I Am Fighting for the Union: The Civil War Letters of Naval Officer Henry Willis Wells

By Henry Willis Wells and Robert M. Browning Jr.

An insightful, detailed, and invaluable account of daily life in the Union Navy
 
On May 18, 1862, Henry Willis Wells wrote a letter to his mother telling her in clear terms, “I am fighting for the Union.” Since August 1861, when he joined the US Navy as a master’s mate he never wavered in his loyalty. He wrote to his family frequently that he considered military service a necessary and patriotic duty, and the career that ensued was a dramatic one, astutely and articulately documented by Wells in more than 200 letters home, leaving an invaluable account of daily life in the Union Navy.

Wells joined the navy shortly after the war began, initially on board the Cambridge, attached to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, which patrolled the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. He witnessed the Battle of Hampton Roads and the fight between the ironclads CSS Virginia and the USS Monitor. Next, the Cambridge assisted in the blockade of Wilmington, North Carolina. In one instance, the warship chased the schooner J. W. Pindar ashore during her attempt to run the blockade, and Confederate forces captured Henry’s boarding party. After a short prison stay in the infamous Libby Prison in Richmond, his Confederate captors paroled Henry. He travelled back to Brookline, and soon thereafter the Navy Department assigned him to the gunboat Ceres, which operated on the sounds and rivers of North Carolina, protecting army positions ashore. Henry was on board during the Confederate attempt to capture Washington, North Carolina. During this April 1863 attack, Henry was instrumental in the town’s defense, commanding a naval battery ashore during the latter part of the fight.

His exceptional service gained him a transfer to a larger warship, the USS Montgomery, again on the blockade of Wilmington. Later the service assigned him to the Gem of the Sea, part of the East Gulf Blockading Squadron. Through his hard work and professionalism, he finally earned his first command. In September 1864, he became the commanding officer of the Rosalie, a sloop used as a tender to the local warships. Later he commanded the schooner Annie, also a tender. At the end of December 1864, however, the Annie suffered a massive explosion, killing all hands, including Wells. He was twenty-three years old when his life and career ended tragically. Wells’s letters document both his considerable achievements and his frustrations. His challenges, triumphs, and disappointments are rendered with candor. I Am Fighting for the Union is a vital and deeply personal account of a momentous chapter in the history of the Civil War and its navies.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: University Alabama Press
• Release date: Apr 25, 2023
• ISBN: 9780817394455

Book preview

1

I LIKE MY SITUATION FIRST RATE

Patrolling Virginia Waters

U.S. Steamer Cambridge¹

Navy Yard Boston

August 6th 1861

Sir:

By authority vested in me I hearby appoint you a Masters Mate in the Navy of the United States: to serve on board this vessel and to perform such other duties as may be assigned to you.

You will please to inform me by letter of your acceptance of this appointment.

Respectfully

Your obt servant

Wm. A. Parker

Wm. A. Parker Commander U.S. Navy²

Mr Henry W. Wells

Masters Mate

Brooklyne Mass.

Marginalia—Reported to me August 6th

Brookline

August 7, 1861

William A. Parker, Commander

U.S.N. Steamer Cambridge

Sir

I accept the position of Master’s Mate which you have been pleased to assign me on board the U.S. Steamer Cambridge.

With many thanks I remain

Your ob’t Servant

Henry W. Wells

USS Cambridge

Sep 2nd 1861

Dear Mother

We shall probable go to sea tomorrow as we are under sailing orders. I feel quite nicely.

I am only writing this as a precaution in case we should go off suddenly but I dont intend to send it till I am quite sure that we shall go. I will try to add some more by & by

Henry

USS Cambridge

Sep 3rd 1861

Dear Mother

I am getting along first rate, we are not gone yet but I think we shall to day or to night for they have been getting up steam this morning. We are going down to Fort Monroe.³ Give my love to all Father Mother Sisters brother & grandpa Cousin Lu & Aunti too.⁴ I hope Elize is better.

Write to me as soon as possible. In haste from your loving son

Henry W. Wells

U.S.S. Cambridge

Sep 7th 1861

At Fort Monroe

Dear Mother

We have just arrived here this morning & as I have a moments leasure I would write you a few lines. We had a pleasant passage down[.] we were a little long about it on account of chasing a couple of vessels. The first one we thought would be a prise [prize] surely for when they first saw us they altered their course & made all sail away from us, of course we followed & gradualy came up with her[.] we soon made her out to be a schooner & when we were with in about six miles we gave them a shot from the Long gun as a hint to come too but they paid no attention to it & kept on so we went on full speed after. When we were within a half a mile he hoisted English colors, but never hove too till we got along side & ordered him to[.] we sent a boat on board in charge of Mr. Eldridge (Acting Master) who examined his papers which were all right so we had to let him go after giving him a blowing up for not heaving to when we fired & so taking us a long way out of our course.⁵ We afterwords chased & spoke the packet ship Victoria. On Thursday we made a target & put it over board. After getting about two miles from it we hove too & commenced firing at it. We fired about 7 or 8 rounds apiece & the Captain counted the gunnery pretty good. The best shots were made by the Parrot[t] gun[.]⁶ we did not hurt the target much but if a ship had been there in stead I think every one of our shot would have taken effect. (by our of course I mean the forward Pivot gun)

My health is about the same as when I left home if any thing I am a little better[.] yesterday I had a very bad headach & so I went to the Doctor & got something (Pills) for it, which has done me good. As for my cold it has not had a fair chance to get well yet as Thursday night was the first night I had any bed to sleep in other than what I could make upon the floor. We have not got cots after all & this sleeping in hammocks I dont approve of. I like to lay strait.

However dont think I am complaining for I like my situation first rate. When we first started I was told to stand watch with Mr. [Frederick W.] Strong the Sailing Master[.]⁷ I did not like it at first till I was informed that the arrangement was made so that Mr Strong would not be able to give up his watch to me with out throwing extra duty on the other watch officers he having to attend to the navigation.

I am very glad now that the change was made for not only am I officer of the deck a good deal of the time but being in his watch he calls on me to note the chronometer for him & to work the sights to compare with his. It is splendid practice & he is ready to show me any thing I want to know.

I suppose you would like some description of Fort Monroe but as I have seen only the out side as yet I will defer that till another time. The Steam Frigate Roranoke Flag Ship & a number of other men of war are laying here.⁸ I expect to receive a letter to day tho’ I dont know as I ought to so soon. Write as often as you can. Mr. [Nathaniel] Ottiwell sends his respects.

Give my love to all the family (Cousin Lu and Aunti to) & remember me to all friends especially the Bonds & Joe. Please explain to Jo[e] why I did not write to him as I promised. you know I did not feel able to do any thing the last few days I was at home.

Good by. The Flag is up & we are bound to keep it there from your loving son,

Henry W. Wells

Masters Mate

U. S. Steamer Cambridge

Off Beaufort N.C.⁹

Sept 10th 1861

Lat obsd 34°. 27′ N Long 76°. 26°W

Sir:

You will take charge of the English Schr Revere of Yarmouth and proceed with her to Boston and report to the judge of the District and also to the Commandant of the Navy yard.¹⁰

You are hereby furnished with duplicate orders to this effect

Respectfully yr obt servant

Wm. A. Parker

Comdr.

To

Henry W. Wells

masters mate

U.S.S. Cambridge

Reported on board Cambridge¹¹

[Endorsement] Reported with schooner Revere of Yarmouth Nova Scotia Sept 21st 1861

Wm L Hudson Comdt¹²

United States Marshals Office

Boston Sep 23 1861

Received of Mr Henry W Wells masters mate of the schooner Revere & cargo libelled for prize in the District Court Mass Dist.

John S. Keyes

U.S. Marshal

Boston

24 September 1861.

To all whom it may concern

Henry W. Wells, Masters-mate of the U.S.S Cambridge, has this day delievered into my custody the bodies of two seamen Wm Pennell, James Pennell, recently of the schooner Revere now prize in lying in this port.¹³

C.F. Adams for Prize Commission for the District of Boston in

Charleston

Navy Yard Boston

October 4th 1861

Sir,

You will proceed to Hampton Roads with four men belonging to the Gunboat Cambridge, and report to Com. Wm. Parker, or in his absence to the Senior Naval officer present. Transportation for the men will be furnished you by the Navy Agent. Your own expenses for travelling will be reimbursed you upon producing the proper vouchers to the paymaster of the Cambridge.

I am Respec

Your obt. Servt

Wm L Hudson

Commandant

To Henry W. Wells M Mate

[Endorsement] Reported on board the Minnesota at Hampton Roads October 7th 1861.

G. J. Van Brunt

Senior Naval Officer Present

[2nd Endorsement] Reported on Board the Cambridge October 17th 1861.

Wm. A. Parker Comdr

Hampton Roads Oct/4 [1861]

Flag Ship Minnesota¹⁴

Dear Mother

I am going on board the steamer Rhode Island this afternoon to go south & join my vessel. I write in great haste to let you know that fact. We heard from the Cambridge this morning. They have had a boat expedition in connection with another vessel & got one or two of the boats smashed up in the surf[.] I believe the boats belonged to the other vessel that got wrecked. One of the Masters Mates of the "C" (Walter Odine) I think) has died & was buryed at sea. They say he went crazy first & tride to shoot himself—Cousin Louisa Greely knows him I believe. Good by now from your loving son

Henry Wells

I am in a great hurry so you must excuse this awful writing. Give my love to all my friends. I will write every chance I get.

Henry

Baltimore Oct 6th 61

Steamer Louisiana

Dear Mother

I am safe on board the steamer that is to take us down to the Fort & I have got all my men.

I had to stay in New York all day yesterday as the steamer did not get in in time for the morning train. One of my men got drunk on the boat & gave me some trouble but I soon bundled him off to bed. we could hardly wake him up in the morning & as soon as we got to the depot he laid down & slept till about three in [the] afternoon. I left the men in charge of Derocher & went over to Brooklyn to see Uncle Lyman & the Dix.

Dr. Morse assistant surgeon of the 17 Reg. M.V. whose acquaintance I made on board the Fall River boat (going to Baltimore to join his Regiment) went with me.¹⁵ & Uncle Parkhurst made quite an impression on him. I did not see Uncle Lyman or Zoueves [Zouaves] at which I was very much disappointed. We left New York at 6 PM on the New Jersey Rail Road. There were a goo[d] many soldiers on board. Recruits going to join different Regiments. There are a party of Zuaves [Zouaves] of the 11th N.Y.V. going down to the Fort with us.¹⁶ We arrived here in Baltimore at about 3 ½ AM & as the boat was not in then we went up to a hotel to stay till she arrived & to get some breakfast. I saw the place where the Massachusetts men were murdered in April & I felt as tho’ I would like to pitch into somebody.¹⁷ One of them is going up to the Post Office so I will not write any more now (I left off up there to go to dinner) The Cambridge has left Hampton roads. I will write again when we get to the Fort.

Love to all & write soon to your loving son

Henry W Wells

I saw that Colonel of the 11th Ohio who was taken at Rich Mountain & has just escaped, at the Quartermaster’s office.

If I dont forget I will tell you about him next time

Henry W Wells

Fort Monroe Monday morning

All safe & sound here. The Cambridge is away & I am going with my men on board the Flag Ship Minnesota. I could not or rather to tell the truth did not (for got talking with a gentleman and forgot it) mail this yesterday so I thought I would add two or three lines. Love to all. Direct the same as I told you Steamer Cambridge. care of Flag Officer [Louis Malisherbes] Goldsborough.

Good by from your loving son

H W Wells

Marginalia penned by the family—About 10 days after the Cambridge left Boston she captured a prize & Henry with a crew was put on board of her—brought her into Boston. This letter was written on his way back to join the Cambridge. LW [Louisa Wells Wendte] April 1902.

Hampton Roads

Oct 9th/ 61

Frigate Minnesotta

Dear Mother

I though[t] I would commence a letter to you before dinner as several of the others are writing.

I am getting along very well on board here & am very well contented to stay here for a while as there is a prospect of the Merrimac coming down to attack us before long with two other steamers that they have got there.¹⁸ We expected them last night & got all ready for them but were disapointed.

There was a flag of truce came down from Norfolk monday & brought about sixty released prisoners from Richmond that were taken at Bull Run.¹⁹ They were all badly wounded, most of them being minus & [an] arm or a leg but they seemed in good spirits & would talk & laugh as cheerful as you please[.] There was one of the 1st Mass. Vol. amongst them belonging to Co. I, I believe. I had quite a talk with him. He belonged to Boston & has got a wife & children there, but seems to think if he gets well he should like to go back & have another try at the Rebels. He is wounded in the ankle & was left on the field when the Rebels came up (A Louisiana Reg.) They bayoneted him twice or rather tried to[;] one of the bayonets directed at his breast was stopped by his Testament which he carried there, the weppon went about half through it. He showed it [to] me & said he never should part with it. He says they were treated very cruely. one of his comrades was shot dead for looking out the prison window & another got his arm shattered for the same offense.

It was an awful sight to see the poor fellows & it makes one realise what war is.

There are several officers on board here waiting for a chance to rejoin there vessels. There is the Carpenter of the Jamestown, A Midshipman of the Vandalia[,] A Masters Mate of the Gemsbok[,] an Engineer of the Flag & myself.²⁰

One of the Lieutenants drills the officers who have just entered the service at the great guns & small arms every day & the masters mate of the Gemsbok & I join in with them so I am not losing any thing by staying here.

When the Cambridge was here last she had no Mates on board at all, they tell me & they borrowed one from this ship. & I believe there is another away in a prize which makes them rather short[.] So to day the First Lieutenant came to me & said he wanted the mate of the G[emsbok] & I should stand watch while on board.

When I arrived this was the only man of war in the roads but yesterday the Susquehanna & the Corwin came in so we have a little company.

I guess I wont write any more at present & I hope next time I write will be to tell we have captured the Rebel steamers. Good by give my love to all & write soon to your loving son

Henry W. Wells

Hampton Roads

Oct. 13th [1861]

On board Frigate Minnesotta

Dear Mother

Tho’ there has not much occured since I wrote last I thought I would write again to night if it is ever so little as I know you will be glad to hear from me.

There does not seem to be any immediate chance of my rejoining my ship, which on a great many accounts I am very sorry for. One thing, I am getting rather short of clothes, shirts in particular, as I dirtied about half of my stock in that nasty dusty ride in the cars.

I had a talk with Captain Van Brunt about getting back day before yesterday & he promised to send me the first chance that turned up.²¹ So all I have got to do now is to wait.

Thursday night we had quite an exciting time. At about 9 o’clock P.M. we saw blue lights burning in the direction of Newport News & pretty soon the steam tug Lockwood which was stationed up that way on the look out came down full speed & said that three Rebel steamers were coming down to force there way out & had nearly surrounded her.²² Of course all was bustle & excitement. The Drummer was call[ed] to beat to quarters. & in a very short time the hammocks were all up, guns man[n]ed & cleared away, & every thing ready for action.

As I had no station I took my position on the quarter deck & made my self generaly useful carrying orders, etc. Everybody was anxious for a fight but we were disapointed, for it was a false alarm so after standing in a drizzling rain for about two hours the retreat was beat & the guns were secured.

Friday we had target shooting[.] we fired one broadside. I did not think they did much better than we did on board the Cambridge.

We had services on board here today. The Rev[erend] Mr. Fuller Chaplain of the Mass[achusetts] 16th Reg. Vol. preached the sermon and a very stiring [sic] one it was tho’ I hardly endorse all his opinions. I have scraped up quite a little acquaintance with him. I have a good deal of boat duty [to] perform now & stand a watch so I dont have any too much leasure time tho’ after all I aint doing much compared to what I used to have [to] do when in the merchant service.

Well! it is about the hardest job that I have undertaken for some time trying to write in a Frigates Midshipmans berth here is one Mate drumming a tattoo on the table, two or three more skylarking, a Shell fixing a hammock & all talking as fast as their tongues can wag.²³

Now I think all things considered I will not write any more now as the lights will have to go out pretty soon so good night. Love to all & write soon[.] I guess you need not mind putting care of Flag Officer on my letters as it wont be necessary.

Good by from your loving son

Henry W. Wells

Henry

U.S.S. Cambridge

Oct 18th [1861]

Off Beaufort N.C.

Dear Mother

Here I am at last safely back on board the C[ambridge] & for all my worrying they did not expect me much sooner. Mr. Maice [William H. Maies] is not here yet tho’ he is in the fleet some where trying to find the vessel for he was at Fort Monroe a short time before I got there.

I was missinformed about the sad occurance that took place while I was away. it was poor Ottiwell instead of [Walter C.] Odiorne was taken away. He was only sick about 10 days from the time he first complained of not feeling well till he died, & during the last 5 days & a half he did not have his right senses. As the steerage was rather warm they made him a bed on the gun deck close to one of the ports & had watchers with him all the time[.] When his mind first commenced to wander he was very quiet but early the next morning (his watcher having slept out side of the screen that was round his bed) he sprang up & darted down into the steerage where the rest of the officers that belong there were sleeping before any body could stop him & got hold of his revolver & swore he would shoot the first man that came near him. he seem to have an idea that there was a man after him with a Sharps Rifle & he said that he could fight too. Of course every body cleared out of the steerage in short time. but soon after the Gunner went down to try to peacify him. but as soon as O saw him he fired & the shot barely missed Mr. [William J.] Ferguson’s head. & he had to retreat. He fired none after that. O had charge of the place for about half an hour when they got the hose along & knocked him down with a stream of water. after they got hold of him he calmed down at once & made no resistance. On the table found three revolvers and two swords with some ammunition spread out on the