February 5, 1862

Qr. Master Sergt. Howe:
From a Letter:
     Ship Constitdtion, Hampton Roads, Va., 
     February 5, 1862. 
     Dear:
     By an unexpected event, you find us at Hampton Roads. About 5 o'clock last evening, our Captain discovered a sail in distress and made for it. It proved to be a gunboat, bound for Hatteras Inlet, which had lost her rudder, sprung a leak and had nine feet of water in her hold. Captain Fletcher got out hawsers, made them fast to her, and put about for Fortress Monroe, where we arrived at 11 o'clock in the morning. We shall coal up and leave again to-morrow. I send this letter by Parker.
WARREN.


2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:
     February 5-Wednesday
     Pleasant but very cold and Windy. 
     We are now on our return trip to Fortress Monroe. time 10 ½ A.M. off Cape Henry. 11 A.M. we leave our prize which we ascertain to be the Miami from Philidelphia for Hatteras Inlet. ultimate destination Ship Island. After leaving her we get fairly started once more on our outward voyage. when after a consultation between Surgeons & Colonels we are once more turned about and headed Fortress Monroe. after arriving there. there is a man carried on shore with the small P. which I find to be the cause of our sudden turn for Port. 
     Captains Hart, Bates & la were on board and passed a pleasant hour with us once more and I suppose now for the last time we are now coaling up for our return trip to Ship Island where if nothing happens and we have a good run we may expect to see in about 6 days.


Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:
     Wednesday 5
     We are here yet. we have 2 or 3
     Cases small pox on board. we
     Were all turned up on deck to
     Be examined by the surgeon
     And only about 150 out of the lot
     Had to be Vaccinated.