Author: Dr. George Brainard Todd
Date: November 30, 1865
Location: U.S. Steamer South Carolina, New Orleans, LA
Addressee: Mother, Sarah Perine (1804 - 1876), who m. Caleb Todd (1805 - 1875)
Names Mentioned: New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. Steamer South Carolina, Pensacola, Key West.
Letter Summary: Dr. Todd writes of a lack of open places for worship on Sunday morning in New Orleans; various stops made by the ship; and a lack of news.
Letter Provided By: Sandy Goll of Baltimore, MD
Transcription provided By: Eliz. J. "BJ" Peters of Kent Co., DEYou'll note underlined words in the body of the letter. These are not questionable words. They're words that Dr. Todd underlined in his letter evidently to stress those particular words.
Below the transcription you'll see four small graphics of the pages that link to the full-sized scanned images of the letter's pages. Where the writing seems illegible, you'll see a line in the word or letter's place. If there's a little doubt about a word, phrase or letter you'll see it italicized. Where a word or phrase is underlined, it's where Dr. Todd did so in his handwritten letter. I'm guessing he uses underlining the same way I use caps in an email to stress particular words. I believe it's an attempt to make up for the absence of inflections of oral communication.
Both Sandy Goll & BJ Peters are Dr. Todd's 2nd great grandchildren.
This letter is presented here for personal use ONLY!
U. S. Steamer South Carolina,
New Orleans La November 30th 1865My dear Mother,
I think you might find a sort of journal letter interesting, so I have concluded to have such an one ready to post when we arrive at Philadelphia on at least the homeward bound port. We have been at "N.O." since Sunday last (now Thursday evening). I was never more surprised in all my life than last Sunday. Pay and I left the ship in the morning to go to church. Wandered all over the city wherever we could see a church spire, and found on nearly all a card, "Closed" and whether card or not all closed the same. No sound of church bells, nothing to indicate that Sunday had yet been discovered in this part of the world. Business in all retail stores seemed as brisk as during the week, and I presume the back door of the wholesale stores would have been found open. I picked up the paper and found the places of amusement advertising this and that for "Sunday night". Drinking saloons, billiard rooms & all apparently crowded. I could not help comparing the quiet, orderly, Christian appearance of our northern cities to this busy, disorderly, worse than pagan disregard of all Christian customs. I would rather die, or see my children die then either them or I be compelled to live in such a demoralizing community.
Well I guess I have moralized enough for a journal and will say where we are, and what doing.
We are now some 30 or 40 miles down the "Miss" from "N. Orleans" steaming as fast as possible, going about 10 or 12 miles per hour. The dust at "N.O." today was terrible, almost blinding all on the street, and penetrating every part of the vessel. The food was all gritty, water full of it. __ We left the dock at 41/2 pm. For Pensacola Fla, where we shall probably be detained about two days, discharging cargo we took at "N.O." New Orleans is 120 miles from the mouth of the river, and from there to Pensacola is 140 more, where we hope to be Saturday morning. We have no passengers home from here, and I presume there will hardly be any from Pensacola, as nearly all the ships have got new officers, and the old ones gone home. We did not get so much as Thank you for bothering so long with the steamer Whitney of which I wrote.
We are loaded mostly with great coils of Rope. Some of the coils weighing over five tons. Good night all.
Dec. 1st 7 P.M. This morning at 7am passed out of the River to sea. We think to get to Pensacola at about 12 P.M. tonight Have had a beautiful day just wind enough to fill our sails. About noon the crank of the engine got hot and we were obliged to stop half an hour to cool it.
I presume you are all hugging the stoves now, and here no fire is needed. I know we shall suffer fearfully going in so short a time from warm weather to such bitter cold, but it's part of a sailor's life.
Who, when the war broke out, would have dreamed I should ever be a sailor. Well, well. I wonder what next. I was disappointed in not seeing a letter from you at "New Orleans", but presume I will find one at Philadelphia.
Somehow it seems like Sunday today, but it's only Friday. Tomorrow if fortunate we shall be discharging our cargo. There's not an item of news today, so good night.
Dec. 2nd 7am alongside the wharf. Pensacola. We came to anchor outside at 12 1/2 last night, but could not come in until daylight. All hands are getting out cargo, as we hope to leave here tonight. The "Massachusetts" is here, and will go out this afternoon. We hear this will be her last trip, and I presume ours also. Still nothing certain. There is no news here, no business, no life. All seem tired of remaining here long than possible to get away.
The day is pleasant and ___, fair to continue, but when once bound north, oh dear. We have 580 miles to go South from here to "Key West", then turn toward home.
Evening Dec 2nd . Just as I always said, there is no telling any thing in the Navy. We hoped to be away tonight but now if we get off before next Thursday we shall do well. All our cargo was out before night when an order came to load up with ordinance. That will take us full five days.
Nearly all our officers have been out today diving with some of the Yard officers, but as I got no invitation of course I have remained on board. This evening a select party have gone ashore to listen to some music, but as I was left out again, I improve? the _____ writing you.
Last evening the Paymaster and some of his especial friends in the "Ward Room" had a social lunch in one of the rooms and requested the boy to shut the door as I was standing in front of it so of course I concluded my presence was obnoxious, and you know such an open affront is very hard for me to overlook. Hereafter he will attend to his own affairs strictly, and keep clear of my apartments or I shall certainly see the effect of some persuasive means. It is dull beyond all endurance here. No life or animation and you know I can never endure solitude.
There has been a grand *row with the workmen here, and the result is they have all quit. Seven men were all that could be found this morning to work, where there are usually over 300. The demand $7 per day and the Admiral don't see it. The "Mass" left here this evening for "New York", but as I had no letters ready I sent no mail.
If we are home by Dec 20th we shall do better than I imagine. All well on board, no sick since I left Phila., not a case. Love to all my dear little ones, and a good night to all.
Your Aff Son
George
