was almost
impossible, some of the time, to remain in
the hunks, SO violently were we thrown from
side to side. The rolls were sudden, and
with 'tjerk" which was trying to every sense
and faculty. But all we endured in the body
could not equal our mental suffering, silent
as it was. The constant anxiety of the day
and night, together with its continuance yes
terday, has left us to-day nearly exhausted.
Of course all the time we have had no cooked
food. Hard crackers and water, (worse than
prison fare during close confinement consti-
tuted our food for breakfast, dinner and sup
per, and many had not even that, as it was all
any one cared or dared to do to go to the gal
~ and get them, for he would run the risk of
being thrown from one side of the boat to the
other, without much respect to person. One
man was thus thrown twice, the last roll land
ing him flat on his back on the wet and mud
dy floor, and for the time being injuring and
bruising him. With such examples you may
imagine all did not care to go after their food.
But for the present, thank God, such trials
and anxieties are over. Our passage is draw
ing to a close, as we are move expecting to
make Key West this afternoon.
The first sail spoken on the passage was the
ship g Franklin" from Fort Pickens for Bos-
ton, last Sunday. She was scudding so fast
we could merely find her last port and desti-
nation. But it was like meeting an old friend
to speak sail on this wilderness of waters,
and that one haiing from Boston, too.
Religious services are held on board the
boat every night, conducted by Rev. w. F.
Lacount formerly of Cherry Valley, now of
company F, and holding the position of hos
pital nurse. He is most earnest worker,
and his prayers and exhortations attest to his
sincerity and zeal. He is highly respected
and esteemed, and his influence is clearly and
beneficially felt by all on board.
APPROACHING KEY WEST, }
Afternoon.
We have just taken pilot on board to take
us into Key West, and from him we gather
the last news on shore. He has been piled so
assiduously with questions that it is almost
impossible to gather anything ineligible.
From Burnside we get nothing certain. Oh,
how we long to hear of his triumphant sue
cess, and of the ultimate fall of Richmond.
With success there, our cause is triumphant
everywhere. With defeat there, we feel that
we can be of no use in this part of the coun-
try.
We hear of the loss of the well known
steamer an. Sanford" of Boston, which was
engaged in transporting portion Of the 156th
New York from our old camp. No lives were
l. Al. l.AI..
was complete wreck. The 'Saxon," with a
portion. of our regiment. has been at Key
West, but since gone on, and another one is
now there, supposed to be the ''Shetucket,"
having her machinery repaired. The gales
through which we passed, were severely felt
around here, and the Saxon was obliged to
make a port to escape it. You should see the
happy countenances on board this craft now.
The smell of land fairly gives the blood new
start, and it goes bounding along through our
veins more rapidly than for the past twenty
one days we have been on board.
had nearly forgotten to mention that we
were spoken about noon by one of the block
aiding squadron. No flag was hoisted as there
should have been, and we had a notification
to raise it forthwith, or we should have a shot,
The guns of the gunboat were run out, and
preparations were made to carry the threat
into execution, when the glorious old stars
and stripes were raised at the peak, and the
vigilant gunboat stood on another tack. 1t is
the first sign of life in any of our blockading
. squadron anywhere, and nothing but common
dation was heard from the soldiers. We have
seen several blockaders, but none seemed to
care to hail us before. Off Charleston one
did attempt to follow us, but after getting with
in two or three miles, turned about and left
us. There seems to be no reason why any
rebel craft cannot pass down the Atlantic
coast unmolested. If one vessel can, there
is certainly no risk in others attempting it.
This letter l shall mail at Key West,
though cannot guess when it will start north
ward. Mails are decidedly irregular here,
and you may hear from me at some point be-
fore receiving this. Perhaps at Ship Island.
Who knows? 1t may be from Texas. Or
can tbe from somewhere on the Mississippi
E.
P. ST. find have just time TO write that
we have arrived at Key West, and had run
on shore. We have New York dates to the
18th inst, and hear from Burnside and from
as near home as possible. Matters are quiet
here, and have not time now to write you
even a sketch of what little news is afoat.
The Saxon and Shetucket have both been
here, and the severity of the late gales is at
tested by many vessels that have put in here
and Tortugas for repairs.
KEY WEST, FLA, Dec. %, 1862.
My last letter, If it has reached you, in
formed you of our safe arrival here. We
haze Io;,, tL ,,,I,, OF tiua