Robert H. Crist Diary
January, Friday, 1. 1861 1858.
I left Bayou Sara La
on Steamer Baltic for Evansville
January, Saturday, 2. 1858.
Coppied from a former book
Sayre & Staples in act
with R H Crist
Dec. 17th Settled up
E H Sayre Dr $31.00
Sayre & Staples Dr $30.00
R B Staples Dr $ 5.20
R B Staples Cr
by Scyentific Am
Six months $ .75
By Cash 2.00
March 22 by " 1.00
June 30 by " 3.00
Aug 20 by Cash 5.00
11.75
January, Sunday 3. 1858.
P Hagar – Copied
Dr
to Four days work $7.50
Cr
by 1 pr pants $3.75
1 box backing—
January, Monday, 4. 1858.
John Sommervill
Oct 13th. I commenced work on his house
Myself first week 3 days $6.00
A W Coe " " " 4.50
Myself 2d week 3½ days 7.00
$17.50
Commenced again
Wednesday noon ½
Thursday 1
Friday ½
Saturday 1
Sunday went to church
Mon 1
Tuesday ½
Wed 1
Thurs 1
Fri ½
Sat came to Plainfield
Settled up took
Summerville note $28.00
January, Tuesday, 5. 1858.
John R Kent
in act with R H Crist
Nov 22d I commenced work on his shop
first week worked 6 days
2d week
mon 1 day
Tuesday ¾ day
Wed 1
Thurs 1 5¾.
Fri 1
Sat 1
Mon 1
Tues 1
W — too cold
T — do
Fri — do 3
Dec Sat 11th 1
Mon 1
Tues 1 5¾
Wed 1
Thurs ¾
Fri 1
Sat 1
January, Wednesday, 6. 1858.
John R Kent
5th week 6 days
6th week
Mon 1 day Days
Tues 1 day 2
waiting for plastering
and sick
7th week
mon 1 day
Tues 1
Wed 1
Thurs 1 6 Days
Fri 1
Sat 1
8th week
Mon 1
Tues 1
Wed 1 6 Days
Thurs 1
Fri 1
Sat 1
January, Thursday, 7. 1858.
Waltons addition
24 pieces 2 x 6 12 288
6 " 2 x 4 18 2
10 " 2 x 4 14 110
20 " 2 x 4 12 200
$6.70
300 feet siding 4.50
21 " sheeting 2.00
2500 Shingles 10.00
$23.20
nails 3.00
15.00
$41.28
Walton concluded not to build but rented Mrs Piersons store
January, Friday 8. 1858.
J R Kent
continued from page
for work done for him
9th week. 3 Days
I worked 3 days on corner
for [?]
10th 1 week—2 day for myself
And worked for Kent 4 days
11th week
Mon one day
Tues one day
finishing ½
total 50 Days
amount $62.50
Credit 8
$54.50
Credit by order on
Marshall 4.50
Credit by note of
Jo Brown 40.00
$44.50
Due Me $10.00
[section of miscellaneous work accounts and expense lists]
February, Thursday, 18. 1858.
East of Harpers ferry saw some splendid country.
the potomac dried up
I have seen Wheeling a dirty old brick smoky town of about 1700 inhabitants little or no business doing very few negroes for a slave state. Saw the Bellmont Nail works rolling iron &c quite a curiosity. Saw the two paper mills, one making newspaper, one making brown wrapping paper. Saw the suspension bridge Saw the town generally
had my picture taken
left there for cinci 5½ 6 PM
I have seen Louisville quite a dull old town of several hundred inhabitants or more. the houses well built of brick. Streets wide and tolerably clean, not many shade trees there is some fine residences.
February, Friday, 19. 1858.
April 6th just after dinner I have seen New Albany. I have been up Spring Street and down Main found Spring Street mecademized & sidewalks paved where there was no sign of a city. found large cow pastures not fenced in in the heart of the city. Every man thinks he is in the heart of New Albany. The town is dead it has gone ahead of its means building has stoped. times are hard. I think I shall get out of here monday morning. Saw an old lady sitting in a small one mule grocery sitting in a chair tiped back cross legged reading a newspaper.
And
Who ever heard of the like
we had tea instead of coffee for dinner in Ind. pretty d—d poor fare I must take another tramp about town as this is Saturday
February, Saturday, 20. 1858.
I have seen Boston and a great town it is. the Streets put me in mind of some woodroads I have seen or some fancy dooryard—(the Hub of the universe)
February, Sunday, 21. 1858.
And Philadelphia what a town to make such a noise about. I dont like it. to much sameness. Houses all alike and built up to the street streets narrow in the old town the people are all alike
February, Monday, 22. 1858.
I did see New York some. Saw the Museum for $.25 and a menagerie for nothing one muddy day Saw the central park saw great many Ladies & gents strolling. Saw the Elephant Saw Strikers Bay, saw New Bowery
Population nearly 1 000,000
A W Hoag Co G
30th Regt 28 NY vol
February, Tuesday, 23. 1858.
Louisville
is quite a town well laid out streets good width clean considerable business Pop 75000 Streets good width Houses well built in June July & August 1861 it is the only town that Union and disunion sentiment can be uttered with impunity
February, Wednesday 24, 1858.
New Albany
is some and expects to summer. has about 18000 inhabitants Streets are wide well paved side walks wide well paved with brick. there is considerable pride quite a number of good looking girls Several churches well attended
[several work accounts and expense lists]
March, Saturday, 6, 1858.
20 left Bedford for Indianapolis
24 was mustered into service July 31st left Indianapolis
Aug 17th Saturday on police duty Rained
Aug 11th Sunday on guard Hot all day and rained all night
I got very wet and was sick several days Had the piles.
Aug 9th wrote 5 letters one to P in C 1 to S.R.C. 1 to D A Crist 1 to Mollie in PM at Bedford
Aug 17th again. Camp life is monotonous and still it is big with events
Soldiers learn discipline [?] and boys has always had their own way. Officers are ignorant from Colonel down to Sergeant
18th Mon damp and disagreeable our skirmishing party organized
March, Sunday, 7. 1858.
18th received 3 letters 1 from Deb and Frank, 1 from Bell Crist 1 from Silas Wood wrote one to Bell Crist.
21st Sick all day bad with the diarhea. moved our tents up the hill a ways. I put in a hard day. 2d squad got back
20th Capt Noblett goes off with a squad of men to guard a boat, down the Bay and up the Potomac. Roy leaves to guard a bridge
21st another squad leaves to day to guard another boat
the boys that got back complain that it is not so funny as it might be to go to Washington.
quite a number of our sharpshooters go off to day 20th I occupy the Capts tent having bot me a cot
21st recd letters from Deb and Franky good long ones too
March, Monday 8, 1858.
Sept 12th Started to New York with detailed party to escort prisoners amongst whom were Marshall Kane Colonel Dawson Colonel Pegrams we left four at fort Lafayette, then 25 at Governors Island. We had a pleasant trip
Sept 13th. in the morning found ourselves in Delaware Bay at noon in N.Y. stayed there all night
Sept 14th, about 9 Oclock left governors Island stoped at the battery till 2 PM, thence to Amboy thence to Philadelphia stoped at the Soldiers retreat had a good supper and a good time and left by rail
Sept 15. Early Sunday morning we arrived in Baltimore and footed or marched 3 miles to camp. tired & sleepy
Sept 16. Signed the pay roll with big expectations of getting our pay soon.
March, Tuesday, 9. 1858.
Sept 17th. wonderful day two years ago today I landed in Natchez miss. to day we got some money, each private receiving 22.19 being paid from the 6th of July to the 31st of August, keeping $2 back boys are all rich and many of them tight another muss with the Sutlers.
Sept 18th detailed on guard Several of the boys came out this morning nearer sober and minus some of their money. A M Baker lost his wallet money and all. this day has been as big with events as any day since we came to camp. boys all go out that can get out and many of them overstay their time. after I came off guard at two Oclock Sergt Baker McWhirter and myself went over to the ferry to arrest straggling soldiers we gathered in several but in two 3 drunken men and had an interesting time had 3 guard tents full
March, Wednesday, 10. 1858.
21st Regiment Ind Vol
Col McMillan Commander
Capt Nobletts Co. consists of
Capt F W Noblett
1st Lieut R C McAfee
2d " Jessie Elliot resigned Oct 1st
James H Brown elected Oct 13th
Garrison P Crook 1st Serg
Everet A Delamater 2d
Isaac Minach 3d
Abraham M Baker 4
Benj F Smith 5
William Cole 1st Corporal
Cyrus Kennedy 2
Julius Phipps 3
James N Peter 4
George Riley 5
George Fox 6
David Pruit 7th
William Kimbrell 8th
Hamilton Steel drummer
John M Riley Fifer
Cyrus Porter wagoners
Henry Paugh Oct 31st 1861
March, Thursday, 11. 1858.
Privates in Co. F
deserted Adams, Andrew July 27th
Anderson James W
Arnold John
Bailey Commodore C
Bohrer Esau
Brock Jacob
discharged Blair William Oct
Bowden Reney
discharged Bridges Henry J Oct
Beck Jacob
1861
Elected Brown James, Lieut. Oct 13
Calvin Nathan P
Calvin Samuel
Chapman, Robert H
Cook William
Cooper Coswell R
Crook Alfred
Crow Joseph
Dawcett John
Dudley William
Doan George
Douthet Robert
March, Friday, 12. 1858.
Privates in Co F
Elkins John W
discharged Etcheson Jesse Oct
Farris Milton
Farris James W.
Fisher Jacob A
Fields Hugh
Freeman Henry O
Griner Daniel
Griffin George W
Hamersly Wm H
Heart Frederick
Herrin Daniel
Hinds Wm
Holmes John
Hyslip James M
Hyslip Joseph
Oct Irvin John, discharged
Irvin Joseph
Irvin Wm B
March, Saturday, 13. 1858.
Keck John
Keck Christian
Kimbrel Joseph
Kinneman Wm H
Kinneman Alfred
Loha Daniel
Block Lewis James S. Dutchman
Long Abraham
Lundy George
Malott Eli
Massa John S
Miller John
Miller George W
McWhirter Samuel
Martin Jacob
Nail Eli
Payne Isaac
Paugh Henry
Phillipp Jas. W
Porter Cyrus
Porter Rob't
1861
Prowel Joel deserted July 29th
Prow Charles
Sears Barton R
Sipes Henry
Spurgen Charles
Stanby Johathan
Sullivan William
Richardson Thomas
Teril John
1861
Todd David de's Oct 24th
Townsend Charles A
discharged
Vestal William
Wainman Levi
Warwick Daniel
Wayman Willet
Wildman Jessie
Wilkes James M
Wood William
Sullivan Co boys in 28 Reg NY
8th Column Col Banks
March, Monday 15. 1858.
Letters written at Camp Dix
Aug 9th 1 to P M Crist
" 1 to S B Crist
" 1 To Mollie Levenworth
" 1 to D A Crist & Frank
" 1 to Bedford P M
18 1 to Bell Crist
20 about 1 D A Crist & Frank
26 1 to Louise Judge
27 2 to P M Crist
18 about 1 to Bedford Press
22 about J B Crist
Sept 2d D A Crist & Frank
6 P M Crist
8 Mollie Leavenworth
16th J B Crist
15th D A Crist Frank B
22 P M Crist
26 P M Crist
27 Ada Strong
22 John Hart
about 18 Maggie Thomasson
Oct 1st P M Crist
Oct 3 Joseph Balsley
Oct 4 Leander Brown
Oct 4 Ann Eliza Wood
March, Tuesday, 16. 1858.
Letters written Since
Oct 7th 9th P M Crist $10
10th Jane Crist & Mollie L
12 Ann E Crist
15th J M Gravely
13th D. A. Crist
18 Bert Buggs
26 Frank Bates
Oct 28 about Louisa Fearer
about Nov 4th P M Crist
Nov 6th D A Crist
Nov 10th Marcus Barclay
9th P M Crist
Morris River
Nov 15 Katy Crist
about 26 A E Crist sent picture
28 D A Crist sent picture
Nov 25 Molly & Jane
Dec 12 Frank Bates
Dec 14th Treasurer of Black Hawk Co
Dec (8)th H R Frayer
" (5)th Bert Briggs
17 Bell Crist
22 Mollie Leavenworth
25 D A Crist
26 Caty Crist
March, Wednesday, 17. 1858.
R C McAffee Dr.
July 30th 1861
to $25. cash lent in Indianapolis
in camp Vagen $25.
to cash .50
to cash .60
to ½ map & paper $50 .25
$26.35
Sept 17th by cash .35
$26.00
Sept 18th by cash
R C McAffee DR
Oct about 18
to cash lent $10.
to cash lent .50
Dec 6th Cr by cash $10.50
March, Thursday, 18. 1858.
F W Noblett in act
with R H Crist
Oct 5th
F W Noblett Dr
to cash paid for bucket knives forks
in Baltimore $1.75
Oct 9th F W Noblet Dr
to cash lent to pay George $1.
Oct 19. to cash given to George 1.
Oct 23d to cash lent 5.
Nov 20th to wash Bill
paid to Ellen Stewart .15
$8.90
[sideways] Jan 22d 1862
Pr Gloves
coal shovel
gold pen
2 pr socks
Hair oil
tooth brush
hair brush
red flag
Among the great events in a soldiers life is drawing his clothing. the first suit we drew in Indianapolis about the last of July, our over coats we drew Sept 12th just as we I was were going to New York, and the next draw is today Oct 8th. we drew our blue caps and collars the collars are known as day collars and when one of the boys leaves off his collar he is asked why he tied his dog loose. Oct 9th 10th no cloths yet nor guns but to day the 10th we had a big rain and wet things generally. some of the boys have to sleep a little wet on some occasions, partly owing to carelessness and partly to the state of the tents. there are a great many of the boys that never knew anything about neatness at home and are not apt to learn it here.
March, Saturday, 20. 1858.
Camp Murray
Oct 14th Company F got their new guns and gave up their old muskets.
Oct 15th at night nearly all the encampment broke guard and
Oct 16th in the morning the colonel done some tall swearing and cursed the guard generally. kept the old guard on duty all day we moved our camp down to the drill ground about ¼ of a mile east most all the boys are drunk to night
Camp Murray Oct 14th 1861
Company F gave up their old muskets and recd an antequated foreign infernal machine known as a Belgian rifle
Oct 15th at night nearly all the encampment broke guard and
Oct 16th in the morning the colonel done some tall swearing and cursing the guard generally he kept the old guard on duty all day. we moved our camp down about 60 rods east. Many of the boys take this occasion to go out and get drunk and as a natural consequence there are quite a number of the 21st tight to night
We received our Blue Pants and coats between the 16th and 23d of Oct
Camp Murray Oct 25th
left camp Murray and came to Potters Hill alias Potters fort alias Camp Murray Hill put up our tents and made our selves at home.
Oct 27th Sunday was mustered for inspection by our Colonel
Oct 31st in morning was mustered for pay
Oct 31st in afternoon was inspected by Genl Marcy & was making out pay roll and did not go out.
Nov 1st fair day working on pay roll but commenced raining that night
Nov 2d raining and blowing hard in the morning. nearly blowed our tent down I had to get up before day and take it down rained hard nearly all day blowed made the tent flies flap and crack terefick the waves on the box ran high
March, Tuesday, 23. 1858.
Nov 3d Sunday cleared off pleasant.
Nov 4th clear
Nov 6th raining in the morning and very disagreeable at noon sun shining out
Nov 9th was appointed
Regimental Commissary
Sergeant
in place of Geo Harding
[sideways] Refferences
Yankee Notions
published by T. W. Strong.
98 Nassau Street
NY
$1.25 per annum
Capt Wm Dean
Evansville
Ind
March, Friday, 26. 1858.
[scribbled food account]
Dec 17th 1864.
Captain Hess of Co "[?]" resigned and went to Calafornia and did not do the fair thing by his Co. or the Merrill Rifle Co at Baltimore.
March, Saturday, 27. 1858.
[scratched out food account]
Capt E Rose resigned and went home and labored for the good of the Union during the Campaign
Capt Rose was formerly a Preacher belonged to the democratic Party, fell from grace while in the Army—but stuck by the Union like a man
March, Sunday, 28. 1858.
1861 List of Letters written
Dec 28th P J Crist
1862 Jan 2d Frank Bates
" 8 Silas Wood
" 17th D A Crist
" Jan about 10th P M Crist
Jan about 9th James Crist
" 24 G E Wood
" B H Day
22 Louisa Frazer
27th Jo Gravely
28 Frank Bates
Feb 20. Jane Crist
about 29 Jan H R Frazer
Feb 9th D A Crist
" Bell Crist
" Katy Crist
" 12 Thomas Stevens Bedford
March
April, Thursday, 1. 1858.
Feb 18th 1862, all quiet on the uper potomac
retired to bed as usual but about 12 Oclock M there cane a hue & cry that we had marching orders and were to leave the next day. here was commotion. Everybody had to get up and see about it and every body must ask some question and make some suppositions and then everybody had one or more letters to write to let their friends know they were going they knew not where nor when or how then
came fiddling and dancing & card playing till morning. Morning came and as wet a day as often dawned and we were ordered to pack up and be ready to go they knew not where so we left camp from 2/ 6 Oclock till next day in the rain. I got on to the steamer Georgia bound for Fort Monroe, with her leaky boilers. She was a slow boat sure enough the provisions were all put on one boat and the companies it belonged to on another.
April, Friday, 2. 1858.
The result was as usual men were without anything to east for a day or two but we finally arrived at Ft Monroe, laid there over night and was transported thence to New Port News, a supposed to be very important point just up the mouth of James river, noted for its New York style. Scarcity of anything that soldiers need.
Genl Mansfield is a gentleman we the Regt slept in a cavalry stable the first night and waked up whinnowing for their oats And as a matter of course we had to put up tents and take down a time or two and then we were supposed to be in Camp Butler. worked the 2d day all day in the rain. I caught cold and was nearly sick. We just become established there and on the 4th day of March we struck our tents and went on board the Steamer Constitution bound for Ship Island. and so they stowed us away, 3 regts of us the 4th wisconsin 6th Mich and 21st Ind. all on one boat
April, Saturday, 3. 1858.
We lay at anchor at Newport News till about 2 Oclock the fifth then went to Fort Monroe the battery at Jewels Point fired 5 bells at us 2 went over and 3 fell short then we anchored at Fort Monroe and lay there till 10 AM Thursday, then we started for Ship Island. the 2d day out windy and many of us was sick. I had the commissary business to attend to and such crowding I never saw. Men grumbling Men bagging for a cup of coffee or a cup of bean soup or a potatoe, crowding, jangling, stealing, men playing cards in the dirt, and finally we arrived at Ship Island about 2 OClock Wednesday 12th, and lay on board till thursday before we tried to get off. then such a time no one to take charge of details, and finally thursday night most of the men stayed where they were supposed to be in camp, some without tents most without food, all without fuel in the sand, near the gulf
Friday was spent in trying to get
April, Sunday, 4. 1858.
off the freight left on Konstitution but before night a violent gale turned up and prevented the transports from landing. there was great excitement on board the old flat bottomed Miss boat, the two Cols two chaplains and 1 or 200 men. the wind blew a gale, the anchor broke loose a time or two, and all was excitement. the chaplain prayed, the Officers cursed, the hands blundered, but in the morning it was more calm and they all arrived safe on shore. one Sergeant in Co C died of congestion of the brain from the effects of the fright. I left the wharf thursday night in the rain went to camp and found our tent up, but poorly staked down, and the wind made sport of our fabric. F. S. took off his cloths early and went to bed and had the pleasure of being immersed by having the tent blow down and letting the rain pour in torrents on him which made it laughable to us while we were fixing our tent over us we thus Sergt Major & Henry McMillan
The water by a high wind to tide came near over flowing our camp, but when the tide went down it releaved our fears and we crept under our tent wet and sandy. Many of the men put up their tents again. we retired to rest wet & cold, each one thinking himself a martyr to his country, and that his country owed him a great deal for the privations we endured. Morning came and with it a cold north wind 1000 men cold wet nothing to eat and no fire to cook it with no wood to build the fire.
Here Soldiering commenced. men carrying their provisions two miles and their wood 4 miles drilling in the loose white sand ruining their eyes and wearing out the men. the 21st Ind 4th wisconsin 6th Mich 31st Mass 26th Mass were placed in one Brigade under one Genl Williams who was once in the Regular Service and supposed he could make Regulars out of volunteers.
There is a vast amount of complaining about not getting enough to eat the men eat their crackers or Pilot bread and beg for more
they eat salt beef bacon pork The Officers feed on the best they can get. they find it hard doing without their whiskey but so it goes. the Sutlers keep but very little that the men need except tobacco and they charge an enormous price for this they have caned or preserved meats most of it is very inferior in quality Pies cakes or sweet meats is out of the question. Our Regt at the present time is cursed with an F.S. occupying the Position of Qr M Sergt He is a boy from New York with the big head very bad. he is fast learning that he didnot know it all the D.S. has quit boarding in my mess H. McMillan proves what I have long since learned from observation about men taking the place of animals. C B Harding is more of a gentleman Hervey is to selfish to enjoy good health, or digest what he eats well
April, Wednesday, 7. 1858.
The world wags on one day at a time on day we have marching orders and hurry down to the wharf and get up 3 or 4 days ration issue it out to the Companies and they cook it up and put it in their haversacks and throw it away, are called into line to march but get orders to resume drill. Provision all gone I have to make out a requisition & tell Genl Butler a nice story to get more as we had turned over all we had, then comes dissatisfaction. Officers conclude to take the matter in hand and see that their men get enough to eat. they investigate the matter and find their men have their full amount of rations. Still all is quiet on the Potomac Genl Butler receives more supplies of guns troops horses & nigger babies. The Island shows signs of civilization. a cow & calf hens & turkeys dogs & cats, wooden grave stones, show that some poor soldier has been mustered out of the earthly service into a higher sphere if not a higher rank. Change of climate does not agree with them
April, 27th Thursday, 3. 1862
Tis provoking to see these Yankees Officers & men, men who always worked by the month or year at home, drove oxen all their life never aspiring to any high position but joging along in the foot steps of their illustrious predecessor, perhaps never drove a horse in their life excep their fathers old mare to mill, here because US presumes they know how to use a horse furnish them at government expense and these yankees ride through the sand as if their eternal salvation & the Union depended on it they who never paid one cent tax in their life. A consistency—
April 29th Sent off all the tent we could spare. Hoping to follow soon They were taken down by a thieving set of Yankees.
May 1st 1862.
was a splendid day to be pened up on Ship Island. the events of the day on the Island consisted in the Blue Belles of No. 8. N H. arresting an orderly Sergt & private of Co D for shooting fish no orders had been given to the contrary But they released them on request
The New London took a trip towards the passes in the morning & towards Secesh in the afternoon. Heavy firing was heard in the direction of New Orleans last evening for 2 or 3 hours.
April 30th A H Vanvalkenburgh died of Co (K) delirious
I drew 10 days provision—
May 1st thinking why it is a Yankee must be a Yankee. Even at the Commissary Post they are forever changing their orders. their ways of doing business so much so they cannot keep track of it them selves, all because they must be Yankees. they are not satisfied with well enough, but but keep trying
Sergt J H Davis Co H died
about 10 Oclock PM
April, Saturday, 10. 1858.
May 2d 1862. went to the wharf ordered a coffin recd & issued bread made out & handed in Morning report after getting my breakfast of toast ham tea cold hominy. You should see me making tea yes I took tea all alone and what do you think. Had a beaux in my tea. it was black tea, whether it was a black beaux I cant say for dinner had cold hominy cold rice, syrup, bread wouldnt you love to hapen in to tea. we are tired of coffee. we have had it 3 times a day for nearly a year and not very good at that. for supper had ham fried & fried potatoe the first I ever fried thot they were the best I ever saw
Had tea. you should see me washing dishes. nothing about it that looks like soldiering to me. after supper I attended the funeral of J R Davis Co H had the Chaplain of 31st New Hamp Mass to officiate a very nice man an Episcopalian just as the sun was setting in its Southern glory.
April, Sunday, 11. 1858.
May 9th 1862. is a cool day inclined to rain. is a very good day for meditation. I have been thinking of home and its many allurements. the many hardships of a soldiers life the cause and effect. How many came to save their countries honor and how many to gain a name, make a living and live a life of dissipation as suited them best. How many Father there are that have wives & children at home that need their aid how many tears are shed & prayers offered How many sleepless night How many privations endured the young man that leave the Parental roof amidst the tears and admonitions of kind parents and loving brothers & sisters. His thoughts of home and its association as he patrolls his lonely beat at night be it clear dark or stormy. he thinks of the many pleasant days spent around the old hearth stone at school & at home the affections of some pretty female acquaintance and how he struggles to keep his countrys good above all these. reader do you believe he does. We hope he does, but human nature is frail, and he would not be blamed
April, Monday, 12. 1858.
April 9th we the squad are still on the Island. Still hoping to get away soon. the Island is very healthy but it is monotonous nothing to read write or do we still feel we are too much at the mercy of the Nutmegs if they were Secesh it would be endurable but as it is it comes with a bad grace as the western men have all done all the fighting have stood the brunt of the warfare, while the Nutmegs had to be coaxed in to the service by their State paying the men $12. per month extra making their wage $25 per month their board & cloths and in the face of all this they are all dying to get home, if home they have they have no heart in this war
the Officers think if they could each get a contraband to take home with them they would have glory enough the seem to forget their poor houses and alms houses are full of white children that are naturally smart that are justly the offspring of the licenses they are ever ready to grant liquor sellers. why not educate a while child and not be so anxious to imitate slavery they so much abhor
April, Tuesday, 13. 1858. 1862
May 20th recd orders again to move about dark and as soon as I could pump out of the adjt what was to be done with the sick & who was to go and draw a little sugar, coffee and tea I went to camp and as soon as I arrived the teams were there for our tents &c. "Confusion". went on board the [?] Robinson for New Orleans slept out on deck all night started early next morning made good time till we got into the Ditch (21st) where we broke our wheel and we lay there till dark took off all the Cavalry horses and moved back towards the lake and remained all night. went back to the RR with one wheel. after sundry movings wading around we took the train for New Orleans and laid there 3 or 4 hours then took a ferry boat for Algiers and did arrive at the camp of the 21st on the 21st of May the same year
May 22d 1862
found our Regt quartered in the Depot of the O & Great Western RR a very comfortable place.
The Commissary the most important part of the American Army was in a large Ice House with good quarters up stairs. I spent much of my time in New Orleans looking after provision and company boxes, till I was taken sick, and then our Regt had to move to Baton Rouge where we arrived on the Steamer Mississippi on the 1st day of June 1862. I felt quite unwell. we lay on the boat till near noon when the Morning light took us off and after a due course of time we went on shore went up and took quarters in a new building erected for a theater The Officers Hervey & myself went to a Hotel and took rooms I was soon taken very sick and remained some 10 days when I got into a hack and went to the Regt Commissary where I found good quarters my strength gradually gaining. Our camp is in a very shady place but the roads
April, Thursday, 15. 1858.
are so very dusty that it is very disagreeable (the Regt remained but a few days in town). we are now about 1 mile from town acrost the street from the Magnolia Cemetery on Church Street. Our Regt. are daily taking in some Rebels cotton, sugar corn wood molasses horses, mules or cattle. the clean a plantation and purify it by burning Our Col was out hunting gurrellas and came close onto an old man & his son the each shot a charge of buck shot at the Col. he recd 3 shot in his R hand and arm and one shot in his R side it is now some 16 days since and he is nearly well. the Col & some of his squad shot the son dead the old man run but was caught, tried and sent to Fort Jackson to board a while the Gurrillas are somewhat troublesome to day the 29th a Cavalry Co has just come in with two of their number killed and two wounded. the gurrellas ambush them and fired and run. what they done to them I have not learned. the weather is very hot and roads very dusty. no rain since the 1st and very little them.
July 4th 1862.
Strange as it may seem to many the eventfull fourth of July came along here in Baton Rouge La. It was caught on bad company to be among the Confederates but it was celebrated by the Federal troops by firing salutes of 34 guns at noon And I was sick in bed nearly all day with sick head ache, was not down town but at sundown 3 letters came to me, one from Father & Parna, one from Deb one from Bell Crist and the consequence was I felt better for a time I saw but little drunkenness in fact there was but little I am sorry I can say no more for the 4th but so will it be. the 5th is a more eventful day. The Regt fire off their guns by volley, the pickets from some cause fire off their guns, the consequence is the town & camp is alarmed women run distracted women and children crying saying the guerrillas have attacted the city I rolled up one blanket, put some Baton Rouge money in my pocket that lay in my trunk then thot I'd wait &"See". presently I "saw" a Cavalry Lieut coming he said nothing was the matter and thus the fight ended
Sunday July 6th 1862
is a very quiet day. I wrote Bell Crist yesterday and Lieut Harper commenced boarding here this evening at $3.50 pr week I do not feel very well to day. remain about my quarters all day.
Time wears away
the long roll is occasionally beat the troops turn out into lines the supposed sick are known to be in good fighting order. it is proved to be a false alarm some run away. darkee was trying to get inside the picket line. all retire to their quarters. about the 22d the about the 20 most of the 21st moved into town, 2 Co left B & K. 21st July I moved in to Benj's Ware House supposed to be the Post Commissary, and July 22d Brown Battery and all the troops moved into head quarters, caused by an alarm July 26th Gen'l Williams fled came down from Vicsburg and the streets are full of drunken Irish soldiers soon in the day they are soon quieted and and the town and wharf presents quite a lively appearance Lt McCoy has returned and will probably
Sunday July 27th 1862
resume his place as Post Commissary
July 27th 1862.
The sun rose bright and clear with a good prospect for a hot day the river is still full of craft of various kinds and more to come. The 21st Ind is expected to move today back to their original camp ground near Magnolia Cemetery. report says Commodor Foot or Davis of up river notoriety is lying just above Vicsburg ready to take the place as soon as Butlers troops left—So much for report. the troops under Genl Williams complain that he drills them too much in fact is the cause of many deaths and discharged men. we will all have our opinion of the Order of Combat if there was or is a day of judgment there will be a long list of acts to settle with many of the inhuman brutes in the US Service at present Many of the officers have gone home disgusted with themselves, the Service and the Government
1862
Aug 4th 1862 All quiet on the P[?] till afternoon—there came a report to camp that a large force of Rebels were coming Some believed and some did not believe but wo unto unbelievers. the adjutant and a party went out to the Amite river but found no enemy, but about daylight of 4 Oclock of the 5th the pickets discovered them and fired an alarm. the long roll was beat the men fell out but did not half believe there was any enemy, but they went out and formed a line and the Rebs mowed down our men for some time but our men stood the fire well the Batterys of the Feds poured a raking fire on them till they overpowered our men and we were obliged to fall back. The General Williams fell while cheering on the Ind Regt with 4 or 5 shots through him the Adjt fell in the first engagement the Major was wounded in the foot the Lt Col was wounded in the right arm. Lt. Seely was shot dead Several Se
1862
Aug 6th. the Enemy is falling back as it proved they were badly whiped their loss is heavy. their dead are numerous Several of their Officers are killed wounded and taken prisoners. they burned the Ind commissary yesterday and burned cloths, 30 or 40 barrels flour, they burned Co. As Fs & Cs quarters.
Aug 7th. to day our men commence to bury our dead. the enemy do not disturb theirs. the dead are buried by contrabands after ours is buried we set them to bury theirs, their killed will not fall far short of 300.
I rode my self sad & sick to get our commissary stores away that was left the stench is awful from dead horses & men. our men sleep on their arms
Aug 18th. the Pickets were alarmed and came running into camp the gunboats commenced throwing shell. our troops all got behind their entrenchments and waited 3 or 4 hours there proved to be about 500 Rebs on foot & horseback
1862
the shells killed some 10 or 12 Rebs besides a darkee down by the levee & one child. they left and the next day
Aug 19th we prepared to leave took down our tents and on the morning of the
20th at 7 Oclock we were in line to march to the transports. we went on board and arrived at Camp Parapet on the morning of the
Aug 21st. we made our camp on a cornfield, drew some provision and tried to keep my family going. Next day
Aug 22d rained hard and the mud in our camp was awful the boys pulled off all the pickets or palings from the neighboring fences to sleep on they drove dull care away till bedtime by singing and yelling alternately and the net day
Aug 23 we left Camp Parapet Genl Phelps and his Ethiopian Guards and with few regrets went down to Camp Lewis
1862
at the lower edge of Carrollton a very lovely place for a camp considering the country and its surroundings. a nice shady grove of live oak on one side the RR running close to one side it rained nearly all that day and I had a billious time getting some pork & coffee off the Steamer St Maurice I caught cold and slept on the ground under a tent spread across a pole that night had a small fire at my feet & next day moved our goods into Mr Harrisons stable. drew for the balance of 10 days and called my self sick. thus ended
Aug 24th.
Aug 25th Lt Hinkle appointed Brigade Commissary he takes away John Ashley my extra duty man and have Frink detailed. all passes off quietly for several days. we have a good rain occasionally Sept 12th it rained very hard and made our camp very disagreeable. 13th was clear and dried it up very much
1862
Sept 17th. To day it rains as if it had a contract or cataract the camp is afloat we change our beds into another part of the stable
Aug 16th. wrote P M Crist Annie Crist T R Hunter a letter
Aug 15 recd 5 letters.
rains nearly all the month of Sept. Oct 1st we moved back to camp parapet and took the place of the 12 Conn. had a very good camp ground and quiet time till the 26th of Oct. we were ordered onto the US transport St Mary we went to Brashear in 7 days scared the Cotton up the Tash lay there some time and went up Vermillion Bay to destroy a salt mine & give it up we went to New Orleans after provision & then back to Brashear and lay there till the 20th of Dec and the St. Mary left and we remained. Dec 21st 1862 Col McMillan left for the north
April, Saturday, 24. 1858.
Dec 25th warm very warm & pleasant musquitoes bite very bad. Holidays very dull. January 1st very warm.
Jan 13th Started up the bay to see the Cotton. 19th had a brush with her rained in afternoon & evening. I came down on the Segur with the wounded had a serious time coming against the wind. Started back next day and met our forces the Cotton was burned by the Rebs about 3 Oclock that morning
Feb 7th. we started for New Orleans at 9 Oclock PM arrived at Algiers about 3 Oclock next morning I laid around Algiers nearly all day to get our things over then came to the 2d Louisiana Cotton Press where we have very good quarters but are talking of moving. the boys nearly all take a drunk. Several stay out of camp for 2, 3, & 5 days. they have various engagements with the Provost guard the Col. is called on to be more strict on them. he puts several in the Parish prison. they make very light of it. I have attended theatre several nights. the minstrels once
April, Sunday, 25. 1862 1858.
Mar di gras day. 17th Feb.
the french celebrate to a certain extent Several persons put on masques some come to camp I attend theatre
Feb 24th Mar di gras again Several women of the town appear blacked as negroes and are turned out of camp hard specimens of humanity one came in a carriage with her feet elevated on the back of the drivers seat, masked She created some sensation, was hardly willing to own that I had any friends or relations that were females
Feb 23d. Major Hays, Hervey, George Harding go home recruiting for our Battery
Feb 27. rain nearly all day
draw 15 days provision. Old Col Beckwith acts the Lt ass as usual Hinkle starts for Baton Rouge
Feb 28th inspector Genl Lieut Col Somebody comes around rains considerable Col McMillan crazy again, issued 25 bbl potatoes get 7 bbl flour from over the river Mustered for pay 27th Jimmy undertook to keep the men out of the cook yard but the boys opened up the way
April, Monday, 26. 1862 1858.
March 12th Started up to Baton Rouge on Steamer Laurel Hill found 2 of our companies at the wharf at Baton Rouge the next morning 13th. Several Brigades left for Port Hudson to day
14th our forces commenced bombarding Port Hudson I went to see Col Chickering of piano notoriety to get store room for our Qr Stores.
but nearly failed
March 14. heard heavy boom firing all night about 11 OC saw a light about 5 next morning 15th saw Steamer Mississippi blow up a terible explosion about 7 or 8 miles above Baton Rouge. tried to draw rations to day Sunday but the Nutmegs are opposed to issuing anything on Sunday
Sunday afternoon have our stores moved into an old stable being considerably out of humor about police parties, as the boys have a great evasion to work
April, 1863 Tuesday, 27. 1863
March 15th. Still trying to procure store room for stores but no, the Nutmegs have been looking after the interests of the niggers. finally Hinkle came and tried and finally procured an old Govt store room, two stories.
Sunday again. Moved our Comm. stores into the other building just in time to save them from getting nicely wet. next day moved our Q. Stores guns pay rolls &c. had a very pleasant stay, looking at the Nutmeg soldiers & 9 months men trying to limp out their discharges and slink from duty. they wear over coats & carry canes. also their canteens & haversacks. they are a sorry looking set to call soldiers. the Hoosiers get up a sorry to their benefit
we laugh to see them gather around the cook room near the bakery they put our boys to guard their sick one day & night. old Pontoon a Nutmeg Dr. had a detail of our Regt. to do some work for him and set them to moving a privy but the boys slid.
March 28th. 1863
Hot; Some rain expecting every hour to be ordered away
27th Co B went last evening on Sallie Robinson took 2 guns. Col Adjt. Sgt Major also Banks troops & Faraguts fleet is falling back & moving down the river. 28th. Richmond came down to day. Co C & D are in the fort known as fort africa there are 2 or 3 other forts building about town. change of bosses in Commissary & Bakery to day Hard time to get bread.
Am geting discouraged by not getting more letters. Knowing there is but little news to write still I feel it but right to hear from our friends occasionally
I left Baton Rouge about the 29th of March, came to New Orleans, found B G H & K gone to Brashear City F E A & I were at the Alabama Press. F & A left on the 1st of April. I left a few days afterwards
1863
April 10th. Genl Weitzel Brigade crossed the Bay. 11th they advanced towards Pattersonville
April 12. our forces had quite a fight near the mouth of the Teche
13th fight still continued and the morning of the 14th found the rebs had evacuated their fortifications the Diana was captured the ram Queen of the West also destroyed our troops moved on to New Iberia thence to Opelousas they capture & destroy several rebel transports the Hart, cornia
My health is not very good
Sunday April 19th rained nearly all forenoon, air cooler. I feel better called on Miss Riley's in afternoon wrote letter to Eli niver. 17th wrote to J Nagur
Col came back from Teche.
April 20th. Monday morning
I feel better.
May and June I find I have kept no record of although I had the least to do I have had in some time
April, Friday, 30. 1863
April May and June I stayed at Alabama Cotton Press in charge of stores part of this time the Regt was up the Teche they then went to Port Hudson
The city very quiet from 5th to 15th of May the sworn enemies went over the lines some 500 left.
July 4th a clear day and a good deal of 4th grub & time in the city. Elkin and I went up into Jefferson to see Mrs A E Wood in the evening had a pleasant visit.
July 5th General Emery has an order out requiring every body to be off the street by 9 OClock PM Some 300 were arrested, but disch'd in the morning.
July 6th order partly recinded allowing parties of 3 to walk the street Seen a nigger Regt going down Canal Street Some 3 Regt are recruiting in the city now and some Regt's of white men for 60 days there is some excitement in regard to the clerks in the city hall. All clerks are discharged that will not sign the roll to do duty and defend the City it required
May, Saturday, 1. 1863
May and June has been quite wet
June 21st Some of Co F were in an engagement at Bayou Lafourche had one man killed Peter Sears June 23d the Rebs attacted and captured Brashear with it some 1100 prisoners Capt Noblett [?] and took all commissioned officers to Texas. July 1st we are looking for lively times here. The rebs swear they will have the city.
the rebs swear they will have the city.
May, Sunday, 2. 1858.
July 4th. warm as usual. fourth of July lasts all day. there is quite a big meeting at night on Canal Street Some of the nigger loving fraternity made nigger speeches. They had a torch light procession. Lieut Wat Elkins & I took a horseback ride that night up in to Jefferson City and made a visit at the Widows and her daughter adopted
July 5th. all quiet especially after 9 Oclock PM. as no one was allowed on the street after 9 Oclock. Canal Street was nearly deserted a quarter before 9. notwithstanding some 300 to 500 arrests were made that night by our vigilant Police.
July 6th. part of said order recinded. parties of not over 3 were allowed to be out together
July 7th or 8th heard of the fall of Vicksburg. 2 days more heard of the fall of Port Hudson great rejoicing in New Orleans torch light salutes fired
May, Monday, 3. 1863. 1858.
July. Gen Emery was left in command of a few troops to defend New Orleans while most of the troops were in front of Port Hudson.
Gen Emery had singular ideas of some things. he was badly scared. he ordered a cannon on top of the Custom House but it was not put up to fire across the river to defend Algiers.—the rebs did not cross the river.
May, Tuesday, 4. 1858.
July 18th. Paroled prisoner of 21st come to Alabama Press
July 20th. I forge 3 mens name to get provision for 3 different squads of men. Co I at Pass [?] and Co I here and for the paroled men they not having any officers to attend to their business. Jim Brown Lt Co F lays down on Basin St drunk most of his time
July 24th. Suffer with neuralgia in the face Stray down on the wharf and see a load of Rebel prisoners leave for Mobile. Saw Mr White that was Editor of the Franklin Banner—rained
July 25. face badly swelled
Elkins comes back to camp having been over the river on the canal
May, Wednesday, 5. 1858.
Aug 20 or 22 We go to Baton R
I am appointed Q M Sergt some time in Oct
Nov 18 received 2d Lieut commission Co 'L' dated Oct 21st 1863
May, Thursday, 6. 1858.
Baton Rouge La Dec 17th 63
Co "L" packed up and left for N.O about dark, arrived in NO. 7 Oclock A.M. 18th, reported to Gen Arnold and was ordered on board the Steamer Clinton bound for Pass Cavallo Texas Lieut Black commenced to commence I went to get mustered in failed—
19th Spent the same way. Black done nothing. Ray (Lt) done less. Gen Arnold ordered Capt Campbell to take command of the company Black got mad & resigned but had to go along in order to turn over the property. Sunday 20th the mules were put on and we started about noon and had one of the nicest trips in the Clinton She ever made and as I was unwell I heaved up quite an amt of bile while the ship was rocking and arrived at Pass Cavallo on Tuesday about 2 Oclock PM. and then came the necessary arrangements for unloading next day. details were sent down but they understood their business
Dec 24th & 25th 1863
and shirked off as soon as convenient and left our co to unload their things we had a serious time unloading the 30 pounder Parrotts but accomplished it in time. also our ammuniton. All of which was accomplished on the 24th. moved up to camp with most of our things I slept on the Clinton
Dec 25th was a nice morning as I ever saw in winter spent most of the day on Clinton eat my breakfast and a big dinner of turkey. the Steamer Crescent came up along side. Capt Latham
I moved to camp pitched our tents and considered ourselves at home. Made the acquaintance of Capt Lawler of Gen Staff from Shawneetown Ills
Spent the intervening week in camp went out with wood train about 7 miles up the coast saw a great many sheep
Wednesday night 30th Dec there came a genuine Norther from the N.W. and the 31st was
Dec 31st 1863
as cool as it often gets in Texas we got nothing to eat. New Years morning there was 1 inch of ice froze in camp kettles & dishes around camp and the wind continued to blow a gale till afternoon. I was sick all day the air became somewhat warmer but very chilly. the 23d Wis Regt arrived on Steamer Planter.
the Officers and men in the 49th & 69th were all gloriously tight whiskey was in good demand. ½ the tents were blown down, torn riddled, scattered.
Still we had nothing to eat except it was full of sand.
January 2d we planted our guns on the bay shore, on platforms in the rain, and while working there found McNult of the Chicago Mercantile Battery from Lockport
Sunday 3d was not much better went & visited the C M Battery. Saw several Lockport boys. they were in the rear of Vicksburg during the Siege
1864
Jan. 25th 1864
One of our guns & detachment was sent up to Indianola. there was one with Lieut Rhea went up about the 22d. Nice weather about the 20 to 26th troops are moving to Indianola about the 22d we recd a lot of mail the first in 1 month
Feb 15th recd orders to move onto Mattagorda Island.
16th Moved over all but our gun and Battery waggon. Slept near the wharf.
17th. Moved up to a small fort, quite cool. that night it rained and turned very cold. placed one gun up in the fort. no water to be had near camp
18th very cold & windy rains a little. Sent team for water Slim chances for eating
February is rolling by—
29th. Inspection and muster by Maj Matthews. Early in the day it was very cold and disagreeable the men did not make a very good appearance and the Major made a very unfavorable report of Co "L"
Feb 29th 1864.
went out cold and disagreeable we now have 2 guns in the fort near McHenry Bayou we call Fort Nixfur Stanza.
March 1st was a notable day being advised by Lt Card, Col Cobb and Capt Foust, I made application for leave of absence to go to N.O. to get mustered. I did so. it was granted and after I had procured my pass from the Provost Marshall, Genl N J T Dana sent a Special Order revoking my leave of absence on act of the unfavorable report of Major Matthews the Asst Inspector Genl at first I laughed then I said Oh then I had nothing to say.
March 13th Sunday.
" 9th. I am detailed to help Lieut Conrad a.m. put down a pontoon ferry for the troops to cross on their way down from Indianola. in fact I had been helping him the 7th & 8th with a squad of 15 to 20 men. the 9th it rained
March, Thursday, 10. 1864
the wind drove the Steamer Planter on shore at Indianola and the troops dare not leave there, but left the 13th. Our two guns mired down twice the east wind blew very hard which made it very bad crossing the ferries. about 3½ Oclock PM the ferry at McHenry Bayou was over loaded and the boats being partly filled with water and the waves dashing over them caused them to fill and when about midway of the stream all went down. The men had on their knapsacks, cartridge boxes, overcoats guns &c and as the tide washed them off the boat they soon sank.
4 of the Colored Co that were working the ferry were drowned and some 25 of the 69th Ind Regt it looked hard to see so many men drowned so close to shore—100 feet Dr Witt the Surgeon was drowned that night it rained & blowed and was very disagreeable.
2 years ago to day, March 13th we landed on Ship Island in a similar storm.
March 14th. Cold & windy moved our camp next the bay on the bank very nice
15th. cold. clean up camp and prepare for inspection by Maj Matthews. Lt Card & myself move our tent in to the fort, put down a floor of siege platform.
16th warmer. my eyes are very sore & painful.
Maj Mathews & Capt Faust inspect the Co about 2 Oclock. I go down to Steamer Alabama after a letter but do not get it.
17th. St Patricks day & no whiskey quite pleasant. My eyes are very bad this morning. I send and get some tea and poultice them that night. Crescent arrives from below. the 8th Ind expect to leave on her.
18th. cool & pleasant
My eyes feel better. would write to some of my friends if I could get any mail but the fates appear to be against us
March 19th 64 continues cool
" 20th Still cool & windy
" 21st. the Equinoctial cool and disagreeable.
20th Sunday. I went down with Maj Comstock to Col. Lt. Dungan 34th Iowa eat dinner with Lt Conrad 3d Engs
9 bodies came up in McHenry Bayou Dr Witt & Lt. Awful sights to behold
22d windy but pleasant. I went to see Maj Comstock. no mail for me although some come on Alliance
23d cold windy & disagreeable
I had big cistern moved up to camp read novel called "The Steward" by Henry Cockton, a very good yarn but could not recommend it for family reading. at night it rained very hard and blew (stunning) the most rain have had
24th Sun rose clear & beautiful the wind has lulled and all is quiet My health is very good but live rather hard perhaps accounts for it.
25th Inspection to day
Lieut Card reports sick and I have to take command of the co Inspection over by Maj Swarty quite a gentleman
March 1864
25th Steamer arrives from N.O. no mail for us but I receive one from our Chaplain one from H. E. Bates
26th quiet do nothing
27th Easter Sunday. no eggs but have the first fresh bread of the season Gen McClernand visit. Our camp does not call
28th windy this morning
Our report was not approved and I had to write out another copy wrote a long letter to Sister Parna after dark received an order to be in readiness to fall out at a moments notice to quiet the 14th Regt of nigs all quiet, that right
31st Monthly inspection, just over and receive an order to detail one com. & 3 non com Officer & 30 men to report to Lieut Shieks to unload a schooner of hay & oats. I went down & reported and the wind
1864.
March 31st the wind blew a gale and we could not get the vessel up to the wharf so we returned to our quarters. this must be the last blow in March. good by March you have been very windy, to say the least. you have disturbed a vast amount of sand
we learned that Lieut Potter of the 14th R.I.N.A. shot a darkee last night and the darkies was ordered out to work on the entrenchments. they refused to go.
April 1st ever memorable day.
I took fatigue party down to wharf to unload grain found a colored co. there so I let them work one hour and then I took my men on one hour, got it nearly unloaded by noon. Pay Master McAllister sent Lt Card word he would pay us off this afternoon so I saw Lieut Shieks Q.M. and got off came to camp had the co sign the pay rolls but Pay Master did not come. the darkees were sent back to fort Esperanza. they look quite sobered. done em good
1864.
April 2d. Pay master came to day and paid the co off. Green backs are plenty. Clary is tight. he collected some money due for jacket & revolver and pad me. I am in funds again. Clary paid me $20. towards a mess Rhea paid me $10 towards a mess Rhea lends me $40. I give my note
April 3d Sunday. Company inspection in afternoon boys got some whiskey and all got on a general drunk Jimmy Dower had to be tied up. Jo Chambers do. Lt Card had quite a time to get them quiet. Sergt Mark Joseph ducked Weaver in the Bay. ducked a citizen.
April 4th. Lt Card sent Dower & Chambers to the fort Weaver still drunk. was tied up bucked & gaged Heath bucked Co L getting sober Mobley gets in Provost Marshall hands I went down to see Major Comstock
April 5th all quiet Alabama arrives from N.O. we get a mail that has been floating around for some time no one knows when I got a letter from Mrs F J Sherpy and one from Sister Deb with 5 postage stamps, dated Feb 14
April 10th Sunday 1864
Pleasant East our first dinner of our mess. Capt Faust Capt Twist Lieut Stillman Lieut D. of Co F 1st Mo Arty were our guests we had a good dinner and some whiskey on which Lieut Rhea got drunk as usual and had a dispute with Capt Faust become angry. the dinner was pronounced good.
12th Pleasant Estrella & Zepher start up the bay early in the morning we hear firing during the day.
11th we are ordered to put one gun on the Steamer Zepher & take 100 rounds & 2 days rations we get ready and again the order is countermanded the Mo. Art get to go. the Zepher too weak to carry our gun.
12th I was very sick all night.
13 cool disagreeable hear that the Estrella discovered a cotton clad and learn the rebs are fortifying on the point. went to the Commissary Feel quite unwell Lt Card is sick 16th Ohio go down to drill with some co from the lower division
April 13 1864
13th. rained & blowed very hard at night. most rain we have had in some time. eat a big dish of oysters for supper.
14th. Thursday morning cool windy water standing on the sand.
16th go down on board the Steamer Clinton to go to New Orleans She gets unloaded and leaves the 17th on Sunday, taking the 18th Ind. it is very windy and I am very sea sick all the day to the mouth of the river
17th very sea sick eat nothing after breakfast. leave Pass Cavallo about noon
18th Sick all day. eat nothing
19th Sick " "
20th cross the bar before day light get up to Quarantine about daylight get to New Orleans about noon I eat some, express some money home go to Varieties Theatre, feel bad. I had a bad cold sleep at No 1. Wibels
21st try to get mustered but get no satisfaction the Mustering Officer is dumber than a Hod currier. I think d. in it & say so who wouldnt.
April 22 1864
21st got a duplicate of my discharge order from Head Quarters and then they refuse to muster me. Say the Captain & Mustering Officer are away I meet Lt Col Hays & Mrs McMillan on the street. I apply for leave to go to Baton Rouge & Col Hays approves it and takes it to Head Qrs and gets it approved
22. I get a leave in the department for 10 days. Col Hays is looking for Merrill Rifles.
23d is Saturday. We start up about sun down on the Jos Pierce the largest load of passengers I ever saw try to sleep on one steam boat we get to Baton Rouge about 4 Oclock Sunday
24th Have a very pleasant ride up the river arrive at B R find many old familiar faces and receive the hearty shake of many warm hands Eat supper with the Chaplain & sleep on Armstrongs Blankets (horse).
25th Eat breakfast with Lt Toms Co M get mustered to day. Eat dinner with the Chaplain and again sleep on Capt Armstrongs horse blankets.
April 1864
26th Being anxious to get back to the Co I leave on a private boat pay my own & Renschs fare to New Orleans Start about 4 Oclock get befoged and find our nose in a bank some 25 miles above New Orleans next morning
27th. very foggy till about 10 Oclock we get to New O. about 12M. I go to Ed Parsleys. I learn there is no transportation so I view the city as much as I like.
May 1st, Sunday. called on Lt Johns went out on Johnson St. No 90 called on the Miss Rileys found them well called on Mr Hix, Mrs Hix gone
2d again waiting transportation and get it on a canal boat
3rd go on board the Planet and start about dark down the river See two fires and the Masheens out
4th a very pleasant day on the gulf
5th gets tough & I get sick
6th I am so sick. we get to the Pass about 9 Oclock and I get ashore feeling miserable. find Lt Card very sick. get 5 letters. no appetite
7th May 1864
feel very dull & bad
8th, Sunday, I am Officer of the day inspection all quiet
9th all quiet wind south east
10th
17th I receive 15 letters per Steamer Clinton St Mary. Mostly all written Apr 3d & 4th, 21st. Windy Gunboat Estrella & Zepher go up towards Indianola Clinton leaves for New Orleans
20th all quiet
19th Stillman came up here drunk and slept all night in Davys bed and had the head ache next morn
18th Lt started for New Orleans
19th we were paid by Maj McAllister up to May 1st I have more money than I have any use for at present We learn that we are about to evacuate the Island and leave it for the Rebs to roam on at large. We take two of guns down to fort Esperanza Capt Faust came up to see us
1864
May 20th to 31st all quiet. recd a few letters, wrote some laid around in the sand overrun with fleas, ants, bugs, flies sandcrabs waiting transportation.
Niggers all gone. getting warm in the morning.
June 1st. Monotonous tedious Clinton comes in.
2d cloudy thunder no rain cool
3d flagg of truce comes down and Rhea usurps all power, fires on it 3 or 4 miles off, with blank & shell fired a shell after our boat had reached it. Clary goes down with 35 or 6 [?] with his desires to go on board the Clinton. the St Mary comes in from Brownsville this morning we dont expect to get away from here in about a week as our guns will probably be left here till about the last.
4th Saturday all quiet. Clinton leaves no sign of our leaving the boys are all crazy to get away. chilly went with Clary
June
5th Sunday. I eat dinner on Steamer St. Mary and loafed there some time.
6th lay in camp all day as usual Nothing to do and do nothing Rhea gets tight at night Leonard gets good & tight and bored Rhea for several hours at night about his money.
7th cloudy morning I am Officer of the day wind is blowing a gale as usual. flies are bad, ants are very bad and fleas are d—d bad we are still expecting to go away on the St. Mary when she goes
Sept 8th, this has been neglected up to this time. Shameful
About June 17th we left Matagorda arrived at New Orleans & was ordered up to Baton Rouge about the 26th was appointed Act QM and entered on the duties about the 30th of June 1864.
July 4th was a dull day at fort Williams Baton Rouge. it rained Chaplain Moss made a speech everybody was disgusted.
6th We left Baton Rouge for N.O. in the rain. 4 Cos on a boat with the 21st Iowa crowded much. landed at Algiers on the afternoon of the 7th and landed the 21st Iowa after which we unloaded our wagons on the N.O. side and took on super and went to sleep tired.
8th unloaded our plunder moved down to Steam Levee Cotton Press could not get in moved back to Delord Street & I drew wood, and was tired enough that night. took lodging at Louisiana Hotel
9th drew rations and issued them on the side walk
10 Sunday. nobody around Keith remained away. the Majors away. Surgeon away and in that miserable hovel we remained till about the 17 or 18th when we again moved to the Steam Levee Press
August 14th Sunday 1864
We went to Lake End to load on 3 Companies preparatory to going to Mobile Bay. we stoped at the pier all night.
15th loaded on 8 mortars and started. Saw fort Pike Ship Island light anchored near the outlet of Miss Sound
16th went into Mobile bay past Fort Gaines, landed at Pilot Cove went into camp. I took a horse and went out to Connellys Battery
17th 3 cos moved out to the front moved camp. I remained alone at night
18. We are busy diging planting mortars
19. is a busy day
20 Saturday still at work
21 Sunday Shell to fill & move Splinter proofs to build
And in the afternoon the Rebs commenced shelling us like fun Shelled all night. 1100pdr shell 3 inch shell. darkees yes & white men lay close to the sand hills teamsters scared. Nobody hurt
22 August 1864
Monday morning we opened on Fort Morgan about daylight with 16 mortars 8 Parrott Rifles 4 9 inch Dahlgren's, & 4 Monitors
the rebs were quiet all day not a sign of one to be seen
about 9 Oclock PM the citadel took fire and our mortars & field pieces all opened briskly on it for a while it was a grand sight but I was sleepy and retired to my couch in the sand behind a hill feeling that I was safe whether the union was or not. I slept soundly with those shells burst howling past
23. firing commenced briskly in the morning. the citadel again took fire and about 6 Oclock they came out with their white flagg we ceased firing rebs tried to surrender to the Navy but Maj Roy could not allow it and at 2 Oclock a formal surrender took place Old Page was put in irons and sent to New Orleans. Gen Arnold got happy. everybody felt good
26th August 1864
I got a leave of absence and started for N.O. got on the St. Charles at Ft Morgan. went over to Ft Gaines lay aground till one Oclock at night got off
27 Saturday had a very pleasant ride Saw Round Island the Rendezvous of [?] Saw Ship Island Fort Pike reached Lake End about 9 Oclock & came to N.O.
28th Sunday. rather quiet Chas Toms and I went to see Mr & Mrs Hix
Sept Monday 5th Maj. Roy and his Battalion arrived here absurd looking set of soldiers.
6th Monotonous as usual except McLaflin mustered out
7th B F Card mustered out and got as drunk as the Service required Grimsley & Chas Toms tried to muster out and I have not learned the result I was up at Gen Arnolds and saw Capt Foster an old F.S. of the 1st Wis went to Capt Scott to draw a lot of QM Stores.
Sept 11th 11th 1864
was a quiet day till night Col Hays, Capt Connelly ex Major Grimsley, ex Lt. Card & Toms were to go out to the Bee garden All went but Grimsley and all was merry. I went out between 9 & 10 Oclock, found them going in Connelly & Card drunk. Hays trying to get them home. I looked at them dance one set and we all started. Connelly & Bob Smith had the Old Hen & Pullet along.
Citizen was on the car drunk Card tried to raise a fuss. Connelly and Card had stolen some towels and were pulling & hauling tearing hats. all got home safe.
hear today there is $1 000 000 to pay out to troops glad to hear it Card pays me $30. on note & mess act
12th go up to Capt Scott and look after a lost bridle find it. then go to Col Hollibard & see Capt Bradshaw took him back his pay rolls & $25. took up my receipts for the money.
Sept. 12th 1864
took my final Statement papers up to Major Robie they told me to call Wednesday.
13th. lay quiet in camp all day till night. went up town had a peach & honey & an oyster supper Saw Annie and come to camp
14th wrote letter to Clark Brown went up to Major Robie in afternoon received a check for $94.53 and drew the green backs. thus long had I waited for my bounty and am now rich again after paying my debts Paid Nick (my boy) $15, paid Sam Rasure $15, bought pr shoes, gutta percha ruler Major McLaflin goes home to morrow by way of New York with his [?] Sam Hartley is about going.
Chas Toms Card & friends has gone
Monday 12th Clary is trying to get home on a Surgeons Certificate. took a ride this morning out in the suburbs. was called a Yankee Saw where our letters was raised Saw women dressed in a style indicative of the high price of cotton.
Sept 23d 1864
Left New Orleans for Lakeport left there after dark.
24th got stuck on a sand bank at grants Pass near Fort Powel lay idle all night. Hot as hell in the forenoon afternoon then came up a spanking breeze till dark then musquetoes bite like sin till 9 P.M. then a cold wind came put out a guard to keep off Rebs lay till morning.
25th. Tamaulipas puled us off the bank. we went to Ft Morgan I was seasick crossing the Bay hunted up Provost Marshall got rid of some convalescents commenced hunting up stores could not find anyone to receipt for them. took dinner with Captain Young & Lt Ferguson Slept with Wallace it blew a gale all day & night
26th Eat breakfast with Capt Wheeler & Wallace Still cool got detail to handle platform found last 10 pieces 32 eye bolts 310 lbs rope
26th Eat dinner with Capt Craig went to Gen Bailey for an order to turn over my stuff to some one musquitoes very bad to night Dr James tells his grievances
27. got the order to turn one 310 per rope to Capt Husted lay around till noon then [?] off got on Steamer Tamaulipas
got as far as Ft Gaines lay all night Had a good supper and felt that if I had some clean cloths I should feel better. But we must wait for time tide daylight & orders
28th Started from Grants Pass where we lay waiting for daylight Had a bully dinner
arrived at Lake End about 12 Oclock lay till morning took the first train to town and on the
29th took a good wash shave and felt better
Oct 1864
October 1st I feel quite unwell
4th go to bed & quit eating and continue quite sick with pain in the pit of my stomach till the 12th
I fell off in flesh very much took large quantities of Blue Mass, 2 doses oil on salts some quinine. I have a rather serious time as I cannot lie down with the pain in my side till 13th
13th receive $95. from Express office from T. R. Hunter it comes in good time. I get a bottle whiskey and am now drinking for the good of my health
14. draw QM Stores and go to town at night no credit
15th this morning a cool.
June, Friday, 4. 1858.
The Ordinary weight Service charge of powder for heavy guns is (¼) the weight of the shot. for firing double shot it is 1/6th that weight. the Breaching charge is 1/3 that weight of the Shot.
Range of a 24pdr at an angle of 1030 (point blank) charge 6lbs 950 yards
24pdr at 50 charge 6lbs 1900
18pdr at 1030 4½ 800
18pdr 50 4½ 1600
Proof range of powder 300
The range of a 12pdr is about the same as an 18 pdr
8 inch Siege Howitzer
Greatest charge of powder 4 lbs
" " Shell filled with bullets 3
Charge of the shell filled with powder 2.9oz
Bursting charge of the shell 1lb
Charge to blow out the fuse .4oz
Range at 50 charge 4lbs 1150yds
150 " " 2300
Weight of shell 215lbs
" " filled (65) with bullets
Black fuse burns to the inch 211
Red fuse burns to the inch 311
Green " " " 411
Yellow " " " 511
June, Saturday, 5. 1858.
10 inch Siege Mortar
Greatest charge powder 4lbs
Ordinary Service 3
Charge of the shell filled powder 5
Bursting charge 2
Weight of Shell 90lbs
8 inch Siege Mortar
greatest charge 2
1.12oz
2.9
1
weight of shell 45.
Elevation Charge
Range of a 42pdr at an 1030 10½ 860
50 " 1.955
32pdr 1030 8 800
50 8 1.922
8 inch Columbiad on case mate carriage
greatest charge of powder 10lbs
charge of the shell filled powder 2.9oz
Bursting charge 1.
4oz
Weight of Shell 50.
June, Sunday, 6. 1858.
24pdr Howitzer flank case mate
charge of Powder 2
Range of 50 charge 2lb, shell, 1322yds
Weight of a 24lb shell 17lbs
" " the round of canister 21
No of bullets in a round of canister 48
Table of ranges copied from Parrott Manual
30pdr Siege Gun Bore 9pdr, or 4 2/10 inches
Ranges with 3¼ lb mortar powder
[table copied]
Nov 19th 1864
Diary Continued
I have neglected this over one month it is now the 19th day of Nov
I was quite sick but feel much better.
16th Col Keith arrived I attended Varieties Theatre.
17th Lt Cox and I went on Greene St Played Billiards to bed time
18th rained some at night
I went to Maj Haggerties Office no go
19th rained all day Col Keith pays off the Veterans $200 they are having a big drunk over it
Company "L" stack arms in the morning Some refuse to go on guard others refuse to drill they are all marched out into the middle of the yard & guarded they number 38. it rains on them much I do not know what the result will be
Get a letter from Sister Parna
Write letter to Marcus Barclay
Fred Heffleman pays me $5.
1864 Dec
4th I went to church at night to hear Dr Newman lecture I liked him much
11th went to church at night making 3 times in 3 yrs & 5 months
16th quite pleasant after the fog clears away. I am out of money and nothing to do.
15th receive a letter from Father and answer it. read novel no excitement no news of a Pay Master or money. We are now 7½ months behind. Why are we not paid. Why does government withhold the money from us. time must tell.
17th I remain in camp all day nothing to do. Play checkers & cards it gets very foggy at dark.
General Banks reported here on the Steamer just arrived. Oh why are we to be bored with him more
Gen Banks may be a Statesman but he is no soldier.
18th Sunday Morning very foggy I get up at 7 Oclock as usual take a good wash dress & feel better Nothing to do is the Order of the day no money
June, Wednesday, 9. 1858,
Sunday Dec 25 Christmas
had eggnog for breakfast at our boarding house. rained all day had a big dinner wine cognac 48 yrs old Irish whiskey, white wine & claret Dr Sherod was with us, light Connelly felt good. fire crackers & sky rockets plenty at night
I stayed in camp all day.
the week passed off as quiet as usual. Several of the Officers set the example for the men to get drunk by. the men followed their example in many cases. a few fights
Dec 31st mustered for pay.
Jan 1st Sunday New Years
a very nice day. no money consequently I remained at home Had a good dinner.
Where will I be next New Year day
I got a letter from F. E. Bates and answered it. all sobering up Some make good resolutions to be broken perhaps before the month or year is out, we'll see
we'll see
1865
Jan 3d. 3 Companies were paid for 4 months and on the 4th the other 3 Companies were paid and then such a time get drunk is the first move to be made and drunk they did get. fights and contentions guard house full. I borrowed $40 of John Colgan, Co "B" and $50 of John G Parker Lt of Co L. pay some of my debts my board bill &c. go to the Academy of Music. go the grand rounds with McElkins.
6th draw Stationary for 1st Qr
7th issue Stationary & make out receipts. Stay at home at night
8th Sunday, cool today Stay at home all day read & write.
theatre circus billiard saloon &c all closed to night by order
hear of no celebrating to day. there was to have been several balls
9th 40 odd guns for something I know not what
Jan 1865
12th Saturday quiet
13th buy locks for desk
on [?] Gever Street.
12th receipt Constable for furniture
14th weather has been pleasant for some days cool nights
read novel called Wild Oats Sown Abroad He says I lay no claim to the morality that covered "Joseph" as with a shield, and though I should deign to set a trap for any stragling Mrs Potaphar, I should still feel myself justified in relieving the suffring of an amiable woman who believed herself a victim of a "prostrating passion".
Virtue in others is my Idol.
I look on it as the snowy garment with which heaven has clothed its chosen ones
Here flourishes that seductive quality which Potaphar's wife should have taught Joseph and thus destroyed the moral of her tale Poor Mrs P where was your tact He speaks of prostitutes and their devotion attending masses &c
1865
No matter what the occupation may be the outward form of devotion is never omitted or neglected and there is no imaginable excitement which could make them forgetful of this duty. The villain who is telling a lie at every step, the Prostitute who is seeking to ensnare you will each go through the necessary ceremony at every sacred image they may pass. they reverence every Saints day, attend the mass even though they are half sober and even though they are meditating a big drink as soon as tis over.
The prescribed form gone through with and the sin freed spirit may wander again wherever it listeth
A convenient religion both to live & die by it is the result of the System.
Should ever the weight of my crimes press too heavily upon my conscience I shall throw my self on the bosom of the Catholic religion "ora pro nobis" Latin
Jan 15th Cool Pleasant Still remain quiet in quarters a large guard about camp and a patrol guard out-side.
1865
January continues wet & cool
24th I draw clothing for 5 companies
26th Issue it
I am enjoying good health
I am getting no letters.
30th I am sick with cold
31st getting worse
February
1st go up to wood yard
get some pills & take two doses to day & night. quite sick with cold
2d Some better have very lame arm a sort of inward gathering not on the surface
3d Great day of the 21st
rains nearly all day I go up to see Lt Col Smith Ordnance officer Capt Mason See Capt Porter
Col John A Keith, resigns.
makes a famous speech to the Regt on Parade. he is so drunk he has to brace himself to stand up
Makes a great many curious remarks
Feb 6th 1865
I went to Major Haggerty & made out my pay act and was promoted
Pay tomorrow
Was Paid
Feb is a wet month
27th Companies K "G" & "M" started for Dauphin Island by way of the lake
28. Mardigras day.
March 3 Companies B C & H left for Daughin Island I am still left here alone waiting for mules
11th I left camp at Steam Press went to Hicock Landing with 51 mules 13 horses and remained all night on the bank of the canal
12th remained all day & night. 3 years ago to day we arrived at Ship I
13th one year ago 22 white men & 4 darkees drowned in McHenry Bayou Texas
Several boats arrived last night some with chimneys down Polar Star & [?] Lawrence
June, Tuesday, 15. 1858.
14—Still waiting transportation rained all last night very hard I slept on St. Vosbeck this morning 3 mules are gone Still raining Still not off
15th. glory glory we are all at 6 PM on the J M Brown what talking it takes to get off
rains some to day blows from SW
16th arrived at Navy Cove at evening unloaded glad for once
17th took a lot of mules to Dauphin I issued to Cos there Saw Crawford Barclay troops commence moving up the point
20th rain Equinoctial
21 Cloudy
22 "
23 "
24 "
25 Pleasant
26 Sunday Pleasant
27 Blowing hard from east—gunboats shelling the world about Starks landing on the 22d 23d 24th 25th the Army was to move up from fish river
26 96th Colored move up with pontoon bridge another colored moved up
June, Wednesday, 16. 1858.
Two Pages forward
you will find March 28th
April 14th cloudy I wrote to father. looked at Blakely found Jack Lemmon also Thomson of Woodville
17th immense train of contrabands come in from Claiborn & Monrovia
18th Clear
20th could not get to Mobile after Hay. troops embarked last night on board this morning in the river finally did go to Mobile and could not get back
Heard of Lincolns Assassination while there went up on St Michael with Lt James & Cap Wallace & found Stillman
25th Co K & H move over to Mobile I remain behind to dispose of horses received of Stillman 7th Mch Battery turned over today
26th I go down to Spanish fort at night on barge & Cos B & C load on & we lay there all night and learn of Capt Campbells death
1865
April 27th Come over to Mobile go into camp near grave yard draw forage for 5 days
May 1st All quiet
8th we get 6 months pay
I get $478.00
Some get drunk, Markly Northcross stamped on by drunk. I get an order for 20bu coal
May 7th Lt Sibert started for home Adjt McMillan discharged by order I went out to Spring Hill 7 miles a very pretty place for a place.
13th Sunday took a ride out in the afternoon Saw a great many rebs here on Parole
16th Went out to works & saw them hauling in guns off the works
17th Pleasant this morning. Nothing to do, nothing to read no desk no trunk no expectations of getting it have answered all letters have exhausted all resources of amusement and now must kill time as best I can Have made application to go to New O it is granted for 7 days leave boat gone
1865
March 28. We get marching orders about 1 Oclock PM we commence loading & get off between 9 & 10. run up to Starks Landing & anchor
29th trying to land on pontoons wind commences blowing a gale Co "K" comes on Iberville I got 95 sacks grain last night we hear a Monitor was blown up yesterday the rebs have planted numerous torpedoes among the hills about Fort Spanish they are running boats from Mobile to Fort Spanish
April 1st Saturday foggy morning Goss Chamberlain & I went over on the left in rifle pits
then I went over on right to look out a road to Co K & A the rebs opened on them with a light battery from across Minett Bay I soon got away Never was in as close a place before "L" opened & was well shelled
2nd Sunday quiet I went to wharf got order for forage of Capt Bradshaws clerk directed to move up to "Little viliage" Shell droped near quarters
3d went over on left to see Rapers & decks Battery of Mortars
April 3d Spanish Fort Ala 1865
was disgusted with 8 in Mortars So far off went to Landing found about 3 or 400 teams
I went to Landing.
Co I arrived at Landing
Sibert put [?] mortars in rifle pits
4th cloudy this morning I was ordered to go after guns at Landing I brot up 3 30pdr Navy Parrotts Gen B J Smyth asks many questions
5th went back after 2 30pdr 8in siege howitzers but then up to Gen Smiths
Saw 100 pdr Parrott on the way
11th went to Ldg to draw forage procured [?] but no hay
12th All quiet
8th Saturday Shelled Ft Spanish and took it
9th Sunday all quiet worked at the wreck of the fort
13th went to landg after camp moved Hd qrs up to Blakely I rode about 36 miles. came back after dark over pontoon bridge corduroy road Horse followed road through swamp
Turn back two pages now
May 17th get ½ gal whiskey rains all night
18th go down early to start on Iberville at 9.45
have pleasant trip good dinner quite a number of paroled prisoners on board Have my pockets full of letters for boys to be delivered in N.O.
19th landed at Hickock Ldg at 2 A.M. got up at 4 Oclock started at 5 for town walked to 6 RR stables, found NO all quiet run about town all day (& night) found my trunk had gone by express Slept on Custom House St
20th gathered in baggage
got ready & started at 4 Oclock bought shoes pants feet worn out tired sick left at 11 Oclock
21st waked up opposite Cat Island day hot pleasant ride stoped at Ft Gaines Arrived at Mobile 6PM
22 Commenced making up my papers I get my desk from Express co
23d work all day
24 still working
May 25th
We hear Lieut Col Roy is mustered
25th Hendricks Benson & I go to town to muster. I make old M rolls to go back after noon find Mustering Officer out on a drunk with Gen Slack. And while sitting on gallery of office I hear an awful explosion on going out I see horses running away. Men hurt building razed to the ground men groaning under fallen roofs & wells.
the sight was awful
26 I ride down to see the many mules dead wagons ruined
get mustered & return & work on papers
27th Saturday feel tired
28th Sunday glad of it rest all day in quiet roads dusty I got my papers made up in good time. I still act as QM till about the 25th of June I have considerable on my hands
June 24th I turn over our ordnance to Capt Bebler I am very sick all day
June 25th We get orders to start for Barrancas
I am very sick. We get on board about sundown, on Clyde get up a gale lay over in Bay several hours arrive at Barrancas about 6 Oclock AM 26th unload & camp out under the pines waiting for 25th to evacuate
27th moved into fort
28th wallowing about in sand
29th more sand
July 4th fire a salute 36 guns & lay in the shade
July 10th get a small mail
11 " " "
rains at night a little
Aug. 20th cool raining
19th I went to Pickens got Ordnance returns. Saw Lt Col Kinsey
18th cool at night
Aug 16th & 17. I am quite sick
July 21st I started for New Orleans with 71 men to muster out from Cos I M F & L
22d was in Mobile
23d get to Hickock
24 " " New Orleans
25 working on Rolls
26th " "
27th " "
28th get men mustered out
31st get Cos L & M & I paid off
Aug 1st get Co F Paid off
2d waiting transportation
3 " "
4 " "
5 " "
6 Sunday went to Lakeport Saw a large crowd, oh how hot
7th Started for Barrancas
8th Arrived at "
1865.
Aug 27th Sunday cool and pleasant
26th rainy cool, commence on new Descriptive Book of Co "L"
25. rainy cool
24th cool
23d rain at night, much, gets cool
27th I am enjoying very good health for me do not dislike Barrancas as bad as some, tis not very pleasant
Sept. I am on duty as officer of the day every day for several days
18th am taken sick with fever & apply to Old Shell back he gives me Podopholin
19 still sick
20th I go over to the 25th on board Survey on clothing in afternoon Co L moves over the Bay to Ft Pickens
21st I am quite sick
22. we have a big storm the Laura starts out for Tallahassee and is driven back
23 still stormy
24 I am still very unwell
October 1865
1st I am quite sick have hardly been out of quarters
7th Co F moves across the bay to Pickens. I am feeling some better.
8th Sunday Pleasant
5th Detachments of these 4 Cos start for New Orleans with Lieut Martin.
9th Monday morning cool I am writing up since Sept 27 from memory
19th Pleasant to day I am busy to day drawing plans of Fort Pickens, no news
18th Pleasant windy Part of Co L refuse to drill but conclude tis best.
17th I am sick with tooth ache
15th Major Day started for New Orleans leaving me in command of Pickens
I remain in command till Brown returns about the 8th of Nov
1865.
Oct 31st. I inspect and muster the Battalion.
Oct 8th or 9th Brown returns from New Orleans Day remains in the city Clary & Martin return with Pets
Nov 20th inspect 2 Cos 25th U.S.C.T.
Nov 21st inspect 2d Maine Cavalry
Dec. 7th Thanksgiving I turn in 114 bed sacks. G K Barnes comes in after 2d Maine
8th I cross the bay turn over AAIG papers.
10th Sunday no boat everybody anxious to get away
Morgan Martin is burned
I cross the bay & get a coffin
rains nearly all day I go to Warrington to see Langley he is gone
9th M L Morgan dies
11th warm & pleasant
12th very warm I sit up by flagg staff & read looking for boat rains at night turns cold
December 1865
13. very cold windy & rainy cold night but freezing no boats yet no mail
14th colder still, not freezing We are having our opinion of Col Zuolosky of the 82d USCT. A foreign pauper or exile sucking for power. Capt Meredith comdg here at Pickens. Sold my over coat yesterday have tried to sell my horse & glass to Langley failed
15th Pleasant all day. A boat the "Montauk" came to the wharf about 7 Oclock with orders for us to embark. We go on board swing our horses over the rail and get started just before 12M at night. pleasant night
16 pleasant morning but gets windy & very rough about noon 2 hours before we reach the Pass I was very sick.
17. 25 miles below New Orleans moved up & reported Sunday after the usual delays we coal and get away before dark
Dec 18th 1865
18. arrived at Baton Rouge, unloaded off wharf boat Natchez found all the Regt here now but "D"
19. My birth day. make out Kinsleys papers. fix up quarters
20. go on Parade 1st time
21. rains on Parade
22. I am Post Officer of the day visit 5 nigger Regts. stationed about town.
23 Have books and papers examined found correct
24 Sunday, inspection over rainy & dull
25th Christmas. rainy & disagreeable I go down town but see no Christmas Plenty of Nigger soldiers without money running about town lost
warm at night Standing on the gallery in shirt sleeves bare headed looking at moon through glass Play whist with Dr Wood, Hogan and Washburn.
Everybody is drunk that can but me, Benson & Parker get drunk to celebrate christmas
Dec 26 1865
rainy all day. no order yet to muster out. working on muster out rolls to day try to sell my horse. do not hear from home lately, write last night to Lars Ernst for a job
27th to 31st rains every day
working on rolls, order comes
31st Muster for Pay receive letter from Mollie Leavenworth
go down to see Hervey
Weather comfortably warm
1866
Jan 1st dull.
working on rolls till
10th when the regt is mustered out of the Service
12 the regt go home on steamer Commonwealth
13th I receive my pay account
14th Sunday morning foggy we are having considerable wet foggy weather not very warm today
Jan 1st Monday 1866
Raining quite hard this morning
Still comfortably warm but disagreeably wet & muddy
1865
Apr 27th 1865. I came over to Mobile with my Stores, and found a Frenchman waiting for me at Hd Quarters. He had wanted some officer to go and sleep at his house a few nights in order that the soldiers might think he was friendly to the soldier. he had applied to the Col. who could not let a line officer sleep away from his co. the Frenchman was a Justice of Peace & Notary. they furnished me a cot & I slept in his house a few nights and told him if he treated the soldiers well they would treat him well. The soldiers were camped about his house and they were soon on good terms. Mrs Frenchman would cook a chicken occasionally for a sick soldier
1865
the Frenchman pretended to be much alarmed about the French coming over with some new Ironclads they had just made and helping the Confederacy he had a lot of confederate bonds & thot the US would have to make them good.
He told me of the people of Mobile trying to raise a flagg on a tall flagg staff before we went there had their hands out and speakers selected and grand preparations for a grand time but when they went to raise the flagg the halliard broke & let the flagg down and they took it for a bad omen and all went home
Lauses Cake concluded
The call was made the quota filled
In Baltimore our boys were killed
Brick bats flew & blood did flow
Then we thot we wouldnt go
The bull run fight revealed our fate
And we trembled for our Lauses cake
The call was made for nine months men
With bounty larger & rations in
And then we knew wed see some fun
Perhaps not get to fire a gun
We rallied then to Save our State
And bid farewell to Lauses Cake
They took us down to New Orleans
And fed us on hard tack & beans
Our vengeance on the Rebbel for
We were careful not to show
And now we've served nine months from that
And are going home for our Lauses Cake
So three years men to you farewell
We hope you whip the Rebels
And now we hope to remain at home
And pray like Jeff to be let alone
But should you fail we hope you'll wait
till we get our fill of Lauses Cake
RHC
July 1863 New Orders
Molauses Cake.
In days of yore when time was young
And birds conversed as well as sung
Our infant steps with care were watered
And chickens in the old way were hatched
And pumpkin pies our Ma's did make
Nor Ne'er forgot the Lauses cake
Our infant minds were taught to fear
Him whoom we're told is always near,
Our Mothers taught us hyms of Praise
And thus we walked in wisdoms ways
His Sacred laws we dare not break
For fear we'd loose our Lauses cake
In after years we older grew
(But ladies here they never do)
Our Fathers proud of such a son
And "we" as proud that we were "Some"
We tilled the soil and steers did break
And truly earned our Lauses cake
We built a house and called home
But did not like to live alone
We took a wife for who would not?
Where girls were plenty on the spot
We dined on greens & beans & steak
And lunched upon Molasses Cake
Fort Sumpter fell into traitors hands
The Rebels formed themselves in bands
They stole our guns & sieged our corn
Raised their rag & blowed their horn
We then resolved to leave out State
And trust to luck for lauses cake
concluded on the 2d page forward
RHC
When this Cruel War is over
Dearest love do you remember
When we last did meet
How you told me that you loved me
Kneeling at my feet
Oh how proud you stood before me
In your Suit of Blue
How you vowed to me and country
Ever to be true
Weeping Sad and lonely
—alto— Hopes and fears how vain
(still praying)When this cruel war is over
Praying that we meet again
Concluded
When this cruel war is over
When the summer breeze is sighing
Mournfully along
Or when autumns leavs are falling
Sadly breaths the song
Oft in dreams I see thee lying
On the Battle Plain
Wounded Bleeding even dying
Calling but in vain
Weeping Sad & lonely—
But your country calls you darling
Angels cheer your way
While our Sons are nobly fighting
We alone can pray
Nobly strike for God and Liberty
Let all Nations See
How we love Our Starry Banner
Emblem of the free
Weeping Sad and lonely
Hopes & fears how vain
When this cruel war is over
Praying that we meet again
The Song of All Songs
(air) The Captain with His Whiskers
As you walk throug the town
on a fine summer day
The subject I've got
You've heard I dare say
Upon fences and railing wherever you go
You'll see the penny ballads
Sticking up in a row
The title to read you may stand, for a while
And some are so odd they will cause you to smile
I noted them down as I read along
And I've put them together to make up my song
There was Abrahams Daughter
Going out on a Spree
with Old Uncle Snow
in the Cottage by the Sea
If your foot is pretty show it
At Lanagans Ball
And why did she leave him
On the raging canawl
There was Bonnie Annie
with A jockey hat & feather
I dont think much of you
We were boys & girls together
continued
Song of all Songs
Do they think of me at Home
I'll be free and easy still
Give us back our Old
commander
The Sword of Bunker Hill
When this Cruel war is over
No Irish need apply
For everything is lovely when the
goose hangs high
The Young gal from New Jersey
Oh will thou be my Bride
And oft in the Stilly night
We'll all take a ride
Let me kiss him for his mother
He's a gay young gambolier
I'm going to fight mit Seigel
and The Bully Lager Beer
Hunky Dory is Yankee Doodle
When the cannons loudly roar
We are coming father Abraham
Six hundred thousand more
In the days when I was hard up
With my Mary Ann
My Johnny was a shoemaker
Or any Other Man
The Captain with His Whiskers
And Anna of the vale
Along with old Bob Ridley
A Riding on a Rail
Rock Me to Sleep Mother
Going round the Horn
I'm not myself at all
I'm a Bachelor forlorn
Mother is the Battle over
What are the men about
How are you Horrace Greely
Does your Mother know your out
We wont go home till Morning
With the bold privateer
Annie Lisle & Zouave Johnny
Riding in a RR Keer
We are coming Sister Mary
with The folks that put on airs
We are marching along with
The four & thirty stars
On the other side of Jordan
Dont fly your kite so high
Jennies coming oer the green
to Root Hog or Die
Our Union Starry Banner
The flagg of Washington
Shall float victorious oer the land
From Maine to Oregon Finis
Star Car
Being obliged to ride over the Rampart
Steed—R.R. (Horse) several times a day
and seeing a great variety of colors, and
all Nations Manners & Customs
Rich & poor black & white on what is
called the Star Cars, the following
lines suggested themselves after hearing
the term Creole so often used for all shades
Riding in a Star Car.
As I was just riding down Rampart one day
& chanced in a Star Car & 5 cents did pay
I soon found a seat there
twixt damsels so fair
With flour on their soft cheeks
and kinks in their hair.
A strong smell of garlick
Soon took my attention
Another strong smell which
I never will mention
What Banks used for "Lubin"
to scent his mustache
His night blooming gems
found up on the Teche (river)
Star Car
They snuff snuff & chew snuff
and powder their face
And all kiss at parting
and gabble like geese
They talk french and "dago"
Dutch Irish and Spain
Can swear like a pirate
And vicious as Cain
A half bushel basket
Set down at my feet
Filled with such luxuries
no white man would eat
There's tripe, shrimps and garlic
Dog sausage and corn
Crabs crawfish & gumbo
As sure as you're born
I read in the car then
Eight seats on a side
Car stoped very sudden
for Lady to ride
I looked at the chances
Lady looked kind
No seat being vacant
I offered her mine,
Star Car
She thanked me so kindly
And then took a seat
That same market basket
piled up at her feet
She soon raised her vail up
to take the fresh air
Her face black as charcoal
And kinks in her hair
There was no waste of powder
nor no waste of paint
And no use for champhur
As no one would would faint
I thought twas a darkee
But no pon my soul
They said twas a lady
A Native Creole
There are words of themselves
Has charms for the soul
There are souls for such charms
And charming Creoles
Some Creoles love whiskey
Some Creoles love Ale
Some play with their poodle
And some with their Parasol.
Now all you young fellows
When riding down town
dont get in a Star car
unless you are "Brown"
If you would live long and
find rest for your soul
Shun big market baskets
And Charming "Creoles"
Brayfogle
Bingen on the Rhine
A Soldier of the Legion
Lay dying in Algiers
There was lack of woman's nursing
There was dearth of woman's tears
But a comrade stood before him
While his lifeblood ebbed away
And bent with pitying glances
To hear what he might say
The dying soldier faltered
As he took the comrades hand
And he said, I never more shall see
My own my native land
Take a message and a token
To some distant friends of mine
For I was born at Bingen
Fair Bingen on the Rhine
Tell my brothers and companions
When they meet and crowd around
To hear my mournful story
In the pleasant vineyard ground
That we fought the battle bravely
And when the day was done
Full many a corpse lay ghastly
Beneath the setting sun
And midst the dead and dying
Were some grown old in wars
The death wound on their gallant breast
The last of many scars
But some were young and suddenly
Beheld life's morn decline
And one had come from Bingen
From Bingen on the Rhine
Tell Mother that her other sons
Shall comfort her old age
And I was still a truant bird
That thought his home a cage
For my father was a soldier
And even as a child
My heart leaped forth to hear him tell
Of struggles fierce and wild
And when he died and left us
To divide his scanty hoard
I let them take what'er they would
But kept my fathers sword
And with a boyish love I hung it
Where the bright light used to shine
On the cottage wall at Bingen
At Bingen on the Rhine
continued
Bingen on the Rhine
Tell my sister not to weep for me
And sob with drooping head
When the troops are marching home again
With glad and gallant tread
But look upon them proudly
With a calm & steadfast eye,
for her brother was a soldier
And not afraid to die
And if a comrade seek her love
I ask her in my name
To listen to him kindly
Without regret or shame
And hang the Old Sword in its place
My fathers sword and mine,
For the honor of Old Bingen
Dear Bingen on the Rhine
There's another not a Sister
In the happy days gone by
You'd have known her by the merriment
That sparkled in her eyes;
Too innocent for coquetry
Too fond for idle scorning
Oh friend I fear the lightest heart
Makes sometimes harvest mourning
Tell her the last night of my life
For ere the morn be risen
My body will be out of pain
My soul be out of prison
I dreamed I stood with her
And saw the yellow sunlight shine
On the vineclad hills of Bingen
Our Bingen on the Rhine
I saw the blue Rhine sweep along
I heard or seemed to hear
The german song we used to sing
In chorus sweet & clear
And down the pleasant river
And up the standing hill
The echoing chorus sounded
Through the evening calm & still
And her glad blue eyes were on me
As we passed with friendly talk
Down many a path beloved of you
And well remembered walk
And her little hand lay lightly
Confidingly in mine
But we'll meet no more at Bingen
Loved Bingen on the Rhine
Bingen Concluded
His voice grew faint and hoarser
His grasp was childish weak
His eyes put on a dying look
He sighed and ceased to speak
His comrade bent to lift him
But the spark of life had fled
The soldier of the legion
In foreign lands was dead
And the soft moon rose up slowly
And calmly she looked down
On the red sand of the battlefield
With bloody corpses strewn
Yes, calmly on that dreadful scene
Her pale light seemed to shine
As it shown on distant Bingen
Fair Bingen on the Rhine
the End
Coppied from A Dime Song Book Dec 16th 1864. at Steam Levee Cotton Press New Orleans La
Office all to myself everybody out
Night warm & pleasant
No money to go out spreeing on Hence I am at home like a good boy
Being solicited by Lieut Chas Toms of Co "M" 1st Ind Heavy Artillery to write a few lines in his album as he was about going home to stay. Charlie was red headed, and was once Co. Commissary Sergt and had often quarreled with me about rations he was something of a favorite the following lines suggested themselves to my mind
Oh Charlie dear Charlie I'll mourn you as dead
I know you are longing to go home & wed
Your tired of the Army and long to go
home
You've eat your last hard tack & picked your last bone
No more will the long roll
disturb your repose
Where the quiet old Wabash
so often oerflows
Three cheers for the Union
three more for Wabash
All hail your return and
the nice Pinky Mustache
May split peas and hard tack
neer trouble your dreams,
But may you have plenty of
salt horse & beans.
May your coffee be sweetened
and get your full weight of board
No uniform hat again
Adorn your red head
May some pretty young Lady
from the Old Hoosier State
Whether spread toed or red haired
Share your hard fate
Lay straps, stripes, & blue cloths
Away in your trunk
And swear you'll neer wear them
Again till your drunk
With tears in my eyes, which
(is all in my eye)
I am sorry to bid you a
lasting good bye
May peace Pork & plenty
Come like a God send
With red headed babies is the
Prayer of your friend
R.H.C.
Our Chaplains
of the 21st Ind Vols and 1st Ind Hy Arty
In days of yore when time was young
And birds conversed as well as sung
We had a chaplain, who taught the boys
to love the Lord and cheer our cause
We preached and prayed and run a mess.
Kent victuals good, not to an excess.
He sought the sick to cheer them up.
Taught them to shun the fatal cup.
He stood by us two years or more
While death kept knocking at the door.
With his Old Scythe, our number grew
Not beautifully less, but less a few.
Promotion is the fate of some.
Mong riches poor the Saint and Nun.
Hosp chaplain now hes found
For Baton Rouge is all around.
We now have got another Chaplain,
Supposed to rank as high as captain
He draws the pay and bills the station
But does he benefit the Nation.
His hair is gray his step unsteady
To teach a Nig he's always ready
A nigger fat or nigger lame
Or dirty nig tis all the same.
He plays at chess and games of chance.
But dont as yet attempt to dance
He labours hard in sun & rain
But got the Nigger on the brain.
He fain would preach of souls to save,
As on he totters by the grave
I said it once & say it again
He's got the nigger on the brain.
As man believes so is the man
If to be saved or to be damned
Souls may be cleansed without a stain
By having nigger on the brain
Now Brother Moss to you farewell
Your way is open to heaven or hell
If you would choose the narrow lane
Just stick to nigger on the brain
If you would now the moral pursue
First learn to do as niggers do
But ere you resume the moral again
Why, just get nigger, on the brain
Our Grandfathers Days
For a song to please all my
friends here before me
I've been trying of late a new
subject a raise
And now I've got one
I hope it will please you
I am going to sing of our
Grandfathers days
In our Grand fathers days we were
judged but by merit
And those who were sound got their
measures of praise:
But men nowadays are
judged by their money
That wasn't the style in our
Grandfathers days
In our Grandfathers days there were
no patent leathers
Garrote-choking collars
or no pegtop pants
Young men did not go it
on 2:40 horses
Or visit young girls
at night at their aunts
The boys did not then
congregate on the corners
To view the girls ankles
on wet slushy days
Nor the girls didn't hold up
their skirts for to show them
that warnt the style
in our Grandfathers days
Our Grandfathers Days
In our Grandfathers days
Billiard markers neer sported
Moustache on their lips
or goatee on their chins
Nor did six penny barbers drive
out in light wagons
Nor did fish ball waiters then
wear diamond pins
The gals didn't then stuff
their bosoms with cotton
Nor did they wear hoops
patent bustles or stays
Nor smoke cigarettes, nor drink
cocktails in Barrooms
That wasn't the style in our Gf days
In Our GF Days married men
were steady
You'd not find them out
every night of their lives
Nor meet them out late
going home with their cousins
They always retired in good time
to their wives
They had no champagne suppers
no little flirtations
No trying to go it
in various ways
Didn't stop in salons with
female acquaintance
There wasn't [?] gale
in our GF days
In Our Grandfathers days when
a man run for office
He did it alone
for the National good
And not for the dollars & cents
he could pocket
That's something that nowadays
ain't understood
the Government was then for
wisdom selected
Rebellion had not set
the country ablaze
But the Nation, in arms swears
Our banner shall float
O'er the Union as twas in
Our Grandfathers Days
Fort Pickens Sept 30th 1865
A New Source of Virtue
The following is an extract from the Selma Ala Sentinel Oct 1st 1864
The Ladies of Selma are requested to preserve their chamber lye collected about the premises, for the purpose of making nitre. Wagons with barrels will be sent around for it by the Subscribers
(Signed) John Harroldson
Agent Nitre and Mining Bureau CS
Whereupon the following was circulated
John Harroldson John Harroldson
You are a funny creature
You've given to this cruel war
A new and curious feature
You'd have us think while every man
Is bound to be a fighter
The Women, bless their pretty dears
Should be put to making nitre
John Harroldson John Harroldson
Where did you get your notion
To send your barrel around the town
To gather up the lotion
We tho't the girls did work enough
In making shirts & kissing
But now you've put the pretty dears
To Patriotic—washing
John Harroldson John Harroldson
Could you not invent a neater
And somewhat less immodest mode
Of making your Salt Peter
The thing's so very queer you know
Gunpowder like & lanky
That when a lady lifts her shift
She shoots a bloody Yankee
Nine Months Men not Soldiers
air Bonnie Blue flag
We are a horde of yankees
and loathe the Southern soil
Were seldom known to fight
and yet carry off the spoil
We'll carry canes and overcoats
and limp out our [?]
And soon go home to Mother
where the farms are not so [?]
Hurrah Hurrah for our discharge hurrah
Hurrah for canes and overcoats and all
that we can draw
We are fighting for the nigger
we are fighting for our pay
Were limping out our nine months
term we count it to a day
Old Abe is sure to win
As is plainly to be seen
But we need not care a dam
So we get our pork and beans, Chorus
Our friends at home they told us
How very nice twould be
to go and be a soldier
But still we cannot see
The fun in being shot at
As if we were but game
So we'll button up our over coat
And play that we are lame
We are so very lame
We scarce can limp at all
And if we did not shift our limp
We certainly should fall
We limp a while on one foot
Then we make a change
Which makes the darned Hoosiers laugh
they think it mighty strange
Jeff Davis is a traitor
we know it mighty well
And yet it gives our nerves a shake
to hear the rebels yell
We'd rather stay within our camp
while western men go in
We feel we were not called to fight
but fancy a whole skin
We never tho't that Abe would need
So many of his boys
Why cant he make his niggers fight
they are his fancy toys
That conscript law effects our nerves
I wonder if tis true
that we must serve yet after that
Our nine months term is through
Way down among the shoe pegs
The land where is our marm
There are no tarnd rebils
to do a feller harm
We'll take our canes & over coats
And to the land of Onions go
And never go a soldiering
It hurts a feller so.
Some bosting man had made some bread
we found it very buggy
Yet we had of it to eat and
drink water that was muddy
No mortal man fared half so hard
but when we get to mother
We'll eat our pumpkin pie in peace
and comfort one another
Hurrah Hurrah for our discharge hurrah
Hurrah for the land of shoe pegs
there dwells on pa & ma
Written at Baton Rouge in March 1865, in honor of the many convalescent Eastern 9 months troops stationed there who failed to go to Port Hudson with Gen Banks.
Pirates Serenade
My boat's neath the tower
My barque is on the Bay
And they both must be gone
E're the dawn of the day
The moon's in a shroud
But to light us afar
On the deck of yon darling
That love lighted star
Then awake Lady wake
I am waiting for thee
This night or never
My Bride thou must be
Forgive my rough mood
Unaccustomed to Sue
I woo not perhaps, as your land
Lovers do
My voice has been toned
To the notes of the gun
That startles the deep
When the conflicts begun
Then awake Lady awake
I am waiting for thee
This night or never
My bride thou must be
And heavy and hard
Is the grasp of that hand
Whoose glove has been ever
The guard of the band
Yet think not of these
And this moment be mine
And the plume of the proudest
Shall lower to thine
Then awake Lady awake
Oh a hundred shall serve thee
Best of the Brave
And the plume of the proudest
Shall kneel as thy slave
And thou shall reign queen
And thine empire shall last
Till the Red flag by inches
Is torn from the mast
Oh Islands there are
In the midst of the deep
Where leaves never changes
And the skies never weep
Oh there if thou wilt
Our love bower shall be
When we leave for the green wood
Our home on the sea
Pirates Serenade, concluded
And then we will sing
Of the deeds that we've done
When the last battle's fought
And the last battle's won
Then haste Lady haste
For the fair breeze doth blow
And my ocean bird poises
Her pinions of snow
Then awake Lady awake
Now fast to the lattice
Those silken cords twine
They are meet for such feet and
Such fingers as thine
There's the signed of my mate
Ho Hurrah for the sea
This night and forever
My Bride thou shalt be
Then haste Lady haste
I've been waiting for thee
This night and forever
My Bride thou shalt be
The Grave of Bonaparte
On a lone barren Isle
Where the wild roaring billows
Assail the stern rock
And the loud tempest wave,
The hero lies still
While the dew drooping willows
Like fond weeping mourners
lean over the grave.
The lightning may flash
And the loud thunders rattle
He heeds not—he hears not—
he's free from all pain.
He sleeps his last sleep
he has fought his last battle
No sound can awake him to glory again
Yet spirit immortal the tomb cannot bind thee
For like thine own eagle that soard to the
sun
Thou springest from bondage
And leavest behind thee
A name which before thee no mortal had
won
Though nations may combat
And war's thunders rattle
No more on thy steed will thou sweep on
the plain
Thou sleepst the last sleep, thou hast
fought thy last battle
No sound can awake thee to glory again
The Grave of Bonaparte concluded
Oh Shade of the mighty
Where now are the legions
That rushed but to conquer
if thou ledst them on
Alas they have perished
in far hilly regions
And all save the fame
Of their triumph is gone.
The trumpet may sound
And the loud cannon rattle
They heed not, they hear not,
they're free from all pain
They sleep their last sleep
they have fought their last battle
No sound can awake them
to glory again.
Copied from Jim Wards Song Book Jan 2d 1864. on De Crow's Point Texas amidst sand, sandcrabs, mules, horses, sheep, and camp fixtures.
RHCrist
The Wifes Dream
Pray tell me Mary, how it is
that you can look so gay
When evening after evening
your husband is away.
I never see you sulk about
nor say an angry word
But still you've plenty cause for tears
if all be true I've heard
It is because, my sister dear,
a husband you've ne'er wed;
To see your children gathering round
asking you for bread;
You ne'er can tell how it becomes
a womans lot through life
To be even to a drunkard's wife
a faithful loving wife
But still I can recall the times
When bitter tears I shed
And when my hust and staggered home
what angry words I said;
I never thought I could be as cheerful
As now I seem
Yet this happy change was brought
about by a simple little dream.
The wife's dream, continued
One eve as I sat waiting at
Our humble cottage door
And listening for my husband's steps
As oft I'd done before
Some wicked thoughts came in my mind
And bitterly I said.
I never wish to see him more—
I would that he were dead.
They say the whretched cannot rest
but sure it is not so.
For very soon I fell asleep
midst cares of grief and wo.
I dreamed I had my wish fulfilled
My husband was no more
I fell upon his lifeless corpse
And kissed him o'er and o'er.
Dearest darling, speak to me
I meant not what I said.
Oh speak one word unto your wife
Say, Say you are not dead
Oh, sure I am not Mary, dear—
I woke up with a scream,
And found my husband standing by
his death was but a dream.
Ever since that time when e'er I feel
disposed to be unkind,
The warming of that fearful dream
comes fresh into my mind.
Although it costs me many a pang
to know the life he leads,
I strive to greet him with a smile
when oft my poor heart bleeds.
I'll humbly put my trust in God
and ask for strength to bear
The trials he has sent on earth
for all of us to share;
And if by patience I should change
My husband's wandering life
He'll bless the hour that dream
was sent to his neglected wife
As sung by Serg't Wm Turner during our sojourn on Ship Island from March 12th 1861 till May 20th 1861
(Air: The Captain with his whiskers
The Song of all Songs
As you walk through the town on a fine summer day
The subject I've got you've heard I dare say
Upon fences and railings wherever you go
You'll see the penny ballads sticking up in a row.
The titles to read, you may stand for a while.
And some are so odd they will cause you to smile
I noted them down as I read along.
And I've put them together to make up my song
There was "Abraham's daughter"
"Going out on a Spree"
with "Old Uncle Snowy"
"In the Cottage by the Sea"
"If your foot is pretty show it"
"At Lanagans Ball"
"And why did she leave him"
"On the raging canawl"
There was "Bonnie Annie"
with "A jockey hat and feather"
"I don't think much of you"
"We were boys and girls to gather"
"Do they think of Me at home"
"I'll be free & easy still"
"Give us back our old
Commander"
"The Sword of Bunker Hill"
"When this cruel war is over"
"No Irish need apply"
"For every thing is lovely and
the goose hangs high"
"The young gal from New Jersey"
"Oh wilt thou be my bride"
And "Oft in the Stilly Night"
"We'll all take a ride"
"Let me kiss him for his Mother"
"He's a gay young gambolier"
"I'm going to fight mit Seigel"
"And de Bully Lager Beer"
"Hunkey Boy is Yankee Doodle"
"When the canons loudly roar"
"We are coming father Abraham"
"Six hundred thousand more"
"In the days when I was hard up"
with "My Mary Ann"
"My Johnny was a Shoemaker"
"Or Any Other Man"
"The Captain with his whiskers"
and "Annie of the vale"
"Along with Old Bob Ridley"
"A Riding on a rail"
"Rock me to sleep Mother"
"Going round the horn"
The Song of All Songs concluded
"I'm not myself at all"
"I'm a bachelor forlorn"
"Mother is the battle over"
"What are the men about"
"How are you Horrace Greely"
"Does Your Mother know you're out"
"We won't go home till Morning"
"With the bold Privateer"
"Anna Lisle & Zouave Johnnie"
"Riding in a Rail Road Keer"
"We are coming Sister Mary"
with "the folks that put on airs"
"We are marching along"
with, "The four & thirty Stars"
"On the other side of Jordan"
"Don't fly your kite so high"
"Pennie's coming oer the green"
"to Root hog or die"
"Our Union Starry Banner"
"The flag of Washington"
"Shall waive victorious oer the land
from Maine to Oregon"
This is known as Tonny Pastors song
Joe Bowers
My name is Jo Bowers, I've got a brother Ike,
I came from old Missouri and all the way from Pike
I'll tell you why I left there
And why I come to roam,
And leave my poor old Mammy
So far away from home
I used to court a gal there
her name was Sally Black
I axed her if she'd marry me,
She said it was a whack;
Says she to me Joe Bowers
before we hitch for life
You ought to get a little home
to keep your little wife.
Oh Sally, dearest Sally oh,
Sally, for your sake
I'll go to California
And try to raise a stake;
Says she to me Jo Bowers
You are the man to win
Here's a kiss to bind the bargain
And she hove a dozen in
Continued
When I got to that Country
I hadn't "Nary red"
I had such wolfish feelings
I wished myself most dead;
But the thoughts of my dear Sally
Soon made those feelings git,
And whispered hopes to bowers,
I wish I had 'em yet.
At length I went to mining
put in my biggest licks
Went down upon the boulders
just like a thousand bricks,
I worked both late and early
in rain in sun in snow
I was working for my Sally
twas all the same to Jo
At length I got a letter
from my dear Brother Ike,
It came from Old Missouri,
all the way from pike;
It brot to me the darndest news
that ever you did hear
My heart is almost burstin;
So pray excuse this tear
Joe Bowers concluded
It said that Sal was false to me
her love for me had fled
She'd got married to a butcher,
the butcher's hair was red,
And more than that the letter said
it's enough to make me swear,
That Sally had a Baby,
the Baby had red hair.
Now I've told you all I can
about this sad affair.
Bout Sally marrying a butcher
that butcher with red hair;
But whether twas a boy or girl child
the letter never said
It only said that the Babys hair
was inclined to be red.
Thus ended the brightest hopes of poor Jo. Bowers, and thus it is with many a poor soldier who went to fight for his country, his home and his little ah—
he was troubled with "red haired" visions—and whenever he saw any Butter, he looked for Red Hair
Mess of
Non Commissioned Staff
hired Jo to cook Jan 6th 1862 at $10. per month.
Feb 6th Paid Jo $10.
April I " " $.50
May 28th I " " 1.00
June 29th I " " 10.25
June 30th paid Jo $31.25
and discharged Jo.
March 18th 1864.
I spent considerable money in "running" the mess but had the consolation of living very well. George C Harding still ows me $6¼ dos cook hire it cost me considerable for dishes which I lost—and hence forth if I should ever runn a mess I shall try & make myself sure. this is a thankless world. Matagorda Island Texas
November, Tuesday, 9. 1858
Written on a slip of paper and attached to a small wallet, and left in the yard of Elder Freeman of Plainfield Ill's
The lord hath said the preacher now
Must warn the people all
And if you cannot make them hear
I'd have you use this maul
Your fist dear Sir is far too soft
To batter on the wood
Just take this maul it is but small
And thunder on the board
Lift up your voice and loudly call
on Sinners all around
And if you cannot make them hear
Take up this maul & pound
It had the desired effect and the word of God still continue to be preached from the desk in a "Moderate way".
The Order of Combat
as copied from a copy found in the camp
As Rhymes without reason you all must allow
Are the rhymes most in season, as used by us now
While rhymes without number are made on this war
Tis right that one rhyme should be made on this bar
In these hard times
To begin with Ship Island tis a glorious land
Surrounded by water & covered with sand
Quite noted for Yankees, sand crabs & clams
Aspirants for office & the purse of Uncle Sam's In
If you land at the wharf you find quite a town
A bake shop, a beer shop & a hole in the ground
A Fort and a stable a mule, cows and calfe.
The New England Division Genl Butler & Staff. In
Maj Genl Butler from Lowel came down,
His Brothers & uncles & wife came along
In fact all of Lowel that rejoiced in the name
Of New Eng. Division partook in the game
In these hard times
Farther up on the sand bar if you chance to land
There's brigade No 2 stuck down in the sand
Where as by chance, you'll be apt to descry
The order of Combat in the wink of their eye
There's Hoosiers & Badgers and Wolverines too
Thrown in as by chance like sand in a stew
To fight bleed and die and do without bread
Because they dont wear the insignia of N.E.D.
In these hard times
They work hard and drill hard & do without wood
The surgeons remonstrate but all to no good
Genl has said it and sand they must paw
For the Order of Combat is the end of the law
The Genl now Williams fancies he loves a brass band
He calls them out mighty to blow, in to sand
They grumble & growl, but tis no use to chaw
The "Order of combat is the end of the Law"
In these hard times
Hungry & weary, the boys go to bed
Their nose in the sand and their hands on their bread
They dream of their homes & their cribs full of corn
And go on the sick list about every morn
In these hard times
The Order of Combat, continued
In slumbers of midnight the poor soldier lay
His tent wildly flapping till it's near blown away
Yet he dreams of his home &the dear ones behind
And visions of corn bread dance oer his mind
In these hard times
We have orders to march, report says tomorrow
We'll roll up our knapsacks, if we have none we'll borrow
We'll lay in our bacon & 4 days bread
Then lay around camp till we wish ourselves dead
In these hard times
We go for the Union, we go for our bread
we go for most anything, unless it is dead
We'll go to our quarters and the time we'll pass by
For tomorrow we leave here in a Pig's Eye
In these hard times
The Order of Combat Concluded
And now comes that finale as you all understand
Tis killing us Soldiers to drill in the sand
But Old men & young men must learn very soon
There's no use in fifing if you dont know the tune
In these hard times
Now the moral comes last as all morals do
Revere Genl Butler & his blue belted crew
Hang out your banner & dont cry for bread
While you can get it by wearing of NED
In these hard times
Extempore
Oh why should I repine
And be an ill foreboder
I'm twenty-three and five feet nine
I'll go and be a Sodger.
I got some gear wi' Markle care
I field it weel thegither
But now it's gone, and something mair
I'll go and be a Sodger
The Selkirks Grace
Some has mean and canna eat
And some wad eat that want it
But we hae meat, and we can eat
And sae the Lord be thanket
On a Suicide.
Earth'ed up here lies an imp o' hell
Planted by Satan's debble—
Poor silly wretch, he's damn'd himself
To Save the lord the trouble
Oh why should I repine
And be an ill foreboder.
Im twenty 3 & 5 feet nine
Ill go and be a Sodger
the verses on the preceding page was written while on Ship Island to kill time
time it seemed an age I was left there 1 month & 5 days to expecting to get away every day and seen very easy time all the time I was there
While I was at Pass Cavallo nearly 6 months and did not think it so long.
Now Dec 14th 1865 I am at Fort Pickens Fla. very anxious to get away
Shels of Ocean
One summer eve with pensive thought
I wandered on the sea-beat shore
Where oft, in heedless infant sport
I gathered shells in days before
I gathered shells in days before
The splashing waves like music fell
Responsible to my fancy wild
A dream came o'er me like a spell
I thought I was again again a child
I stood upon the pebbly strand
To cull the toys that round me
lay
But as I took them in my hand
I threw them one by one away
I threw them one by one away
O, thus, I said in every state
By toys our fancy is beguiled
We gather shells from youth to age
And then we leave them like a
child
We gather shells from youth to age
And then we leave them, leave
them like a child
The Bowld Sojer boy
O, there's not a thrade that's going
Worth showing or knowing
Like that from glory growing
For a bowld Sojer boy
Where right or left we go
Sure you know, friend or foe,
Will have the hand or toe
From the bowld Sojer boy
There's not a town we march through
But Ladies looking arch through
The window panes will search through
The ranks to find their joy
While up the street, each girl you meet
Will look so shy will cry "My Eye!
O, isn't he a darling,
The bowld Sojer boy
But when we get the rout
How they pout, and they shout
While to the right about
Goes the bowld Sojer boy
'Tis thus that ladies fair
In despair, tear their hair
But the divit a one I care
Says the bowld Sojer boy
Concluded
The bowld Sowjer Boy continued
For the world is all before us
Where the landladies adore us
And ne'er refuse to score us
But chalk us up with joy
We taste her tap we tear her cap
"O, that's the chap for me" says she.
"O, isnt he a darling,
The bold Sojer Boy
Columbia, the gem of the Ocean.
O Columbia the gem of the Ocean
The home of the brave and the free
The shrine of each patriots devotion,
A world offers homage to thee.
Thy mandates make heroes assemble
When liberties form stands in view
Thy banners make tyranny tremble
When born by the red white and blue
When war winged its wide desolation
And threatened our land to deform
The ark then of freedoms foundation
Columbia rode safe through the storm
With her garlands of victory around her
When so proudly she bore her brave crew
With her flag proudly floating before her
The boast of the red white and blue
The wine-cup the wine cup bring hither,
And fill you it true to the brim;
May the wreaths they have won never wither
Nor the star of their glory grow dim
May the Service united ne'er sever
But they to their colors prove true
The Army and Navy for ever
Three Cheers for the red white and blue
Ship Island April 21st 1862
All Alone, sick.
The Old Cabin Home.
1 I am going far away
Far away to leave you now
To the Mississippi river I am going
I will take my old banjo
And I'll sing this little song
Away down In my old cabin home.
Chorus Here is my Old Cabin home,
Here is my sister and my brothers
Here lies my wife the joy of my life
And my child in the grave with its mother.
2 When old age comes on
And my hair is turning gray
I will hang up my banjo all alone
I'll sit down by the fire and
And I'll pass the time away
Away down in my Old Cabin home
3. Tis there where I roam
Away down on de old farm
Where all de darkees am free
Oh merrily sound the banjo
For the white folks round de room
Away down in my old Cabin home
Here is my old Cabin home
Bonny Eloise.
Oh sweet is the vale where the Mohawk gently glides
On its clear winding way to the Sea,
And dearer than all storied streams on earth beside,
Is the bright rolling river to me;
But Sweeter, dearer, yes dearer far than those
Who charms when others all fail,
Is blue-eyed Bonny, bonny Eloise
The Belle of the Mohawk vale.
Chorus But sweeter dearer yes dearer &c
O Sweet are the scenes of my boyhood's sunny years,
That bespangle the gay valley o'er,
And dear are the friends seen through memories fond tears,
That have lived in the blest days of yore
But Sweeter, dearer &c
O Sweet are the moments when dreaming I roam
Through my loved haunts now mossy & gray
And dearer than all is my childhood's halloed home,
That is crumbling now slowly away
Bit Sweeter dearer yes dearer far than those
Written on
Ship Island Gulf of Mexico
State of Miss
Bonny Eloise
Oh Sweet is the vale, where the Mohawk gently glides
On its clear winding way to the Sea
And dearer than all storied streams on earth besides
Is the bright rolling river to me
But Sweeter, dearer, yes dearer far than those
Who charms when others all fail
Is blue eyed, Bonny Eloise Bonny Eloise
The Belle of the Mohawk vale
November, Saturday, 27. 1858.
744 Potatoes
28 gals Syrup
680 Rice
1556 H Bread
3 Kegss Syrup 42 gals
1024 lbs Rice
16 Bbls Potatoes
in stead of bread for 3 days—the 5th 7th 9th of April.
November, Sunday, 28. 1858.
Prime Pork $14
Mess 7½
Beef 7
Bacon 8
Hams 6½
Shoulders 5¼
Flour 660
Hard Bread
Bread 4
Rice 7
Beans 4¼ lb
Peas 3½
Coffee 24
Tea 50
Sugar 3½
Vinegar
candles 20
soap 06
Potatoes 50½
Syrup 1/8
Salt 01
Syrup $.50½
Potatoes .01 1/8
April 5th 1862
Cotters
Saturday Night
X
Is there, in human form that bears a heart
A wretch, a villain lost to love and truth
That can with studied, sly ensnaring art
Betray sweet Jennie's unsuspecting youth?
Curse on his perjur'd arts; dissembling smothe
Are honor, virtue conscience all exil'd,
Is there no pity, no relenting ruth,
Points to the parents fondling o'er their child
Then paints the ruin'd maid, in their
distraction wild:
from Burns
November, Tuesday, 30. 1858.
Mess of
Noncommissioned Staff
Jo commenced on the
6th day of January 1862
for $10. per month
Jan 20th Paid Jo $.25
Feb 6th Paid Jo $9.75
Burns's answer to the Tailor
King David o'poetic Brief
Wrought mang the lasses sic mischief
As filled his after life wi grief
An' Bloody rants
An' yet he's rank'd among the chief
O lang syne Saunts
And may be Tom for a' my cants
My wicked rhymes an drunken rants
I'll gie auld cloven clouty's haunts
An unco slip yet
An snugly sit among the Saunts
At Davie's Hip yet
Nov 16 1861
Camp Murray Hill 16th
No of men now in camp
Co. A 27 Roy
B 22 Grimsley
C 28 Rose This is what is
D 21 Garrett left after the
F 24 Noblett detachment
K 24 Hess went off to the
I 24 R Campbell Peninsula
H 23 J T Campbell on a wild
E 92 Shelton goose chase
I have just commenced
act a Regimental
Commissary Sergt.
December, Thursday, 2. 1858.
Commissary
Nov 13 Co E
93 loaves bread
17 " "
11 sacks corn
17 " oats
Nov 14
Co E 74 Bread
39 Bread is due from the
Hospital
Nov Co 25 Bread
Band has 20 men
Nov 16—Co E 75 Bread
Hinkle 6 Beef
Nov 18 Co E 33 Bread
December, Friday, 3. 1858.
[?]
Newcumberstown
water
Coshocton where we have lots of coffee & bread Saw lots of pretty girls
Sutler 7 lvs 19th
Puzzle
[figures 1 – 12]
The one giving the puzzle commences counting at 13. and when he says 20 has his pencil on 12. then counts back and meets the puzzled. 11-10-9&c.
and when the puzzled get to 20. puzzler will have his pencil on the no thot of
The puzzled picks on some no and counts on to 20 both counting together when the puzzled says 20. the puzzler will have his pencil on the no thot of
December, Saturday, 4. 1858.
Stultz and Burnett
Manufacturers
Virginia Tobacco
common medium
and fine
Joseph M Gravely
Agent
Bedford Ind
[sideways] 19 trees, 19 rows
5 trees in each row
Puzzle. 30 men and the landlord stand in a circle they count off & cast off out every 7th man and the last man left is to pay for the drinks.
Place the landlord at the head call him one. counting by whole numbers. then call No 3—one in counting out 7s.
to pile 8 coppers & Cs in 2s piling one ove 2 every time
[figures]
December, Sunday 5. 1858
Hope on Hope Ever
tis Hope that cheers us on our way
That light the path we daily tread
And points us to a better day
And lingers near till we are dead
Tis Hope that comes when grief oppressed
And smiling luls our cares to sleep
It heals the wound of deep distress
And brings a balm for those that weep
Hope like love was born in Heaven
And sent in pity to our sphere
A precious boon to mortals given
To dwell forever with us here
Then let us ever hope and love
With love so strong that none can sever
And trusting in our god above
Singing joyfully Hope on Hope Ever
Hope on Hope Ever
December, Monday, 6. 1858
Song
Pirates Serenade
1st My boats neath the tower
2d Forgive my rough mood
3d And heavy and hard
4th Oh A hundred shall serve thee
5th Oh Islands there are
6th And then we will sing
7th Now fast to the lattice
December, Tuesday, 7. 1858
W. Wellstood
care Johnson Fry & Co.
27 Beekman St.
New York
A. Spence
133 Nassau St.
New York
Mrs Dudley
Jackson Miss.
Mr. George Ainslie
Louisville Ky.
907 W Main. Foundry
h561 Ninth
December, Wednesday, 8. 1858.
Calibre
6 pounder 3" 67
12 " 4" 62
18 " 5" .3
24 " 5" .82
32 " 6" .4
42 " 7" .
December, Thursday, 9. 1858.
Hope on Hope Ever
tis Hope that cheers us on our way
That lights the path we daily tread
And points us to a better day
And lingers near when we are dead
Tis Hope that comes when grief oppressed
And smiling luls our cares to sleep
It heals the wound of deep distress
And brings a balm for those that weep
Hope like love was born in Heaven
And sent in pity to our sphere
A precious boon to mortals given
To dwell forever with us here
Then let us ever hope and love
With love so strong that none can sever
And trusting in our god above
Singing joyfully Hope on Hope Ever
December, 31st Friday, 10. Mon 1861
I left Woodvill an exile came to Bayou Sara La boarded on wharf boat [?]
Jan 1st 1861 Eat my breakfast and started on the Steamer Baltic for Evansville Ind. paid my fare $2 took Berth No 43 and made my self at home. Had a pleasant trip up to and arrived in Evansville Sunday night
I am 6th. went to [?] town next day found my friends all well
December, Saturday, 11. 1858.
[?] green riddle
Vanvalkenburg
Jefferson Co
NY
near Oswego
Here is one leaf reserved for me
From all thy sweet memorials free
And here my simple song might tell
The feelings thou must guess so well
But could I thus within my mind
One little vacant corner find
Where no impression yet is seen
Where no
December, Sunday, 12. 1858.
Here is one leaf reserved for me
From all thy sweet memorials free;
And here my simple song might tell
The feelings thou must guess so well
But could I thus within thy mind
One little vacant corner find
Where no impression yet is seen,
Where no memorial yet has been
Oh, it should be my sweetest care
To write my name forever there
RHC
The museing poet long ago
hummed in diaductic song
man wants
December, Monday, 13. 1858.
Memorandum of expenses
2 bench brushes $1.00
adz handle .50
plane bit .50
Drawer lock .25
slippers 1.25
1 pr shoes 2.50
shaving tools 2.25
1 hat 4.50
1 pr pants 2.50
1 trunk 7.70
2 pr socks .50
2 " " .62
hair oil 1.25
2 shirts 1.50
neck tie 2.00
papers .75
postage .50
watch fixing 4.00
pants at Cairo 5.00
1 pocket rule 4[?] chisels
2 bitts
December, Tuesday, 14. 1858.
Memorandum of expenses
One
Memorandi
1 pr tram points
Louisville to New Orleans
Brandenburg 40
Cannelton 80 120
Troy 10 130
Rockport 20 150
Owensborough 10 160
Newburg 25 185
Evansville 15 200
Henderson 12 212
Mt Vernon 28 240
Uniontown 15 255
Shawneetown 20 275
Caseyville 15 290
Golconda 30 320
Smithland 18 338
Paduca 12 350
Metropolis 10 360
Cairo 40 400
Ky City 20
Hickman 20
New Madrid 40
Randolph 105
December, Wednesday, 15. 1858.
Louisville to New Orleans
Memphis 65 650
Helena 90
Laconia 60
Prentiss 33
Napoleon 2 840
Bollivar La 15
Content La 5
Gaston " 25
Luna " 12
Collumbia 3
Greenville 10
Sunny Side 10
Lakeport 5
Ky. Bend 5
P + Worthington 10
Grand Lake 5
Princeton 5
Vicksburg 100 1050
Natchez 115 1165
Red River 75 1240
Bayou Sara 45
Baton R 35
Donaldsville 52
New Orleans 78 1450
December, Thursday, 16. 1858.
Memorandum of
Letters written since I
left home
to A W Brigs from Chicago
to Brigs " Cairo
" " Helena
" " Natchez
" " Natchez
to E N Sayres "
to P M Crist "
to D B Crist "
to S B Crist "
to P M Crist "
to D A Crist "
to W A Pullum to Ark
to Lisle P Thomas to Ark
17 to McLester Natchez
17 to P M Crist "
15 to Wm Thayer "
18 to John Everard to Chicago
18 to Harvey Niver to Ill
23 to P M Crist Ill
30 J R Hoag
30 D A Crist
Nov 3 Nelly Brown Iowa
11 Morris Niver
13 P M Crist 24
December, Friday, 17. 1858.
Letter answers & wrote
Nov. 16 P M Crist with $50.
20th K J Hammond
20th J B Crist
George W Thayer
Dec 4th Wm Goodhue
Wm Thayer
Dec 11th Ed Everard
11th Bert Briggs
Dec 20 Nathan Brown
Dec Jake Van Horn
Dec 20 Kate Crist
Dec 27 D A Crist
Jan 1st Kate Crist
" B F Flagg
Jan 9th E H Sayre
R B Staples
A W Briggs
P M Crist
24 P J Crist
24 E H Sayre
25 Harvey R Thayer
R B Staples
Jan 29th K J Hammond
December, Saturday, 18.
Memorandum
1 fore plane bit 2 3/8 full
1 Bench Brush .50
1 Adz handle .50
1 Drawer lock .25
white chalk 10
1 pr slippers 1.25
trunk
shaving box soap brush
2 pr socks
1 Hat $4.50
A W Briggs
Virginia City
Carson Co
Nevada Ter
December, Sunday, 19. 1858.
Natchez under the Hill
Boarding in Negro quarters
over and between
Mules and few horses
it takes 20 niggers to do nothing—
I occupied one room 5 months never sleeping in any other never eat but one meal away from Brow House or boarding house lived mostly on corn bread and cold victuals in those 5 months I never saw the cook, let along kissing her
Settled up and paid $3½ per week for board which was not in the bill
December, Monday, 20. 1858.
The idea of landing a lot of freight where there is no shore for a wharf anything more than a cow path down the bluff at an angle of 45 degrees
All cards used on boxes bales &c are play cards
John Warner
H R Patterson P master
Chas P Warner clerk
St Louis & NO Packet
December, Tuesday, 21. 1858.
Vicksburg—contains 8000 inhabitants and 600 houses nearly all standing with their gable ends to the street and built of brick at that
the Court House is a good looking edifice being a mongrel of all orders with Ionic columns. below the cornice is doric. the columns that support the cupola are done with corinthian capitals. the inside finish of rough finish [?] of to represent penciling the Pron railing is the only well finished job about the building—
December, Wednesday, 22. 1858.
Fosters Landing Ark
Bledso's Landing
taking on freight. wheel barrows 475 shovels down a bank 30 feet at 45 degrees
the way the banks works the river in some places not over 80 rods wide
the Southerner and dismiss his opinion of slavery
sending the yawl ahead to sawmill—running between [?]
application of names
Chicago Joliet Peoria
Vicksburg
Fried mush macarona sausages onions desert potatoes
meat venison &c
December, Thursday, 23. 1858.
Names of Steam Boats
Champion
Fort Wayne
J C Swan
Atlanta
Thomas Scott
John Warner
R J Lockland
Charmer
Fanny Brisbee
Natchez
[?]
Vicksburg
Allice Vivian
December, Friday, 24. 1858.
Lisle & Thomas 45 miles
below Memphis.
Bledsoe Lndg
in 1½ miles of River
Ark
W. A. Pullum
Laconia
6 miles from Long Ark
James Dunn
Bledso Landing
Barthomomews Chester PO
12 miles from Hamburg
Ark
Gun Bridge
E M Star
Steam Engine men New Orleans
C H Slocum
67 Canal Street
December, Saturday, 25. 1858.
Negro sermon preached on the side walk in Cairo paul and silas being partners, paul holding the keys of heaven. preaching the doctrine of the great supreme. the great who an I. paul being dead 3 days and coming to light and seeing with other eyes
Monday on the river. Bluffs on each side about 45 feet high banks lined with heavy timber
the Banks are clear sand with very little soil. and none on top except the deposit which is but little. the timber generally grows straight slim
the wood yards on the bank. the manner of loading the flats
December, Sunday, 26. 1858.
Where shingles are currency and pin boys legal tender where they [?] whiskey the essence of all goodness
Preaching from a text
Frog Eaters
For Sale—a cow with a calf by the subscriber
men overboard.
Emigrants on the boats hands working for $.50 30 Cairo
attended Episcopal church
Oh what singing heard an old Sermon read
the women carry umbrellas and no parasols in Cairo
December, Monday, 27. 1858.
Henry Shreffles
Plainfield
Ill
Wm Rupley
Victoria
Texas
Jim Curry,
Natchez under the Hill
(Cairo)
we did stop & had our breakfast
December, Tuesday, 28. 1858.
Pike's Peak
Farewell for a while
to our altars and fires
And away to the land
Where are treasures untold
We are felled with the zeal
which mammon inspires
That nothing can tame
Except genuine gold
And should comrads betrayed
Whoose friendship we trust
And shorten our days
with the treacherous knife
We shall die rich no doubt
and send home the dust
To gladden the hearts of
our children & wife
Why are Office holders
like muskets
because they kick
when discharged
December, Wednesday, 29. 1858.
Some objects appear smaller by getting nearer to them
Wooden nut meg man
As lovely as eve and a great deal fonder of apples
Familiarity breeds contempt
Marrying a woman for her beauty is like eating a bird for its singing
The woman who made a pound of butter from the cream of a joke and a cheese from the milk of human kindness, has since washed the clothes of the year and hung 'em out to dry on a bee line—
A false friend and a shadow attend only when the sun shines
December, Thursday, 30. 1858.
[?] 4 lbs rosin
1 pt Linnseed oil
1 ounce Red Lead
Why is a muffin like a Chrysalis,
Because it is a kind of crust
that make the butter fly
Why is a pretty young woman like corn in time of scarcity
Because she ought to be husbanded
Can a lady give you a piece bit of her mind without breaking the peace
Why is a lawyer the worst sleeper in the world
because he puts ties on one side and then on the other and is wide awake all the time
December, Friday, 31. 1858.
NE ¼ - 21 – 90 – 12 west
M Sparling
Browns Saw mill
Natchez
Henry Sela
Mail Sergeant
O & C RR
Memoranda.
R H Crist
Nov 18th [faded]
Dec 15th to cash 2.00
Dec 27th to order a sharp per J Kent
for groceries $7.00
Jan 28th by cash 2.00
Feb to pictures at Marshalls
picture galery $2.00
[faded]
Memoranda.
Thus saith the Lord The preacher must warn the people all And if you must make them hear I'd have you use this maul
Your hand dear Sis is far too soft
To batter on the wood
Just take this maul
it is but small
And thunder on the board
Lift up your voice and loudly call
On Sinners all around
And if you cannot
make them hear
Take up this maul and pound
[figures]
Index. Dates.
Rhyme & Songs
Sauses Cake. Aug 15th
When this cruel war is over " 16
Star Car Aug 21st
Bingen on the Rhine 25th
Charles Toms Album 30th
Nine Months Men Oct 18th
Pirates Serenade 22nd
The grave of Bonepart 25th
The wifes dream 27th
The Song of all Songs 30th
Jo Bowers Nov 1st 1865
Rhyme written for the
Benefit of Elder Freeman 9th
Rhymes Date
The Order of Combat Nov 11th
Burns 15th
Shells of Ocean 17th
The Bowld Sojer Boy 19th
Columbia the gem of the ocean 21
The Old Cabin home 23
Bonnie Eiloise 25
Cotters Saturday Night 29
Puzzles Dec 3
Chaplains Sept 1st
Our Grandfather's day 3d
A new Source of Virtue 6th
To Elder Freeman Norg
Refferences
14th U.S.C.T. Hy Arty Maj Comstock
with us at Mattagorda
Lt Conrad. AM.
3 Regt USCT Engineers
with us at Mattagorda
& in front of ft Morgan
Ed Parsley. Sutler.
June 17th 1864 left Mattagorda
Lt Col Dungan 34th Iowa
the 8th Ind Regt at Mattagorda
1864 at Mattagorda
Mar 9th Pontoon boats sunk
The Old Frenchman of Mobile and his story of raising a flagg and his fear of the French
One of the Vanderbuilts
Come to Mobile Bay.
[upside down]
[puzzle numbers]
curry combs
brushes
mules
bucket
[puzzle numbers]
[scribbling]
DATABASE CONTENT
| (13882) | DL1938.001 | X.1 | Diaries |
Tags: Abraham Lincoln, African Americans, Alcohol, Animals, Artillery, Assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Battle of Fort Sumter, Benjamin F. Butler, Boredom, Bounties, Burials, Business, Camp/Lodging, Cards/Gambling, Cavalry, Children, Chores, Christmas, Clothing, Conscription/Conscripts, Cotton, Courtship, Crime, Crops (Other), Death (Military), Democratic Party, Desertion/Deserters, Destruction of Land/Property, Disability, Discharge/Mustering Out, Discipline, Dreams, Drilling, Elections, Engineering/Construction, Excitement, Family, Fear, Fighting, Food, Food Preservation, Fortifications, France, Furloughs, Guard/Sentry Duty, Guerrilla Warfare, Guns, Home, Homesickness, Honor, Hygiene, Illnesses, Industry/Manufacturing, Injuries, Irish Americans, Ironclad Warships, Jefferson Davis, July 4th, Leadership (Soldiers' Perceptions of), Loneliness, Love, Mail, Marching, Marriages, Medicine, Money, Music, Nature, Newspapers, Paroles/Paroled Troops, Payment, Photographs, Picket Duty, Planters/Plantations, Poetry, Politics, Pride, Prisoners of War, Promotions, Prostitution/Prostitutes, Railroads, Reading, "Rebels" (Unionist opinions of), Recreation, Recruitment/Recruits, Religion, Resignations, Rivers, Sadness, School/Education, Secession, Ships/Boats, Siege of Vicksburg, Slavery, Supplies, Thanksgiving, Weather, Work, "Yankees" (Confederate opinions of)
People - Records: 1
- (3879) [writer] ~ Crist, Robert Henry
Places - Records: 1
- (377) [origination] ~ Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana
SOURCES
Robert H. Crist Diary, DL1938.001, Nau Collection
