LETTERS FROM OUR VOLUNTEERS.

From the 104th Regiment.

CAROLINA CITY, N. C. Jan 17th, 1862.

Messrs. Editors :—The 104th still occupies its old camp

here, although we have been under marching orders for

almost a week.  Last night an order was read at dress

parade, stating that as soon as the vessels received coal

and rations, the troops would embark.  The 104th and 11th

Maine go on the Cahawba, a first-class steamer, having

some sixty state-rooms.  Col. Davis, now commanding the

brigade, takes passage on the same vessel.  Naglee’s di-

vision, consisting of three brigade, is the only one going

upon the expedition.  The 1st brigade is commanded by

Gen. Heckman, of Easton Pa.  The second, Naglee’s old

brigade, is commanded by Col. Davis.  Of course, our des-

tination is secret—each vessel having sealed orders.  Many

conjecture that we are to make a demonstration upon Wil-

mington.  The new Monitors, Montauk and Passaic, with

other gunboats, accompany the expedition.  The Mon-

tauk is commanded by Captain Worden, the officer who

so gallantry handled the old Monitor in her encounter

with the Merrimac off Newport News, Va.  The Passaic

mounts two guns—one fifteen inch bore, which throws a

ball weighing four hundred and sixty pounds, and can

be fired twice in five minutes.  Her grape and canister

would be truly awful in an engagement, as one canister

contains eight hundred grape shot, each about the size of

a walnut.  A Lieutenant on board the Passaic being asked

the question whether there was not great danger of the

rebels successfuly boarding her, replied that there was

not, if the surrounding vessels obeyed their orders, which

were to shower grape and canister upon her deck.  In

making the trip to this point, the Passaic strained her-

self considerably, the sea being very rough.  The steamer

Freeborn lightened her of eighty tons of ammunition, and

I understand she is again considered to be ready for ac-

tion.

A memorial was in circulation yesterday, asking for the

promotion of Col. Davis to a Brigadier Generalship.—

Some of the officers of the brigade are anxious that the

Colonel should have a higher position.  The health of

the 104th is unusually good at present, having now pres-

ent for duty over five hundred men, and only seven wre

excused from duty this morning by the Surgeon.  The 56th

New York has been detached from our brigade, and is

now in Col. Howell’s brigade, in which is the 174th P. M. 

I understand that they are to remain at Newbern to do

provost guard duty.  The amount of transportation al-

lowed on our intended trip is very limited ; only two hor-

ses are allowed to each regiment, and Colonel Hart and

Major Rogers will, I presume, monopolize that luxury.—

No wall tents are to be taken, and trunks are positively

prohibited, indicating that we will have little or no

marching to do.  From present appearances, I am fearful

we shall have a very rough voyage, as the wind is blowing

a perfect gale this morning, with occasional showers of

rain.

We arrived at this populous city, consisting of two

houses, on January 4th, and since that period have re-

ceived no mail from the North.  The latest paper in camp

is a Herald of the 8th inst.  There was a rumor in camp

this morning that there was a mail for the regiment at

Newbern.  A messenger has been dispatched for it.  The

anxiety to hear from home is intense, and I trust that this

afternoon’s train may bring us tidings.  Quartermaster

Hendrie is again on duty ; his arm is still painful, and

since his arrival here a small piece of bone has been taken

from it.  He is, however, indefatigable, and does not seem

to give himself much uneasiness about it.  Capt. Swartz-

lander has entirely recovered from his fearful wound, and

upon our passage to this city was very sea-sick.  When he

recovered from the attack, he remarked that he would

rather be wounded twice over than be sea-sick.  I have

just been informed that our steamer will be ready for us

in the morning, and I hope my information is correct,

for we are all tired of being so long in suspense.  General

Naglee has promised that there will be chances for dis-

tinction.  From our knowledge of him as a fighting Gen-

eral, that will also include chances for extinction.  Trust-

ing that we may be successful in our enterprise, I remain,

very truly,                             Yours,                  AMICUS.

P. S.—The divisions of Gens. Wessels and Ferry ac-

company the expedition.  Naglee’s division has the ad-

vance.

                  STEAMER CAHAWBA, OFF MOREHEAD

                              CITY, N. C., January 26, 1863.

Messrs. Editors: —The expedition of which we form

a part has not yet started, although we are almost in

readiness to take our departure, on our unknown journey. 

The 104th and the 11th Maine regiments occupy this

steamer, whose tonnage is rated at seventeen hundred tons.

The available room is all occupy by the men.  The 104th

have the lower deck, an unobstructed floor, with no

bunks; and although the men are very much crowded,

they bear the personal inconvenience very good naturedly

indeed.  The 11th Maine have the upper deck, which has

bunks sufficient to accommodate about two hundred men.

The remainder of the Regiment, with quite a number of

the 104th, sleep on the hurricane deck, with canvas cover-

ing to protect them in inclement weather.  Gen. Naglee

has changed his quarters; temporarily, to the steamer

Secor.  I am informed that he intends again taking up

his headquarters with us when we sail.  I have been more

impressed with the General's greatness since our brief

sojourn upon this steamer than ever before — the mild yet

decided manner in which he governs; for all were truly

governed by him — no bending of his dignity to trifling

unimportant subjects.  He looks like a general, and his

past gallant conduct and the his present responsible position

prove that the authorities at Washington place a high es-

timation upon him.

Our destination is purely conjecture; many think we

are to move on Charleston, S. C., whilst others are of the

opinion that we're to attack Wilmington, N. C.  One

thing is very certain —if our destination is Wilmington,

we show in all probability find the rebels well prepared

to receive us; as the Richmond Examiner cautions the

residents of the city to destroy it, rather than let it fall

into our hands; and as Wilmington is in easy communica-

tion with Raleigh, we may expect a warm time of it, for

Beauregard is reported to have thirty thousand troops at

that City.  I am in hopes, from the preparations being

made at this point, that we may be successful in our en-

terprise, and strike a blow upon rebeldom that will tell

for the cause of freedom.

A few evenings since we had a collision which resulted in

in the steamer Key West damaging our paddle box very

considerably.  The affair caused some little commotion,

no lives were lost, and the timid ones soon regained

their equanimity.

The officers have very comfortable state rooms, and

board at the ship's table fifty cents a meal.  We have

been forced, owing to scarcity of funds, to adopt the econ-

omical but fashionable style of two meals a day—break-

fast at 9 A. M., and dinner at 4 P. M.

It will be very gratifying to friends at home to know

that the health of the officers and men of the 104th is ex-

cellent—the sick report this morning only numbering five

enlisted men.  I was informed today that Col. Howell's

brigade would accompany the expedition.  If that is cor-

rect, we will have the 174th with us, and I have no doubt

but that they will have opportunities for distinguishing

themselves.

On Saturday evening we were regaled with instrument-

al and vocal music by the “ Rosebuds ” of the 104th.  The

performance came off in the saloon, and was very satis-

factory.  Life one a steamer is truly monotonous.  First

we have a walk upon deck, but the promenading surface

it is so limited that one soon tires of that ; then a visit to

the general saloon is proposed, and promenade is there

eclipsed by euchre and all-fours, or by the more indefatig-

able “ pea knuckle, ” a game that originated in Quaker-

town.

Yesterday being Sunday, divine service was held upon

the upper deck, and our chaplain discoursed eloquently

but briefly on the effects of discipline.  The men were

marched out by companies, and were very attentive.  As

rare was being offered up for the safety and success of

our enterprise, a feeling came over me as I

thought how many of the brave forms then surrounding

me would in all probability soon be numbered with the

honored dead.  We have already contributed largely from

our number towards the sacred cause, and the end is not

yet.

Upon the conclusion of the services the steamer Secor

came alongside our vessel, and gen. Naglee extended an

invitation to the officers to come aboard. Col. Davis,

Col. Plaistead and Lieut.-Col. Campbell of the 11th Maine,

and major Rogers and Chaplin Gries of the 104th, avail-

ed themselves of the invitation, and they steamed down

the Sound.  Touching at Point Lookout, they visited the

Lighthouse which is still in good repair, save that the

rebels have taken away the revolving light and reflectors

rendering it almost entirely useless for nautical pur-

poses.

We are anxious to hear from home, having received

no mail since Jan. 6th.  Trusting that you may soon have

an opportunity to make honorable mention of our conduct,

I remain yours,                  AMICUS.

Carolina City, Jan. 4th, 1863.

Messrs. editors : When I penned my last communication, at

Gloucester Point, I did not think it would be my good fortune to

address you from this place at the present time, basking beneath

a most delightful southern sun, while our friends at home are

chilling with cold or paying close attention to the stove.  We

received marching orders on the 24th of December, to leave

Gloucester Point.  This order, at first, was generally disbe-

lieved; but it was soon verified by an order to be in readiness to

embark as soon as transports would arrive.  We had been at the

Point over five months, and were fully prepared to spend the

winter in very comfortable quarters.  Notwithstanding this,

there was a unanimous disposition among the men to leave the

place, and all appeared anxious to be off as soon as possible.—

We knew nothing of our destination.  Some supposed we were to

go to Suffolk, others that we were destined further South.  We

waited until Saturday for transportation, when the tedious oper-

ation of moving the stores commenced.  They were put on board

the ship William Woodbury, though the weather was very un-

pleasant and rainy.  The stores were first put on the ferry boat

and then on board the ship, that was lying at anchor in the river,

the water being too shallow at the wharf to float the Woodbury.

We expected to embark during the evening, but, for some cause,

were delayed until Sunday noon, when the regiment went on

board.  The Woodbury is a first class sailing vessel, of 1/100

tons capacity, and was recently chartered by the Government as

a transport.  She was provided with bunks to accommodate 850

men, as reported by the contractors.  The New York Indepen-

dent Battalion, numbering about 200 men, was ordered to em-

bark on the same vessel, as our regiment only numbered about

650 men, in order to complete the ship's cargo of human freight. 

They came on board on Monday morning.  Our regiment being

on board first, had the advantage, and occupied the bunks,

while many of the Independent Battalion were compelled to

quarter on deck, and be exposed to the elements.  Every availa-

ble spot on the ship was occupied by some soldier, and the men

were huddled together in a shameful manner.  This was owing

to the contractors representing the ship to accommodate more

troops than she was capable of doing.  They reaped the benefit,

while the men suffered at the expense of their thievish propen-

sities.

We left Yorktown at noon on Monday, and probably for the

last time surveyed the scenes of Yorktown and Gloucester Point,

so familiar in the history of our country.  The ship was towed

to Fortress Monroe by the steam tug Freeborn.  The trip was

most delightful ; the sun shed his bright rays upon the limpid

waters of the majestic York River, as the ship moved smoothly

over her unrippled surface.  We arrived at the Fortress about

sunset, and anchored off the Fort for the night.  We expected

the Independent Battalion to be put on board another transport,

as Lieut Colonel Hart reported the over-crowded condition of

the vessel ; but he was told at headquarters that the ship was

represented to carry the number of troops that were ordered

aboard of her, and we must make the best of it.

At noon on Tuesday the Freeborn took us in tow again, and

put out to sea.  Our destination was still a profound mystery,

as we left under sealed orders no to be opened until 20 miles

south of Cape Henry.  We were all very anxious to know where

were  to go, but we were confident that we were bound for the

sunny land of Dixie.

“Where the yam will grow, the cotton blow,

The slave raise the rice and corn;

And never they’ll fear if never they hear

The driver blow his horn.”

For the first time we witnessed an ocean scene ; but there was

nothing to see, but its rolling surface and the clouds that ob-

scured the sky threatening a storm.  The sable curtain of night

towered over the mighty deep, the men repaired to their quar-

ters and the officers to the cabin, anxiously awaiting the opening

of the orders to learn our destination.  The Lieutenant-Colonel

and the Captain of the ship were the only ones to know where

we were ? go to, as the orders were “ confidential,” as we were

told.  We retired hoping to see land again, as there was nothing

to be seen on the ocean to suit our fancies.  The sea was quite

rough during the night, particularly of Hatteras Inlet.  The

ship undulated rapidly, causing many of the men and officers to

be seriously affected with sea sickness, making them vomit se-

verely.  No one need desire to be favored with a spell of sea-

sickness, for really it is the most unpleasant and severe of all

natural ailments.  Wednesday last was a day that will long be

remembered among the men of our regiment, owing to the scene

of beholding so many men attempting to turn the inside of

their stomachs out, while yielding to the symptoms of sea-sick-

ness.  Capt. Swartzlander says that he would rather be wounded

than sea sick.  Capt. Kephart wished some one to stop the ship

to ease his ungovernable stomach.  Time was the doctor,—na-

ture had its course, and we have fully recovered.  The tug left

us on Thursday morning, it being unable to handle the ship any

longer amid the surging waves, and the day and night was spent

in cruising of the coast of North Carolina.  On Friday morning

we anchored about 3 miles off Beaufort and waited until 5 P.

M., to be towed into the harbor.  The day was pleasant in the

extreme, the sea became calm, and as the expected time we

were towed in and disembarked on Saturday morning.  We are

now encamped on a fine plot of ground near Carolina City.  The

men have shelter tents and are in fine spirits.  The weather is

very fine—like May at home.  Col. Davis has been assigned the

command of our brigade ; Gen. Naglee has command of a divis-

ion.                                                                         L. H. M.