A Union Sailor Is Eager To Come Home After The Fall Of Richmond

(END OF THE CIVIL WAR). ALS. 4pgs. April 20, 1865. Deadmans Bay, Florida. An autograph letter signed “Frank”. A Union sailor writes home to his wife towards the end of the war, just after the fall of Richmond. He tells her how eager he is to come home and start a new life on land, while also mentioning the court martial of his former captain and some troubles with getting money he’s owed. “Dearest Mary, I write this letter to let you know I am in good health and am getting along as well as usual. I left St. Marks on the 16th inst for a short cruise but I do not expect to capture any more prizes at all. As I believe now Richmond is captured the war will soon be finished. I tell you dearest nothing gives me so much pleasure as writing to you it is the next thing to seeing you except getting a letter from you I was disappointed in the last mail as I did not receive any letters from you. However I expect another mail tomorrow and then probably I shall hear from you. I hope dearest Mary you will not feel very bad and blame me because I have not resigned for to tell you the truth I am as anxious to come home as you are to have me come. Still I think it is my duty to wait a little longer and see the last of it. And I am sure you would like to have me do my duty to my country but there is no doubt now but I shall be at home before many months and then dearest what lots of comfort we will take together, I am in hopes that when I do come home to find some business that will suit me so that I will not have to go to sea any more, for I am tired of it at last myself and I am sure you would rather I would remain at home. … I do not think I shall be able to go to Key West after all as most probably all these small vessels like the ‘Fox’ will soon be sold as the Navy will have no use for them after the war is over. So they will not go to any expense to repair them. I have been employed this last few days painting The ‘Fox’ … My old Captain Baxter is being court martialed at Key West all of his officer reported him to the Admiral for drunkenness, I think he will be dismissed from the service and he would be no loss. The ’Fort Henry’ has been in Key West these last three weeks and I expect she will be there for a month longer repairing, but still I am not sorry. I left her for I never was so dissatisfied in my life as I was on board of her, but I have enjoyed myself very much since I left her…I still have great trouble to get the remainder of my Prize money. My Paymaster has wrote to the Admiral about it but has received no answer yet but expects to by next mail. He is in hopes to get it for me next month, so I shall not be able to send any money home by the ‘Union’ this time…”. It is in fine condition with very minor staining in a few places.