December 15, 1861 – The Sailors at Cairo

The Cairo correspondent of the St. Louis Republican writes :

The seamen who lately arrived from the East, and who are now quartered on the receiving ship Maria Denning, are a queer set, haying customs, thoughts and, expressions peculiar to themselves. They attract considerable attention when allowed on shore. Directly, on their arrival, while they were being transferred from the cars to the boat, some of them picked up a little; boy, about knee high, a bright little fellow who was just beginning to talk, stuffed him in a mess chest and smuggled him in board. They tattoed the youngster with their marks, and took such rough care of him as they could. When asked where they got him, they swore that he belonged to them, and that they had brought him from the East. The “old man,” however, was not satisfied, knowing their tricks by experience. He took the little fellow on shore, bought him a cap and feather, with other “fancy fixings” and after a time found his home, restoring him to his anxious mother.

In a subsequent letter the same correspondent says :

There exists considerable jealousy, if not a stronger feeling of antagonism, between the sea and land fighting men, and it seems to be on the increase. The blue jackets look rather contemptuously upon the soldiers, and are always ready to pick up a fight with them, believing in their ability to whip any reasonable number of the “land crabs.” They are a rough set, though a splendid body of men, who will do first rate fighting when called upon. When the other large instalment arrives, which is daily expected, it will be difficult to keep them under control. When coming down the railroad, through Illinois.they burst all bounds, and those in charge of them were compelled to allow them unlimited license, as they took it whether or no. They were continually fighting, with fists and knives, occasionally varying the amusement by pitching each other off the cars while in full motion. It is said that as many as fifteen were killed on the trip through the State. When they arrived, seventy were missing, but twenty or more have come straggling in during the past weeK. whenever the train stopped at a station, they would make an indiscriminate raid upon shops and stores, taking any thing that could be of service to them, and many articles they could not possibly use. They took the entire kit and “fixings” of a shoemaker’s shop, bringing the spoils to Cairo. They killed three cows, bringing their tails as trophies, while hogs, and such “small deer,” were slaughtered recklessly and uselessly. These uncouth, cubs are being gradually licked (in more senses than one) into shape, by Capt. Bausman, who had charge of them on the Denning, and generally behave themselves well in town

Daily Nashville Patriot, Nashville, TN