October 21st, 1861.
My dear Mother:
We are sailing rapidly down the Chesapeake, still in doubt
as to our ultimate destination, but expecting soon to reach Fortress Monroe
where possibly there may be a chance of mailing a letter. We feel as though we
were leaving the scene of old triumphs, and old disasters — of the latter we
are mindful of many; so it was delicate sarcasm upon the part of our Bandmaster
which induced him to strike up “Carry me back to old Virginny!” as we were
crossing the Chain Bridge (which spans the Potomac), leaving the “sacred soil”
behind us. And now we are embarked on the “Vanderbilt,” bound, this much we
know, for “Dixie.” I am hoping to exchange salutations with some of my old
friends in Charleston. What fun it would be to be playing the magnanimous to a
captive Prince Hugo, or Whalley despising Yankees much, or any other of the
royal youth who live in the Kingdom of South Carolina. It may be we are to visit
Mobile. If so, tell Hunt I will try and collect his rents with interest. But
why speculate?
Let us pray for laurels and victory! Much is expected of the
79th Regiment, I find. “My Highlanders!” as Gen. Stevens calls them. “They are
equal to Regulars,” the General is reported to have said to Gen. Sherman'
commanding our expedition. "Send for them!" says Sherman. They are
sent for, and arrive on shipboard in a horrible state of intoxication, with
bloody faces and soiled clothes. The Chaplain of the 8th Michigan Regiment is
horrified. He preaches to his men, and says: “I wish to make no invidious
comparisons, but after what I've seen of late, I'm proud of you for your
excellent conduct!” Well, we must hope that “My Highlanders” will silence
invidious comparison when facing the foe. You tell me Ellis thinks I ought to
boast of my Graham blood, and gently urge the same yourself, but the fact is,
nothing has caused more amusement than Ellis' own pretensions to his descent
from the King of the Hebrides. Indeed, on one occasion, up at Sunbury — a
country town of Pennsylvania — when he was introduced on a public occasion to
the worthy citizens of the place as a lineal descendant of Donald, King of the
Hebrides, a man in the audience forgot himself so far as to call out, “Damn
Donald, King of the Hebrides!” which was highly improper, and wholly
irrelevant, yet very entertaining to those who heard it. I am awaiting an
official announcement of the birth of Walter's boy, and mean to write
congratulations as soon as I can find time. Hall will soon be married, he tells
me. All my friends are getting settled, but I am a Nomad, fit, I fancy, for my
present mode of life, which I find healthy and by no means disagreeable.
Indeed, were my brother officers of a more agreeable character, I would take to
soldiering with a relish, and with a reasonable amount of success might cry, “Vive
la guerre!” However all dreams of the future terminate in dreams of peace, of
home, and honorable repose in advancing years, all of which, dear mother, may
we enjoy together, loving our country better, for having proved that it was so
dear that we were willing even to give up our life for its preservation.
Well, the blessings of peace be upon all at home. Kiss the
little ones for me. Give love to all and
Believe me,
Affec'y.,
WILL.
_______________
1 Thomas W. Sherman.
SOURCE: William Chittenden Lusk, Editor, War Letters
of William Thompson Lusk, p. 91-2
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