William M. Ballou Diary
William M. Ballou's
Memorandum
Company F 16th Vt Vol
Col Veazey Commanding
Captain Henry
H F Dix
Company F. 16th Reg
Vermont Vol
Daily
Pocket
Remembrancer
for 1863.
keepsake for Wm
January, Thursday 1, 1863
Went on picket to Centerville and encamped in a fort for the night. Was on guard around the fort for two hours.
Friday 2.
Was in the fort at Centerville expecting the enimy every moment. Was on guard at night. David was sick.
Saturday 3.
There was a Company and Battalion drill. Wrote letter to Henry Barker
Was on guard at night also David with David Bolster.
January, Sunday 4. 1863
Went to a house and got breakfast. had rations for supper and had a letter from home. Was on guard at night rained at sunset. Company sent on picket
Monday 5.
The Company came in after being on picket. Wrote a letter home to Maria. Will. Bugbee. Dunham [?].
Tuesday 6
it began to rain at noon. came in to camp and had some Whiskey
January, Wednesday 7.
had inspection of arms & ammunition. Went on Battalion drill. it is awful cold night. Cap is sick and Lieu Burns
Thursday 8.
Went on company and Brigade drill. Washed me & changed my clothes. David had a letter from home
Friday 9
was on guard to Fairfax Court House before Col Staughton's house.
January, Saturday 10, 1863
Came in from being on guard to Fairfax Court House. rains very hard to day, the weather being cold and stormy.
Sunday 11.
Went out inspection of arms and ammunition and built our arch. Sent on dress parade. David wrote to Anna. Albert goes on guard Geo is sick
Monday 12.
Washed my clothes and went on Brigade drill David fixed his boots also Albert his
January, Tuesday 13.
Went on Brigade & Battalion drill. David writes to Maria. Cap paid David for making clothes.
Wednesday 14.
Stockaded our tents and fixed our bunks. Went on Battalion drill Albert had a letter from Wilmington Albert Allen & [?]
Thursday 15.
polieced the street and helped the Lieu making [?] Washed me all over had Brigade drill & dress parade
January, Friday 16. 1863
Company and Battalion drill. Worked for the cooks putting up their house Geo had a letter from home. Albert wrote a letter
Saturday 17.
had a Battalion drill in the forenoon. David was on guard over to Fairfax Court House. had a letter from home. Wrote a letter to Laura.
Sunday 18.
Went on inspection of arms and ammunition had a dress parade at night
January, Monday 19, 1863
Went on company drill Also on Battalion. Albert washed his clothes. Wrote a letter to Anna Moore. David writes to Maria.
Tuesday 20.
Struck tents at 6 oclock in the morning and marched to Fairfax Station camped for the night
Wednesday 21.
Was detailed to Fairfax Station as guard
January, Thursday 22. 1863
Stockaded our tent. Albert was on guard. cloudy dull weather.
Friday 23.
put our tent on the bar rack and fixed it up. had a letter paper from Laura also David from Maria. Went on dress parade had the Gazette and Courier
Saturday 24.
was detailed over to the Station on fatigue duty had a dress parade Davenport and Higley Farrell came to camp
January Sunday 25, 1863
had inspection of arms and ammunition. Davenport payed me seven dollars had a dress parade and inspection of arms. had my pants mended
Monday 26.
put down a corderer and helped put up the cook tents. David had a letter from home and wrote a letter home.
Tuesday 27.
Was detailed over to the Station on guard. The regiment was paid off. it is stormy wet weather. David and Albert washed
January, Wednesday 28, 1863
It is very stormy raining and snowing. have got a very bad cold which is on my lungs Geo had a letter from his sister.
Thursday 29
Was detailed to cut poles for the Capn had a letter from Laura also the Gazette and Courier had a dress parade
Friday 30.
Was excused by the surgeon. Washed my clothes. Albert is on guard to the Station. had a letter from Anna Moore. Venable Porter came here. Bought a candle to the Sutlers.
January, Saturday 31, 1863
inspection of arms and ammunition by Hooker. David wrote to Laura and Albert writes home. had a dress parade.
Feb. Sunday 1.
Washed me and changed my clothes. had an inspection of quarters by the major. Write a letter to Chester Hinsdale
Monday 2.
Was detailed to build a horse barn. had the Springfield paper. mended my stockings.
February, Tuesday 3, 1863
Was on regimental guard Sergeant Bond was the Sergeant of the guard
Wednesday 4.
Washed my clothes and David stockings, had a company drill and a dress parade. is extremely cold
Thursday 5.
had a company drill. had a letter from Anna Blanchard also David from home. had the Gazette it is stormy Albert is on guard Wrote a letter to Mrs Foster to [?]
Feb. Friday 6, 1863
Was detailed to work on a barn, was very rainy and was excused, fired three times to target, broke my tube out of my gun and got another from the Capn
Saturday 7
Went on company drill and polieced the streets
Sunday 8.
had inspection of arms and ammunition. had a dress parade.
Feb. Monday 9, 1863
fired to target three and had a company drill David washed his clothes had the Springfield paper gave Lieut Burns the present of 26 cents
Tuesday 10.
Was detailed over to the Station on fatigue. David had his picture taken and wrote to Maria Albert wrote to his brother also got a candle
Wednesday 11.
had a Battalion drill had target shooting David had a letter from Maria. git our five days rations of candles
Feb. Thursday 12, 1863
Was on regimental guard Albert was on fatigue over to the Station Danforth Whiting in the guard house
Friday 13.
Washed me all over and changed my clothes wash up my clothes, had [?] paid for their gloves. had the Gazette
Saturday 14.
Went on a battalion drill had my hair cut & shave had a letter from Laura presented Lieut Burns with a sheath the Company signed for
Feb. Sunday 15, 1863
it is rainy and windy David is on guard to the Station, had a dress parade, has cleared off very pleasant
Monday 16.
Was detailed over to the Station on fatigue Came back and went on dress parade
Tuesday 17
it is very stormy snowed very hard. David writes to Maria and we went to sleep Albert writes home
Feb. Wednesday 18, 1863
cleaned the snow out of the street, had inspection of guns by the Colonel. David had a letter from home and the cough Balsam David washed him all over
Thursday 19.
was on guard over to the Station. David goes to Washington. [?] Worth and Tillett came to camp. Albert buys a candle and writes a letter
Friday 20.
came off from being on guard. Went on company drill. David had a letter from Anna Moore. Albert is on fatigue to the Station. had a letter from Mrs Foster Geo from home
Feb. Saturday 21, 1863
Went on battalion drill David came back from Washington. had ration of candles for Feby
Sunday 22.
it is snowing hard from the North east David had a letter and a paper from home David sends $20.00 to Wilmington by Burns
Monday 23.
was drilled the manual of arms by the Colonel David writes to Uncle Hosea Ballou Albert writes him to hold his book from Washington
Feb. Tuesday 24, 1863
Was drill the manual of arms by the Colonel and the boys had drill Geo was detailed to the station. David wrote home snow ball &c
Wednesday 25.
was drill by the Col. manual of arms. Also in the afternoon. Washed me and changed my clothes
Thursday 26.
is a rainy all day. had quarters Albert has a sore throat. sent a paper to Henry bought a candle.
Feb. Friday 27, 1863
had company and Battalion drill. David is on guard over to the Station. Albert is detailed David writes to Mrs Foster had the Gazette.
Saturday 28.
Geo and myself are on guard in camp. Was mustard for pay, very rainy night. had orders to marched.
March, Sunday 1
came of being on guard cleaned my gun. had inspection of arms by Lieu and had a dress parade Albert washed his clothes
March, Monday 2, 1863
went on Battalion drill David had two letters from home. Went on company drill. had a paper. David got a candle, is a pleasant day
Tuesday 3.
Went on Battalion and company drill. Albert is on guard to the Station. David & I wrote a letter home. borrowed a candle of Frank Burr
Wednesday 4.
Went on battalion and Company drill. is very cold and windy. David goes on fatigue to the Station
March, Thursday 5,
Went on Battalion and Company drill. Chase D Green came into camp had our five days rations of candles
Friday 6.
Went on fatigue to the Station. John Welch and Stillman Larell are chosen Corporals
Saturday 7
David and my self was on guard down to the Station Was very stormy day and night
March Sunday 8, 1863
washed me and changed my clothes. had inspection of arms and quarters by the Col. David had a letter from Mr Dodge. Henry Good is put in the guard house.
Monday 9
washed my clothes, had company drill. Staughton is taken prisoner by the rebels. David had a letter from home. Goodnow stands on a barrel
Tuesday 10.
Was drill by the Col the manual of arms. it is stormy. We wrote a letter home
March, Wednesday 11, 1863
Went on two Battalion drills. had a letter from Anne Blanchard. had some potatoes for dinner
Thursday 12.
Went to the surgeon and got light duty. had Battalion drill. Albert had a letter from home. Asa [?]
Friday 13
Went to the Surgeon and got quarters. had Battalion drill, throwed up brestworks. had the Gazette
March, Saturday 14, 1863
Went to the surgeons and got quarters. Geo is detailed over to the Station on fatigue. Company throwed up earthworks. had a dress parade
Sunday 15.
Went to the surgeon and got quarters. had knapsack and quarters inspection by the Col David is on guard. it is very stormy
Monday 16
Geo is on guard. Albert is on fatigue. Shaved off my whiskers. David had letter from home. Geo had a letter from his folks. also from Mrs foster
March, Tuesday 17, 1863
Got my boots fixed wrote a letter to Anna Blanchard. David wrote a letter home. Albert is detailed over to the Station on guard. sent my picture
Wednesday 18.
was detailed to the Station on fatigue. Washed myself all over and changed my clothes. had a ration of whiskey. Goodnow stood on a barrel
Thursday 19
was detailed on fatigue to work throwing up brestworks. David wrote to Uncle Hosea had the Gazette.
March, Friday 20, 1863
was detailed to throw up earthworks. Albert goes to Washington. David writes to Anna Moore
Saturday 21.
is a rainy day Albert comes back from Washington
Sunday 22
had inspection of arms and ammunition. is a warm pleasant day. David had a letter from Maria. Albert washed his clothes. had a dress parade.
March, Monday 23, 1863
was on guard to the Station. was on to the Generals. David writes home. had a Battalion drill.
Tuesday 24.
Struck tents at ½ 6 oclock and marched to Union Mills a distance of 6 miles. pitched our tent for the night
Wednesday 25.
was detailed to help build a horse barn. Albert was on picket. we fixt our bunk. is squally day
March, Thursday 26. 1863
built a fire place. was detailed to work on the spring of water. David had a paper and a letter from Laura.
Friday 27
went on picket beyond Union Mills in the woods is a very pleasant day. bought a looking glass of Joe
Saturday 28
is a very rainy day. came in from being on picket David had a letter from home. I had a letter from Henry Barker. shaved me.
March, Sunday 29. 1863
is a cold windy day. had inspection of arms and ammunition. Albert goes on picket, changed my clothes, mended my pants. had a dress parade.
Monday 30
had a Battalion drill is a very pleasant day was detailed to build cook house.
Tuesday 31
went on picket and was sent to Washington with a prisoner. Staid all night in Alexandria
April, Wednesday 1, 1863
went to the Provost M. with the prisoner in Washington. went to the Capitol and went all over it. staid all night to the Soldiers retreat
Thursday 2
went to Smithsonian institute and to the Patent Office and came back to camp
Friday 3.
is a pleasant day. was detailed to move the hospital. the Officers played ball. Cap Dix put his arm out of joint had Battalion drill
April, Saturday 4, 1863
is a rather cold windy day. went to the surgeon and got quarters. Geo goes on picket. had a Battalion drill. David had a letter from Anna Moore
Sunday 5.
had a very heavy snow storm. David is sick. sends for the surgeon. David had a letter from Uncle Hosea Ballou
Monday 6.
went on picket on the left wing.
David had a letter from home. is a pleasant day
April, Tuesday 7, 1863
came in from being on picket. cleaned my gun and equipments is a cold windy day. David writes home.
Wednesday 8.
is a cold windy day. had a company drill David goes on picket changed my clothes & washed me all over.
Thursday 9.
is a very pleasant day and is a day of fasting and prayer went to meeting.
April, Friday 10, 1863
is a pleasant day. was detailed on fatigue to work on a fort
Saturday 11.
had inspection of arms and was mustered is a pleasant day. the 15th and 16th had a game of ball.
Sunday 12.
David goes on picket inspection of arms and quarters. is a pleasant day. had orders to march with 7 days rations
April, Monday 13. 1863
is a pleasant day. had a letter from Almira. David had a letter from home. David bought some paper and some envelopes had a dress parade orders to march
Tuesday 14.
is a warm pleasant day gave up our A tents.
Wednesday 15
is an awful rainy day. went up to the ambulance and stayed.
April, Thursday 16, 1863
is a cloudy windy day. am detailed on picket on the Wright Wing in a fort. rains in the afternoon.
Friday 17.
is a cloudy day. came in from being on picket had some whiskey. Geo had a letter from home
Saturday 18.
is a pleasant day David goes on picket. had a Battalion drill and a sham fight. David had a letter from home
April, Sunday 19, 1863
went on regimental guard. is a very pleasant day. David came in from being on picket. had a knapsack inspection.
Monday 20.
is a rainy day. came of guard. changed my clothes and washed them. Shaved me.
Tuesday 21.
marched at 9 oclock for Warrenton. passed through Manassas Junction Catlett's Station & fixed a bridge came back & camped at Manassas Junction.
April, Wednesday 22. 1863
started at 8 oclock for the Rappahannock distance of 29 miles. passed Warrenton Junction & went within 3 miles of the river to B[?] & came to camp
Thursday 23.
is a very rainy day am suffering under a very bad cold. had a letter from home. went on patrol at night
Friday 24.
is a very rainy day. went to surgeon & had quarters. David is on guard. had a letter from Anna Blanchard
April, Saturday 25, 1863
is a very windy day. Went to the surgeon and got quarters. the paymaster came to camp and payed us four months pay. wrote a letter to Laura.
Sunday 26.
is a pleasant day but windy. Geo and Albert goes on picket Went to the surgeon and got quarters. David is sick. We write to Almira.
Monday 27.
is a very pleasant warm day. Went to the surgeon and got quarters. David had a letter from home. David wrote to Uncle Hosea Ballou sent the draft of 85 dollars
April, Tuesday 28. 1863
is rainy came on guard to the horse barn. David is sick. David writes home. Company drills in the afternoon Cap Dix came back from home
Wednesday 29.
came of being on guard is cloudy and foggy David is unwell. washed me and changed my clothes.
Thursday 30.
is a warm but cloudy we are musterd for pay. David goes to the surgeon. had inspection of arms knapsacks went on patrol at night
May. Friday 1. 1863
is a very pleasant day. had two company drills. had a dress parade. Will Bugbee is in the guard house
Saturday 2.
is a very warm pleasant day. David is on guard to the Mills. had target shooting. David had a letter from home. father is sick.
Sunday 3.
is a warm pleasant day had inspection of arms and ammunition. Geo is on guard.
May, Monday 4, 1863
is warm with rain in the morning. am on guard before the Col. had a battalion drill. David writes home.
Tuesday 5.
is cloudy and foggy. came off guard duty. David goes on picket have company drill. David goes to Alexandria. is a very rainy night
Wednesday 6.
is rainy. go down to the Mills and carried some whiskey to the boys. had a company drill and went over to the Sutlers
May, Thursday 7, 1863
is a cloudy day. am detailed on picket on the left wing to the reserve
Friday 8.
is a cloudy cold day. am on picket to the reserve.
Saturday 9.
is a very pleasant day. came in off picket. David had a letter from home. Also wrote a letter to Anna Moore. changed my shirt
May, Sunday 10, 1863
is a warm pleasant day am on guard to the horse barn. David goes to the Rappahannock to guard the train. Geo is on guard to the Spring
Monday 11.
is a warm pleasant day. David and myself go down to Warrenton Junction and writes a letter home.
Tuesday 12.
is a warm pleasant day, I go down to Warrenton Junction to guard the train. David washes my clothes.
May, Wednesday 13, 1863
is warm and pleasant with rain in the afternoon David goes on picket. the street is decorated with trees. mend my coat go and help Henry fix a tent
Thursday 14.
is a pleasant warm day company and battalion drill. I go and get a load of wood. Albert is on guard. I go on patrol at night
Friday 15
is warm and pleasant but windy had a General inspection of arms and equipments. had a letter from Maria in Wilmington father is dangerously sick
May. Saturday 16, 1863
is a pleasant warm day am detailed to [?] to block it up with trees. had some whiskey. went on dress parade
Sunday 17.
is a pleasant day. I go to the Rappahannock to guard the train. David & Albert is on picket to the Mills
Monday 18.
is a pleasant day. we have a company drill. changed my clothes and washed them. shaved me. Geo came in from Bristoe Station. David is on guard.
May, Tuesday 19, 1863
is a pleasant day. am detailed on picket on the left wing on the reserve.
Wednesday 20.
is a pleasant day, am on picket at the reserve. Dexter Bishofe goes to camp sick. Geo catches some fish
Thursday 21.
is a very warm pleasant day. came in from picket. had a battalion drill.
May, Friday 22, 1863
is a very warm day. had a company and battalion drill. had a temperance lecture David is on guard and had a letter from Maria
Saturday 23.
is a very warm pleasant day. had a company drill. went in to the water and washed me
Sunday 24.
is a very warm pleasant day. am on guard to the Cols. went in to the Sutler and washed me David writes to his wife
May, Monday 25 1863
is cloudy and cold. came in from off guard cleaned my gun and equipments. changed my shirt and stockings
Tuesday 26.
is cloudy but warm had a review by Abercrombie and his staff. Vicksburg is taken by Grant
Wednesday 27.
struck tents ½ past 5 and went on the cars to Bristoe. three companies stayed at Manassas five to Bristoe and the rest to Catlett's Station. I am sick David goes on patrol
May, Thursday 28, 1863
is a pleasant warm day the company goes out on a scouting party. I went to the surgeon and got quarters.
Friday 29.
is warm with a little rain. went to the surgeon and got light duty. Cap goes to Union Mills with the Col. Geo goes to the guard house
Saturday 30.
is a warm pleasant day the rebels burn our cars and fired in to them David goes on picket in the day time & all night I go to the surgeon and get light duty
May, Sunday 31, 1863
is a warm pleasant day went to guard mount had guard inspect arms. went to meeting. David had a letter from home and the pictures
June, Monday 1
is a pleasant but windy We fired off our guns and cleaned them up and had inspections of arms. changed my shirt and washed them
Tuesday 2.
is pleasant but windy day I go on post guard am on to the Spring and on picket at night. it rained in the morning
June, Wednesday 3. 1863
it rains in the morning came off guard and laid down and went to sleep. David goes to Battle Run to guard the bridge
Thursday 4.
is a pleasant day. I go in swimming.
David comes off guard our company goes on picket I have a boil on my chin
Friday 5
is pleasant but rains at night. We draw our ration of sugar. David is sick. there is no dress parade
June, Saturday 6, 1863
is a pleasant warm day. David is sick.
I go on picket at night. David had a letter from home and one from Ohio
Sunday 7.
is a very cool windy day. came off picket. the company went on inspection of guns knapsacks I sign the payroll
Monday 8.
is a pleasant but cool day. go up to the bridge as guard. stand on guard once in 10 hours.
June, Tuesday 9. 1863
is a warm pleasant day came off guard. washed my clothes. had a dress parade
Wednesday 10.
is a warm pleasant day. have a company drill Ames is put in the guard house. I go on picket with David and George
Thursday 11.
is warm with rain struck tents at ½ 7 oclock and went on the cars to Union Mills and camped where the 15th camped
June, Friday 12. 1863
is a very warm pleasant day our company goes on picket on the left wing. We are paid off for the month by the government.
Saturday 13.
is a very warm pleasant day. am on picket with Jo and George. Farnam brings out some bread I have got poison on my ankle
Sunday 14.
is a pleasant warm day came off picket changed my clothes & cleaned my gun. David had a letter from home. Went to meeting
June, Monday 15, 1863
is a very warm day. had a full inspection of every thing. wrote a letter to Father. David writes to Maria.
Tuesday 16.
is a very warm day am detailed to the trees along bull run. washed my shirt and went into the water sent our overcoats home
Wednesday 17.
is a very hot warm day had a company drill had my boots fixed. wrote a letter to Laura David drawed a pair of pants
June, Thursday 18, 1863
is a very hot day. the thermometer is standing at 105° had a company drill. David writes to Uncle Hosea send the check
Friday 19.
is warm with showers had a company drill. shaved me & David
Saturday 20.
is cloudy with rain had a Battalion drill I guard git some cherries had inspection of arms David had a letter from Maria
June Sunday 21, 1863
is cloudy with rain had inspection of arms and ammunition Went to meeting. Washed my shirt
Monday 22.
is a very pleasant day our company goes on picket. I and Geo is on the left wing. have got a boil on my face
Tuesday 23.
is a warm pleasant day am on picket with Geo have to stand guard once in an hour all night
June, Wednesday 24, 1863
came in off picket and changed camping ground is a cloudy day
Thursday 25.
struck tents at 4 oclock and march one mile beyond Centerville & camped for the night. it rains. David had a letter from Maria
Friday 26.
started the next morning and went to Sanford Station 12 miles. is rainy all day
June, Saturday 27, 1863
started at 5 oclock & marched 20 miles to Edwards [?] and camped down. Saw the 4 Vermont Regt. Albert sick.
Sunday 28.
started at 8 oclock and marched 20 miles [faded] David writes home
Monday 29.
started at 6 oclock and marched 18 miles to Fredericksburg City and camped 4 miles from the city
June, Tuesday 30, 1863
started at 7 oclock and marched 18 miles passing [?] and camped at Emmetsburg
July, Wednesday 1.
started at 10 oclock & marched to Gettysburg & camped for the night. is rainy with showers David goes on guard. heavy firing
Thursday 2
We march out under a hill & were under heavy fire all this afternoon. The 18th charged on battery & took 8 pieces.
July, Friday 3, 1863
is very hot day was under heavy firing all day. We charged on the rebs and took two flags David is wounded in the leg.
Saturday 4
is cloudy wet and muddy. we moved over the hill & camped in an orchard by a barn. is a very rainy night.
Sunday 5.
is cloudy all day. we moved in the morning over beyond the rifle pits and staid all day. the men were burying the dead
July Monday 6, 1863
is cloudy all day. We marched of the battle field back to Emmetsburg
Tuesday 7
started at four oclock and marched twenty miles over the mountain and camped at dark.
Wednesday 8.
is rainy all day. started at four oclock and marched to Middletown. I am sick and had to fall out went in to a barn.
July, Thursday 9, 1863
the 13th Regiment started for home. We went to our Regiment got there at night and camped for night
Friday 10.
is a very hot warm day. went to Boonsboro & staid at [?] all day and started and went through Boonsboro village and camped
Saturday 11.
is a very hot warm day. started and went two miles and found some of Co B boys and staid with them all night
July Sunday 12, 1863
Monday 13.
is cloudy and rainy. started at seven oclock and went to Funkstown and found our regiment I got a letter from Laura and Mother & Maria
Tuesday 14
started and followed the rebels to the river at Williamsport 6 miles and camped.
July, Wednesday 15, 1863
started at 5 oclock an marched till 8 oclock at night passed through Reedsville and camped
Thursday 16.
started in the morning and marched 8 miles and camped at about noon and staid all day and night. Lieut Gillett catches us it rains at night. had a letter from Irvina
Friday 17.
is rainy all day very hard had a letter from home is very muddy am sick at night drawed rations
July, Saturday 18, 1863
is a warm day. started and went to Burlin 9 miles and took the cars at half past four and arrived in Baltimore 12 oclock at night & staid in the depot
Sunday 19.
started at one oclock and arrived in Philadelphia at 8 oclock at night. had supper at the soldiers retreat. is a very hot day
Monday 20.
arrived in in New York at 9 oclock and had a dinner
July, Tuesday 21, 1863
staid in New York all day the wind blows like a hurricane had our meals at the soldiers retreat
Wednesday 22.
started at 4 oclock and marched up Broadway and down to the boat
arrived at Brattleboro at 8 oclock at night and staid all night
Thursday 23
got a furlow and went to Wilmington am not very well. Washed me and changed my clothes.
July, Friday 24, 1863
am sick do not go out of the house.
Saturday 25.
am sick do not have much appetite to eat my direah is no better.
Sunday 26
is a pleasant warm day felt a little better in the forenoon but got pretty tired by night
July, Monday 27, 1863
am not so well. Dr Petty came and saw me and left me some powders to take.
Tuesday 28.
am better had a good nights rest feel a good deal better. Mr Ballou & Mrs Foster stoped here and see me
Wednesday 29.
am not so well in the forenoon. the Dr came & see me and left me some more powders am better this afternoon
July Thursday 30. 1863
am pretty sick all day laid a bed all day. The Ballou boys came in and see me David gits to Wilmington.
Friday 31
am better to day. it is pretty warm day. I set up most of the time. David is well but lame.
August, Saturday 1
am getting better but am rather weak is warm and muggy air
August, Sunday 2. 1863
is warm pleasant day walked over to Uncle Hosea. am a good deal better.
Monday 3.
is a warm pleasant day. went down on the street and to Mrs Dodge I eat some bitters to take the swifts.
Tuesday 4.
is a warm day I rode out to Bawkers with Uncle Hosea and went up and see Chandler Russel
August, Wednesday 5, 1863
is a very hot day. Mother came up to see me and brought me a hen to eat. my direah is no better.
Thursday 6.
is cloudy in the morning Mother goes home in the forenoon and carries my overcoat. paid Uncle Hosea for freight on the overcoat 37 cts
Friday 7.
is cloudy and cool day. am better of my direah. went up to B[?] and down to the Snows
August, Saturday 8, 1863
is a very rainy all day. did not go to Brattleboro went to a lecture in the evening. am sick at the stomach at night bought me a pair of suspenders
Sunday 9.
is a pleasant warm day went to meeting in the forenoon am better and stronger than ever
Monday 10
started at 4 oclock in the morning for Brattleboro. arrived the ½ past 8 oclock. was mustered out of service and paid our state pay
August, Tuesday 11, 1863
staid all night to Mr Conants is a very warm day. was paid what was due us from government and got our discharge papers. came on the stage home
Wednesday 12.
is a pleasant day. laid a bed almost all day
Thursday 13
We got a team of Mr White to go down to Monroe, started at ½ 2 oclock and went home
August, Friday 14, 1863
is a pleasant day. We went up to [?] and up to Allens and eat supper and came to fathers.
Saturday 15.
is a cloudy and not a good hay day. am not so well to day David goes back to Wilmington. Paid one dollar for the team.
Sunday 16.
is rainy in the afternoon. Norman and family came down. my direah is better. Mr Hinsdale Mr Taylor came in
August, Monday 17. 1863
is not a very good hay day Alfred and wife came here. Alfred goes to Rowe my direah is better
Tuesday 18.
is a good hay day. Went out and helped rake and get in some hay. Alfred brings Laura over from Rowe
Wednesday 19
is a good hay day but rainy Alfred and wife goes to Mr Phelps and up to Mr Hinsdale. Mother and Laura goes up to Normans
August, Thursday 20. 1863
is a pleasant day. Alfred and wife goes to Florida. Mother and Laura comes back from Norman.
Friday 21
is a cloudy with rain I go down to Davids in the forenoon. David and Maria comes down from Wilmington, Chester & wife come over to Fathers
Saturday 22
is a good hay day. David goes to mowing. I go home with Laura we picked some blackberries agoing
August, Sunday 23. 1863
is a pleasant day Do not go to meeting. Fred [?] come there. we go and get some blackberries
Monday 24
is a cloudy windy day. Olive Wilson came there. Laura cut a sack for her was measurd to Jhon Ballou for a suit of clothes
Tuesday 25.
is cloud and windy went to Slab city with Hiram Phelps saw Mr Cogswell we killed a sheep
August, Wednesday 26, 1863
is cloudy and rains Robert has been [?]
Thursday 27.
is a pleasant day I came home, Laura came and brought me to the river. helped father get in some hay
Friday 28.
We mowed some in the morning. it clouded up and rained in the afternoon
Dec. Saturday 12, 1863
Worked in the forenoon to Sumner sawing single stuf @ 25
Monday 14
Went to Rowe and went to work for Kolbert Wells at the rate of fifteen dollars per month. sharpen an ax to the shop
Dec. Tuesday 15, 1863
done the chores to the barn and chopped at the door. is a very windy day
Wednesday 16.
chopped and done the chores to the barn. Gleda came up there and I went home with her in the evening
Thursday 17.
chopped and done the chores to the barn. is a pretty cold day
Dec. Friday 18, 1863
done the chores and chopped wood at the door. fixt the barn in the afternoon.
Saturday 19.
done the chores to the barn and took a pelt off the sheep went down to the store and got some buttons to put on coat
Sunday 20
done the chores in the morning and came home. is a pretty cold day
Dec. Monday 21, 1863
went up to Sumner and worked sawing shingle stuf half day @ 45 cts
Tuesday 22.
went to meeting and also in the evening.
Wednesday 23.
went to meeting in the town house
Dec. Thursday 24, 1863
went to Rowe with mother and worked ½ day for Kolbert
Friday 25.
worked all day chopping and looking his sheep over for the foot rot
Saturday 26.
worked all day chopping wood at the door and came home at night
December, Sunday 27, 1863
stormed in the morning went down to Alfred Phelps to see Allen
Memoranda.
Aug 18th 1862
Enlisted at Wilmington to serve for the period of 9 months in the service of the United States
Sept 3d Organized company F chose H. F. Dix captain Henry P. Gillett 1st Lieut George H. Burns 2nd Lieut
Oct 24th Left Brattleboro for Washington, arrived in New Haven midnight Then too a steamer for N.Y. arriving there 8 oclock 26th Passing down NY bay stopped at Amboy & took the cars for Philadelphia
Memoranda.
Arrived there 7 oclock 26th 12 oclock M. left for Baltimore passing through Wilmington Del. crossing the Susquehanna river at Havre de Grace arriving in Baltimore 6 oclock PM
Thence taking the cars for Washington arriving there 10 oclock PM 27th camped on east capitol hill
Oct 30th struck tents & marched to camp Seward Va crossing the Potomac on Long bridge 1¼ miles long
Memoranda.
Nov 3d struck tents & marched to camp Vermont 10 miles south of Washington & 3 from the city of Alexandria
Dec 12 struck tents and marched 15 miles. camped at Fairfax Court House
Dec 13th marched 10 miles & went on picket on the Bull run battle ground
Dec 14 pitched tents for the night at Centerville
Dec 17th marched back to Fairfax Court House 11 miles
Dec 18th went on inspection came back and pitch tents for night
Memoranda.
Dec 19th moved to Camp Farley and pitched tents
Dec 20th Went on Company and Battalion drill
Dec 21st went on inspection
Dec 22nd went on Company and Battalion drill
Dec 23rd went on Battalion drill wrote a letter to Uncle Hosea Ballou
Dec 24th stockaded tents and went on company drill
Dec 25th went to meeting and came back and went on dress parade
Dec 26th went on company drill and Brigade drill
Dec 27th was detailed
Memoranda.
over to Fairfax Court House and fixed our tent
Dec 28th went on inspection of arms and ammunition and marched at 7 oclock for Fairfax Station camped down for the night.
Dec 29th marched back to Camp and wrote a letter home to Father.
Dec 30th went on company and battalion drill
Dec 31st We was mustered for pay and had a paper from Laura and the Springfield to David.
Memoranda.
March 6th 1864
David and myself are alone today. Maria comes in the afternoon
7th David went to the village with Mr Stearns is stormy
8th David and I cut down some wood with cattle
9th we sawed David in the wood shed
10th we sawed choped and stack it up. went up to Mr Chandlers in the evening with Maria and Lucy Barnard
11th is a rainy day. ground my ax went up to store after some milk.
Memoranda.
12th choped up the wood David & Maria up to Smiths visiting
13 is sunday is some snowy went up to [?]
Monday 14th choped wood at the door and went in to the sugar place and tap some trees in the afternoon
15th choped wood in the forenoon and went to the sugar place in the afternoon had some warm sugar to eat
16th choped wood at the door all day
17th choped wood
Memoranda.
Dec 29th paid to Mr Clark for a pair of boots $4.00 four dollars
what I have worked for Mr Sumner $1.25
What I have worked for Kolbert Wells is $5.00
17th all day is a cold
18th drawed hay all day six loads two yoke of cattle
19th did not work in day wrote 3 letters to day
Memoranda.
January 1st 1864
Was at Fathers all day alone was expecting to go to Wilmington
2d went to Wilmington with Nelle Hines went to Davids and staid all night.
3d Went down to Mr Boyds and went to meeting in the afternoon staid all night at Davids.
4th Went over to Asahel [?] and staid till four oclock and went home to Fathers and staid all night
Memoranda.
5th is stormy went and carried Nelle home and went to Allens took his team home
6th Went to Rowe and staid all night and done his chores in the morning.
7th came home in the afternoon.
8th worked up to Mr Sumners sawing shingle stuf
9th Went down to the other place and helped Father draw up a load of hay 10th is a pleasant cold
Memoranda.
day Allen and Sarah came down to fathers
Feb 4th Henry carries me to Wilmington
5th Henry goes back home
6th David and myself goes to chopping for Miles Brown.
7th is sunday stay at home all day
8th Went to Browns chopping
9th worked for Mr Ray chopping $1.00
10th went to Browns chopped all day
11th Went to Browns
Memoranda.
12th Went to Browns to chopped.
13th Went up and choped ½ day for Charles Bissel. took pay in potatoes two bushel & peck
14th Went to meeting in the forenoon and afternoon
15th staid at home all day is cold day
16th staid at home all day Stearns came out here David had his farm
17th staid at home all day is cold
18th staid at home all day is cold day
Memoranda.
19th staid at home all day is cold day
20th David made out writing for his farm
21st David and myself went to meeting
22nd David and I went out to Browns and measured that wood
23rd went to court of Ashley Stone's.
24th Went to Court of Stone's.
25th Henry Barker and Houghton was here
26th went to Court of May
Memoranda.
27th David went to the auction to Stearns
28th Went to meeting in the forenoon & afternoon
29th sawed wood with David at home.
March
1st Went to town meeting
2nd did not do anything staid at home all day
3rd worked for Bond driving teams 1.00
5th David and myself finished sawing wood for Walker
5th moved to Stearns place Temple moved their things
Cash Account.—January.
25th Received of Esq Davenport $7.00 being one month State pay $7.00
.60
26th .25
27th Recd of Goverment 10.30
28th two month pay
or there about $25.10
28 Paid Capt Dix
for army blanket 3.75
28th Received of
Capt Dix for making
clothes 1.20
29th .10
30th Sent by Vernie Partin .10
30th to Uncle Hosea Ballou 20.00
30th .10
Cash Account.—February.
[dates with expenditures, only one entry "for Stamps"]
Cash Account.—March.
for apples and cheese .10
for [?] .05
for gum & apples .10
for cheese & apples
for corn and apples .20
for ring and corn/apples .50
for apples .15
1.20
for articles that I have spent this month is 4.95
Cash Account.—April.
for articles 1.00
15th David lends me one dollar $1.00
18th Mother sent me $0.50
25th paid David one dollar $1.00
25th Govermint paid me four months pay which is $52.00
27th Sent Uncle Hosea by draft $40.00
28th paid for a box of cough
& other articles $1.50
Cash Account.—May.
4 Received of Goverment one pair of pants 3.55
25th Borrowed of the Cap 2.00
Cash Account.—June.
12th Received of goverment for
two months pay $26.00
15th Paid Cap Dix
the borrowed 2.00
16th Sent Uncle Hosea Ballou 10.00
Cash Account.—July.
24th Received of Uncle
Hosea Ballou 5.00
22nd Borrowed of Agustus Ballou 2.00
Cash Account.—August.
10th Received of the
State pay 25.20
11th Received of Goverment 76.11
11th paid Agustus the
money borrowed 2.00
12th Paid for stage riding
to Brattleboro and back 1.75
12th Paid for Dockters bill 1.00
The first of March had 5.75 five dollars and seventy five cents.
The first of April had one dollar.
am all out of money
The first of May had $10.00
Tuesday the 31st Went to Washington. Went in the Capitol. saw the Statue of Washington Went in to the picture gallery. DeSoto discovering the Mississippi river. Columbus discover-ing America. Went into the Senate Chamber. Went to the Smithsonian Institute. Dr [?] that he went to the North Pole saw the meteor that fell which weigh 241 lbs Went to the Patent Office saw the suit of clothes
that Washington wore when he resigned his commission at Anapolis. Also the clothes when he was appointed Commander of the Army. Saw Jackson's coat he wore at the Battle of New Orleans. Saw the original printing press of Benjamin Franklin. Saw the sword and saddle bridle that the Japanese gave to Buchanan. Saw the patent of the gun that will shoot three hundred times a minute
[scribbling]
Wm Ballou
Monroe Mass
1864
Wilmington Vt
March 19th 1864
DATABASE CONTENT
| (15275) | DL1648.001 | Diaries |
Tags: Alcohol, Animals, Artillery, Battle of Gettysburg, Burials, Camp/Lodging, Chores, Clothing, Crops (Other), Death (Military), Destruction of Land/Property, Disability, Discharge/Mustering Out, Drilling, Duty, Engineering/Construction, Enlistment, Family, Farming, Fatigue/Tiredness, Fighting, Food, Foraging/Theft, Fortifications, Furloughs, Guard/Sentry Duty, Guns, Home, Hospitals, Hygiene, Illnesses, Injuries, Joseph Hooker, Marching, Medicine, Money, Nature, Newspapers, Payment, Photographs, Picket Duty, Prisoners of War, Railroads, "Rebels" (Unionist opinions of), Recreation, Religion, Resignations, Rivers, Ships/Boats, Siege of Vicksburg, Supplies, Trading, Training, Ulysses S. Grant, United States Government, Weather, Work
People - Records: 1
- (5300) [writer] ~ Ballou, William Mason
SOURCES
William M. Ballou Diary, DL1648.001, Nau Collection
