West, Lewis H., 1829-? to R. West
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03836.41 Author/Creator: West, Lewis H., 1829-? Place Written: Aboard the USS "Ladona" at Newport News, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: January 23, 1863 Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; Height: 24.6 cm, Width: 19.6 cm Order a Copy
References his mother's letter of 20 January. Says they are waiting in Newport News under sailing orders, which means they could leave at any minute or sit for an indefinite period. Says the tugboats are sent 8 or 9 miles upriver to keep a lookout for Confederate riverboats and that they announced an attack the night before. There was great confusion when the ships deployed to defend against the attack because of a night fog. Nothing came of the supposed attack. Goes on to describe the Norfolk navy yard in detail, saying it was "a scene of utter ruin and desolation." Says the hull of the USS "United States" is still at the navy yard.
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