Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1864-02-19
Correspondence Of the Gazette.
kETTER PROM THE NAVY.
u. s. FRiGArE MisNvserA,


u. s. FWGArE hlsSxserl
Hampton Roads, Va.
Nov. 15.-After reading the articles Of war
to day, the Captain observed ~ would
say TO you, new men lately come on board,
that you will find the articles Of war hung up
in front Of the cabin any time, and would
advise you to peruse them, so that you may
not commit yourselves unknowingly."
Yesterday morning, ono Of the Roanokc's s
boats saw torpedo floating down from James
River. They nade fast tot aud towed it
ashore at Newport News. saw about $50
soldiers looking at it, and soon great smoke
as big as this ship ascending Fl ON it. when
found it was about one mile from u.s. We
have small picket gunboats stationed up the
river, prowling about all night, to stop all
boats that may be coming down with Internal
machines or for observation.
Dec 8. General Butler and Staff on board
to-day He looks we'll No change since
saw him on board two years ago. Dressed
in full uniform. Cooked hat, with black os.
trich feather; blue coat and pants; boots
and spurs revolver and sword. We gave
him salute Of thirteen guns and of he went
in cloud Of smoke. Lieut. Fyfe gave a
glass Of whisky 10 each Of the quarter gun
ners for firing so good salute. TO fire a
salute well, about fifteen seconds should in
tcrYene between each report.
9th..-Capt. Upshur came on board to-day,
and inspected ship and crew. He announced
himself as Capt Of the ship. Said that he
would do every thing for the comfort Of the
ships company. They all say that, remind
ing me of actors on the stage Sincere thanks,
happicst moments of life, and the deuce
knows what. Our Captain however may
mean what lac says. We shall see. Small
man, close shaved, very prim, ard Of very
intelligent expression. He is son of Upshur
of Tyler'S cabinet who was killed by the ex.
plosion Of the big gun OH board the Prince.
ton.
1lth.-Daylisht is announced by Joe Civ
ing blast on his busle: Traars! Tra.ta-
tate ia Trsa-aI sT, &c. Then FIFE and
drum with lively airs for seven or light min
utts. The Sentries discharge their muskets
and the watch is supposed 10 be alive. Then
word is passed to wash decks. In one hour
they are washed and swabbed dry. At 7
o'clock all hands are called, yards squared,
rigging hauled taut. This brings US to s
o'clock and breakfast. ~ Our new Captain
is turning rything topsy ,ufsy. lie wants
things done this way and that way, ditty-
bags and boxes to be kept ont Of sight, the
men uniforms to be changed as, for Instance
two rows of white around the collars of blue
shirts, with star in each corner ala ha ~
says one, mo tape in the shipn' "Ahp
says another, "thc purser has sent for tape"
Says third, 81 won't put it on" "Oh! but
they will make you" says fourth. Irather
think they will obey.
13th.--All hands called aft, when Lieut..
J. c. Upshur, commanding Flag ship Mime.
sofa, read paper written by himself 1t
stated that a great deal of prolane language
was used on board, which was degrading,
not christian, and he hoped they would do
away with it.
16th.--One Of our earlier Captains, Van
Brunt, is dead Died at his home in Ded-
ham, Mass. Three Of our old First Lieuten.
ants are dead. Wainwright was killed on
board the Harriet Lane, at Galveston, fight
ing till the last. Reed was wounded on the
Mississippi and died soon AFTER Worden--
the tall, genteel, best dressed man ever saw
in the service-died Of fever, at Pensacola.
Yesterday, at quarters Commander Upshur
examined the captains Of the guns. pre-
sumo they all gave satisfaction. Here is the
interview between him and me:
Com.-How do you sight gun? Us po-
litely informed.) Very well Now We will
suppose the shore to be 700 yards off, (The
slide or sight is placed at 700 yards; the
elevating screw is turned.) Well?
1.-The gun is on the object. (I then
handed the lanyard to the Commander. He
run his eye along the sights and pronounced
-"Very well."O
One of our men keeps school on the gun
deck, day and evening, a canvass screen
being put on the after part Of the deck.
Sperm candles are allowed him, and as he
pays no rent and has a fee from each pupil
and his regular wages going on, he must
make something by his twenty pupils. !
think he will make little and bis pupils too
if they give attention. Their ages vary from
20 to 40. - General Butler is giving work
TO poor women in Norfolk and paying them
for it. wonder if the London Times will
publish that Ths General is true to the
cause.