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Dear Nellie
I am
penning this letter in the public jail at Norfolk, by that I don't intend to imply that I
am a prisoner but that part of our regiment
is stationed there. After writing the last
letter and the mail had been closed we received order to start again with
two day supplies we started embarking on board of the Nellie Barker, the same one that
used to run between Boston and Nahant. After embarking we laid in the roads until early in
the morning. I forgot to mention that
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the Rip Raps shelled Sewall's Point
for two or three hours in the evening. Early in the morning we
dembarked on the enemies shore at a place called Ocean View a part
of Willoby's Point and from that time commenced the labor. It was
nearly ten o' clock when we started to march I had a small
carpetbag containing a change of
clothes for Lieut Tucker and myself dressing case and writing desk
which was light, and I supposed the men would be able to take
turns carrying it, I had also on my back my cape from my overcoat,
woolen blanket , rubber blanket and over-coat. The day was
intensely warm and the roads frightfully dusty, and 1 regiment was
two hours ahead; we were obliged to strike to overtake the
foremost regiment a fearful gait, which with the dust and heat of the sun,
wilted the men, some men through away their knapsacks, and more threw away their blanket
and overcoat, the men carrying my velise let it drop and I undertook to take it and with
the assistance of two or three men managed to carry it to the first stopping place where I
took out a change of stockings and left the velise with its contents, I also threw away my
cape. As luck would have it one of the men having a light knapsack help himself to the
dressing case and writing book which he was to turn over to me. After relieving myself as
well as the men of some of their weight we started forward after ten minutes rest and soon
heard the enemies cannons which were situated the other side of stone bridge which we
found in flames on our reaching it, consequently right about and retraced our steps a good
ways striking a new road which led in a round about manner to Norfolk, part of the way
double quick, and at one rest the men had orders to throw off knapsacks which was
willingly done, but notwithstanding the killing gait was telling terribly on our men who
were obliged to lay down on the road side in great many instances We soon heard a
battery ahead which we must take by storm as we had no artillery, it not having time to
unload from the vessels so on we went the men nearly ready to drop and we soon inside the
entrenchments which were very strong and finely constructed extended 7 mile and a half
although I have been told they were five miles long and mounted ninety guns, but
I give
you the smallest or lowest estimate, which is that there were thirty guns the majority of
them not spiked. After the regiment arrived inside the entrenchments there was a long
rest, and I began to feel as if I could go no farther as I had been drinking considerable
water and had nothing pass for two days with but little appetite. I began to feel sick but
on visiting the doctor I obtained a whiskey which liked to have made me vomit, and
afterwards a dose of brandy , and having relieved myself and rested began to feel well and
when the regiment was ordered to fall in to march to Norfolk I felt as well as ever. We
were the first regiment which entered Norfolk which we did at seven o' clock in the
evening without any opposition, the enemy eight thousand strong having left two hours
before. There was some hearty greetings of the stars and stripes but generally but little
said our regiment was divided, the right wing going one part and the left wing the other
part of the city, we the left wing occupying the jail and there armories. The Merrimac is
either blown up or captured I can't find out which. The rebels burnt up the Navy Yard,
blew up the dry dock, destroy a gun boat they were building like the Monitor. Our fleet is
laying opposite Norfolk and everything in our possession. A great many deserters about the
city and are being picked up every minutes. I saw one belonging to the Atlantic
Artillery
consisting of 110 men, who told that they had deserted but 41. Coffee selling here at 1.00
to 2.00 per lbs., butter 90cts. boots as high as twenty five dollars. tobacco cheap. There
is evidently a lack of confident among the Rebel officers in their men, as those that left
here were forced off in some instances by the point of the bayonet. My knapsack has not
arrived yet. I send you some rebel papers and shin plasters.
Yours
Affectionately
Joel
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