In the Brown Water Navy

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2005

A great group of eleven war-date, ink inscribed letters, totaling 22pp. on various letter sheets, written by Paymaster's Assistant Charles Everett outlining his naval career from March 9 through Oct. 29, 1864 while serving on the USS Clara Dolsen, and the USS Fairy, reading, in small part: "…[Cairo, Il., Mar. 9, 64]…we arrived at this place night before last…I relished sleeping on my hammock…we have nothing but hard-tack every meal…I got acquainted with a surgeon by the name of Chas. Everett. I have got a good chance for getting forty dollars per month…he…told me to come to his headquarters in a half hour. He had some writing for me to do…there is some of the hardest cases of boys I ever witnessed [here, and]…plenty of Darkies on board of this ship. One of them sits on the other side of the table reading the Bible. He has just learned to read since he came on board. They have a school for the boys here. They examine some of the young men and see who is qualified to teach them. I got elected once [and] taught a whole day…tell [all] the boys to enlist in the navy…[U.S.S. Clara Dolsen, Cairo, Mar. 19, 64]…I have to stand watch every other night from 8 to 12…sometimes I read the Testement to the sick. My wages are increased to 18 Dolls per month…Uncle Sam provides very well for us…two decks below…is where the hard cases stay…most all complain of their Lungs…this place is made more pleasant by not having any liquor on board…we expect to move this steamer up to Mound City before long…[U.S. Str. Fairy, Mound City, Il., May 25, 64]…yesterday…it blew almost a hurricane. The boat reeled to and fro as if it was…a small cutter. One of the men while tying the cutters rope to the stansion missed his hold and the cutter went adrift…they lowered the captain's Gig and…started after him. [They] overtook him about three miles below…it took the Gig's crew four hours to row back…the poor fellows were almost dead…we were expected to go adrift…with the flood wood. Some large logs got across our anchor chains and played smash with the boat. It commenced piling up and got up higher than our bough. We had to set the Engines to work which cleared us…I get up at five o'clock every morning and volunteer to exercise in rowing the market boat…Sunday…Harmon Garret and myself…concluded to go down and see the new ram 'Vindicator'. We started and went on board…as I got near the forward port holes…I see…Sandy Ball…we had a good chat…I am a going to try and go on board again to bid him good bye…D.[avid] D.[ixon] Porter is expected…in two weeks. We may be called his flag ship…[U.S.S. Fairy, July 12, 64]…yesterday we finished our Quarterly reports…I have improved some since I have been in the Navy…I have visited every city between here and New Orleans, even to Jeff Davis' farm…we are entitled to lie at anchor for 6 months after carrying Gen. Sickles & staff anywhere he wanted to go. Which we did…[U.S.S. Fairy, Aug. 28, 64]…I would have written you first in relation to our skirmish if I only knew you would have liked the particulars, not knowing whether you would have received them with pleasure…I am interrupted by having an order…to put one of our masters mates under arrest for committing an offense to [?] me…Libbie has been giving young ladies my photograph. I wish you would chastze her…if my photograph was needed I will give it. I did not wish (Miss. Stewart) to have my picture…[U.S.S. Fairy, Aug. 31, 64]…all the officers on board…are gentlemen with the exception of our captain [Acting Ensign Charles Swendson]. Who has not yet learned how to speak to gentlemen and…he drinks a great deal…(he is Danish). I was talking with the Paymaster…about going to school when I got home. The reply was [that] I was learning as fast here as I would be at school…[U.S.S. Fairy, Oct. 29, 64]…I [am] feeling…inclined to stay another year or two [and] wish to have your advise…I know I am not in danger of the grog shops or billiard saloons…young me get intoxicated every evening…". Much more similar content. Ten original transmittal covers with stamps are included. Negligible paper loss affects some of the letters and envelopes, else very good.

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