George Glover to Miss Susan Glover, June 7, 1864 letter

              [page 1]

Fort Delaware
June 7th, 1864
Dear sister
I take the pleasure 
this morning of writing 
a few lines to you to inform 
you of our whereabouts. We are 
now at fort delaware on the 
delaware river. We left the Relay
house Sunday the 5th and arrived 
here the 6th. None ofus expected 
to leave so soon as we did, but 
when the word came that we 
were to go the most of them were 
anxious to get off. We had to 
march from one depot to another 
in Baltimore a distance of
about four miles, as we passed 
along we saw ex-governor Todd 
at the city hotel. The boys gave 
him a hearty cheer as they 
passed along.

[page 2]

It was about four o'clock 
when we left Baltimore and 
we arrived at Newcastle by the
break ofday Monday morning 
we crossed two arms of the chesa-
peake bay on bridges. I suppose 
they were about a mile wide. 
We crossed the Susquehanna river 
after night. The cars were run 
onto a boat and taken across. 
We came from Newcastle to 
the fort on a steamer, a distance 
of about seven miles. It is a 
much pleasanter way of travel-
ing than on the cars. The fort 
is situated on an island in 
the delaware river. it is about 
four hundred feet square and 
mounts about two hundred 
guns. There are about fifteen hun-
dred union troops here. three full 
batteries and our regiment. those 
that have been here say that 

[page 3]

it is a very heahhy location.
There is a good breeze blowing 
from the river the most of the time 
the tide raises about six feet 
twice a day. There are about ei
ght thousand prisoners, among 
them are about five hundred com-
missioned officers. There is also 
a great many convicts, some of
the prisoners have taken the oath 
such as have they do not keep in 
confinement, but allow them 
to be out they have them to per-
form all of the rough labor. I have 
not seen many ofthe rebs yet but
those I have seen were very dirty 
looking mortals each man is fur
nished ten rounds of amunition. 
We have very comfortable bar-
ricks and it is altogather prob-
able we will stay here the rem-
ainder of our hundred days.
We have both had our health

[page 4]
 
very well since we left. yesterday
morning, I ate most too much cheese 
and fat meat and I was pretty sick 
last night but I feel pretty well 
this morning. I was glad to hear 
that every thing is prospering so well 
in Jefferson Co. and that you
are all getting along so well. Tell 
mother to pass the time the best 
she can the hundred days will 
soon pass around. I could enjoy 
a chat with you all very well, and 
partake of a good meal with relish. 
well I have written about all 
the particulars this time and will 
close. I want some of you to mail
a letter each mail to one of us for
it does us a great deal of good to 
hear from home. You can tell father 
that Findley is our captain and 
he is not any better than davidson. 
I will close by giving my love to 
you all. write soon and direct to 
Fort delaware, Delaware. the
rest of the direction is as it was 
given before. Nothing more but 
remains your affectionate
Brother 
Geo W Glover