February 27, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:
     February 27-Wednesday
     Weather this morning very warm and muggy. last night a little after midnight we had the most severe thunder showers I ever saw it seemed like very like the rapid and heavy discharges of a large body of artillery. Rained tremendously it seemed like pouring water upon our tents.
     The Undaunted is to day discharge ing her cargo of horses. which arrived in excellent condition 130 horses she started with and lost only 4 on her voyage and then by disease. The Colonels is in very fine condition. A.T. Murry arrived in the ship.
     But in command on Battalion drill this afternoon. Bill got home from the woods this afternoon and brought the balance of his lumber.
     Eastman seems a little better Capt about the same. I just percieve that I have made a mistake this days memoranda. Should be for Wednesday February 26th instead of today.
     Our new uniform pants have been delivered to day. I have receipted for a pair from the Quartermaster for myself to day they are very pretty.
     No school this evening on account of our muster rolls not being finished. The condemed things are more trouble to us than all the money to be recieved on them will pay for.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:
     Thursday, February 27, 1862
     Fine again.  they have got the horses
     All onshore.  they are in good order
     After a 21 days passage.  they are
     Building the wharfs out further
     So that large ships can come up
     And unload.these is a great deal
     Of bussness of all kinds going on
     Here.  tomorrow is general
     Inspection for the whole brigade

February 22, 1862

Qr. Master Sergt. Howe:
From a Letter:
     Camp Thompson, Ship Island, February 22,1862.
     Dear:
     I have an opportunity to write. I am now in excellent health and live like a king. My mess comes handy, we have a boy to cook. The New London brought in ten sloops which were all oystermen, all loaded, they looked queerly enough, tugging them along. I went out and bought a barrel of them and had a stew, gratis, for dinner. Chaplain Cleaveland has arrived. We are building a large building, fifteen
feet by twenty, for the Quartermaster's stores. We heard of a great victory gained by Burnside, — three thousand prisoners — also of another in Kentucky. A gunboat has captured a steamer loaded with cotton, named the Magnolia. The engineer tried to blow her up and was scalded to death.

Yours until the next,
WARREN.

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:
     February 22-Saturday
     Weather in morning very warm and pleasant. Afternoon showery and quite cool.
     This is the anniversary of Washingtons birth day. we celebrate by having salute and all 4 Regiments drawn up in Regimintal line music playing Hail Columbia & Star Spangled Banner. Troops marching to their company Quarters while the music is playing Yankee Doodle.
     Dr. Cleavland from Lowell, our Chaplain arrived on the Saxon yesterday. I met him today and he is looking hearty.
     I went down to the Fort & saw Gen. Skerry and passed an hour very pleasantly. thought I must celebrate so I went into Reeds and bought a little of Champagne Cider.
     No drills to day since morning one hour from 8 to 9 company drill. formed in line while firing a salute of 34 Guns from the Fort.
     Those steamers prizes were loaded with Oysters. Today we got 2 bags of the oysters and they were indeed a treat. Though it was hard work opening them, with an old knife.
     Bill got 2 hachets, an axe, 150 foot of rope and some few other things


Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:
     Saturday 22
     Washingtons birth day and a fine
     Morning good news from our
     Army in the west only one drill
     Today with a regimental parade
     And 33 guns in honor of the day
     A large Bark in sight this AM.
     Our men all being washing and
     Ironing.  our captain and a guard
     Of men went and got a lot of
[Mem]
     Oysters from one of the prizes
     And we had quite a good time
     With them they tasted better
     Than the oysters we have at home.

February 19, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:
     February 19-Wednesday
     Weather very warm & muggy. a kind of an August day in Massachusetts.
     Gunboat San-de-lago de luba. Arrived —
     Our drill to day is in the facings and marching without arms school lesson for tonight is on the manual.
     Sudden change. shower and has grown suddenly very cold. a man is not comfort-able with an overcoat on. wind seems to blow right through our clothes.
     Quartermaster Webb got injured badly this P.M. a barrel of sugar was being rolled from on board the Lewis. the men lost their hold and it rolled on to his legs. and gave him a very severe sprain. [Illustration]

Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:
     Wednesday 19
     A fine morning.  my 42d birthday
     I put my knapsack on and reported
     At head quarters and was sent back
     Cleared.  had a heavy shower this
     Afternoon.  not any duty today
     An officer in the 2d regt. got
     Hurt to day by a barrell of beef
     Rolling on his leg.  the constitution
     Sailed yesterday with the mails for
     Home.  the N Gordon[?] sailed on an
     Excursion this PM.

October 3, 1861.

Thursday.  Paid all the expenses of the office and closed it.  I am to go into camp as acting Quartermaster Sergeant under J. M. G. Parker, who is to be Quartermaster.
*HWH