Civil War Monitor

Voice from the Past - "Am afloat, adrift"

The CSS Rappahannock - Douglas Forrest was aboard this ship when he wrote the statement to the right.

"Am afloat, adrift, abroad, motion uneasy, “Inner man” “stomach” becoming so. I think I’ll try full-length. A cotton-bale & the open air on the for’ard deck. “Very grand.” The sea—if one could only see it and not sea-sickness. Very charming, too a sailor’s life, and so they say is hanging when one gets used to it. “Aye there’s the rub.” I wish I could lay my hands on a rubber or a tarpaulin for it rains. Darkness begins to reign, the hour’s propitious & we approach the bar. Would like to see the bar. Expect instead, to “see the Elephant.” Must “go below.” A little disturbed that’s all, not sick. I protest as a Commissioned officer in the Navy of the Confederate States. Thoughts of Home."

- Douglas French Forrest, C.S.N., 27 May 1863 -