Correspondence
Captain Jackson V. Parker
April 12, 1862 Ships Island
Dear Parents,
Knowing you are very anxious to hear from your boys I will not delay writing to you longer then what I have been necessuradly obliged to. This is the first time that we have had an opportunity to send a letter North except at Turks Island. Fortunately the day we stopped there we were having a calm; two men came out in a small boat. I sent a letter to Julia (J.V. Parker’s wife in Brandon, VT.). I had been sick up to that time 15 days and was hardly able to walk. I was taken the first day with the fever ague that soon left me. I was then taken sick nd Charlie also. We were 2 sick chaps. we managed to assist each other and finally recover and 2 healthier chaps today you never seen. We feel able to match 4 rebels at least. Charlie is just recovering from the mumps.
The 1st of our trip was rough. One time we were 700 miles East of our course. I really thought at one time we should be driven up on the coast of Africa. During the storm we lost 1 man in Co. K by the name of Willey. I saw him placed on a blanket, stones packed around him, the blanked sealed up and he was thrown overboard. It was a dreary moment to us. We were all more or less sick and as he sank down a dread seemed to strike us. We have since thought we suppose this is nothing to what we may see if we go where we are going now..NO (New Orleans). But one thing you can depend upon, we are not afraid to meet whatever is cast to our lot. I didn’t enlist with my eyes closed and although Charley is a mere boy, he is a man, a soldier, in ever sense of the word and you can depend upon it if we ever have a chance to meet our common enemy we should not be the first to run. Charley says he wrote you about our capturing a shark so I will omit that. We landed here day before yesterday, found the right wing here and settled down.
We found here Ships Island now famous as a military post but it is famous for nothing else only white sand. We found here about 40 vessels of different kinds and encamped upon the island, 18,000 troops. I have met lots here whom I am well acquainted and having enjoyed myself with.
Ships Island is 7 mi long and entirely districted from any vegetation except a small grove on the ____ where we get our wood..Pitch Pine. Where we are at is all fine sand as white as snow which blows with drifting in furrows like snow in VT.
Our gun boats have fights almost daily with the Rebels gun boats. They venture out often, their boats being light drift and can run in to shore and out of reach of our guns. Several have ventured too near and have been captured. One the Mississippi the other day, came out and ran down past the Island. 2 of our gun boats happened to be out behind Cut Island about 4 miles when she housed up they opened fire upon her and she came too. There were several ladies on board and several Rebel Officers. I understand the whole number of persons was from 50-75. A reg. came up to Biloxi opposite to here a few days ago and a young lady presented some colors to them. The NH 8 Unit over shelled the town, landed, drove the whole town and soldiers before them capturing the colors presented by this young lady. She was there cursed the Rebels pronounced them traitors and cowards.
She was hot ______?.
Last night we had an awful thunder storm. 5 men were killed by lightening and 2 more will die probably. Our tend was blown down and we were thoroughly soaked. One thing I forgot to mention. Several men were swimming here a few nights ago and when the tide went out, 5 soldiers were carried out and drowned. Their bodies have all been found. There is one thing more. A soldier while on guard, had a baby. Ike turned out to be a woman. She was in an Indiana Reg.
10,000 troops leave here tomorrow. We follow soon I expect. To conclude, I will say we are both well. I never was so healthy and hardy in my life. I received a good long letter from my dear wife today and in it was little Frediies hand marked out. She couldn’t hold down anything more precious to please and gratify my feelings than this simple act. I hope to return to find them both well as I left them and I shall never regret this act enlisting and serving as a soldier. Charles Daniels wants you to tell his wife that he has written to her and that he is hardy and well. Bill Daniels is the toughest we have, he has not seen a sick moment. Pitts also stands it first rate and likes the service. Bill and Hen are here now and they both send love to their parents. They are both spunky and make first rate soldiers.
These small young fellows are actually our best men.
Direct your letters to
Co B, 7th VT Vols.
Ships Island
we both send love, from your sons Charles and Jackson
Jackson and Charles Parker's letters are provided courtesy of Karen Parker-Galvin, Charles' great-granddaughter.
