23 February 1862

U. S. S. Daylight
Off York River, Virginia
February 23rd 1862

My Dear Mary,

Today has added another evidence of the uncertainty of all human calculations. The steamer passed up the Bay without any signs from the purser. Thus have five days passed in fruitless expectation. The boat by which we expected him has not made her appearance although the pilot says she makes re-weekly trips. But the time will [come] when mystery will be solved and our mails received, and the purser returned. Why multiply cares? Why borrow trouble at so great an interest? Cares are burdensome and trouble is a debt happiness never cancels. Therefore, “sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.” ¹ Tomorrow — tomorrow! what may not tomorrow bring forth?

I will leave you with pleasant dreams tonight.

24th. A Scotch mist this morning made it chilly although it was not cold. About 9 AM a breeze sprang up from the southwest and lifted the veil from the sun and the heavens. This increased until at mid-day it blew a smart gale, all the time increasing. At 3 PM our sail closed up and stopped to the fore mast, broke the lashings away and blew up the mast with iron band, ropes and all cleats from the deck at lest 20 feet when, with the greatest efforts of all hands, our mast and sail was saved. At this critical juncture, lo and behold, down came our saucy Secesh Schooner dragging her anchor at full drive towards us until she struck upon a bar where she is now — 9 PM — thumping. We are only waiting for a little further lull when we will run with ¾ of a mile and send our boats to bring the people off. Ugly seas have been breaking over her 4 or 5 hours and her crew must be wet to the skin. We want to send our boats before it gets too calm so that they will not run away. We want that nasty nag!

Feb. 25th. “Procrastination is the thief of time,” and the refuge of cowards. The Rebel schooner that was almost under our guns was let escape. Thus by imbecility or cowardice, we have let two armed guard vessels escape almost under our noses. O ye grannies of the Navy! You are enough to disgust the people with a Navy!

The captain playfully at breakfast charged me with letting that schooner escape. When I said, “Sir, had I had my way, she would now be along side.” This was a torture. If when the purser returns there is nothing done with our application, I will take your advice about resigning for I will not endure such a mockery of service.

I do not think we shall see the purser today. I will wait, however. This is six days and on the seventh.

7 PM. No purser. If it is pleasant in the morning — as it has the appearance — our boat will go down for purser & mails.

¹ “Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof” is an aphorism which appears in the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew — Matthew 6:34.