Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1864-07-07
Soldiers Letter.
OK BOARD GUNBoAT KENwooD, !
nrl, II ,N-ot- C.n L., Iunn 81 'Gl I

ON DOARD GUNBOAT NENNOOD,
Orr BAYOU SARA, Ia, June 2l, '6i
.Nessrs. Editors.
Having nothing whereby
to occupy my attention this morning, and
time hanging rather heavily, | concluded
that the best way to employ it proiitably
would be by writing to you, and giving you
my opinion of, and experience in, gunboat
life.
With the word gunboat is associated
many of the stirring events which are daily
occurring. To them it is chiefly owing that
we have full possession of the Mississippi
River and most of its tributaries To them
the army is indebted for its continued sue
cess in this part of the country. When at
home frequently heard people say that if
they should evcrenter the service, they woe
prefer gunboating to any thing else, from
the idea that they would be exposed to less
hardships and dangers. | thought would
be treat. Well, | have tasted, quafied
the cup--it is held to my lips, the contents
are in my mouth-may the devil take me If
can swallow it.
1t was a beautiful morning in February
last, when | first set foot in the Queen City
of the West with the laudablc (that is the
word used by your Union men, | believel
design of enlisting in the gunboat service
After visiting all the places Of note in the
city. | proceeded to the rendezvous, where
| met Captain Bowen, mild, gentlcmanly
man, with benevolent looking countcn-
ance, who gave me all the information L
desired, and in fact, more than | really
stood in need Of for had his predictions
proven true, certainly would have been
Rear Admiral ere this.
After leaving the rendezvous proceed
cd TO the Receiving Ship" where | spent
about week. was then put aboard a
boat bound for New Orleans, then trans
ferred to the 'Kenwood,' and am now
patiently awaiting the arrival of the first
day of March next, when [ can bid the
gunboat service a lasting farewell.
You will, no doubt wonder at this, and
imagine that gunboating must be preferable
to the land service; that we have no march
ing, no knapsacks to carry, and not expos
ed to the weather That is true, we are
not exposed to the weather, but to some
thing worse, viz: to the insults of molly
crowd of American Citizens Of African
descent" "Poor white trash. " Dam
ned Yankees. Had to come into the
navy to make a living" Damned liars,
etc, are some Of the mildcst expressions
they use when speaking to us. No doubt
you will say you would make them measure
their length upon the deck; but should you
do so, should you attempt to chastise one
of these "Chldren of the Government,
as they so richly merit, you could have the
! pleasure Of spending a few days i'll the
brig" and, probably in double irons -
Perhaps you will think that few days
punishment would be easily borne; but
few days of confinement in the brig" il
this weather would seem an eternity, anC
the knocking down Of niger would be ;
poor recompense, knowing, as you would
that Sambo was above, laughing at you
suffering.
But this service has one good point, ant
that is, that all the ngger sympathizcr
here have an opportunity of showing thei
love for their colorcd brethren. 1t shoulC
be the Mecca of all true nigger worshippcrs
Here they can worship their Cod can kis,
the hem of his garment with reycrcnt lips
can eat with him; drink with him; prom
enadc the decks arm in arm with him. anc
above all, can sleep with him, which, ne
doubt, would be gratifying, especially
when the weather is as warm as it now is
So if there are any abolitionists in Millers
burg, who wish to bow at the shrine OF
their idolitry, Just express them to the
Kenwood, by way of Cairo.
news III llllS part vi lnc country Is SCdGCc
1t is seldom that Northern paper can b,
found, and then only when they are a montl
or two old.
Military operations in this part of tn,
country have apparently ceased, at lcas
for the present, and the rcbs again hav
full possession of the Red River country
News has reached us of the nomination
of Fremont, but nothing, as yet, is know
of the dongs Of the Baltimore Convention
Fremont will get one or two votes on thi
boat the remaining being about equal
divided between Lincoln and Mcclellan. -
Since have been on the river have con
versed with a great many gunboat men, am
| find that large majority Of them are i
favor of Mcclellan for our next President
and, should he be nominated, he will ro
up "A handsome majority in the Musquit
Flotilla. No more at present.
With great respect | remain,
! Yours aS ever.
~