Alphabet File page 325
November 5, 1862 - Wednesday
"Sykes" came in from Pensacola and went to New Orleans. Lieut. Barney went up in her.
November 6, 1862 - Thursday
A Norther commenced blowing last night about eleven. Carried away about 25 feet of the Wharf and Mr. Cosgriff's best shanty, some part of the Machinery of the "Pembina" which he brought from Pensacola to repair. Have been busy all day securing timbers and drift wood.
The "Xenophon" is ashore and the sea breaking over her near the Light House.
November 7, 1862 - Friday
Weather has abated. No boat. Went on board the "Xenophon." She is not damaged yet but has lost her anchor and most of her cable.
November 8, 1862 - Saturday
"Sykes" came in about 3 A.M. bringing the Paymaster and Lieut. Finigan of the Secret Service Corps.
Have been busy paying off. Were paid up to 31st August. Took Paymaster to ride the Island and to a Nigger dance in the evening.
November 9, 1862 - Sunday
Went to Nigger Meeting after noon.
"Sykes" came in the evening and carried Paymaster to New Orleans with Lieut. Finnigan, Capt. March and Quarter Master.
November 10, 1861 - Monday
Went to ride today with Capt. Madigan up the Island. Had a pleasant time.
November 11, 1862 - Tuesday
Boat came back from New Orleans in morning. Brought Paymaster, two Prisoners and some tobacco, a present from W.P.M. Sanborn.
Sent Genl Dow and Capt. Speeds horses to Pensacola in charge of Otis.
The "Florida" - Light House Tender - came in. Dr. Bonzano brought returns from Fort St. Phillip and a letter from Doc.
November 12, 1862 - Wednesday
"Sykes came back at night from Pensacola. Took Quarter Masters (Campbell and Mally), Prisoners, Maj. Wheelburrows and stores to New Orleans.
Sent returns to Genl Hodsden and a check for $500 to Mr. Burrill for a note in my hand.
November 13, 1862 - Thursday
Dull and cloudy. Wind North East. Atmosphere blue and dispiriting. Feel really the most blue I have in a long time.
November 14, 1862 - Friday
"Sykes" has come in this morning and went to Pensacola. Brought no mail of any amount but Northern papers to Nov. 1st.
November 15, 1862 - Saturday
Wind S.E. by E., water high.
Went up into Light House today. Dr. Bonzano has just got the Light in order. It is a beautiful 'Nissy,' facional lens, 4th order. Was much interested in examining it.
"Sykes" came back about 1 p.m. Brought Otis and Beal. Horses got to Pensacola safely.
November 16, 1862 - Sunday
Dull day with the exception of the regular inspections nothing doing.
November 17, 1862 - Monday
With the exception of inspection, same as yesterday.
No boat. "Tennessee" came from New Orleans and went Tuesday to Pensacola. No news.
The "Trojan," supply schooner from the North, came in last night. Brought some apples and potatoes.
November 18, 1862 - Tuesday
A repetition of the dullness of yesterday.
Mr. Merrill's sutler's 26 horses came is today.
November 19, 1862 - Wednesday
The "Sykes" came in from New Orleans. No mail from the world. Brought Quarter Master, Capt. Manton and a Mrs. Schell who had passes from Com. Farragut and Gen. Butler to go to Pass Christian.
Capt. Weaver of the "Winona" agreed, with Capt. Madigan's sanction, to go over in early morning and take away from the Pass Mrs. Schells's property and niece, but afterward concluded he could not do it consistently with his instructions.
I received by the "Sykes" a barrel of oranges and sweet potatoes from Col. Hesseltine in good order. Also a barrel of oranges from Maj. Grover not one of which had been rotten and spoiled.
November 20, 1862 - Thursday
Wind blowing all day.
Made a survey of the Burk (?) exception (?) and shall send report to New Orleans next boat.
November 21, 1862 - Friday
The "Sykes" came in last night but would make no stop though Quartermaster Manegerd to get on board, also Brickey, a released prisoner, but Mrs. Schell, an officer of the "Richmond," several parties having passes and the dispatches of the Engineer Dept. got left.
Went up the Island in the Ambulance with Capt. Manton shooting but no game. Have never seen the Island bare of life.
November 22, 1862 - Saturday
A fine pleasant day.
"Jackson" came in to having been relieved by the "Hatteras" who went here yesterday up the Sound.
The "Sykes" came from New Orleans bringing the Quartermaster. He had the (been) long looked for and heretofore missing. There is some mystery about it as no mails arrived from the North for two weeks.
Dr. Bates got 10 letters from his wife out of proportion except myself, who got only one and that from Cousin Mary David or Daniel.
I got commissions, however, for Officers in Companies D, F, G, I and K -- 12 in all.
Have been busy all day writing letters to Gov. Washburn, Genl Hadsden, Maj. Grover, Col. Hesseltine, and making out return reports, etc.
November 23, 1862 - Sunday
A warm pleasant day. Nothing of interest has occurred. "Sykes" came back from Pensacola training bringing Beal. Shall go aboard the "Relief" to sleep.
Having had orders to issue rations (except in quantities to keep from starving) to such contrabands as were not employed by the Quarter Masters - about fifty-five whites and contrabands - to be transported to New Orleans.
November 24, 1862 - Monday
Started at 5 A.M. with Capt. Manton in the "Vincennes" launch for Cat Island. Spent the day pleasantly but had poor luck.
November 25, 1862 - Tuesday
Took dinner on the "Relief." The "Sykes" went again to Pensacola. Capt. March came back in her.
November 26, 1862 - Wednesday
Went again to Cat Island but could not retrieve our fortunes. The wind blue hard in the night and the birds had left the Island.
We left about 4 A.M. in the Captain's gig. There was considerable sea but the wind was fairly strong. We carried away our Main mast and went under foresail in an hour. Had a great ride back and enjoyed our ride much.
As tomorrow will be Thanksgiving Day in New England, I had an invitation to dine with the Naval officers on board the "Jackson."
November 27, 1862 - Thursday
The Nassau came in this morning with part of the Companies of the 8th Vermont, some prisoners and paroled, and having nothing but military were ordered to report in formation for food until they could be housed.
I have put them in the old flour shed for barrack.
It being Thanksgiving Day in New England we tried to do it honor. I dined, in company with Capts. Madigan and Manton, with Cap. Adams on board the "Jackson." Got through dinner very pleasantly by 7 p.m. Then went on board the "New England" and spent an hour with Capt. and Mrs. Edge (the belle of Ship Island) when Capt. Manton came with me ashore and played a game of Dominoes. Beat him three consecutive games notwithstanding he is the best player I have met.
Our bill of fare was excellent: soup, fish, goose, pig, duck, pheasant, pastry, fruit, claret, nuts, etc. etc.