Letter written by Henry Hubbard from Bark Guerilla-Off the Potomac to his wife on January 9, 1862

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PAGE IMAGEBark Guerilla -
Off the Potomac (Potomac River) Jan 9 /62 My Dear Wife (Hubbard, Henry A. (Mrs.))

It is a moonlight evening. We passed off the mouth of
the Potomac (Potomac River) at sunset and discovered a flotilla there, The wind is mild
and we move pleasantly over the even waves. We weighed anchor early this
morning and expect to arrive at Fortress Monroe (Fort Monroe, Hampton, Virginia) to morrow. The forenoon was
been rainy & hazy - the afternoon has been fine. Early this morning the
signal rocket went up & shortly after the signal gun boomed over
the trembling Bay and one vessel after another weighed anchor & fell
into the line. We number about fifteen thousand men and four hundred
are on the Gurilla (Guerilla). We expect seventeen thousand more to join us at
the Fortress in men of war. Our barks are towed by propellers but
we shall sail free very soon upon the wide waste of the Atlantic (Atlantic Ocean)
Our Bark was seventeen months ago a steamer named
I believe the Mary Kimball. She was taken off the coast of Africa
with 700 negroes stowed away in the dark hole middle passage
I have been officer of the Day to day. We destributed 40 rounds
of ball cartridge to day to each man. We anticipate fighting in
a few days. We have sealed orders on board but our Capt is not
to break the seal unless he strays from the fleet. It is rumered (rumored) on
good authority we steer for the Coast of N.C. (North Carolina) (North Carolina) or Georgia (Georgia) - perhaps
savannah (Savannah, Georgia) . We passed a Brittish (British) Man of War lying in the
offing at Annapolis (Annapolis, Maryland) . she had come to take of Lord Lyons (Lyons, Richard Bickerton Pemell (Lord)) supposing
war was about to open with Eng (England) (England) & U.S. (United States) (United States of America) I am in good spirits.
I shall try to send this by mail from fortress Monroe (Fort Monroe, Hampton, Virginia) - I am writing
in the state room - I hear the tramp of a hundred feet over head & the
music of Fideller (fiddler) - I will close for this time wishing you love - I wish you
could just stand with me upon the deck to night - look down upon the dashing boiling waters moonlit
from a wintry sky - how grand - but good night H (Hubbard, Henry A.) -

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PAGE IMAGE[written in the margin on the left side of page 2:] Direct me often letter to Fortress Monroe (Fort Monroe, Hampton, Virginia) [Bamsich? Coast? Den--?] care of [Col. Leut. ??] they will be forwared (forwarded)

[Written in margins:] The following is written in the top margin of page 2.

Perhaps you will read this [serend?] to [? f--?]

Jan 10th - we are lying at anchor in the middle of the Bay
between Matthews Co (Matthews County, Virginia) & Northampton Co. (Northampton County, Virginia) we have joined the outlet
of the Rapehanoc (Rappahannock) (Rappahannock River) & are about 40 miles from Ft Monroe (Fort Monroe, Hampton, Virginia)
15 from Yorktown (Yorktown, Virginia) . The weather is a little stormy and very
foggy - for fear of running into one another they cast
anchor about midnight last night and it is now
near noon and we have not started. There was much
whistling & belloing (bellowing) last night to avoid the vessels
running into each other. It is very disageable to
be here [then?] but I dont care, and we are generally in
good spirits. Lieut [Goodath? Gordah?] ([Goodath? Gordah?] (Lieutenant)) is sick in here when I write.
7 o'ck PM We are moving before a mild breeze and are
in sight of Fortress Monroe (Fort Monroe, Hampton, Virginia) and shall arrive there in two
hours - some of the boys on a little sea rock. The Bark rolls some
The lights from masts gleam through the darkness on every
side - The light house at old Pt Comfort (Old Point Comfort, Hampton, Virginia) - the Fortress - is
very bright. The boom of Canon has been heard repeatedly
to day. The Virginia (Virginia) shore upon which Jeff Davis (Davis, Jefferson) has a
Mortgage is plainly seen about 10 miles off. I scratch
this in the Cabin. We officers mess together, live decently
well. We probably shall not leave the Fortress before Sunday evening - 17000 men are reported to join us here. Some
think we shall go back & go up the Potomac (Potomac River) , others that we go up
the James  River (James River) others that we go out of the Bay - you will
hear soon when we go - & what we do - may God shield us
all & bring us safely back home - we have doubtless much to do &
trust we are ready with mighty heart & arm to do it. Much love
to you all - remember me to all your [brothers?] & your father when [faver?] I
got just before evening. we shall drop the mail at the Fortress so I
will close affectionately your

Henry (Hubbard, Henry A.) [Written in margins:] The following is written in the top margin of page 1.

I sent you $245 by Express
also $10 by Hamilton (Hamilton)
also a dozen minatures (miniatures)