GOODELL FAMILY LETTERS- #10
 

Anson to his Parents

Aboard Steamer N.York
Croaton Sound, Coast
N. Carolina, Sunday
Mar 9, 62

 Dear Parents

            It is a lovely day – not a breath to stir the air warmed by the sun’s genial rays – the sound is silent and not a ripple disturbs the sleeping wave.

            The day reminds me of a quiet Sabbath at home in May.

            We are anxious to hear from home having received but one letter since landing on Roanoke which was a month since. You cannot know how welcome are letters from home. Wish we could have more. By the way, where is bonnie? Wish I could shake hands with him this morning. Have you received a box of things sent to H. W. Williams in which there was a pistol I sent to Charlie and other things. We are moving about so that so much that it would be difficult to get a box of anything to us with certainty.

            I wrote you last Monday Mar 2 from Roanoke Tuesday Edwin and I with others were sent to the wharf for fatigue duty. The gale of the previous night had driven the water very high so that my shoes were no protection and Ed caught mw while we were wading along and you would have laughed to see me riding piggyback through the water.

            Wednesday an order came to be packed ready to go on boats in P.M. Just at night we formed in line but were dismissed till 7 A.M. Thursday when we formed in line and marched to the Union stern wheel steamer and by this put on the New York we are now waiting orders to move Where we are to go is yet unknown to privates. Newbern is said to be our destination – but before this reaches you doubtless we shall have seen our second fight.

            I see by the papers that the 21^st and Hawkins Zouaves[1] are highly praised for making what they call a desperate charge on the enemy but in fact they only charged on an empty battery. I cannot see anything very valorous in 2 Regiments charging on 3 silenced guns and a fort containing only five dead and one wounded Lieutenant of Wise’s Legion. I admit the 21^st showed true bravery in surrounding a poor wounded man and taking his revolver which they did without loss of life however an impartial account will place the credit where it is due.

            I have at last satisfied my ambition that is to be in a fight – to know what are the feelings of a man when leveling his musket to kill if possible his brother man and also to know how whizzing cannon balls and whistling bullets and seizing shells make men feel when they fall around. And I know the man whose trust is in God is the better soldier. He can be more truly brave. The man who, overcome by the hour’s excitement rushes on to death, danger is not so truly brave as he who calmly waits his time and steadily presses on to do duty in full view of death yet it troubles him not, his life is safe in God’s hands and duty is all he needs be anxious about. During the hottest of the contest my mind was calmly staid on God and no two hours of my life can I point to when my heart was filled with calmer peace or a firmer trust in Providence. Give me a Christian’s hope, a Christian’s faith, and A Christian’s security.

            I always loved religion, you know, but now my attachment to it is doubly strong.

            The prayers of fond parents and good Christian friends are doing much for me and others. The assurance that you are praying for us is a strong barrier against temptations and a great assistance in times of trial & exposure. O they cheer us, you cannot know how much.

            During the night of our landing on Roanoke as we stood round the campfire exposed to the pelting rain and sea breeze on one hand and expecting any moment to be greeted by shells from the enemy on the other hand, it was a comfort to feel that earnest heartfelt prayers were offering for us and we were remembered round the family altar and fireside way in our dear New England homes.

            Your prayers are heard, thank God and answered to our safety. We are very, very thankful to have escaped death at the enemy’s hand. Continue to pray.

            God helping we will not disgrace our native town, dear old Dudley but in what ever engagement it may be our lot to strive to do our utmost to maintain the honor of her revolutionary heroes.

            But I must close as the mail is to be sent to the Peabody in a few minutes. We are well and in fine spirits – growing fat over our treatment – just remember all the newspaper accounts are greatly exaggerated unless they come from responsible individuals belonging with us _ reporters stretch the truth strangely.

            Edwin wrote to Waldo[2] a while since but has not received an answer. I shall not write till after our fight and I pray then I may be able to write as I do now.

            I hope to come home without a scratch to disable or disfigure me however I trust that in the hands of Providence. He doeth all things well.

            The boys are all well. Chaffee[3] has gone home on furlough – by him I sent a letter to you. (Poor Wesley[4] is round looking as though his grave was half dug. I don’t what the poor boy will do – he is quite reserved – hardly ever speaking to me. By the way, he don’t think much of the Dudley boys. I suppose it is because we have joked him some) but say nothing to his friends – Capt. Foster and I get along much better, Father. About a month since he came to me and apologized for cross words he had given saying that he was quick to speak and often bore down harder than he really meant to and wished his men all to be on friendly terms with him. We like him much because he takes good care of his men.

                                    Yours till after the fight

                                              Goodbye

                                               Affectionately

                                                            Anson

P.S.  The stamps you send occasionally are very welcome as we cannot get them here. My love to Charlie. Tell him to be a good boy. We will come to see him bye & bye. A.P.

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            Our love to all inquiring friends. Remember me to the Centre[sp.] Class and all my brethren especially Father Davis.