.ODc4.MTQ0Ng
Fort Wool July 24th 1862
Dear Mrs Coleman
I have postponed writing, in the
hope that each day might bring something definite
as to our future destination, but more than a week
has elapsed, and we are yet at the Rip-Raps, without
an idea as to the probable length of our detention
here, or to what point we are ultimately to be
sent. We reached Old Point Saturday the 11th about
6 oclock, after a delightful trip down the river, and
proceeded at once in accordance with orders from Col
Campbell, to report to Genl Dix Commandant of this
department. The Genl received us with great courtesy,
kindly enquired to what point we desired to be sent,
and after hearing the expressions of our individual
preferences to which he listened with a politeness of
attention quite charming & well calculated to induce
the impression that all our request would be granted,
blandly informed us that he would send us to Fort
Deleware in a few days at [farthest?], dismissed us with a
bow & left us to take care of ourselves, which we suc-
-ceeded in doing to our entire satisfaction at the
Hygeia Hotel. But we were only allowed to remain
at the Hotel a few days, and on yesterday week
were brought over to this place, with the declaration
that our stay here would only be for a few days,
but as yet we have heard nothing which would in=
[2]
=dicate a speedy departure. However we bear our
ills with the resignation of true Philosophers, and I
am hopeful should my visit be a prolonged one of
being able to set up as the rival of Diogenes in his
tent. Really though the place is not so horrible as I
had been led to believe, from reports concerning
it, which caused me to picture to my imagination
a place only to be rivaled in horror by the
black hole of Calcutta. The days are intensely warm
but the nights are perfectly delightful, and were Aunt
Patty only with me to assist in dressing my arm,
I could endure the place, even if I did not
succeed in making myself comfortable. Our mess
arrangements are delicious in the extreme & I wish
you could witness them, Pork & Beans or potatoes delight-
-fully cooked & elegantly served ['fully...served' underscored] forming our bill of fare.
We have regularly appointed fishing parties, who are
up early in the morning fishing for our breakfast.
An employment which (with the sea air) as you may
suppose gives us a capital appetite, and enables us
to relish our pork & beans in a manner quite aston=
ishing & which I could not have supposed possible,
did not the quantity consumed make the fact
as patent as the empty platters. Yesterday the wind
prevented success & the dinner [relief?] reported empty
handed. I wish you could have seen the faces
gathered around the [?] in which disappointment
struggled with the amusement occasioned by the expression
[3]
of like nature observed in the faces of our fellow captains.
A painter who could truely have pictured the scene
might have rivaled Hogarth & become immortal.
We had a pleasant time while staying at the Hygeia
receiving kind attention from several officers of the
Federal army, especially Genl Richardson who seems
a brave & gallant officer, and one in whom though
a foe & can recognize & appreciate many good guali
ities. I do not wish the gallant Genl any harm but
hope that he may be taken captive down in Dixie
that I may be able to return his kindness in a sui
=talbe manner. Col Campbell was at the Point on
Tuesday the 15th, and told Capt Murphy that he would
not have sent us away from WmsBurg had he
not thought we desired to go. This seems strange,
when he replied to me enquiring if it was necessary
for me to leave, with the positive remark that he
desired me to leave on that day, and when told
that his Provost when informing the prisoners that
they must report to him at 7 oclock, had intima
ted to me that my departure was only to be
voluntary, the Col replied that he could not understand
how the Provost could have made such a mistake.
There seems to have been a mistake or our friend
the Col is changeable in his determinations, whichever
it maybe matters not to him, but I am suffering
from the error either of the Col or someone. Urge
Misses Taliafino & Dooley to remain where they are
[4]
until they have entirely recovered, unless they
desire to exchange there present comforts & Aunt
Patty the greatest comfort of all to a sick man,
for a solitary blanket on a plank with a bundle
of clothes for a head piece, & an over coat rolled
up for a support to their wounded arms, and
as they can not [fish?] their condition would be
unendurable. What would I not give to be back
in Williamsburg once more, any thing, every thing
even to remaining a captive until the end of
the war, were it not that I desire earnestly to
pay the Northern troops for past favors received
at their hands with good intent, and something
on which may act as a kind remembrance of me
in the future. That hope & that alone keeps me
up & by the blessing of god I hope sincerely to
see it fulfilled. Get the New York Herald of the 21st
it contains a rich account of our performance
while at the Hygeia, you will see from that, that three
wounded confederates actually thought of taking the
fortress, [altogether?] the account is decidedly partial. My
best love to your Mother, Montague & Sadie. Tell her
that if she is afraid of becoming a Yank that no place
is so likely to [ease?] the [p...tion?] as this, one short visit
will suffice & I have no doubt Col Campbell will gladly
send her down. Tell Mrs. [Henly?] Col [Forney?] is more [unwell & ?]
would have written. Capt Murphy & Lieut [Fleming?] are improving.
My arm is exceedingly painful but I hope not more than when I
left WmsBurg, it must account for my not having written more legibly
I can hardly write at all, though from the length of this one would hardly think so.
Please answer this and let me know how matters are in [WmsBurg Truely your friend?]
S B Williams
