Steam Ship Bath
Ap. 6th '61
My dearest V.
We have come to anchor just inside of Sandy Hook, being too
late for the evening tide. We shall go over the bar at daylight in the morning.
I feel deeply dearest wife the pain I cause you, but nevertheless I cannot
shrink from a solemn duty, which, if successful is pregnant with great results
for our beloved country. I am afraid we are too late, from no fault of mine,
but I pray earnestly that I may be permitted to do something for a country dear
to me above all others. There is no personal peril to those whom God selects to
act a prominent part. I feel none, not the least. I confide completely
in His great arm and the faithful prayers of a dear wife.
We have three officers and 200 men, I have instructions to
them and the captn of the ship and shall not deliver them until the pilot
leaves us, so no one has the least idea of the voyage though I think it will be
in tomorrow's papers. One of my tugs went to sea last night, another came near
us a few minutes since and I ordered her to make the best of her way to her
destination. She immediately steamed out to sea.
Our three officers are cheerful and happy, true as steel,
and anxious to do their duty.
Now do not brood over the dark picture my own sweet wife.
What a picture of happiness God has framed for us "together" in the
past. It will continue if we confide in Him. I feel my mother's sublime
faith, that we have but to perform our duty, leaving the mysterious
results to be worked out in his appointed time. And now farewell, only for a
short time then back to answer your prayers and trust in Him.
Goodnight dearest,
Aff
Gus
SOURCE: Robert Means Thompson & Richard Wainwright,
Editors, Publications of the Naval Historical Society, Volume 9: Confidential
Correspondence of Gustavus Vasa Fox, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, 1861-1865,
Volume 1, p. 26-7
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