This is the first of a three-part series on the letters of Scott Dyer Jordan, a prolific writer. These letters are part of an extensive collection of memorabilia relating to the Jordan family descendants and are stored in the Archives Room of the Cape Elizabeth Historical Preservation Society.

Seamen’s Pay $18 per month

Ordinary Seamen’s Pay $14 per month

Landsmen’s Pay $12 per month

$1.50 extra per month to all for Grog Money

Written in fine print on the recruiting poster, enticements such as the following were offered to those willing to enlist in the Civil War Navy: The $50 million in prizes “already captured, a large share of which is awarded to Ships Crews. The laws for distributing prize money carefully protects the rights of all the captors.

“Seamen have a chance for promotion to any one of several positions before reaching the category of Petty Officer with pay ranges from $20 to $45 per month.

“Chances for warrants, bounties and medals of honor to all those who distinguish themselves in battle or by extraordinary heroism, may be promoted and upon that promotion receive a guaranty of $100 with a medal of honor from their country. All who wish may leave half pay with their families, to commence from date of enlistment.” (The Medal of Honor was established 1861.)

In February 1862, Scott Dyer Jordan of Cape Elizabeth wrote to Navy Secretary Gideon Welles requesting an appointment as acting masters mate. The answer to his letter suggested if he forward in writing his age, term of sea service and suitable recommendations from past employers… “your application for appointment will be considered.”

Additional correspondence from officers aboard U.S. Flag Ship Philadelphia, at Hampton Roads, Va., dated Dec. 11, 1862, and another from U.S. Flag Ship Minnesota off Newport News, Va., dated Jan.. 3, 1863, stressed Jordan was invited to apply for the position.

Three months later, in a note to his wife, dated April 5, 1863, Jordan is on his way to board a ship.

“I arrived here yesterday at 5 p.m. in good health though quite tired not having slept since leaving the steamer at N.Y., enjoyed my journey first rate….From the Ohio to this place the wheat is from two to six inches in height. Maple trees are in full blow, everything is about one month forward than in Maine.

“We passed through many pretty towns and villages, the buildings are small, the farm houses are built of white oak logs… I will just mention some of the different elements of which the area is composed, one of which though not the least, is hogs. Hogs of all ages, all sizes and of all colors, and without number are in all the streets, holes and corners.

“Next in order are the soldiers and sailors which are as numerous as bees in the hive. Streets are all mud and water, a great many of them impassable except in boats, there being three and four feet of water. Two steam pumps kept in constant operation pump the water out of the streets passing it to the river in large wooden spouts. The levee is full of cannon and other war implements waiting to be sent down river.

“I will see Captain Pennock (commander of the Union inland naval base at Cairo, Ill.) tomorrow morning and will write you regarding obtaining my commission, then to see Adm. Porter (commander of the Mississippi Squadron of gunboats in each of the six districts on the Mississippi river north of Vicksburg).

“I have heard no news on the war since my arrival here. I have seen none here I am acquainted with. I hope you and the children are well and in good spirits, I remain your faithful husband Scott D. Jordan”

Other notes provide vivid descriptions of his location: “they use mules instead of horses, dogs are as numerous as flies around a hill of molasses, all the cattle run in the streets. The city (Cairo, Ill.) is surrounded by the Ohio and Mississippi rivers… News just arrived here that Charleston is taken.”

While remaining ashore awaiting his ship assignment, Jordan boarded at a home “operated by good people, they are Methodist. There are three Master Mates, two Ensigns and five gunners here at present. “

From New Carthage he writes “this place is called a town but there is just one dwelling place, the soil is the richest in America. There are about 500 Negro men and women passing here from the plantations below, bound further north; they are passing all the time.

“Right off this place 11?2 miles or so is Jeff Davis’ plantation. The gunboat Tuscumbia went over there yesterday and brought back some articles of furniture which I expect will make Mrs. Davis swear some when she finds out. She is not home at present.”

Other letters speak of the doctor “giving pills to keep off the fever, my share is two. He says there are regular periods for this fever he calls Malaria. I think it must be on the dark of the moon. He tells us to eat anything except marlin spikes or iron belaying pins at any time, sick or well. In this sweltering climate we have had several cases of Typhoid fever and he treats them the same way. He has their cots slung directly abreast of a Port, the wind and fog blowing right onto the patient continuously. When we are firing our big guns that make a noise that thunder has no comparison to, these sick people are right next to the guns.

“Give my love to father and mother and all the rest of the folks. And a thousand kisses to Fred and you divided equally. Frank and Dora are too large to kiss I expect. And now with every wish for your happiness and comfort I’ll bid you good bye for the present. Your affectionate husband, Scott D. Jordan” (Fred, Frank and Dora are his children.)