Alphabet File page 324

Enjoyed ourselves very much and promise to repeat the above. The new iron clad "Ram" came in at night from the basin. The "Sykes," a new steamer from New York, came in from New

 

Orleans via the River. There is a prospect of her being purchased or chartered and put regularly on the route. She is a witch to go making sixteen knots in smooth water - and draws but about four feet and has patent paddles which offer no resistance in leaving the water.

 

October 21, 1862 - Tuesday

 

Dr. Bates, Quarter Master, Lieut. Wetherell and Sergt. Jones went to New Orleans in the "Dearianee"(?).

 

October 22, 1862 - Wednesday

 

"St. Marys" came in from Pensacola in the early morning. Lt. Col Hesseltine left in her for Fort Jackson and St. Phillip. I gave him a letter to Col. Gooding asking for a command for him.

 

"Sykes" came in from Pensacola. Had Capt. Sheply on board of the Regular Army Quartermaster Department. Called on him on board this boat and took a glass of wine.

 

In the afternoon went to ride up the Island with Capt. Johnson of the "Tennessee," Lieut. Comdr Cook of "Pinola", and Capt. Muton of "Relief."

 

October 23, 1862 - Thursday

 

Went to ride with Capt.  Manton and Dr. Wells of the "Tennessee."

 

Went again to sleep on the "Relief" for another excursion to Cat Island. Dr. Wells did the same.

 

October 24, 1862 - Friday

 

Started 15 minutes before 4 a.m. for Cat Island in the Captain's Gig with a stiff breeze blowing N.N.E. Made so good headway that in three quarters of an hour, before we were aware of it, found ourselves in the breakers off Raccoon Spit. Came near being capsized. Remembered it was Friday and thought the sailors would be faint hearted.

 

Coasted along the line of breakers under we found water enough to cross the spit and put before the wind and ran down to the North shore, found birds scarce as the wind had blown them to the lee shore where mosquitoes made it intolerable. Went to west end and back taking dinner and breakfast nearly as before and got plenty of oysters.

 

The "Sykes" passed us dearly in the morning going to Ship Island. We supposed she would wait, but she returned immediately. She brought down for Capt. Munton to report at New Orleans at once so his executive officer sent over the "Vincennes" launch, but as she did not bring his papers he had to go back to ship.

 

We were glad of the launch. The wind was so high and the water so rough we took the gig in tow and beat back to the anchorage making Biloxi Light and losing for a time that on Ship Island and reached the "Relief" about eleven P.M. Sergt. Jones came back in the "Sykes" and took ten sick men to New Orleans for discharge including Mr. Cone.

 

October 25, 1862 - Saturday

 

Norther came on this afternoon, the heaviest of the season. The thermometer fell almost at once thirty-eight degrees, making it shivering cold.

 

Almost every vessel in the harbor are dragging their anchors and there is danger that the "Monitor" and "Mountain" will be beached unless the wind abides.

 

October 26, 1862 - Sunday

 

Wind blew heavily all night and today found the "Mountain Eagle" upon the beach and the surf making a clean breach over her having torn off by the force of the waves the copper from her weather bow.

 

The "Xenophon" has dragged almost to the shore; the "Monitor" is pounding her stern upon the beach; the "Genl Berry" parted one cable and dragged in the channel nearly abreast the wharf. The "Monitor" (?) tho' nearer will ride safely. Capt. Manton came in this afternoon. His boat was the only one venturing out of endeavoring to get away from the surf. His boat filled and he and his men got thoroughly wet. I sent his men to the barracks for supper and lodging, and gave him dry clothes, a fire, and a bed in the Quarter Masters.

 

October 27, 1862 -Monday

 

Capt. Manton got off to his ship this morning. The Norther has abated somewhat.

 

The "Rhode Island" touched in here this morning on her way North, to leave dispatches, and put immediately to sea. Mr. Cosgriff, Master in our Machine Shop, lost his passage home as she did not wait for him to get on board.

 

Have been re-laying my office floor to stop the cracks.

 

 "Sykes" came in about 8 P.M. bringing Dr. Bates, Quarter Master Lieut. Wetherell, and Lieut. Jones, Dr. Blake of the Sanitary Commission, Capt. Knight of the 12th Madine (after stoves) and G.C. Sanmforn, U.P. Dro. Marshall, N.O., also three prisoners and provisions for the Island.

 

"Tennessee" went to Pensacola.

 

October 28, 1862 - Tuesday

 

Mr. Sanforn has been taking daguerreotypes of his wrecked prizes.

 

I have been very busy all day writing answers to my dispatches, and entertaining company.  Also battened the cracks in the walls of my building. Had for Company Capts. Madigan, Woodworth and Manton with other officers (Navy) besides those who came from New Orleans.

 

Went to ride with Capt. Manton and took dinner with him on his ship with Mr. Sanborn.

 

October 29, 1862 - Wednesday

 

"Sykes" came in the early morning. She took to New Orleans Quarter Master Blossom, Capt. Ring, Dr. Blake and Marshall Sanborn.

 

Got my stove given me by Mr. Cosgriff in operation and like it much.

 

October 30, 1862 - Thursday

 

"Tennessee" came in from Pensacola. Brought Lieut. Matthews, 6th New York Volunteers (Billy  Wilson's) and A.D.C. on Genl Dow's Staff.

 

October 31, 1862 - Friday

 

"Sykes" came in from New Orleans. Brought in the balance of our provisions but no mail or important news. Left in a half hour for Pensacola.

 

Mustered the troops for payment. C & F (Companies) looked exceedingly well. Their muskets were superb.

 

November 1, 1862 - Saturday

 

Have been very busy all day making returns and reports.

 

The "Sykes" returned from Pensacola about 10 P.M.  Would not stop but for a minute or come to the wharf so I hurried off my returns, letters, etc. in a boat in charge of Sergt. Michelson, about 20 fort hands and Lieut. Mathews took passage.

 

November 2, 1862 - Sunday

 

It is a rainy, stormy day.

 

The "Mountain Eagle" after a week's hard work this morning succeeded in getting afloat but came near taking away the end of Palfrey's (Engineer) Wharf and again going ashore as she swung round. She is not yet out of danger unless she can warp out to a good anchorage.

 

The wind is again in North West and a heavy  sea is running.

 

November 3, 1862 - Monday

 

It has cleared off bright and warm.

 

Issued clothing to Prisoners. Have been busy making special Genl Hodsden (?), and looking over subsistence accounts. Went to ride in afternoon and saw three ______ and terns.

 

November 4, 1862 -  Tuesday

 

"Sykes" came in about two o'clock A.M. on her way to Pensacola. Did not see her. She brought Sergt. Riordon and a prisoner besides a negro who was a body servant of Col. Andrews of the Confederates taken prisoner by Genl Weitzel's forces.

 

Wrote to Gov. Washburn today about vacancies.

 

I had no letters from home but papers to 22nd Oct. No news of importance. It is discouraging.

 

Fidel Keller is released from confinement.

 

Had a letter from Capt. Hunton.