February 13–April 19, 1853

Powhatan, [February 13, 1853] 10 O'clock PM My Dearest Devoted Lide,

We're off for Japan! We may remain in the Roads tonight, but I think not however, of this I'll inform you before I close. [...] Don't fret. I'll keep you as well aware of the progress of the Japanese squadron as I can be made aware myself. I don't think anyone of us will regret the cruise. I think I will kiss you again before the collapse of two years!

I'll write to you from Madeira. [...] Kellogg and I are on watch together. He is a fine fellow. He has been on Steamers before too! He was in Collins Line. I didn't think to tell the Post Master to forward the letters. [...] Direct as I did in the envelope, it makes no difference whether it goes by the Cunard Line, Collins Line, the Southampton Line or any other, it will go to London and Mr. Goodan will forward it. You pay 28 cents. I pay the rest. When you write tell me everything. Where you are, how they treat you and everything, but for my sake Lide, don't make any more beds. Don't clean any more chambers. Be a Lady. I know that you can be my housekeeper when necessary. We are now off Old Point, the Rip Raps on our right. We do not stop, but go right to sea.

Whipple, Kellogg, and Gideon are in cahoots. King is disposed to take the right side. I think I can fix him. Farons comb will be cut before he returns. I will be ahead of him yet. I gave up the privilege of sleeping in the mess room to Kellogg. Mr. Faron said that it was my place or Mr. Kings. I told Mr. Faron that I and I alone had to decide that matter. [...] Therefore as I preferred sleeping below I would exchange with Mr. Kellogg. [...] Mr. Kellogg and Mr. Gideon are a match together and Mr. Kellogg is Mr. Gideons friend. He goes just where I wanted him to go. Sewell asked me who I wanted on watch with me, I told him I wanted the man who by right, etiquette and law, was to go with me, that I can do my duty, and would make my assistant dohis. Mr. Kellogg is the man because he outranks both Fauth and Arnold. My more tender feelings would prompt me to ask for Kellogg, but so far as duty is concerned I care not who it is. I can do mine and know how to make him do his. No doubt Mr. Fauth is huffed because he is not. He is with a Man, not a fool! I am glad that Mr. Kellogg is on watch with me. Nothing could have suited me better.

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U.S. Ste. Powhatan, At Sea Lat. 32°04 Lon. 24°21, Feb 28th 1853

My Dearest Lide,

We have now been at sea 15 days and have yet to run some 400 miles before reaching Madeira. The passage so far has been a very rough one indeed. The sea running tremendously the whole time, and as yet we have not had one hour smooth weather. The wind for the majority of the time has been ahead. Blowing strong. We had a gale of wind last week and such pitching and rolling as was done by the Powhatan I never saw before; and I hope that I may never see again. The Capt. too is afraid to burn a sufficient amount of coal to make the ship run. We could easily leverage 10 miles an hour with an economical expenditure of coal, but no! We must only burn so much. The Mississippi only burns that much. Now whether he is prejudiced in favor of the Mississippi, and don't want the Powhatan to make better time, I can't say but it looks indeed very much like it. Several times the wind has hauled so that we could use our sails, and on every such occasion the Capt. would issue an order to reduce the expenditure of coal. As it is we will make the run in just about the same time as the Mississippi.

I have been sea sick since the 1st day out. Though for the past 2 or 3 days I've been much better. For about 10 days I felt most horrible, and when called to take my watch I felt like one having a death sentence read to him. I couldn't eat nor could I drink, but you have been so and know the feeling. I never gave up, and as yet have never lost a watch at sea. I am hoping now that I'll get over it. I feel pretty well today though I have a dullness and swimming in the head. The Voyage has been so monotonous. A most perfect sameness around everything and everybody. We have seen only two or three vessels since we left, and have not spoken.

One Mr. Kellogg tries to make it appear that he is just as well satisfied as if he had been left attached to the Princeton, but I openly assert that he is not. And it sometimes shows itself through his expressions, for he will say sometimes that he had nothing to do there but dress up, keep clean and visit the ladies. Now full of grease, salt, coal dust and tallow. Salt horse and hard tack in place of roast beef and good biscuits. Soppy musty dirty water in place of good pure wholesome water. But he don't get sea sick and I do. Now my getting sick don't give me any better food or water than he gets for its all alike. Therefore if he should like it, that most horrible home with nothing but a crust for a daily meal to cross the Atlantic Ocean is an idiot.

Tuesday March 1st Our mess is composed of the most uncongenial spirits that ever convened. Fauth and Stamm are hand and glove with one another and judging from the sincerity with which they support each other and each other's opinions they must have taken a solemn vow for each other's mutual protection. Old Whipple, he is a queer fellow, but a good kind hearted soul as ever lived, he gets about 2/3rds drunk and then he is in an official or dignified humor. He loves power and authority.

Every evening except Sunday we have a Grand Concert in the Passed Midshipman Mess Room. Lieut. Boudinot, leader of the band, Passed Mid. Selden second violin, McCaul[e]y and Bibby on the flute. Dr. Wheelwright, guitar and a Diego boy on the guitar also. Jno. Wilson does the singing assisted by Schaffer (Masters Mate). They play very well together, and some evenings the steerage is full. Every Officer in the ship save the Capt. and 1st Lieut. have been in there at one time.

I think that the cruise will be a most interesting one. I think also that we will not go to Japan. But anon of this. Write according to the directions I gave you. Write at least once a month and tell me everything that happens. How you are and all you know.

I wish I could have had 3 or 4 more of those calico shirts made. They are just the thing in the Engine Room. I am in hopes that there will be an English Man of War at Madeira so that I that I can get some white flannels. They serve out the best kind of white, and we serve out that nasty blue stuff. I think of trading off some of my Canton flannel ones. They will never be of any use to me, for I will never throw off flannel such as I now wear.

I have read...