Item No. 7968731

A sailor’s letter written November 9, 1864, by Timothy M. Judson aboard the stern-wheel tinclad gunboat U.S.S. Brilliant during Hood’s Tennessee Campaign. He remarks on the Battle of Johnsonville and the heavy Navy losses suffered there, when Confederate forces under Nathan Bedford Forrest destroyed Union gunboats, transports, and vast quantities of military supplies along the Tennessee River, inflicting one of the war's most costly logistical defeats on the Federal army. Judson also comments on Abraham Lincoln, George McClellan, and the 1864 presidential election.

Writing to his cousin Alice, Judson first apologizes for his late reply, “for we have been having some pretty hot times on the Tenn. [River] for the last week.” He continues:

Old Forrest & Hood have got up here with a force of thirty thousand men and some heavy guns. They made their first raid at old Fort Heindman, where they captured the gunboat Undine and two Steamers loaded with government Stores. They then made their way farther up the River to Johnsville, where they again Fought our whole Fleet and whipped us out, or at least we had to back water. They sunk three more of our Gunboats at this place and burnt some 6 or 7 Steam Boats, five of them loaded with government Stores, and a large Store House belonging also to the government, and a good deal of other property. They had their Batteries so planted that the Fort at Johnsville could not play on them, and the gunboats had to be run right into the teeth of their guns before they could do anything, and that was “goobye gunboat” for their gunners shot with great accuracy, while ours were wild. But we did not have any show for we could not tell where they were. They had all their guns in mask Batteries and only Fired on us where they could do us great damage. We were in some hot places, but did not know it till we began to retreat. By good luck, our Boat happened to be fetching up the rear, so we fared first rate, although we had to do some Fighting. Our Boat got a compliment for doing some good shooting, but I guess they was chance shots.

Judson also comments on the presidential election between Abraham Lincoln and George McClellan:

Well Alice, you wanted me to put in a vote for Honest old Abe. but our Election has gone up this time. We had to stand by our guns night and day for the last week. Alfred King told me Election day he thought we would all be Elected to go to the bottom of the River. I am sorry I could not have a chance to vote. But then it is just as well, for I am a Little Mac man anyhow. Our Boat is a regular Mac Boat. The Captain, Doctor, and most all of the Officers are Strong for Mac. I don’t think there is two dozen Abe men on the Boat.

The letter was written in ink on four pages of a bifolium letter sheet measuring about 5” x 8”. Light toning and ink staining. Includes the original stamped postal cover with Smithland, Kentucky, postmark addressed to Alice Judson in Waterford, Pennsylvania. The letter’s full transcript appears below.

U.S. Str. Brilliant
Paducah Ky Nov 9th / 64

Dear Coz Alice
Your ever welcome letter dated the 28th was duly received on the 2nd, and I suppose ere this you have expected an answer. But you will have to excuse me this time, Alice, for we have been having some pretty hot times on the Tenn. for the last week. Old Forrest & Hood have got up here with a force of thirty thousand men and some heavy guns. They made their first raid at old Fort Heindman, where they captured the gunboat Undine and two Steamers loaded with government Stores. They then made their way farther up the River to Johnsville, where they again Fought our whole Fleet and whipped us out, or at least we had to back water. They sunk three more of our Gunboats at this place and burnt some 6 or 7 Steam Boats, five of them loaded with government Stores, and a large Store House belonging also to the government, and a good deal of other property. They had their Batteries so planted that the Fort at Johnsville could not play on them, and the gunboats had to be run right into the teeth of their guns before they could do anything, and that was “goobye gunboat” for their gunners shot with great accuracy, while ours were wild. But we did not have any show for we could not tell where they were. They had all their guns in mask Batteries and only Fired on us where they could do us great damage. We were in some hot places, but did not know it till we began to retreat. By good luck, our Boat happened to be fetching up the rear, so we fared first rate, although we had to do some Fighting. Our Boat got a compliment for doing some good shooting, but I guess they was chance shots. I saw Vincent Wood the other day. He looks first rate, although he has been under the weather. But I guess it was nothing but Home sickness.

Well Alice, you wanted me to put in a vote for Honest old Abe. but our Election has gone up this time. We had to stand by our guns night and day for the last week. Alfred King told me Election day he thought we would all be Elected to go to the bottom of the River. I am sorry I could not have a chance to vote. But then it is just as well, for I am a Little Mac man anyhow. Our Boat is a regular Mac Boat. The Captain, Doctor, and most all of the Officers are Strong for Mac. I don’t think there is two dozen Abe men on the Boat. I would of like very much to of been at home to of seen Guy and Fin, for it has been a long time since I last seen them. I suppose the Boys had a great time at the convention, have they not? Well Ally, I will have to Knock off for this time. You must excuse this poor excuse of a letter, for it was wrote in haste and with one of the worsted Pens in the business. Now don’t fail to write soon one of those good long letters.

Oh Alice, you don’t know what a good letter you can write, so do please write again. You must excuse me for not writing before this. My Station keeps me pretty busy. Tell my folks I am well and give my love to all. Regards to Uncle Bill.
Yours Truly
T. M. Judson

Direct as before.