Letter From Eliz. M. "Elise" Todd Letter Dated August 3, 1863

Author: Elizabeth "Elise" M. Todd, wife of Dr. Geo. B. Todd
Date: August 3, 1863
Location: Pt. Lookout - There is a Pt. Lookout located in Chester County, PA in the SE corner.
Addressee: The Family
Names Mentioned: Harriett Swain, William Swain, Elliott, United States Steamer Yankee, Hoboken, Baltimore Depot, Philadelphia, Potomac Flotilla.
Letter Summary: Mrs. Todd is informing her family of where she and her children, Fred and George Swain, have traveled.
Credit: Our Todd cousin, the late Robt. A. "Sandy" Goll shared this letter with us.

Below you'll see a transcription of the letter with a small graphic of the page that links to the full sized scanned image. 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.

Pt. Lookout August 3, 1863

Dear folks at home -

You have doubtless been waiting to hear of our whereabouts, but tomorrow is the first since we arrived (last Friday evening) that a mail goes from here. We stopped at Aunt Harriette Swain's in Hoboken where we arrived before breakfast from the boat Tuesday morn. Stayed Tuesday & Wednesday. Thursday we crossed the ferry for New York and again for Jersey City when we bid goodbye to cousin William Swain who had been of very good service to us so far then went by rail till we came to Kensington, the upper district of Philadelphia, where we and brother William, who entered the city cars with us and went to the Baltimore depot, and then on to Chester. We also met Uncle Elliot at the depot. Friday morn went in a boat to this place, which place we reached just at dark, a distance of sixty miles down the bay. Fare down two dollars & a half each.

George met us at the wharf and has spent one day and one night with us. He has been here every day for an hour or so. They spend the nights scouting around the county (or country) They took a *prairie schooner the night George was here. We have made the acquaintance of Commodore McGaw, Capt. (Jas?) Jay, Mister Brown, Capt Turner, Capt. Smith & family whose guests we now are. They are going home tomorrow so we shall make some different arrangements - ____ of - there the Yankee has come for George & Mr. Brown & Turner are off working. - Tuesday morning it is about ten o clock _ we have just finished breakfast _ we dine at four & have tea at nine in the evening _ How is brother Henry? I hope ___ this he is recovered _ I gave George fathers letter who was glad to receive it _ he intends to write soon but we have as yet made no arraingments where we shall be _ we shall probably to day _ we talk of boarding with the surgeons mess _ As we do not feel at all settled & untill we do I am in no mood for writing _ George looks well but very dark skinned (_) the children are all in good health _ enjoyed our trip exceedingly and enjoy playing on the beach _ baby has a black nurse _ I was very tired when I reached here _ but have got pretty well rested __ that is Hattie and I have enjoyed the surf bathing _ the children will not go in and Freddy is frightened to have anyone go in the water and thinks they will float away _ Georgie wishes to write a little _ Capt. Tyler is coming soon to take away the furniture of this cottage so we are planning what to do next _ so I do not feel much lite writing until we feel settled a little _ I will write every mail which I believe goes out once or twice a week. when you write direct to George Act. Asst. Surgeon. United States Steamer Yankee - Potomac Flotilla - Washington.
I remain your affectionate daughter & sister Elise M. Todd -

Dear Henry - we have good times here. Freddy wants me to _______ - I have got an orange - I pick up pebbles to show you when I get home. Georgie
your nephew

Dear Henry - I want to see ___ - have you got well. There is lots of steamer boats here. Freddy

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*Merriam Webster Dictionary defines "Prairie Schooner" as a covered wagon used by pioneers in cross-country travel - called also prairie wagon. First known use of the term prairie schooner was 1841.

MORE HISTORY - During duty on the Rappahannock, Yankee captured the schooner Cassandra and her cargo of whiskey and soda on 11 July 1863. She took the schooner Nanjemoy in the Coan River, Va., on 15 July; and captured the sloop Clara Ann on 1 August 1863. Yankee assisted in landing Union cavalry and infantry under General Gilman Marston on the Potomac-Rappahannock peninsula on 12 January 1864 and helped destroy a Confederate encampment under construction at Carter's Creek, Va., on 29 April 1864.

Yankee's last major operation of the war occurred on 7 March 1865, when the tug joined Commodore Read, Delaware, Heliotrope and Army troops in a raid upon Hamilton's Crossing near Fredericksburg, Va. The force destroyed a train depot, a railroad bridge, 28 loaded freight cars, and a Confederate army wagon train. Moreover, she made prisoners of 30 Confederates as well.

On 5 May 1865, Yankee sailed to the Washington Navy Yard, and was decommissioned there on 16 May 1865. The ship was sold at public auction on 15 September 1865 to George B. Collier.
Source: Dept. of the Navy -- Naval Historical Center 805 Kidder Breese SE -- Washington Navy Yard -- Washington D.C.