1863 Civil War Navy Letter Henry Clay Beckwith

Description: Civil War Navy Letter Henry Clay Beckwith – Engineer He writes from aboard the USS New Ironsides, February 21, 1863. During 1863-1864 the USS Ironsides was blockading the Confederate ports of Charleston, SC and Wilmington, NC. Charles Beckwith writes to his mother and talks of some sad family matters “I was glad to hear that you had been to New London & made such a long visit but on the contrary I was very sorry to learn that it was under such sad circumstances. Sarah will mourn greatly her loss but such is the great drama of life. Our dearest & most precious gifts are taken from us. At times it seems that all the ties which bind us to earth are cut & we are left by ourselves to wander like the restless current through darkened space. But there is a “home for the weary.” He speaks very positively about South Carolina: “Oh! I wish that you could experience such weather for one week as we have here at the present time. You would wish that the South had been your native place. It is so calm, warm & salubrious below in our Department. We presume summer heat nearly all the time. But the climate is much colder here this winter than it usually is. Sometimes there are flowers in bloom in the open air here every month in the year & flowers here are genuine worthy of the name—no imposition or counterfeit. The wild flowers here are far superior to any cultivated ones at the North.” They will be in trouble with cotton unless they recognize the “Southern Confederacy”: “I see no prospects of getting cotton for at least six months to come & not even then unless we humble ourselves to recognize a “Southern Confederacy” which I think our government will hardly do.” He loves being a Sailor, even though he was afraid of the deep blue at first! His entire collection of letters is available online. FULL TRANSCRIPTION: U.S.S. New Ironsides Off Charleston, South Carolina February 21st 1863 Dear Mother, Your very kind letter of the 28th ultimo. came duly to hand. I was exceedingly glad to hear that you were all well & you may rest assured that I was glad to hear that you had been to New London & made such a long visit but on the contrary I was very sorry to learn that it was under such sad circumstances. Sarah will mourn greatly her loss but such is the great drama of life. Our dearest & most precious gifts are taken from us. At times it seems that all the ties which bind us to earth are cut & we are left by ourselves to wander like the restless current through darkened space. But there is a “home for the weary.” I hope that you & Mrs. Merriam will not miss of your visit to Hadlyme. Oh! if I could only be at home about two weeks now, I would awaken your ideas. I would show you how to visit. I think it must be that you don’t know how or if you do, you don’t put your knowledge to any practical use. I have been from home now almost seven months & during that time I have not seen a friend except those which I have made during the said time. I will write to Maria & tell her that you are certainly coming but it must be very cold with you at the present time. Oh! I wish that you could experience such weather for one week as we have here at the present time. You would wish that the South had been your native place. It is so calm, warm & salubrious below in our Department. We presume summer heat nearly all the time. But the climate is much colder here this winter than it usually is. Sometimes there are flowers in bloom in the open air here every month in the year & flowers here are genuine worthy of the name—no imposition or counterfeit. The wild flowers here are far superior to any cultivated ones at the North. I had also heard that Eliza Rathburn had been sick [and] was obliged to leave her school but had again returned. By the way, we are remarkably well on board of this vessel—only one death has occurred since we have been out & that was not from any disease but an accident. As for myself, I don’t believe you ever saw me so fleshy as I am at the present time since I was a small boy. Tis true, I am in favor of living well but it is not my wish to live so expensive as we do. Our expenses for food is about one dollar per day for each member of the mess. David Thompson you say thinks of staying another year. He has paid all his rent, I suppose. Well if he can get work, he can get waste, he can make a good thing of it but as it is, I see no prospects of getting cotton for at least six months to come & not even then unless we humble ourselves to recognize a “Southern Confederacy” which I think our government will hardly do. I was very glad to hear that Elder Tefft was to stay another year. I shall be at home to hear him again before that time expires. Charles Wickwire, Maria says, is going housekeeping soon. Well I wish him much joy as I do all married persons. Good steady souls. I wish I could be as contented but I am afraid that that time is past but may not be. I have seen the time when if I had some pleasant employment on shore I had as soon be there as anywhere, but at present, give me the life of a sailor. I at first was afraid of the deep blue sea but since it has been so parental to me, I pass without a murmur its former chidings to my race by. I wish that you could look in upon me sometimes when vessel rolls so much that I could not lay in my berth without holding on at the sides which is often the case—or when we cannot keep anything on the table. You would think that I had a very hard time. I doubt not but that you would advise me to come home. Ah! such things did annoy me, but not now. Did you get your picture taken when you was in New London? You did not say. I cannot send any money from here except at my own risk. The express will carry money but at the sender’s risk. You wish to know what my salary is. $850 per year or about 70 per month. My expenses far exceed what you imagine. My dress, I suppose, you would call extravagant. Direct as before. Write soon & I remain your affectionate son, — Henry Writing is light but still very legible. Some minor separation at folds. Shipping to lower 48 states only Thanks for looking at my auctions

Price: 50 USD

Location: Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania

End Time: 2024-09-24T00:44:28.000Z

Shipping Cost: 5 USD