Augustine Sackett, U.S. Navy, November 2, 1863

Augustine Sackett, U.S. Navy, November 2, 1863

United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865

United States. Navy. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron (1861-1865)

Augustine Sackett writes to his sister about his ship's recent misadventures, the importance of writing letters, changing fashions, and when he might be able to get home.

U.S.S. Gunboat Chippewa
Port Royal S.C. Monday Nov. 2nd 1863
Dear Sister,
The last letter I received from you was
written Oct. 10th I recieved it on the 19th. I have written
to you since then. Yesterday I recieved a letter from
Pa and cousin Gary and another from Homer
dated Oct. 17th 'The folks' were all comfortably well.
We have just got the ship afloat, yesterday she went
ashore without our consent, and remained there until
afternoon today, when with the assistance of tugs she
finally took to the water again. We had started on a
tour up Broad River, and when about 10 miles on our
way came to that sudden halt. We are now down by the
Vermont, in Port-Royal harbor, and I hope shall remain 
here until some duty more suitable to the vessel be dre provided
for hjer. I am very glad that you are so well pleased wiht
your school +c. You say that perhaps Homer has found
some Warren correspondence, who takes up some of your ^his
time, since you left there. Very likely he has, and, for my
part I really hope so, for if he has not Warren news must be a
scarce article with him, as it certainly has ^been with me since
you went to New York. The first letter I have had from
home since that time arrived yesterday. it was exceedingly
interesting however, and partially atoned in that way
for its late appearance. It seems they are having very
lively times in Warren about this time but you, no
doubt have more frequent communication with that

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place than I do so I will not attempt to enlighten you
You must not fail to write to Pa as often as you can. He will 
miss you very much you have been at home so steadily before.
Remember that letters are very good company when individuals
cannot be together. You sent me your picture in your
last letter which arrived in good condition. It is a very
good one. You say that you wear longer dresses now, some of
my friends on this ship have pictures of their lady friends
which were take lately and I should think that they
wore longer dresses than they used to when I left home
a regular trail, of two or three feeet on the pavement.
I wonder what will come into fashion next, I suppose that
by the time I get North the dress of the natives of that
place will look about as odd as the "cheese boxes" that the Spaniards wear for hats. It will be time for me to hear
from the Department again in two or three days,
but it is very uncertain, I guess the Ship will go
North in about three months, and I shall probably get
there by that time, I don't feel at all sure that I shall
before, by any means.. You must'nt feel too sure of seeing
me very soon. I know that you must be pretty
busy now, so that I shall not always wait for an 
answer to my last letter before writing to you,
I want to write to Pa before the mail closes, so
no more this time. Write when you can.
Very truly yours, Augustine Sackett.

ALS