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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC03836.63 |
| From Archive Folder | Correspondence of 90 letters and documents with 3 maps on the blockade of Port Royal, South Carolina |
| Title | Lewis H West to Harriet Moore regarding "change of feeling that has been wrought in public opinion as regards the colored troops." |
| Date | 26 March 1864 |
| Author | West, Lewis H. (b. 1829) |
| Recipient | Moore, Harriet |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | References her letter of 14 March 1864. Says her opinion that he is "decidedly blue" is correct. Says it is depressing to have spent 3 years as he has at the age of 35. Speaks positively of the "change of feeling that has been wrought in public opinion as regards the colored troops." Before they were "looked upon with utter contempt and the idea that they would stand fire was thought ridiculous." Says they are now thought of as equal to white troops. References the bravery of the 54th Massachusetts compared to the disloyalty of the New Yorkers who rioted in July 1863. Says that the black troops fighting bravely "has done more for the cause of abolition, than a hundred years of argument and speechyfying." Says they have been taking in many refugees from Charleston as of late. Says there are rumors that they will soon be in action along the South Carolina coast. Mentions a strong gale that swept through the area recently. Written on letterhead of the USS "New Ironsides." |
| Subjects | Civil War Military History Navy Union Forces Union Soldier's Letter Soldier's Letter Women's History African American History African American Troops Bravery Draft Riots Conscription Mobs and Riots Abolition Extreme Weather Refugees |
| People | West, Lewis H. (b. 1829) Moore, Harriet (fl. 1864) |
| Place written | Aboard USS "New Ironsides" off Charleston, South Carolina |
| Theme | The American Civil War; Naval & Maritime |
| Sub-collection | Papers and Images of the American Civil War |
| Additional Information | West was a Union naval officer in the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, mostly serving off South Carolina and Georgia. This collection begins with three documents from West's service on a merchant marine ship off China. He served on the USS "Perry" April-August 1861, the USS "Wabash" August-October 1861, the USS "Alabama" October 1861-October 1862, the USS "Ladona" (also spelled Lodona) October 1862-August 1863, the USS "New Ironsides" October 1863-April 1864, and the USS "Fernandina" April 1864-March 1865. Had the rank of Masters Mate from April-August 1861 and then served the rest of the war as an Acting Master. Letters detail the tedium of life in the blockade, coming across runaway slaves and contrabands, as well as several run-ins with Confederate submarines. Three hand drawn maps are at .27, .68, and .89. Most of the letters are to his mother (her initials are RW and she resides at 1316 Walnut Street in Philadelphia - West addresses his letters to her as "Mrs. James West"), sister (Mary), and someone who appears to be West's brother-in-law (Weir). He begins to write a woman he seems to be romantically interested in named Harriet Moore in 1864. From a reference at .63, West was born in 1829. He might have been living in New York before the war, but he definitely resides there after the war. About half the letters have an envelope. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945 |
| Civil War: Theater of War | Lower Seaboard Theater and Gulf Approach |
| Civil War: Unit | USS "New Ironsides" |