January 21, 1861

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:
     January 21-Tuesday
     Storm this morning does not seem to have abated any. everybody is sick and cross. we have our encamp-ment staked out and have made some vain endeavors to strike it or pitch it I should say. but this morning it is no easy kind of a job for it is nothing but sand and very deep and we find some difficulty in making pins hold at all. Charly was up a few minutes this morning, looking same as ever good natured and easy.
     The Officers went on board Con-stitution for our dinners but it is more than they are worth at least to me to go after them and I think I shall live here on company rations rather walk so far through the sand for them for it is very tiresome and what is good enough for the men is good enough for me.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:
     Tuesday 21
     All clear again.  what a look-
     ing lot everything mixed
     Up in confussion.  we have
     Got all right at least There is
     A large lot of negroes here who
     Once were slaves there is some
     Smart wide awake ones and some
     Regular drones among them
     There is a chance to buy cake pies
     Sweet potatoes and other things