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6th Maine Infantry Letter

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Autograph Letter Signed, "Amos Downing" 6th Maine Infantry, 4p. octavo, Head No. 10 Island, March 25, 1862, and reads in part: "...We are at this point about seven days with our fleet comprising of gun and mortar boats and transports. We came within two and a half miles of the enemy’s fortifications. Our boat and No. 12 took their position and commence the appiration of destruction. Their batteries open on us but fell short. We silence their battery in four shot from our heavy mortar the shells scattering the Rebels from their guns. Our boat fired nineteen of them monster shells only weighing two hundred and thirty pounds in one and a half hour. Sunday we commence again and Tuesday the gun boats and all the Mortars open on the fortifications. They returned the fire briskly. Several shot took effect on the gun boats. One rifle shot went through the Benton upper deck and landed on the Commodore’s writing desk but doing no damage. We silenced their guns. Their loss must be heavy. Our loss was two killed and seven wounded on board the St. Louis. That was done by the bursting of a gun. On Wednesday we had a jolly fight there that fell all around us but no one got hurt...We are only detail for Special Service. Our wages is 20.50 cent..." VG.

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