Off New Orleans May 1st 1862

My Dear Parents

Sallies very kind letter of March 4th came to hand today by arrival of mail steamer. I can assure you its contents were eagerly perused and right glad was I to hear it left all well. I suppose you are as eagerly anxious to hear from me knowing by the letter written that we expected going into an engagement. Since uniting by the "Connecticut" which sailed April 10th I have passed through scenes which would make the stoutest heart quail.

On Friday morning April 18th the mortar flotilla after going into position, under cover of a thick woods, commenced its operation by throwing shells at Fort Jackson which was distant 12 ½ miles. The noise made by this bombardment was terrific. About 10 am the enemy commenced its fire but shot invariably fell short. At 7 P.M. firing ceased. During the night a large fire ship was sent down for purpose of destroying our fleet but in this they were unsuccessful, the current carrying it swiftly by. The casualties on our side first day were reported 1 killed 2 wounded. The bombardment was afterwards renewed next morning, and continued with unabated vigor until April 23rd when as consultation was held and decided that to capture two forts required something more than mortars. The enemy had a chain across river directly leading from Fort Jackson across to Fort St. Phillip, and this chain must be cut before on fleet could pass. At 2 a.m. March 24th all hands were called at a signal from flag officers and large vessels of squadron composed of "Hartford" "Brooklyn" Pensacola Mississippi "Richmond" "Oneida" "Iroquois" and 4 gunboats soon got underweigh. As quarters were soon beat it was..."

From the Charles H. Morrison Collection (COLL/5376) at the Archives Branch, Marine Corps History Division