May 27, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     May 27-Tuesday

     Another warm day, unfavorable for business.

     Not much doing to day. Capt. Clark and Lieut Johnson arrived and brought me 4 or 5 letters. also one for John which I must send to the Hospital. Capt Shipey also got a few letters and papers. they report that Emerson and Prince have recieved commissions and started some time before they did from home, with commissions for our Officers, who have been fortunate enough to receive them, and I hear Capt Whit and myself are among the number. I would like to see the document for I am heartily sick of hearing about them.

     My wife writes she has moved into her new store and is doing well. this is good news, all are well, how I would like to see my home, wife, and many other things and persons there, but no I must not think of it, my work lays in another direction. and upward an onward must be my motto. go ahead when this Rebellion is suppressed then Will I go home and settle down once more in civil life. and live like a man again.

     Capt Shipley and Lieut of Vermont 8th Whitcomb & myself went out to the Lake to night. Capt had not been out and wanted us to go with him to show him round. we went into the Pistol Gallery and had a few shots. I came out victor and Capt had to pay the bill. we met Capt Crowley, Lt. Gardiner, Lt. Norcross and nearly all of Gen Butlers staff out there, had a very good time.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:

Diary:

      Tuesday 27
     Fine morn.  the boat steam up.  at 1 Ock
     We started with a guide about 5 1/2 miles
     Across lots[?] after another boat but the
     Men had moved her father up the
     River.  we took a mail rider & a rebel
     Spy.  he informed the rebels we were
     After the boats.  we took a flat boat
     And some canoes & came down the river
     To the steamer up[?] & sound.  the mail
     Had some important letters in it

May 17, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     May 17-Saturday

     The 8th Vermont Regiment arrived to day from Ship Island and are Quartered close by the Provost Office just around the corner in the rear of us.

     Took an order this morning to go to 7 different places and search for contraband of war. Whitcomb and I jumped into our Hack and commenced our search. one place had been used for recruiting Office for a Light Battery but was boarded up one of their bills were on the door. Got the key and went in found nothing. another was for some tents said to have been moved into a building on Camp St. went there and found nothing the number given me is a vacant lot of land no building on it except a shed. We then visited the other places and met with like success everything had been moved away, and no doubt in many instances never was anything in the places— but men having any emnity against another give such information to injure persons who are really innocent.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:
      Saturday 17
     Another fine day.  the guard took
     13 rebel prisoners yesterday morn
     They were all armed some with knuckles
     Hung Shot. Rifles Pistols &c.  they had
     Some of our coats and other things with
     Them.  the officer of the day seized a
     Large lot of arms this AM.  the P Marshal
     Seized an immense lot of rebel stores
     Of all kinds this PM. all right.

April 8, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     April 8-Tuesday

     Still very windy and cold a severe change in the weather.

     Batt drill this morning in the firings it is almost remarkable how this Regiments improves under Col Dudley. it is as well drilled as a Regiment I have ever seen. Col Dudley says it is one of the best Volunteer Regiments he ever saw. and is very proud of it.

     The Hatteras came in this morn with Gen. Butler from the South and pass. an attack is to be made on Friday morning on the Forts by the Fleet. and then is no doubt that it will be successful. with such a force it would be impossible to fail. Jane would say if she was here that Friday was an unlucky day. time will tell if it proves so in this care. I hope not.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:

Diary:

      Tuesday 8
     Rather Windy.  the Vermont
     7 & 8th landed yesterday.
     There is  a camp report that
     Our Brigade is to go to Washington
     Soon there has 4 Steamers[?] & 2 Gun
     Boats arrived to day.  there was no
     Drill to day on account of the
     Weather.  the saxon got back this
     PM.  I see george ????? of andover.

April 7, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     April 7-Monday

     Weather very warm as usual.

     My turn on Police or Regimental gaurd to day. Had a Batt drill this morning on firing with blank cartridges. fired by Battalion by Wing Company, Rank. & by file. done very well much better than was expected

     3 or 4 vessells in to day. our tides very high and a strong wind blowing from off the shore

     Js. Bohannan was down and [---]. Bills watch and chain

     Bill went up to the 26th & by good luck got it back. no knowing how soon Bill will get away from here. he is waiting for the undaunted.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:

Diary:

     Monday, April 7, 1862.
     A fine morn.  the Black Prince
     Sailed yestersday for boston the
     Gun Boat Saxon went out last
     Night with provisions for
     Our fleet in the Mississippi
     The 7 * 8th Vermont Regts are
     Landing.  there was 2 gun boats
     Come in to day.  their is a
     Report that the 16th[?] Mass
     Regt is all cut up.