March 20, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     20-Thursday

     The long looked for Mississippi has at last arrived. and has on board Major Gen’l Butler and a portion of his staff 
     Harry Wigel came on shore and run us while we were on drill this morning was very glad to see him. now we shall soon know who are to be the Officers of the Mass 30th Capt & I have some notion of going home at any rate luck do not know fully as yet. Col Dudley was on shore and looked the Regiment over a little at dress parade but was not introduced to us. will be tomorrow

     Col French tells us that he will appear as our immediate Commander no more. he thanked the present officers very kindly for their attention to his orders while he has been in command and seemed to feel very bad to think some one was to fill his and some of our places.

     The Mississippi has [---] Captain and mate in [---]. for [---] her on shore it seems they run her on shore 3 times on her trip. then the vessel was put into the hands of a sailing mas-ter who brought her into port.

     The Western Bay State Regiment is on board and a fourth of the N.H. 8th cannot land them to day on account of the rough state of weather.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:

Diary:

     Thursday, March 20, 1862.
     We had a hard blow last night
     And a cold morning.  i had to go on
     Board the Lewis and go on fatigue
     Duty unloading the Ship and ??????
     1 Coming up to ??? had to stay all
     Night.  the steamer Missisippi
     Come in this morn with Butler
     And Staff on board and some
     Other troops for the army.