compiled by David Flint
Charles F. Chapel was a resident of Stephentown, son of Alice and Stephen Chapel who had come to Stephentown from Rhode Island. On May 2, 1861, he enlisted in the Union Navy for three years at New York City. His rank was Landsman, or what would now be known as a Seaman Recruit.
Following a couple of weeks on the receiving ship USS North Carolina, he was transferred to the USS Wabash which soon set sail for waters off South Carolina as Flagship of the Atlantic Blockading Squadron under Rear Admiral Silas Stringham.
The Wabash was one of six US Navy ships built in 1855 designated steam screw frigates. They were the pride of the Navy utilizing both sails and steam power for propulsion. They were also the first steam ships in the Navy to replace the paddle wheels with a screw propeller mounted under water in the stern. One of these ships, the USS Merrimac, after being sunk at Norfolk in 1861 to prevent her capture, was later raised by the Confederates, restored as an ironclad ram, renamed the CSS Virginia and engaged in battle in 1862 with the USS Monitor.
The following letter from Charles Chapel to his mother was likely sent after the Wabash had returned to the New York Navy Yard for repairs in September-October of 1861 following her participation in the securing of Hatteras Inlet. After refitting, the Wabash returned to duty as the flagship of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron under Admiral Samuel F. Du Pont. On November 7 she led the naval battle line in a fierce amphibious battle on November 7 at which the Union Navy and Army secured Port Royal Sound, South Carolina, establishing Port Royal as a Union naval base for the rest of the war.
“Dec. the 15, 1861
On Board Steam Frigate Wabash – Port Royal
Dear Mother,
Having a few lesure moments I thought I would write to you to let you know that I am well, hoping this will find you the same. I have had one leter from you since I have been here. You spoke of James being in New York. He dident come on bord. The only ——- ——– two days after I wrote you told me how many leters you have sent. Direct your leters to Port Royal, Steam Frigat Wabash. I think we will be staying here the winter. I hope so for when she goes to York she will go back and be repaired and then we get our discharge.
I have been very healthy since I have been away. We had pretty hot work here. I tell you the balls flew thick and fast. They destroyed one gun and kild one man, wounded three. The kild on there side was two hundred. The soldiers found them thrown into holes back in the woods. But anuf of this. I want you to tell me how you get on and where you live and where James is going to school this winter and what he done last summer. Tell me how many went to the war from Stephentown and how Barett is getting on. Tell Barett I will bring her a present when I come home. Tell Amanda to write and I want Jim to write. I can’t write any more. Write as soon as you get this. Bye from your son
Charles F Chapel
It is not known who Barett is, but James is Charles’ youngest brother who would have been 17 years old in 1861. Amanda is an older sister. More letters will appear next week.