The Cumberland, sunk a year ago by the Merrimack, lies opposite the landing, a short distance off in the stream. Her three lower masts and bows are all there is remaining in sight of what was once considered one of the noblest vessels in the service. The hull of the Congress lies one mile below, the top of it being plainly visible. It was fortunate the Monitor made her appearance as she did, thus putting a stop to the mischief.
This place is of no importance, only as a military post, having been built up since the war commenced. Opposite the landing, the buildings extend from the beach up the bluff, and on to the level space above. The height of this bluff is about 40 feet above high-water mark for a mile or two in either direction from the village, and extending back from this is a level plain, half a mile in width, and in length as far as the eye can reach; and in one continuous line along the bay, upon this level space, the different regiments are encamped, presenting a very fine appearance. The space in front of our camp, one-fourth of a mile in width from the edge of the bluff, is used for drill and parade. The ground from the top of the bluff to the rear descends gradually. Forty rods to the rear of our tents we get plenty of good water.
Our wells are made by digging a hole and inserting two barrels, minus heads, one above the other. There were also ditches, dug parallel with our camp, to the rear of the wells, and being at that time partly filled with water, we had every convenience for washing, and no excuse for dirty faces. In the rear of these ditches at a short distance, are the woods upon which we depended for our fires. Although for the past two years the woodman's axe had told effectively upon these noble forest trees, still there was a good supply left standing. We also depended upon these woods for our music, when all other kinds cease. This being a permanent institution, the denizens of the forest, which included peep frogs and owls, made melody far into the still watches of the night.
The camp of the Twelfth Rhode Island was one-fourth of a mile from the landing, to the north-west. The village of Newport News is enclosed upon the north and west by a palisade and ditch, intended to repel an attack from the rear. In this enclosure were the barracks for the men and the usual space allowed for drill and parade. Outside of this enclosure, upon the east, other barracks have been built. Nearly all the buildings are built of logs; some of them, built for traders and quartermasters' use, are of rough boards, evidently not intended for any thing permanent. In extent, these buildings are scattered over an area of half a mile in width and one mile in length along the shore of the bay. The bay of itself is a beautiful sheet of water, and opposite us was perhaps four miles in width. As we stood upon the bluff, facing the bay, just below upon the opposite side we could discern the opening leading to Norfolk; to the right, we could see the mouth of the James River; and directly at the entrance could be seen one of our gunboats, keeping watch, ready to apprise us of any danger approaching from that direction. In front of us scattered along, were a few craft, whose general appearance bespoke their calling. The Galena, which will be recollected as taking part in the attack upon Fort Darling, last summer, lay in the bay opposite us. Although pierced at that time by twenty-eight balls, she still existed, and, judging from her appearance and reputation, would, when called upon to engage the enemy, be able to give a good account of herself.
The Minnesota lay one and one-half miles below us. If the Monitor had not come to the rescue, instead of the noble vessel lying now before us, in all her beautiful proportions, she would have presented the same sorry figure as the Cumberland and Congress, undoubtedly sharing the same fate.
Included in the fleet were three gunboats, of the Monitor pattern. These boats need no praise, and are particularly expected to speak for themselves.
February 12, the next day after our arrival here, being warm and pleasant, we went into the woods to cut and split logs for our house. The 13th and 14th was occupied in this business. The 15th, those in the tent with me gave out; this brought things to a stand before our house was completed. The 16th it commenced storming; this, of course, put a stop to operations. This day I received a box of apples from home. The 17th, received one-half barrel from Jason Newell. These came in good time.
The storm continued until Friday, the 20th. Saturday, 21st, our colonel ordered all log-huts to be levelled and taken off the ground. This was done. New "A" tents were issued and put up at once. The next day we were to have straw hats. (This, I will allow, was mere conjecture on my part.) However, we had just time to pitch our tents before it commenced raining. In the night it snowed; and the following morning we found it raining again, which continued through the day, making it very disagreeable. Upon the whole, the regiment were the better off for the new tents, as many of the boys would make no effort towards building them a house, and having nothing but the "shelter tents," were poorly provided for. But for those who were used to better quarters, the change was submitted to with an ill grace.
Wednesday, the 25th, the 9th Army Corps passed in review before Gen. Dix.
Saturday, March 14, we had a sword presentation, Company F presenting Capt. Hubbard with a beautiful sword, pistol, sword-belt, &c. The money was raised in the company, by subscription, and the articles were purchased and brought on by J. L. Clark, our quartermaster. F. M. Ballou, who had lately received a second lieutenant's commission, and was assigned to Company F, was also presented at the same time with a sword, pistol, sword-belt, cap, and other things, from friends at home. These were also brought on by J. L. Clark, who had just returned to the regiment, after an absence of two weeks.