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U.S.S. Dumbarton
James River Flotilla
February 28th/63
Dear Sister,
I received your letter last night, and was very glad to hear from you. I am getting along right side up with care. Since I last wrote to you I guess we left Norfolk and sailed up the James River. We have been here since the 18th inst, so you see I cant send you a piece of that boat. I dont see how I could any how in a letter, do you. there is not much going on up here, but we are in nightly expectation of another visit from the Rebell rams or Torpedoes. We are now and have been since we came here, Flag Ship of the Flotilla, so we have pretty easy times. Some days ago a number of us went ashore and visited the front of Genl Ords lines, Dutch Gap canal, Fort Brady, and all the places noted for the hard fighting of our Boys and the infernal blunders of the more than infernal Genl Butler. We allso went up in the observatory and had a look at Richmond. we could see the church spires and houses on the outskirts of the city. The country presents a strange sight between the two Armys for miles and miles around it is dug up, and forts, rifle pits, and Earthworks of all discriptions meet the eye no matter which way you turn. There will have to be some awfull fighting before Richmond is taken, that is if they dont evacuate it which the prevailing opinion here is that they will if they can. They must begin to feel desperate. Charleston and Wilmington gone, their is a fair chance of haveing the Union Boys all around them even before the spring campaign opens. Then Johny Reb look out, and may Jeff Davis have mercy on your souls, for I dont believe the Boys in Blue will, do you? Well I guess I will stop, it wont do to write all I know at once, you know for I wont have nothing to say next time. Give my Love to Uncle and Aunt. Your Brother
Direct to A. J. Weeks
U.S.S. Dumbarton
James River Flotilla
via Norfolk, Va
