Union Seaman’s letter written by “S. E. Hartford’, an Ordinary Seaman from Haverhill, Massachusetts. Hartford first served on the USS Ohio after enlisting in May 3rd, 1861. The two page letter is datelined USS Sachem off New Orleans, march 17, 1863. In large part, “We attempted to run the gauntlet at Port Hudson on the 14th inst. and about 12 o’clock (at night) we ran aground, fought an hour and a half and found that we could not get ship off, so the order was given to leave the ship and set fire. We left the best way we could, some by swimming, others in the boats. We all here with the exception of 60. Some of them taken prisoners, the rest killed on board the ship. I have again escaped without injury but have lost everything I had and so have the rest. ... It was a pretty hard place to be in at the fight. I think I had seen fighting enough for the present, and am wishing to get home.