compiled by David Flint
During the Civil War, Stephentown resident Charles F. Chapel was a Landsman, a seaman recruit, aboard the USS Wabash, Flagship of Admiral Samuel F. du Pont, Commander of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Flag ShipWabash – Port Royal November 20, 1862
Dear Brother,
In answer to yours of the 19th which was duly received and I was happy to hear from you – that you are well and doing well. I haven’t much news to write about. Everything is quiate here now. Nothing going on and it’s rather dull times now. But I think there will be something down here soon. I hope so for I want to se this war to an end for I am sick of it. But it can’t last forever. So you have gone into the coal business have you? Well I exspect you are nearly as big as I am now. And the next thing I exspect you will be sparking some of the gals. Well, give your most, go to school this winter and learn all you can. Maybe you will never have another chance. How is George getting on? He struts around as big as ever, I suppose. I have writing to mother and about the money I sent, it must be in Troy and she will have to send an order for it.
Write often and as soon as you get this. I don’t think of anything more to write now. So good by. Take care of yourself and keep your nose clean. Give my love to all and my compliments to Henry. I wish he would write to me of all that is going on there.
Yours respectfully
From Charles F Chapel
Charles is probably writing to his youngest brother James who is 18 years old at this time. He has mentioned several times his desire that James go back to school. George and Henry are also younger brothers in their 20’s.
Port Royal – Wabash March the 24, 1863
Dear Mother,
Having a few lesure moments I thought I would write to you. I am well at present, hoping this will find you enjoi the same blessing. I wrote to you last month and sent two dollars in the letter and likewise to Henry. I haven’t received any ansar. I sent Henry twenty dollars by Adams Express. I wish you wold write and let me know about it whether you got it or not, and how you get on these hard times, and whether they have prest anyone there for the armey yet or not.
Is nothing new here at present. There is eight iron clads here now ready for work but I don’t know – I expect we will come North some time this summer and I shall come to Stephentown. Anyway, the mail goes in a few moments and I shall have to close. Write as soon as you get this. Give my love to all and accept the same yourself. You will find in this two ten sents not for James to by candy with.
From your son
Charles F. Chapel
The eight ironclad warships were getting ready to assault Ft. Sumter that was protecting the entrance to Charleston harbor. The powerful USS New Ironsides and seven monitors would soon be joined by a ninth ironclad, the experimental USS Keokuk. On April 7, led by du Pont using the New Ironsides temporarily as his flagship, this fleet began to bombard Sumter. The attack was a dismal failure, however. The fire from the ships had little effect on the fort but the fort’s artillery pummeled the ships, put many of the fleet’s guns out of commission and damaged the Keokuk to the extent that she sank the next day. Du Pont finally called off the attack as futile. Sumter would never be taken. The Confederates finally abandoned it in February 1865.