Index of Letters

Introduction written by great-granddaughter.

Brief biography including photograph of Daniel Francis Kemp as a middle age man.

Very brief biographical information.

First letter home describing train ride through midwest.

Arrives in Cairo, IL. Initially on the USS Clara Dolsen. Assigned as a rower on a "gig" or dinghy crew.

Assigned to the USS Cincinnati, still in Cairo, IL.

Discusses previous attack on Island 10; discusses the suicide of boat's fireman. Unhappy about the Navy's observation of the sabbath. Describes the different badges designating rank and position.

Letter written to his friend James W. Stewart recounting some things discussed in Nov.23 letter. Describes Memphis, TN, and Helena, AR. 

Discusses Yazoo River, Memphis, TN, Helena and Fort Pillow.

Describes the Battle of Fort Arkansas and recounts what he was told of the fort by men who went ashore. Describes a leak in the USS Cincinnati.

Discusses specifics of Jan 26, 27, 28; timberheads; Feb 1 - number of rebel officers came aboard the Flag Ship under a flag of truce; Admiral Farragut;

Describes the arrival of a "German" regiment; Feb 13 Vicksburg fighting described; reaction of sailors to Emancipation Proclamation.

Mentions he is sick with Diarrhea; refers to the Burning of the Presbyterian Church in Buffalo??; Feb 20 firing in direction of Vicksburg; preparing phatom scow to float in front of Vicksburg to test their firepower; Admiral Porter; "Old Foote".  

PARTIAL LETTER; Describes a 21 gun salute on Washington's Birthday. When the USS Cincinnati fired their guns sky lights broke and leak in hull opened. USSCincinnati nearly swamped near Napoleon.

March 9, LaFayette firing on Vicksburg; March 9 sham Monitor against Vicksburg; talk of going to St. Louis for repair; asks to be sent Duryee’s Cholera Morbus.

USS Cincinnati participating in the Steele's Bayou Expedition on the Yazoo River. Discusses Johnson's Plantation and Hayne's Bluff. Descrive the suicide of a sailor suffering the DTs; Soldiers foraging at plantations; difficulty of moving through Bayou; Oberservations about plantations.

Blocked bayou; Burned cotton gins and houses; Loaded boat with cotton; Criticism of Admiral Porter; Eighth Missouri; General Sherman; half-rations; 60 contrabands - sharing short food rations; LETTER INCOMPLETE.

USS Cincinnati is docked in Carondelet; Descriptions of St Louis; Cape Girardeau; Pilot Knob. Describes a wiley peddler making considerable profit from sailors.

Daniel, who trained as a ship builder before enlisting, describes in wonderful detail the Monitor Osage, still under construction. He offers a critique of its strengths and weaknesses.

USS Cincinnati still in Carondelet being repaired. Daniel, a devout Presbyterian, describes a very interesting visit to a Sessionist Presbyterian Church and the congregation's reaction to a Union sailor.

 

Letter written a few hours after the sinking of the USS Cincinnati in front of the Vicksburg Courthouse.  

Assigned to the Choctaw. Some interesting description of Vicksburg.

Talks a little about the loss of friends when the USS Cincinnati sunk. Confirms that friend, Leopold Snyder is dead.

Written after a serious illness. Daniel reported he had Yellow Fever at this time. The Choctaw medical records indicate a serious abscess on his hand.

Laments mail delivery problems; Recounts the death of friend Algernon Stout and asks parents to inform Stout's parents of his passing; Contraband congestion; describes seeing an alligator in the Red River.

Mother and sisters seem to be in Perth, Ontario. Talks with anticipation about his upcoming discharge.

Talks about guerrilla actions while blockading the mouth of the Red River.

Describes narrowly escaping capture by Rebels; Masters Mate and 2 landsmen are captured.

USS Choctaw is broken; cannot keep steam in boilers.

Impatient awaiting discharge.

Impatient awaiting discharge.

Letter written to grandchildren in 1912 describing the Battle of Port Arkansas.

Letter written to grandchildren in 1912 describing the sinking of the USS Cincinnati at Vicksburg on May 27, 1863.

Letter written at age 83 to nephew reflecting about experiences in Civil War.

Narrative written, I believe in the late 1920's, after reviewing his letters, describing his 14 months in the service of his Country.