Gunboat Cincinnati
On the way to Cairo
May 19th/ [18]63
Dear Sister,
Our vacation is over. Our boat has been repaired and we are on the way to Cairo. We must now prepare for active work. We came off the weighs on the 13th and left Carondolet on the 18th (yesterday). A new turret of half-inch iron has been built on our wheel house. There is to be one or two howitzers
mounted in it (twelve pounders) when we get to Cairo. There are also loopholes for sharpshooters. This will be a great protection to us if we get into a tight place like Sunflower Bayou against guerillas. We have a number of plates of half-inch iron and slabs of inch rubber aboard which are to be put on our starboard and part bows when we get to Cairo. These parts are unprotected except by a wooden casemate. The rubber which is as good, if not better, than so much iron is to be put between the casemate and the iron, and on account of its elasticity, will keep the iron from being pierced so easily when it is struck by a ball.
While we are at Carondolet numerous visitors came aboard to see our boat every day, but especially on Sunday. Sunday seems to be a great holiday here as well as other places down this way. There is a small town across from Carondolet near which is a small lake said to be a good fishing place and every Sunday fishing parties may be seen wending their way towards the ferry in order to go a fishing. A few of our crew deserted while we were at Carondolet and a number who went ashore did not come aboard when their time was up. These have been left behind and a reward offered for them.
We have got a new pursuer who paid each one of use some money last week. I received twelve dollars. We expect to reach Cairo about four o.c. P.M. I suppose we will remain there till we take in provisions, guns, etc., then start for the fleet. I didn’t know there was a paper printed in Buffalo called The Critic. What was the name or initials of the person writing to that paper? Perhaps I know him. There are more boys from Buffalo and New York in this Mississippi squadron that from all other places combined. I am sorry to hear of the death of Mrs. Latta. I had not received that paper and stamps I sent for but if you haven’t sent them you needn’t as I have some money now and can buy what I want. Give my respects to Mrs. Lander, Mrs. Love, Mr. Johnson, Agnes Turner, Chas Lytte and others. I haven’t heard from Jim Stewart in some time; perhaps I’ll see him in Cairo.
Yours affectionately,
Dan.
P.S. Our boat was at the Battle of Grand Gulf and at the same time on the weighs at Carondolet. Mustn’t we have some long ranger aboard to reach way down there? The paper says so and it must be true. Who dares dispute them.
Dan.
Footnotes
Matthew Brady Organization. Crew members exercising with a 12-pounder Dhalgren howitzer (on an iron field carriage)... Photograph. NH 59436. U.S. Naval Historical Center.