A thick, heavy fog envelopes the bay this morning, so thick
we cannot see half the boat’s length. In a little while the fog began to
settle, and it looked curious to see the topmasts of the boats and schooners
above the fog as they passed us, their hulls being hidden entirely from view.
9 a. m. Weighed anchor and proceeded on our journey. Our
boat being first after the flag-boat, we soon passed the boats that ran by us
in the fog.
ARRIVAL AT FORTRESS
MONROE
A little before noon we sighted Fortress Monroe, and as we
passed the Minnesota and other men-of-war lying in the roads, the sailors
sprung into the rigging and cheered lustily, to which the boys responded
heartily from the boats, the bands playing as each boat passed. At 12 m., our
boat dropped anchor between the rip raps and the fort. Every available place on
the boat for sight seeing was quickly taken, the boys eagerly looking at things
the like of which they never saw before, and many of them probably never
supposed existed. – Here it appears is the rendezvous of the expedition;
gunboats, tugboats and supply vessels in great numbers are lying here to join
us. If one-half the armada lying here accompany us, we may naturally conclude there
is heavy work to be done somewhere, or else we are taking force enough to break
down all opposition and make an easy job of it.
SOURCE: David L. Day, My Diary of Rambles with the
25th Mass. Volunteer Infantry, p. 18-19
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