March 11th, 1862             Hamptons Road, Virginia 

Dear Mary,

I’m happy to report that your dear brother is safe. It’s been a few days since the Clash of the Ironclads and I have much to tell you. Just two days ago, on March 9th, 1862, we encountered another ship in Hamptons Road, Virginia. Seeing this was the enemy, we were ready for a battle. Our ships fired cannon after cannon at each other, both in hope to destroy the enemy’s ship and move along. I had been positioned near the fourth cannon, ready to fire, when a huge cannonball landed right next to me and knocked me off the ship. My dear, it was frightening. I was catapulted into the water and luckily found a piece of wood to hang on to. While my fellow soldiers were busy trying to avoid dying, I clung onto that piece of wood in the water until someone could throw down the latter for me. Unfortunately, the battle went on for hours and in the end, it was a draw. 

After too many hours, I was lifted back into the boat. I was cold, wet, and too weak to pull myself up. Jackson Martin, a fellow soldier, had to pull me up onto the boat while I clung onto the latter. I am ever so grateful that our ship hasn’t sunk and even more grateful for my fellow soldiers. I would go insane without them. We usually keep busy on the boat, but when we’re not working we have our own ways of entertainment. Jackson was in a choir back at home so we love to listen to him sing while we dance together. We often play cards and have grown fond of telling stories about our family and pasts at home. I’ve told many stories about you and our childhood. Us men on the ship have grown quite close. The war has worn us out, and I’m afraid being around the water won’t ever be the same again for any of us, but we can’t fail each other and that keeps us going. 

Though I am proud of fighting for my country, I disagree with war. I believe we should learn to solve problems differently, in a way that doesn’t end in death or trauma. I’m sad to say that I will not come out of this war as the same man. Being on the water no longer brings me joy like it used to. Please say hello to mother and father and give my naughty nieces and nephews a kiss on the forehead for me. I miss you and the family dearly and I hope to be home soon. 

Sincerely and with lots of love,

     Jack M. Williamson