Nathaniel S. Wheeler Diary, 1863
N. S. Wheeler
Jany 5th Enfield
1863 N.H.
Camp near Falmouth
N. S. Wheeler
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Thursday, January 1, 1863.
Very pleasant weather
Paid for Jacket 2.50
" 1 Ream paper 3.50
" 10 Bunches Envelops 1.00
Paid for this Book .50
Friday 2
Recd Letter from O.J.C.
Paper from Mary
Letter from Nellie
Paid for 1 cheese 23.40
Saturday 3
Recd Bundle from Nellie
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Sunday, January 4, 1863.
Very pleasant day
wrote to Mary Nellie & OJC
Calvin Washburn Dr To
9 Bunches Envelopes ½ Ream paper
J. C. Currin Dr $2.30
John Love .17
George Smith .10
Stove for Col Harriman
cheese 1/8 1.25
Monday 5
Nice pleasant day
Recd letter from Julia
Spaulding & Sarah Wheeler
Recd for cheese 31.20
Tuesday 6
This morning our boys went out on Picket
rained in afternoon
cold day [?]
Recd letter from Nellie
Tom Baker 1.50
Willie Carter .25
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Wednesday, January 7, 1863.
pleasant but cold boys got in from Picket
wrote to Nellie
Thursday 8
Rather pleasant day
wrote Sarah Wheeler
saw signal lights this eve
Friday 9
pleasant day
wrote to Emily Leavitt
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Saturday, January 10, 1863.
Wet rainy day a very
disagreeable one to
Frank P. Eager Dr to B[?] 1.80
Recd letters from Sarah Wheeler
& Sue Bryant
Sunday 11
Rather pleasant day cleared off nice
Recd letters from JW Johnson & wife, Ella, Amos Bryant J. Bunch & M F. Bean
wrote to AMB
Monday 12
Pleasant day all quiet
Recd 3 papers from S Bryant
" 2 " Ella Johnson
7 weeks to day since we came into camp here
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Tuesday, January 13, 1863.
Pleasant day the boys on Picket
Recd letter from Nellie & answd it
wrote to Nellie
Wednesday 14
Pleasant day
8 weeks to day since we came to Falmouth
wrote to MFB
Sent paper to Sue Bryant
Thursday 15
Very windy day but warm
Wrote to J. W. Johnson
John French & Henry
& one to Fanny Morgan
Recd orders to march to morrow morning early
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Friday, January 16, 1863.
very cold raw day
rained last night & the wind blew hard
Had orders to march
L.D. Hammond To cash $1.00
Recd letter from A.F.S.
wrote to Nellie & Ella Johnson
did not march today
Saturday 17
Raw & cold day
Recd letter from Arthur S
Fellow in the 35Mass .55
still in camp
wrote to Arthur Spaulding
Sunday 18
very cold raw day
Recd letters from M.B.S.
& " " L .C. Leavitt
wrote to M.B.Spaulding
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Monday, January 19, 1863.
Cold raw day not quite as rough as yesterday and day before
Tuesday 20
cold raw & windy day the boys on pickett
Recd letter from Nellie
wrote to Nellie & Lou Leavitt
Troops & artillery have gone past all day
" " to tobacco .75
" Breakfast .75
comenced raining last night very wet rainy day the boys came in from Pickett the worst time we have had carried rations down
Wrote to D.N. Moulton
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Thursday, January 22, 1863.
Wet rainy day one of the worst we have had
Friday 23
cleared of this forenoon
quite pleasant afternoon & evening
Recd pr drawers from Enfield
Recd letter from E. Leavitt
Saturday 24
Rather pleasant day
Recd letter from Nellie
wrote to Nellie
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Sunday, January 25, 1863.
very mild pleasant day
wrote A.F. Lowden
wrote S. Olds [?]
wrote Miss Susan Johnson [?]
wrote to E Leavitt [?]
Monday 26
not quite as pleasant as yesterday
Recd letter from H French
wrote to H. French
wrote to A.J. Mitchell
Tuesday 27
boys on Pickett
Bad sloppy day
W. Walcott Dr to dz apples 13
" " dr by corn 10
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Wednesday, January 28, 1863.
Snowed & rained all last night & today awful tough
Recd letter from Ella Johnson
" " " Nellie
Wrote to Nellie
Thursday 29
Snowed all night for 8 in snow
Wrote S.J.W. & E. Johnson
Recd letter from Susan Wheeler & N Miller
Recd a paper from S Bryant
Friday 30
quite pleasant day
Recd letter from Nellie
wrote to Sam Bean
" A.A. Cox & H French
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Saturday, January 31, 1863.
pleasant day overhead
some snow & a gooddeal of mud
Saw Vincent & Plumer
R. Batchelder to cash $1.00
wrote to Nellie
Sunday, February 1
warm & pleasant day
wind [?]
Recd letter from F R Morgan
" " M.F.B.
Monday 2
pleasant day but cool
froze last night
Recd letter from M B Spaulding
& paper
wrote to M B. Spaulding
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Tuesday, February 3, 1863.
Very cold raw day, about the coldest we have seen
Wednesday 4
last night the coldest we have had
cold day but not as cold as yesterday
Recd letter from S.F.B.
it was mailed the 21st
Had orders to march
Thursday 5
snowed all last night
very snowy day & rough
Recd letter from H. French
box came all right
Elias & I got our box today
wrote Uncle Nat
" J. F. Spaulding
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Friday, February 6, 1863.
wet rainy day, rained all last night
wrote to M.F. Bean
" " Nellie
" from R. Morgan
Saturday 7
very pleasant day froze quite hard last night
Sunday 8
Recd letters from N.M. Wheeler
S Olds
Nellie
Paper fm M.B.S.
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Monday, February 9, 1863.
Very pleasant day but very muddy. Had orders at 2 to march at daylight got away at 8 oclock started from the Depot at 12 arrived at the creek about 3 the Regt went right aboard of a steamer & we some 12 of us were left to load & guard the stores & baggage We got it on board a small steamer about ½ p 1 & laid till morning when we went down the river & went aboard the Str Columbia at about 7 & started at 12 for Fortress Monroe Tuesday had a very fine passage We got to the Ft at 7½ pm Wednesday morning & anchored & staid till about 9 when we ordered to Newport News where we arrived about 10
wrote to Nellie
Tuesday 10
Had orders at 3 oclock to be ready at daylight got ready & started at about 8 went to the Depot & staid till about 12 & started to the creek got there about [faded] the Regt went aboard the boat & we were left to guard the stores slept on the wharf till ½ past 1 got up & loaded aboard a small boat laid till about 7 & went down the river & went aboard the Columbia where the 9th Regiment was at about 7 hoisted anchor at about 12 Tuesday—
Wednesday we are at Fortress Monroe got orders to go to Newport News where we arrived & went ashore at about 2 oclock went back about ¼ mile & went in camp have got a very good place to camp on
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Thursday, February 12, 1863.
built us up a good tent today the best we have had anywhere it is a fine place can get every thing we want to eat at a fair price. it is quite warm and pleasant heard the robins sing like spring
G.W. Barnham to cash $1.00
Friday 13
very pleasant day real spring like worked on shanties all day got up a good one
Recd letter from L. Leavitt
Ella Johnson & 2 Nellie & a Valentine from Ella Johnson
wrote to Nellie
Saturday 14
nice weather & pleasant
bot a stove for $3.50
wrote to Susan F. Bryant
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Sunday, February 15, 1863.
warm & pleasant day
at work on tent
as warm as June
wrote to Laura Leavitt
Monday 16
nice weather for the time of year Killed a rabit
Recd letter from L.D.S.
Tuesday 17
very rainy day one of the worst we have seen
wrote to Nellie, Sam Davis, Henry French & Mrs J.P. [?]
Recd letter from M.B.S.
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Wednesday, February 18, 1863.
very wet rainy day
commenced last night
wrote to M.B.S.
" " Ella Johnson
Thursday 19
Rained all day yesterday & last night
wrote to S. Olds
Friday 20
cleared of today & is quite pleasant
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Saturday, February 21, 1863.
nice warm day
wrote to Nellie
Recd one from Nellie
" " A. J. Mitchell
" " John French
" " Henry do
Sunday 22
very stormy night wind & snowed all night & this forenoon
wrote to John French
" " Saml Mitchell
" " J. A. "
Monday 23
cleared of a little better
Ed Colburn died
wrote to J French
Recd letter from A.F. L. Allen
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Tuesday, February 24, 1863.
quite warm & pleasant
Edward Colburn died
wrote to Nellie
Wednesday 25
nice warm day
there was a grand review
Recd letter fr Nellie
" M.F.B.
wrote to H French
Thursday 26
nice weather
Colburn was buried
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Friday, February 27, 1863.
nice day
all quiet
Saturday 28
warm & pleasant
wrote to Nellie
" J. W. Johnson
Sunday, March 1
Pleasant day
Recd letter from Nellie
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Monday, March 2, 1863.
Pleasant day
Wrote to Nellie
Tuesday 3
very nice day
wrote to L.D.S.
Wednesday 4
pleasant day
Jas Stevens died
wrote to Aunt Phebe
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Thursday, March 5, 1863.
cold raw day
J.J. Stevens buried
C.M. Lovejoy died about 8 P.M.
T. S. Grant died
Friday 6
cold raw day
Recd letter from H French
Saturday 7
warm & little wet
Recd letters from Nellie
" " Ella J
Myra H. Mitchell
wrote to S.B. Wheeler
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Sunday, March 8, 1863.
pleasant day had a thunder shower
wrote to Nellie
J. C. Curier went home
Monday 9
warm & pleasant day
wrote to Myra H Mitchell
Recd letter from A.J.M.
Tuesday 10
wet rainy day rained all the time
went to Fortress Monroe
wrote to M.F.B.
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Wednesday, March 11, 1863.
quite pleasant day
Recd letter Nellie
J.W. Gilbert died
Recd 2 papers S.J.W.
Thursday 12
cold raw day
S Day went home
Paid for butter .35
Friday 13
cold raw day a part of this corps left the 3 Div
Recd letter from H French
wrote to Nellie, Susan
Mary Hattie Hildreth and Abbie Mitchell
Paid for apples .5
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Saturday, March 14, 1863.
warm pleasant day
Paid for envelopes .20
" " stamps .25
Paid for flour .30
Sunday 15
cold raw day
wrote to A.F. Spaulding
Monday 16
cold raw day
E. C. Niles died
wrote to E.F. Chapman
Recd one from Nellie
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Tuesday, March 17, 1863.
pleasant but cool
wrote to Nellie
Wednesday 18
cool but pleasant
wrote to AF Spaulding
Recd letter from Laura & Emily
helped fix up the boat for the dance went to dance in eve
Nellies birth day 20
Thursday 19
a very stormy day had rain & snow
wrote to Laura & Emily Leavitt
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Friday, March 20, 1863.
Snowed all night some four in of snow kept it up all day
Recd letter from Day & Nellie
Saturday 21
very wet forenoon it snowed all night some 12 in of snow cleared off before night
Recd letter from Nellie
L. H. Spaulding & S Bean 2
wrote to Day & Nellie
Sunday 22
very pleasant day the 1st Division or part left
Paid for Picture $1.00
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Monday, March 23, 1863.
Very warm & pleasant to day
wrote to Nellie & Ella Johnson
Web Huse & Jim Johnson came back
Sent Picture to Nellie
Tuesday 24
Warm pleasant day
Recd letters from S.J.W. Allice A. Mitchell, Nellie Emily Leavitt & Hattie J. Hildreth—the 27th M.B.S. Recd letter from M.B.S.
Wrote to L. H. Spaulding
Wednesday 25
warm & pleasant
Had orders to be ready to start early to morrow
wrote to M.B.S.
wrote to Suse the 30th
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Thursday, March 26, 1863.
quite pleasant day—broke camp early sent our things to the wharf. did not leave camp till about middle of afternoon staid at wharf till about dark & then went aboard the transport No 44 Left the wharf about ¼ to 10 P.M. very pleasant but cool night or eve—
Friday 27
Elias & I rested well last night nice pleasant morning had a good trip up the river got to Baltimore at about ½ past three. Went ashore at about dark went around town all the eve
wrote to Nellie the 28th
Saturday 28
Staid at a hotel all night
it rained in the morn. Went & had some pictures taken. did not get to the boat till the Regt had gone. went to the depot found George there went to Calvert Station & started from [?] 4:40
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Sunday, March 29, 1863.
arrived N York at 11-30 last eve had some coffee, arr at Harrisburgh 5 A.M. arr at Altoona at 12 M had coffee—had some at Mifflin at about 8 A.M. arrived at Pittsburgh at 11 I had a good supper changed cars next left Folsom next
Monday 30
Left Pittsburgh at 5 A.M. staid in the cars all night We found snow all the way after we left Baltimore passed Crestline at sun down. Columbia in the eve some time rode in passenger cars
Sent a letter S. J. Wheeler
Tuesday 31
arrived at Cincinnati at 7 A.M. Went two miles to the marker where got some breakfast then left for Covington Ky. just across the river Ohio Staid here till night in the Armory found a Mr B.C. True educated & born in N.H. Relative to the Trues in P
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Wednesday, April 1, 1863.
[succeeding dates overwritten]
staid last night in Covington over night at a Mr J. B. Sanders a very nice man. found a Dr Chas F. Thomas educated in Meriden & roomed at John Spauldings. Started for Paris about 10am. Passed some rather poor country coming through Falmouth & then come to the best land I ever seen came through Cynthiana at dusk arrived at Paris at about 8 P.M. Staid all night at hotel got supper & breakfast the boys staid in cars went into camp ½ mile from the city waited for teams surrounding town found tipp top folks got supper at a Mr Browns a minister staid in a carpenters shop Started on our march at 9 A.M. a motley lot of teams soon arrived at Mo, Middletown at 1 PM 12 miles came on one mile & rested an hour then came on almost to Mt Sterling got there about 8 PM 22ms the boys were all used up a good many did not come up
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Saturday, April 4, 1863.
Started again in the morning about 9½ went some three miles & went into camp where we now are the boys all tired out. it is two ms from the town of Mt Sterling
Sunday 5
very pleasant day went out around town & seen the country it is nice went to a farm house & got dinner about a mile from camp he would not take any thing for it—
Monday 6
cool day went down town with Dimick it was quite a place some days before it was burnt went into the cemetery owned by the Masons it is a nice one laid out beautiful & situated very pretty
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Tuesday, April 7, 1863.
Pleasant but cool Elias went out on Picket. We have a very fine camp ground in a piece of large growth wood land owned by Wm Tipton a Reb so said in fact they say they all are about here
Wednesday 8
Very pleasant but cool Capt M & self went out town to see if we could buy provisions but could not went some mile or two off around—had a fine walk have very cool days
Thursday 9
very warm & pleasant day went out to where the Capt was on picket toward Paris stoped at Mt Sterling awhile bot some things
got mail to day first since we left Baltimore
Recd letter from Lucia & M.F.B. dated March 24 & 27th
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Friday, April 10, 1863.
nice day summer like fixed up tent a little getting short of rations teams have not got up yet
wrote to Alice A Mitchell
sent paper to Nellie
Saturday 11
warm & pleasant day looks pleasant the peach trees are blowing out fixed bunk & tent got up a good one
rations came up to night but not our teams they came from Lexington
Sunday 12
cold raw day
went out & got some 6doz eggs 2 chickens & 2½# of butter at the tool gate stoped Mt Sterling & got some things Stewart went with me, Elias on guard
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Monday, April 13, 1863.
warm pleasant day
the trees are leaving out & the peach trees in blossom the grass as green as June
Tuesday 14
wet & lowry day the first we have had since we came here the 51st & 21st went out on a reconoisance last night at 12 they got back at 10 in the eve went to Sharpsburgh 12 miles to lot of horses & prisoners. Pay Rolls brot in to night
Wednesday 15
warm & pleasant day
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Thursday, April 16, 1863.
warm pleasant day
got paid for four months
Had orders to march at 12 to night
Recd 4 letters from Nellie
L. A. Davis F. R. Morgan & S. J. Miller
Friday 17
Started from Mt Sterling at ½ past 3 A.M.
had a very warm day marched to Winchester & staid at a hotel over night with Capt Morgan
Recd letter from M.B.S. & one from L A Leavitt
Sent letter to Nellie
Saturday 18
came into camp this morning at 10 oclock 2 miles from town have quite a pretty place to camp in
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Sunday, April 19, 1863.
wet lowry day
Dr. Chas. Chase of Cornish came into camp to day
wrote to Susan
Monday 20
warm & pleasant day
recd letter from Nellie
Tuesday 21
went down town
warm & pleasant
Recd letter from J A Mitchell
M.B.S. & Nellie
wrote to Nellie, Mary B.S.
John A Mitchell
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Wednesday, April 22, 1863.
rained hard last night warm day but wet
Thursday 23
cool day & night
wrote to Laura C Leavitt
Friday 24
a little warm
wrote to Nellie J Hildreth
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Saturday, April 25, 1863.
nice pleasant day
went down town took dinner at Dr Chases
Adjutant to cash 1.00
Recd letter from Myra H. M.
Sunday 26
warm pleasant day
took supper at Mr Grigsby
Recd paper from Miss Dorn
Sent paper to Louisa Dorn
Monday 27
warm & pleasant
wrote to Myra H. Mitchell
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Tuesday, April 28, 1863.
quite pleasant
recd letter from Nellie
Wednesday 29
wet lowry day went down town with the Capt to Dr Chases
Bot shoes for $3.25
Recd letter from A.M. Bryant
Thursday 30
nice pleasant day
wrote to Nellie, Emily, Lucia, F.R. Morgan
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Friday, May 1, 1863.
very nice pleasant day
grand review Arty
Saturday 2
warm & pleasant
Recd letter from Nellie
Sunday 3
May 3 1863 Recd $12.00 of Capt Morgan for J.C. Curier
wet & rainy day
wrote to Nellie & A.M.B.
W. C. Clough paper to Nellie
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Monday, May 4, 1863.
Capt Morgan started for Cincinatti. Started for Lexington at 9am. Rode in ambulance all the way got there at 3-40 it is 18 miles from Winchester by pike a nice country all the way. Went to the Sisters of Philippi Hospital where we found excellent accommodations had a heavy thunder shower Staid at Lexington all day next day went down to the city around. went to the Theatre in the eve Staid at the B. Way House all night
Kate Williams
Wednesday 6
Started from Lexington at 9 a.m. rained a little got to Nicholasville at 4 P.M. 12 miles. staid in a church all night
put a letter in office for Nellie
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Thursday, May 7, 1863.
Started from Nicholasville at 7.30am rained all day we crossed the Ky. R. passed camp Dick Robinson & Bryantsville arrived at Lancaster at 5 P.M. stop at the (Buford House) Hospital it is a small town. the scenery was beautiful all the way saw the first soft wood trees since came to Ky
Friday 8
wet damp day worked & helped put up bunks for Hospital worked hard this afternoon cleared off toward night
Heard that Harker was defeated & Genl Stonemans Cavalry were all taken prisnor
Saturday 9
very comfortable day worked on bunks for Hospital
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Sunday, May 10, 1863.
warm & pleasant day the Regt came back
Recd letter from Nellie & Ella
wrote to Nellie paper S.F.B.
Monday 11
warm as June worked about Hospital
Elias & Stewart came in the eve
got two papers from S.F.B. & programe
Tuesday 12
beautiful weather warm
Set up with the man with broken leg last night
worked in kitchen at the Hospital
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Wednesday, May 13, 1863.
warm pleasant day
Set up in Hospital
Worked in kitchen
Thursday 14
little cooler today
Recd letter from Nellie
Emily, Laura, Mary & Susan
Paper from Miss Dorn
wrote to Nellie & Ella J
sent papers to Miss Dorn & Nellie
Friday 15
warm & pleasant day
wrote to S.J.W. & L.C.L.
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Saturday, May 16, 1863.
nice weather every thing looks nice
wrote to M.B. Spaulding
Sunday 17
comfortable weather
Elias & Stewart came down
Stewart started for home
Smith & Kendrick
Recd letters from M.F.B. & A.F.S.
Capt C.G.M. & Nellie
wrote to Nellie M.F.B. & N.M.W.
Monday 18
warm & nice
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Tuesday, May 19, 1863.
warm & pleasant
Lieut Dimick came down
Recd letters from Ella & S.B.W.
wrote to Em Leavitt
paper to S.F.B.
Wednesday 20
warm day and pleasant
wrote to W.H. Bryant
Thursday 21
Warmest day we have had yet
Recd letter from Nellie
wrote to Capt Morgan
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1863 Friday, May 22, 1863. 1863
warm day
did not see any of the boys
Saturday 23
very warm & dry
the Regt & Div moved today for Crab Orchard
Pettys to cash $1.00
Recd letters from Nellie & Hattie J. Hildreth
Sunday 24
warm & pleasant day
wrote Nellie & Arthur
sent papers to Emily Leavitt, Nellie, M.B. Wheeler S.F. Bryant
Lt Whidden Paid $10.00
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Monday, May 25, 1863.
very warm day & pleasant
wrote Ella Johnson
Tuesday 26
warm & dry very dusty
Whidden to cash $5.00
wrote to B.W. Potter
papers to M.B.S. & S.F.B.
Wednesday 27
very warm day
Recd letters from H French Myra Mitchell paper from L Dorn
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Thursday, May 28, 1863.
very warm day
carried the sick from the other Hospital
wrote to H French
Myra H Mitchell
Friday 29
warm pleasant day
looked like rain at night
Saturday 30
Rainy day 1 Regt went home 31 Ky
Recd letter from Nellie
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Sunday, May 31, 1863.
Pleasant but raining had some nice showers
wrote to Nellie Paper S.J.W.
L. Dorn
Monday, June 1
cool & pleasant had a nice rain last night
Recd letter from J.C. Currier
Tuesday 2
pleasant but cool it has rained some
Whidden to cash $10.00
wrote to J.C. Currier
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Wednesday, June 3, 1863.
warm day got a meal of strawberries at a place where the house was burnt
went to Jude Lusks
the Regt past Lancaster at ½ past 10 to night
Sent Elias French $5.00
Thursday 4
Had orders to leave here at 7 oclock did not get them till sunrise started at 9 oclock came to Nicholasville & [?] then came to Lexington 35 miles took the patients to the Hospital & then came to the convalesent camp & staid all night
Friday 5
Left the campat 10am went to the cemetery looked it over it is a beautiful place
took the cars at 4 P.M. for Covington got there at 12 P.M. staid till morning
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Saturday, June 6, 1863.
staid with 9 N.H. in the cars last night turned out at 3 oclock at Covington got breakfast crossed the Ohio into Cinat 7 staid till 9 took the A & M R.R. went due west crossed the White River several times
Sunday 7
staid at Loogootee last night came on with the 20 Mich stoped at Vinceness got breakfast crossed the Wabash river into Ill saw some nice large prairies changed cars at Sandoval went to Centralia & then got something to eat very pretty place
wrote to Susan & Nellie
Monday 8
staid at Boquoin Ill all night Went into a coal mine had a grand view took the cars at 10 oclock caught up with the Regt at Cairo at night came down the river apiece and laid too all night on accross getting stuck on a bar
Recd letter from M.B.S. & Ella
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Tuesday, June 9, 1863.
Started early took in wood on the way went ashore in to Missouri very heavy wooded all the way came past Island No 10 in the morn laid too early had a heavy thunder shower in the eve vary hard one
Wednesday 10
very comfortable day got stuck in the forenoon on a bar got off by the aid of a boat had a very pleasant trip got into Memphis about night it was quite a fleet 11 vessels
Thursday 11
Staid at Memphis all day went all over the city it is much larger place than expected there is some splendid blocks & stores
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Friday, June 12, 1863.
Started early came fast all day laid too all night did not see many houses came up with the gun boats at night stoped at Helena Ark at Napoleon
Saturday 13
there are gun boats with us came very slow all day passed lake Providence & some nice plantations met several boats coming up the river. it has been very hot all day the gun boats left us at night
Sunday 14
got at the mouth of the Yazo at about 9 A.M. went about one mile & landed at Youngs Point found quite a settlement of negroes it is four miles of Vicksburgh in sight of it they fired all day & night from the mortar boats
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Monday, June 15, 1863.
struck tents at 4 A.M. & started for some where went four miles through the woods & over crossroads & then took a boat & crossed to Warrenton La & then came back & came to Youngs Point again 8m foot & ten on boat had a hard one got in at 9.30 PM took musket
wrote to Emily Leavitt
Tuesday 16
Had orders to move went on board the S. Boat Ama[?] & went up the Yazo to where the Rebs occupied 4 weeks ago had an awful shower went 15m Staid on boat all night got near through
very warm to hot to live
Wednesday 17
Left the boat early Cos A & H unloaded it marched 5 miles & went to camp in the hills it is a rough place picked blackberries, plums wild ones magnolias grow profusely our folks took this place four weeks ago
wrote to Nellie
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Thursday, June 18, 1863.
Sick in forenoon. very hot day this is the most picturesque place we have been in the large trees covered with vines & moss. The hills & ravines & all go to make it wild & beautiful went up on the hill towards Haines Bluff
Friday 19
very warm day a little mail came in at night one went out in the morn nothing going on to day
Sent the paper boy M. Burns $10.00
" Jas H Fox $1.00
Saturday 20
very heavy firing all last night & this forenoon
wrote to L. D. Spaulding
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Sunday, June 21, 1863.
very warm day it was hot did not go out any it was so warm
Monday 22
They began work on the fortifications on the hill near our camp
wrote Ella Johnson
Tuesday 23
we worked on the trenches
very hot day
got newspaper first time since we came Mississippi moved camp after we got done work in the rain Laid in the water all night
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Wednesday, June 24, 1863.
worked on the tent fixed up a good one went most over to the landing heard that Port Hudson had surrendered—
Thursday 25
worked on the fortifications again very hot day heavy firing at Vicksbg all last night & today
Friday 26
very warm day laid in camp all day they worked on the fortifications all day back of camp
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Saturday, June 27, 1863.
went out on a three days fatigue on the roads
8 from Co H
very warm
Sunday 28
worked on roads all day very warm weather
Monday 29
worked on road
hot, hotter, hottest,
the Regt left old camp
———————————————————
Tuesday, June 30, 1863.
at work on road yet
Wednesday July 1
work on road yet
very hot & dry
Thursday 2
worked on road in forenoon came to camp in afternoon the other boys went to old camp
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Friday, July 3, 1863.
Staid in camp went & confiscated some beer three miles off
very warm day
Saturday 4
Recd mail the first since we came to Miss one from N.M.W., S.B.W. Ella Collins Myra, Alice, W.H.B., M.F.B., A.J.M. & 3 from Nellie
Had to march toward the Blackwater heard that Vicksburgh had Sur on the way came some 4 ms & camped in a cornfield
Sunday 5
Started early came some 3 miles and camped in the woods very dusty that did not seem much like Sunday
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Monday, July 6, 1863.
very warm day laid in camp all day had a nice thunder shower the first we have had since we came here expected to march all day
Laid on our arms
Recd letter from M.B.S.
Wrote to Nellie & N.M.W. M.H.M.
Tuesday 7
Had orders to be ready to move at any time laid till afternoon & started it was very hot & dusty good many fell out by heat on the way we had the hardest rain I ever saw laid out in the rain all night never saw so bad a time before crossed the Big Black this forenoon.
Wednesday 8
Laid in camp till 5 P.M. & marched till half past 2 the morning laid on our arms we had a very hard march good many fell out
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Thursday, July 9, 1863.
started early had a very hard march passed the R.R. at Canton the Rebs were just ahead of us & have been all the way from the Big Black
Friday 10
to day skirmished along all day & came in sight of the Insane Assylum & came up near it & slept on our arms all night in the open field the boys pretty well tired out
came for 10 ms today
Saturday 11
Marched some 8 or 10 ms skirmished all day saw where the reb cavalry & ours had skirmished along for miles saw some dead rebels by the way
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Sunday, July 12, 1863.
went on picket on the extreme left with the 51st N.Y. rather warm firing on our right 7 of our boys wounded & 1 killed
Monday 13
got relieved by the 9th N.H. this morning been on 24 hours without sleep laid with the 51st N.Y. till noon & then went to the Regt. Hard firing all day we got one volley into us no one hurt
Tuesday 14
got relieved this morning from up in front have been on 3 days & nights in front of the Rebs the balls whistling over our heads after moved some 2 miles down to the right to get out of range of the Rebs
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Wednesday, July 15, 1863.
staid in the woods all night we had 2 guns that fired every five minutes all night they did not reply much not much firing during the day
went to the Surgeons the first time
Recd letter from J.C. Curier
Thursday 16
Regt went out on duty at 2 oclock I was sick & staid in camp some pretty sharp firing during the day the Rebs put two shell through the I. Asylum some came near us 3 of our Regt wounded while supporting the picket
Friday 17
the Rebs left Jackson last night our Regt went in this morning took the city 11th the first in
35 Mass put the colors on the State House the Regt came back to camp to to night it rained a little in the eve
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Saturday, July 18, 1863.
Staid in camp all day nothing going on the boys all tired out
Wrote to Nellie, Capt Morgan, M.B.S.
Sunday 19
Laid in camp all day had orders to be ready to march at 3 A.M. tomorrow morn
Monday 20
called up at 2 A.M. got ready to march at 4 got away at 5 marched till 10am rested till 4 P.M. & marched till 11 P.M. 22 miles & the hardest march we have had camped in an open field
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Tuesday, July 21, 1863.
Started at 4 A.M. & marched till 10 stoped till 3 P.M. marched till 7 come 18 miles the boys fell out sun struck & died camped in corn field
Wednesday 22
moved from corn field to woods in morn got ready to march at 4 got to Big Black & had an awful shower got wet through came some 4 miles & staid over night in a shed
23d Recd letters from L.D.S. L.A.D.
Thursday 23
started at 4 travailed some 3ms & got my breakfast got to Snyders Bluff at 1 P.M. had a shower on the way came 16 miles we have had some hard marches & no salt meat since we left the 4th of July we march far and hard had a nice shower to day
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Friday, July 24, 1863.
Very warm day staid in camp all day was sick did not go out of camp only to wash got orders to be ready to march at short notice with 3 days rations in haversacks & 7 on the teams
went to Surgeon
Saturday 25
Laid in camp all day
Drew clothing pants, blouses
one shirt 2 pr socks
very warm day
Recd letter from M.B.S.
went to Surgeon
Sunday 26
Laid in camp all day warm in forenoon had an awful hard thunder shower in afternoon it was very hard they have the hardest here we ever saw rain
wrote to A.J.M. E.F.S & S.J.W.
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Monday, July 27, 1863.
Had a thunder shower last night very hard one too Detailed to fix up Lt tents Had a pleasant day every thing quiet in camp Orders read on dress parade comendatory of our good behavior &c at Jackson & while here from Sherman
wrote to W.H.B.
Tuesday 28
Had the hardest thunder shower of the season got wet through & washed out of the tent
wrote to L.C. Leavitt
Wednesday 29
Laid in camp all day nothing new
wrote to S.B.W. A.A.M. M.F.B.
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Thursday, July 30, 1863.
Laid in camp in forenoon in afternoon was detailed in Hospital went to cooking
Friday 31
In Hospital very warm
45 sick & wounded
Saturday, August 1
very warm had a very hard thunder shower
Recd 2 letters from Nellie
1 from Emily 1 from Laura
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Sunday, August 2, 1863.
at Hospital the sick men sent off today
Had a thunder shower
Monday 3
at Hospital no sick men
Had chill sick all day
Tuesday 4
went to Co sick
had chill
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Wednesday, August 5, 1863.
sick had another chill
Thursday 6
went aboard the Steamer Planet for Cairo 5 Regts on board & all the sick we were abused had nothing to eat
Friday 7
on board the P—oh how we sufferd in a little hole not fit to keep pigs in
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Saturday, August 8, 1863.
was awfull sick had such a fever eating me up I did seem as though I could it was so stifled
Sunday 9
got to Memphis
Elias got me some little things found Lt Dimick here he got me some porridge
Monday 10
started up the river again all crowded full sick & homesick no care or any thing to eat
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Tuesday, August 11, 1863.
on our way to Cairo I did not sit up a a minute on the way
Wednesday 12
on the the river yet
sick & tired out
Thursday 13
arrived at Cairo sick
went on board the S. R. Freestone for Cincinnati & started up the river the Regt by cars we did have any better care than on the other boat they died like sheep
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Friday, August 14, 1863.
I was close to the boilers where it was very hot with my fever & the noise of the boats machinery was awful
Recd letter from M.B.W. Nellie & Ella J
Saturday 15
all tired out no Drs to take any care of us they are drunk & dont care I was very sick all day & night—
arrived at Louisville at about 10 PM
Sunday 16
sent for the boys Day & Henry they succeeded by the help of Col Mundy, the Surgeon Genl & Genl Doyle of getting me of the boat me & Warren Howe & some others we came to Barracks No 1 got us our place
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Monday, August 17, 1863.
at Hospital at Barracks No 1 the says it will be some time before I get well got the swamp or malarious fever
Tuesday 18
nothing new
wrote to Elias
Wednesday 19
doing as well as could expect
wrote to Nellie & Arthur
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Thursday, August 20, 1863.
all quiet took a bath got hair cut 50 Bot hat $2.00 Hakf 80 Suspenders 75—$3.05 Bot another Hdkf 1.00—$4.05
Friday 21
getting along nice
Saturday 22
same
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Sunday, August 23, 1863.
gained some considerable in a week more than I expected to
Monday 24
all quiet at Hospital Barracks No 1
wrote to M.B.W.
Tuesday 25
Recd letters from A.F.S. G.D.F. Capt C.G.M.
M.H.M. & A.J.M. Nellie 2
Miss Rogers
wrote S.J.W.
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Wednesday, August 26, 1863.
Recd letter from Nellie & S.B.W.
Wrote to S.B.W. & Nellie
paid for milk 53 cts peaches &c 50
Thursday 27
Friday 28
cold raw day
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Saturday, August 29, 1863.
walked out to market
Warren & I cool raw day
wrote to Capt Morgan
Sunday 30
cold raw day, beat all how cold
wrote to Nellie
Recd letter from Nellie
Monday 31
Left Louisville at 12 M
Jeffersonville Ind at 3 PM
arr at Indianapolis at 8 PM
108 miles Staid at Spencer House 70 cts
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Tuesday, September 1, 1863.
started at 5am for Crestline changed cars there for Cleaveland got breakfast at Franklin—supper at Cleaveland changed cars at Buffalo at 9.30 P.M. Arr at Erie 7 P.M.
Wednesday 2
arr at Albany at 9 A.M.
Thursday 3
J. W. Johnson cr by cash $25.00
To L. Day Dr to fare at Quincy House $1.50 ticket to Enfield $2.68 = $4.18
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Friday, September 4, 1863.
Saturday 5
Sunday 6
J. W. Johnson cr by cash $28.00
by 1 pr Boots $8.00
cash the 3d $25.00
The amt of allotment $61.00
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Monday, September 7, 1863.
Paid for vest $4.00
at Enfield
Tuesday 8
came to Lebanon at noon went to circus came to Meriden at night in stage
Paid 1.25
Wednseday 9
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Thursday, September 10, 1863.
Friday 11
Went down to Uncle Leavitts
Saturday 12
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Sunday, September 13, 1863.
staid at Jas Beans last night Mary & Nellie Miller were there
Monday 14
staid at A Beans last night came out to Meriden staid at Arthurs went to L Bryant
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Friday, September 25, 1863.
Started for Ky fare to Concord 1.00 to Nashua 80 to S.J. 60 to F. 46 $2.86
DATABASE CONTENT
| (14991) | DL0218.002 Diary | Diaries | 1863 |
Tags: Alcohol, Artillery, Burials, Camp/Lodging, Cavalry, Clothing, Death (Military), Fighting, Food, Fortifications, Hospitals, Hygiene, Illnesses, Injuries, Mail, Marching, Money, Newspapers, Photographs, Picket Duty, Planters/Plantations, Railroads, Recreation, Rivers, Rumors, Ships/Boats, Siege of Vicksburg, Supplies, Weather, William T. Sherman
People - Records: 1
- (2591) [writer] ~ Wheeler, Nathaniel S.
SOURCES
Nathaniel S. Wheeler Diary, 1863, DL0218.002 Diary, Nau Collection
