Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1864-05-20
-.,...- Correspondence Of the Gazette.
LETTER FROM THE NAVY,
U. 8. GuNBoAr sHAwsnsss.

Ank An" TUOu AknA NAVxs
US. GuSpoAr sHAwsmsss. |
| March 18th, 1854. (
We are at anchor three miles up q creek
that runs into the Chesapeake. The darkics
are strong here. The whites are secesh. The
men keep it to themselves, but the women
talk it right out and sing it at the top Of their
voices. This, with dancing, and hatred Of
the yankees seems to constitute their
education, their accomplishments, and their
religion. = A big Newfoundland dog
came on board Of US at Yorktown. lie is an
intelligent gentleman in comparison with the
F. F.'s Of this region. He is now lying, with
his great head between his great paws, look
ing at me, and specializing perhaps upon the
nature Of my correspondence. y = The in
habitants here might do we'll in farming, but
they prefer fishing and hunting.
15th.--Of Yorktown. Twas on shore to-
day. Strolled into graveyard. Read this
among other tombstone Inscriptions Evil
liam Nelson, President Of His Msjcstie's
Council, in His Majestic's Dominions. Died
Nov 10th, l772." Some inscriptions were
as early IS the 18th century. The grave
yard is in ruins, fence down, and fortifca.
tons surround it. A fne, large, splendid
old brick mansion stands nearly opposite the
churchyara. The brick were brought from
England. The present owner is Mrs. Mel,
son, a descendant of the above named. 1t
has sort of melancholy appearance now.
1t was Cornwals's head quarters and Wash
inSton's, as lady in news shop near by
told me.
17th.--In the Chesapeake, cruising Was
ashore yesterday, working. Saw remains Of
a camp. Cruised up and down creeks. Land.
ed frequently. All pretend to be Union.
Darkies say that they lie. We intend to in.
tercept the mail boat on her passage from
Hampton Roads to Yorktown, to take OF one
Of our engineers and get letters. Day Gue.
Numerous boats gathering oysters along the
shore. 3r. M.--just returned from the mail
boat. People continually playing cards and
dominoes for money, cards being winked al
here. These Virginia farmers have a
very indolent, lazy way. Don't know, "
and Reckon So is about all you can gel
out Of them. =" We anchor every nigh,
and weigh anchor about three times day.
20lh.-Captain made a few observations
to-day at muster. He wanted no swearing
Wanted vigiiant lookout at night. Want
ed every one to move quick and at first call
iSrew should be well treated and have every
lvilege consistent with good discipline
II We have knowing boy on board
Knows everything. Spun me twister the
other night. Been ten months in the Con.
federate service. Was in Fort Darling when
part Of our feet bombarded it. All the dam.
age we did was the cutting q midshipman in
two with shot. He was in the Yorktown
after our affair with the Merrmac. If you
recollect, we had the Yorktown, Teazer, Rol
la and another, beside the Merrin,ac, at us at
once for an hour.
24th.-Of Yorktown. Been up the Po.
quosin. For 80 hours it showed, blowed,
and froze continually. The other night the
first officer with four Of us rowed two miles
from the boat and laid close under land to
intercept blockade runners who run up the
creeks with contIaband goods in small boats.
After four hours watching and chilling we
returned without prize. Last eve the Cap.
tain with ten volunteers went inland two
miles after guerilla. The guerilla showed
papers, proving that he had taken the oath,
and was Union Of course.
25th.-Rappahannock River. We left
Yorktown with a schooner, sloop, and scow
in tow, and eight boats on deck, bound for
Washington, D. c. These vessels and boats
were prizes. The wind being high, we put
into Mobjack Bay, after losing two boats.
OFF WASHINGTON NAVY YARD.
2sth.-Left the Rappahannock yesterday
It blowing fresh, we put back again. Wind
dying away, we put out in tie afternoon
Arrived at the mouth of the Potomac at 6
p. n. Arrived at Pny Point at midnight.
At IA. N. cast off and stood up the river.
The day was fine. Many vessels passing up
and down. The country is all hill and dale,
pretty thickly wooded with pines, and dotted
with farms and houses. In some places the
bank breaks off abruptly. In others it
slopes gently down to the waters edge. Al
We proceeded the water became fresh and
muddy. Passed Mount Vernon in the after.
noon. Passed Alexandra. 1t is built prin.
cipally Of brick and must have been -four
ishng town. Many vessels lying at the
wharves with coal, hay, &c. On the other
side. in tho distance loomed the dome of the
capitol. At P. M. made fast to the buoy.
The whole passage was delightful. The
waters smooth as mirror, the green banks,
the white houses, the ever changing and al
ways charming view-never, thought, did
river look so fine as the Potomac to-day.
- Distances from Yorktown to Washing.
ton 2O0 miles, from Mount Vernon to w. 25,
from Alexandra to w. 7. was ashore
at the Navy Yard this afternoon. Saw many
guns that had been taken from the rebels.
Among the rest two that we took on the
Carolina coast. Not many sailors here.
saw one Of the Minnesotas who has been q
prisoner in Richmond and is on parole. Saw
two men in irons for violence to shperiors.
No one can visit the Navy Yard without a
pass, and after P. N. you must have the
countersign. = Across the river, opposite
the Navy Yard, is Maryland Heights. On
this side, Arlington Heights, with houses q,
the base and half way up. On the submits
are numerous Notifications, as can be seer
by the brown earth and the Stars and Stripes
waving from long flag. stats.