The Civil War Letters Camp Hamilton March 13, 1862

Camp Hamilton March 13th 1862

My Dear Wife

 i received your letter of the 11th and i was very glad to hear that you was still injoying good health as this leaves me at present

Since i wrote to you last we have had some severe service  last Saterday noon the rebel Steamer Merrimac came down from Norfolk accompanyed by 3 other Rebel Steamers. the Merrimac is iron clad and it cannot be pearced by a cannon ball. the Merrimac the Yorktown and the Jamestown three rebel iron clad Steamers left Sewells point and made for Newport news where layed the Union Man of War cumberland and congress  as soon as the Merrimac got about 1/2 mile from the congress she opened fire  the congress gave her Broadside after Broadside but the balls would glance off like peas against a board

after fireing a few Rounds at the congress she made for the Cumberland and Run her iron prow in to the side of the Cumberland and compleatly knocked her side in  the cumberland sunk in about 15 minutes  after being sunk one half of the ships crew was lost with the ship going down

Some of the sailors swam to shore and others was picked up by small boats  after this the Merrimac britched into the congress and ran her aground and set her on fire and took all of her officers prisoners. at 6 oclock our company was orderd to saddle up and Run to Newport News to support Gen Mansfield for the rebels intend to attack Newport News in large forses  we reached Newport News at 8 oclock and it was as dark as pitch and it was a very nasty road when we got there  the rebels was shelling the camp and i can tell you that the shells and cannon balls made fine music as they plowed up the ground in all Directions  as soon as our six companys got there we was drawn up in line of Battle as was about 4 Regements of infantry

we Reamined on the field in line of battle all night and it was expected that the rebels would make the attack at the dawn of day  but the enemy did not make his appearance and if he had he would a have met with a warm reseption at our hands  after daylight on Sunday morning and no sighns of the enemy we managed with a great deal of troble to get a cup of coffee which was well relished  though we had nothing to eat to it. i forgot to mention to you a most tarrifac scene that happened during  at 9 oclock the congress was fired  the flames was going through the regin of the ship  the ship was not more than 1/2 mile from where our company was drawn up in line  on board the ship was about 50 dead men who was killed in the action with the Merrimac  and nothing could save them from roasting after being killed  on board the ship was about 18 tons of Powder in the Magazine and at about 12 oclock at night when all was silant and we was watching it the ship was blown to atoms in an insent  this was the first ship that i ever saw on fire and Blow up. well on Sunday at about 10 oclock we started for Camp Hamilton where we arrived at 1 oclock Sunday afternoon and we had just got our saddles off our horses when we received orders to saddle up again and take 1 days Rations with us  so off we started again for New Market bridge where we was put on picket to whatch for the rebels. our company was posted all through the woods and we was kept at this duty for another 24 hours  and we reached camp on tuesday night  on wedesday morning we started for back river to go on picket and we have just got of now as i write this letter  so you can think that we have our hands full just now  i used to feel sleepy when i used to come home from a ball but i can tell that this is ten times harder then going to balls espescily when i could have you along with me. but i must now bring my letter to a close for i want to have a little sleep while i have time  Your Brother William is well  he is writing a letter home today  dear wife you must not be uneasy about me for i think i can take car of myself with gods help  i expect that we will have some fighting before long and i expect that we will have the fortune to wipe the rebels  please give my best respects to Sister Jane Your Mother and all of the family and all inquiring friends

And with my very best Love
to you i am Your Affectionate
Husband William Lancaster

(P.S.)
in yours i received 1 Dollar gold peice and 8 postage stamps which i am much oblidged to you.
Yours  W. Lancaster

Write Soon  W L

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