February 10, 1862

Qr. Master Sergt. Howe:
From a Letter:
     February 10, 1862. Monday. We entered the Gulf Stream at 5 o'clock. Pleasant. Passed Key West and could see the Fort on it. Understand that there are some seven thousand troops stationed there. Made Tortugas Island at sundown. I have lain on deck most of the day, enjoying the sun and the sea breeze, I pity you New Englanders, shivering with the cold. I saw turtles and sharks to-day. Squall and rain at night.
 

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:
     February 10-Monday
     7 O Clock in sight of Key West also Fort Taylor in fine looking Fort in the distance. Pilot Boats in quite a number hover around us this morn.
     The sea this morning is heavier than at any time since started from Fortress Monroe. 12 M. storm but very short. it has had the effect of softening the sea and it is much more pleasant than before.
     8 A.M. passed from light house on outer Coral Reef. this house is built on the ruins principle as the one destroyed on Minot ledge some years since.
     2 P.M. [Dry Tortugues - ?] in full sight also Fort Jefferson a very large structure said to contain within its walls 114 Acres of land.
     We have now 10 O Clock P.M. quit a heavy sea and and wind on and our Boat pitches in beautifully.


Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:

     Monday 10

     Fine day passed Cape Florida about

     3 ock.  passed in sight of Fort

     Taylor.  Coral Reefs in sight all

     Along shore passed a lighthouse

     On our starboard just after

     Breakfast passed the lighthouse

     On key west point.  the coral

     Reefs on florida coast look very

     Pretty.  large turtles seen along side

     The flying fish very plenty.

[Mem]

     Had 3 pilots come off to us this

     Morning but they was not wanted

     As Our pilot knows the coast

     All along here about 11 Ock saw

     A large steamer to starboard of

     Us supposed to be a california

     Packet.  weather looks rather

     Squally and showery.  after dinner

     Had a wash in fresh water

     It was quite a luxury.  passed

     Fort Taylor morn.  just after

     Dinner made fort jefferson dry

     Tortugas light on our starboard

     Bow had quite a hard blow for

     A short time.  we have not made

     So many knots as on other days

     On account of head currents in

     The gulf but expect to be in

     Sight of ship island by tomor-

     row afternoon if nothing happens.