The Diaries of Charles Jeffrey Parsons Brown

Charles J. Brown was the son of William and Lucretia (Gray) Brown of Epsom, born Mar. 31, 1829 in Epsom. He had 2 sisters, Susan Elizabeth who married Alexander Forbes and lived in Byfield, Ma; and Mary Lucy Brown who married Joseph Blake Cass. He served in the Civil War NH 6th Regiment Co. I and married Mary Ann Chapman, daughter of Samuel T. and Deborah (Dow) Chapman, all of Epsom. They had 1 child, Charles William Brown born Jan. 13, 1850. The family resided on Center Hill across from the McClary Cemetery.

Apparently Charles J.P. Brown kept diaries, as three of them appeared on eBay as 'Civil War Diaries', and included the years 1860,1861 and 1863. At great expense these were bought and returned to Epsom. The first relates to Epsom, the second Epsom and Concord and his preparations to join the Civil War. 1862 is missing, and 1863 opens with his visiting Epsom prior to his return to service in Washington, DC. The 1863 diary also includes a list of all correspondence he wrote and received during the year. An addendum will include the names of people mentioned in the diaries once they are all transcribed, and the misc. material from the 1863 diary will also be a seperate addendum.

1863

Thursday Jan. 1 1863
At home all day
Made Ann a pair of boots
Spent the evenings at Fathers

Friday 2
Went down on Blakes pond skating in the forenoon
Wrote to Joe Shepard

Saturday 3
Went over to Chestnut pond fishing with the Hoyt boys, Morrill Bickford and Mase, had good luck

Sunday 4
At home all day

Monday 5went to Concord with Annie
Got her a dress and a cloak
Spent the evening at Charles Steels

Tuesday 6
Went down on the pond to try my skates and up the brook fishing with Ham Hall

Wednesday 7
At home all day
Went to a panorama at the town house in the evening

Thursday 8
Went down to the post office in the afternoon
Charles Steel and Nathan Griffin spent the evening here
Capt. Ela came in the evening

Friday 9
At home all day. Capt. Ela, Joe Chapman and Sarah spent the day here
Father Chapman called, got my commission as first Lieut.

Saturday 10
I went to Concord with Capt. Ela got my valise and ordered my uniform at Edmunds

Sunday 11
At home all day

Monday 12
At home all day
Joseph Siley's wife died
I made a curb for the well

Tuesday 13
Went down to the post office at noon
Called at Blakes
Martha Seley was buried
I spent the evening at Charles Steels

Wednesday 14
Went down to the city
Joe Hoyt let me have some money
Joe Hoyt and Bill, Blake and Lucy spent the evening here

Thursday 15
I went down to the post office
Ed went to Suncook

Friday 16
At home all day getting my things ready to leave
Spent the evening at Mansons

Saturday 17
Went to Concord and got my uniform
Captain Ela came down with me

Sunday 18
At home
Capt. Ela is here
I called at Fathers and Blakes

Monday 19
Malve brought me to Concord
I am stoping at the Eagle with the Capt.
Wrote to Annie

Tuesday 20
Left Concord at ¼ past ten, arrived in Boston at 2 P.M.
Called at no. 6, at the school room and at L.G. Ps. Left B at ½ past 5
reached the --- City of NY at 12 ----

Wednesday 21
Reached Jersey City at 1/9 past eight, left Jersey City at 10 A.M. arrieved at Perryville ½ past 7 P.M. and could not cross on account of the ice

Thursday 22
Left Perryville at 8 A.M. arrived in Washington at 1 P.M. took a room at he Central.
Called to see Charleys Dr. Badger, Robinson and Chesley. Wrote to Annie

Friday 23
Called to see Charles and at the war Dept.
Came over to Alexandria at night, staid at the City Hotel
Wrote to Annie, Capt. Ela, Sue and Joe Chapman

Saturday 24
Left Alexandria at ½ past 7, arrived at COVALESENT camp
I (??) found Lieut Jackman, shall probably be detailed for duty here. Rolled out of bed in the night

Sunday 25
Spent the day in camp
Wrote to Capt. Ela and Charlie Chapman

Monday 26
Loafing around camp
Jackman is gone to Washington. I wrote to Lillian

Tuesday 27
Loafing round the tent and signing final statements for Lieut Jackman
Wrote to Annie

Wednesday 28
A very stormy day
I staid in the tent all day, was assigned to duty with Lieut Paxton of the Penna troops
Am troubled with the diarrhea

Commenced my duties with Lieut Paxton
Two men were killed and two wounded by the cars
It is fair weather once more and the mud is deeper that ever, Paxton is gone to Washington

Friday 30
Pleasant day.
At work making out clothing accts.
Wrote to Annie, Sue, Mrs. Flanders, H.T. Dudley and --- Griffin.
My valise came in

Saturday 31
At work making out clothing accounts
Capt. Davis called in the evening

Sunday, February 1, 1863
Making out clothing accounts
Wrote to Tilton, Cap. Ela, Molve and Annie
Got a letter from Capt.

Monday 2
At work in the office as usual
I got a letter from Charlie Chapman and wrote him

Tuesday 3
At work in the office making out clothing accounts
Jackman was ordered to his Regt.
Very cold day

Wednesday 4
At work in the office as usual
Jackman went to Washington
Cold and windy

Thursday 5
At work in the office
Jackman got home from Washington
I got a letter and power of attorney from Cap Ela
Rainy this P.M.
Wrote to Annie

Friday 6
At work in the office as usual
Have a very bad cold and headache
Got a letter from Annie and wrote to her

Saturday 7
At work in the office
Moved into the large tent
A very pleasant day

Sunday 8
At work in the office
Three new clerks began their labors with me
I wrote to Capt. Ela

Monday 9
At work in the office as usual

Tuesday 10
Went to Washington
Wrote to Capt. Ela
Got a letter from Ann and Sue
Wrote to Malve and Annie

Wednesday 11
At work in the office
Wrote to Susan

Thursday 12
At work in the office
Got a letter from Malve and wrote to him

Friday 13
At work in the office
Wrote to Annie
Cap Ela arrived here in the afternoon

Saturday 14
At work in the office
Got a letter from Annie and Charlie Chapman
I wrote to Charlie in the afternoon and in the evening to Annie
Capt. Ela went to Washington

Saturday 15
At work in the office part of the day
I got a letter from Ann Cass

Monday 16
At work in the office
Got a letter from Mrs. Flanders
Wrote to Ann Cass and to Edmunds & Co.

Tuesday 17
At work in the office
It snowed all day
The Captain, Jackman and Edmans started to join their Regts
I wrote to Annie

Wednesday 18
At work in the office
It rained all day
The walking is fine and soft
Wrote to Ed

Thursday 19
Raining still, at work in the office

Friday 20
At work in the office
A very windy day
The mud is drying up finally
In the evening I wrote to Annie and sent her a plum stone basket

Saturday 21
Paxton is gone to Washington
I am in command
Thomas Bryant came over here
I got a letter from Annie and wrote to her

Sunday 22
Stormy all day, the hardest storm I have ever seen in this country

Monday 23
Pleasant day
In the office all day
Mrs. Marston took a sleigh ride
I played Eucher in the evening with Paxton, Westbrook and Mulkins

Tuesday 24
In the office all day
Very pleasant
Mrs. Marston took another sleigh ride
I wrote to Annie

Wednesday 25
At work in the office
Lt. Malkins is gone to Washington
I got a letter from Ed Sherburne and one from Annie
I wrote to Annie

Thursday 26
Very rainy day
At work in the office all day
Malkins went on duty as officer of the guard
I got letters from Susan, Ed Sanborn and Malve and wrote to Ed Sherburn, Malve, Ed Sanborn and Susan

Friday 27
At work in the office
The Division moved into the Barracks
I got letters from Annie, Lieut Tilton and Jackman
Wrote to each of them in the evening

Saturday 28
Moved into the Barracks
Received a letter from Capt. Ela

Sunday March 1, 1863
In the office
Received letters from Annie and Capt. Ela

Monday 2
In the office
Received a letter from Annie and wrote to her

Tuesday 3
At work in the office

Wednesday 4
At work in the office
A very cold rainy night
I spent the evening at Dr. Smiths playing Eucher

Thursday 5
At work in the office
A very pleasant day
Got my papers from Annie and a paper from Sue
I spend the evening at Lieut. Westbrooks

Friday 6
At work in the office
Lt. Paxton had a new tent put up for us
I wrote to Annie
Spent the evening at Lt. Westbrooks playing Eucher with Westbrook, Paxton and Dr. Smith

Saturday 7
At work in the office
Got a new desk and table
Got a letter from Malve and one from Annie
Wrote to both of them
Played Eucher at Capt. Marstons in the evening

Sunday 8
In the office as usual
My tent got on fire at noon and I burnt my hands putting it out

Monday 9
At work in the office
Got a letter form Annie and wrote to her
A very pleasant day
I moved into my new tent with Lt. Paxton

Tuesday 10
At work in the office
Rained all day

Wednesday 11
Snowed last night
Pleasant this morning
Got a letter from Lt. Jackman

Thursday 12
At work in the office
Got a letter from Ed Sherburne

Friday 13
Sick and did not do much
Got a letter from Annie and wrote to her

Saturday 14
At work in the office
The Darkies tent burnt down
I received a letter from Malve and one from Annie

Sunday 15
Cold and windy
We had a tremendous thunderstorm in the afternoon
I wrote Malve and Annie
I set up half of the night with John Westbrook

Monday 16
At work in the office

Tuesday 17
At work in the office
A very pleasant day

Wednesday 18
At work in the office
Got a letter from Annie and wrote to her

Thursday 19
Went to Washington and saw Capt Ela
I wrote to Annie
Got a letter from Susan

Friday 20
At work in the office
Got a letter from Annie and two papers from Sue
Wrote to Lt. Jackman and sent my commission and other papers

Saturday 21
At work in the office
Snowed all day
I played Eucher in the evening with Capt. Marston, Paxton and Dr. Smith

Sunday 22
Very pleasant day
I went down to the Dr Mrs
Got a letter from Lt Jackman and one from Annie and wrote to her

Monday 23
At work in the office
Marston went to Washington
I spent the evening at Lieut. Westbrooks with Lt. Paxton, Cap Marston & Dr. Smith

Tuesday 24
At work in the office
Received letters from Cap Ela and Molve
Wrote to Molve

Wednesday 25
At work in the office
Got a letter from Annie and wrote to her

Thursday 26
At work in the office
A cold squally day

Friday 27
In the office all day as usual
Spent the eve player Eucher with Lt. Hopkins

Saturday 28
In the office all day
Got a letter from Annie and wrote to her
It rained all day

Sunday 29
Wrote to Ed Sanborn and Ann Cass
A very windy day
Called to see Lt. Westbrook

Monday 30
In the office as usual
A very pleasant day
I got a letter from Annie and wrote to her in the eve
I played chess with Paxton

Tuesday 31
In the office
A nasty snowy rainy day, four inches of snow on the ground
Played Eucher with Dr. Lyman and wife and Mrs. Hopkins, Cap Marston, Lt. Paxton and Hopkins

Wednesday, April 1, 1863
In the office
A cold windy day
Played Euchre in the eve with Paxton and Hopkins
Received a letter from Annie and wrote to her

Thursday 2
In the office as usual
Quite pleasant

Friday 3
In the office
The men went to the dining room to eat for the first time
I got a letter from Susan
A very warm and pleasant day

Saturday 4
In the office
A very cold day
Paxtons brother came to see him

Sunday 5
A foot of snow on the ground and the wind blowing a gale
Got a letter from Ann, two papers from Sue and one from Ann Cass
Wrote to Annie and Sue

Monday 6
In the office. Paxton went up to his Regt on a visit
Lt. Stewart came into camp and spent the night here with me

Tuesday 7
At work in the office as usual
Lt. Stewart took his quarters in my bed.
I played Eucher in the evening with Stewart, Lt. Jenkins and Marston

Wednesday 8
At work in the office as usual. The boys in camp
Distribution made a raid on the Sutler
The Penna boys were arrested for getting a petition against Col McKeloy

Thursday 9
A very pleasant day
I am the office as usual
Got letters from Annie, Ed and Molve
Wrote to Annie and Ed

Friday 10
Another very pleasant day
I was appointed ordinance officer of this camp
Spent the evening playing Eucher at Lt. Hopkins

Saturday 11
Another pleasant day
I got a letter from Annie and wrote to her
I spent the evening player Eucher with Paxton and Stewart

Sunday 12
Pleasant day
Paxton has gone to Washington
Lt. Hopkins and wife and myself went over to Fort Barnard
I spent the eve at Lt. Hopkins

Monday 13
Paxton is gone off
It is a cloudy day
I got a letter from Annie and wrote to her

Tuesday 14
Paxton returned from Washington with his Capt.
Stress on
I had the head ache and went to bed as soon as dark

Wednesday 15
Rained all day
Stewart has gone to Washington
Winters has gone home on a furlough
I have the headache and do not go out

Thursday 16
Wet and cloudy
I am better
I took an inventory of the ordinance on hand and set it to Col. Baker

Friday 17
Loafing round from one office to the other
Got a letter from Capt. Ela and wrote to him

Saturday 18
Pleasant day
Got a letter from Annie and wrote to her

Sunday 19
Very pleasant day
Capt. Paxton has gone to Washington
I went up to Fort Barnard with Lt. Hopkins & wife, Dr. Lyman & wife and Miss Bradley.
Lt. Gilbert of the 1st Conn Art spent the night here

Monday 20
I was at work turfing round my door in the forenoon
It rained a part of the time
Reading in the afternoon
Paxton came home from Washington

Tuesday 21
Reading, writing and going from one office to the other
I got a letter from Annie and wrote to her
It has cleared off, very pleasant

Wednesday 22
Not at all well
I went out and got a few May Flowers
Spent the most of the day reading East Lysm
Got a letter from Sue

Thursday 23
Sick
Reading. began a letter to Sue
Rained all day
Got a letter from Ed and one from Molve

Friday 24
Another rainy day
Hopkins went to Washington
I finished writing to Sue

Saturday 25
Pleasant day
Laid abed most of the day with the back ache

Sunday 26
Pleasant
Laid abed
Began a letter to Annie
Did not get any letter from her
Writing a part of the time

Monday 27
Very pleasant day.
On the bed most of the day, when I was not I was looking for a chance to ride to Washington
Finished my letter to Annie

Tuesday 28
Went to Washington and came home in the rain
Did not get any pay
Got a letter from Annie and wrote to her

Wednesday 29
Rainy
I am sick and out of sorts this morning
Wrote to Cap Ela and Molve
Oh how I do wish that Annie was here to take care of me

Thursday 30
Kept my tent all day
Last day in camp
Got a letter from Annie and wrote to her

Friday, May 1, 1863
Had some men at work round my tent setting out trees and putting down turf
Got a letter from Capt. Ela and wrote to him

Saturday 2
Had some men at work on my yard

Sunday 3
Feeling very tired and sore
Paxton made up his mind to move
I went over the other side of the railroad for the first time

Monday 4
Had the boys at work for me again
Got a letter from Annie and wrote to her

Tuesday 5
Rainy day
Hopkins went to Washington with the men
All the Qr Master stores of 1st Div. Turned over to Lt. Ellers

Wednesday 6
Rainy day
I do not feel at all well
Sent Sue a description of Convalescent Camp
Staid in my tent all day
Got a paper from Ann Cass

Thursday 7
Rainy all day
Paxton went to Washington with the men
I got a letter from Annie and wrote to her

Friday 8
Another rainy day
I have the Diarrhea very badly
Spent the day mostly in the tent

Saturday 9
Very pleasant day
I was moving the stuff from the old Qr Master tent and putting pieces of boards for a floor
Got a letter from Annie and wrote to her

Sunday 10
Very pleasant
I went over to Fort Richardson
Dr. Lyman and wife, Hopkins and wife and Paxton went a fishing
I got a letter from Ann Cass

Monday 11
Went to Washington but got no money
Got a letter from Sue and one from Annie
Wrote to Capt. Ela and Annie

Tuesday 12

Lying on the bed the most of the day
Wrote to Susan

Wednesday 13
Writing most of the day
Got a letter from Lt. Jackman and two from Capt. Ela
Wrote to Cap Ela, Lt Jackman and the Post Master at Newport News

Thursday 14
Not doing much
Got a letter from Molve
Mended my old shoes for inspection

Friday 15
Cool and pleasant day
Had a general inspection of the camp
Got pretty well tired out, received a letter from Annie and wrote to her

Saturday 16
Went to Washington
Called on L. Hine Esqr
Wrote to Capt. Ela and sent him the copy of my muster
Rode home in Miss Bradleys Ambulance
Wrote to Annie

Sunday 17
At home all day
Wrote to the Post Master at Philadelphia

Monday 18
Reading, writing and loafing round

Tuesday 19
At work in the Ordinance office in the forenoon
Went out in the afternoon with Alex Seavler target shooting
Got a letter from Annie and wrote to her
Spent the evening at Lt. Hopkins

Wednesday 20

Very warm
I got a letter from Edmunds & Co and wrote to the and to Capt. Ela
Got a letter from Annie

Thursday 21
Very hot
I got a letter from Sue and wrote to her
2,000 paroled prisoners came into camp.
Wrote to Annie

Friday 22
Very warm
At work regulating the paroled prisoners
Got a letter from Annie
Took the men to bathe in the evening

Saturday 23
Hotter still
Made out my return of ordinance and laid abed sick with a cold
Wrote to Annie and sent her a collar from --- 12 handries
More paroled prisoners came in

Sunday 24
Went with the men to bathe in the morning
Laid abed with a cold the rest of the day

Monday 25
Cold and cloudy
The paroled men refused to turn out for work
The Reserves were sent for and patrolled the camp with loaded muskets and forced them to obey
I got a letter from Annie and wrote to her

Tuesday 26
Cool day
I took care of the Whiskey for a party of ---- men
Got as letter from Cap Ela and wrote to him

Wednesday 27
Pleasant and warm
Took charge of the whiskey again today
Dr. Boothby was ordered away
I got a letter from Cap Ela and wrote to him

Thursday 28
Warm day
I wrote to the Sec of State at Concord. Got letters from Sue, Malve and Annie and wrote to all of them

Friday 29
Got a letter from Annie dated April 21. Got my commission and Certificates from Capt and Col Pearson
Went to Washington
Spent the night at Dr. Badgers room 570 7th St.

Saturday 30
Racing round Washington to no purpose
Came back to camp
Received twenty five dollars from Sue

Sunday 31
Spent the day in writing to Annie and Sue
Very warm and windy
Got a letter from Annie
Wrote to Annie, Sue, Malve and Cap Ela

Monday, June 1, 1863
At work moving the ordinance tents
A very windy day
Paxton got his trunk from home.

Tuesday 2
Getting the ordinance tent in order
Went to Washington in the eve with Jenkins

Wednesday 3
Acting Whiskey bass
Got a letter from Cap Ela and one from Annie
Wrote to Cap Joe Hoyt and Annie
Captain Fernold took quarters with me

Thursday 4
Reading and writing most of the day
The Paymaster was here paying off some of the paroled men
I got a letter from Sue and receipt for a box

Friday 5
At work making records in the Ordinance office
Got a letter from Cap Ela
Went out at night and got a boquet

Saturday 6
Not doing much
Went out and got some flowers
Got a letter from Annie and a box from Sue
John Covade and Gen James Nye made speeches to the men
I wrote to Sue

Sunday 7
Went up to see the review of the 1st Regt Conn Vols and got a plate of strawberries and cream.
Got a letter form Dr. Boothby and one from Capt Ela
Wrote to Dr. B & Annie

Monday 8
Went to Washington with a squad of men to get their pay
Paxton moved into his new quarters

Tuesday 9
Took charge of the men to meals and the details. The magazine of Fort Lyon exploded killing and wounding a great many.
I got a letter from Annie and wrote to her

Wednesday 10
Got some boards to fix the tent
Got a letter form Malve, L.G. Hine and L.D. Stephens
Wrote to Malve

Thursday 11
Got a letter from Annie and wrote to her
Went to sleep and slept all the afternoon
Moved my desk into the ordinance tent

Friday 12
At work fixing my tent
Got a letter from LG. Hine
The invalids left the camp for Harrisburg in the evening

Saturday 13
At work on the inside of my tent
Wrote to Cap Ela and L.G. Hine
We had a very heavy thundershower in the afternoon

Sunday 14
Rather tired and old
Went out and got me a bouquet
Got a letter from Annie and wrote to her

Monday 15
Built the platform to my tent and commenced to brick my celler
Took charge of the working squad
Paxton is gone to Washington
300 convalescents came in just at night

Tuesday 16
Sick and tired all day
I went out with fatigue squad in the forenoon
Finished my celler
Convalescents are coming in day

Wednesday 17
Sick and doing nothing
The convalescents are coming in all day and Regts are moving to the front and up into Maryland
I wrote to Ed and Annie

In the ordinance office taking in arms and giving receipts
Got a letter from Annie

Friday 19
Set up my sleeping tent and began laying the floor
Archie helped me
I got a letter from Annie and wrote to her

Saturday 20
Finished laying the floor in my tent
Have got the diarrhea very bad

Sunday 21
Diarrhea no better
Got a letter from Nat Thomas
There has been a heavy cannonading at a distance all day

Monday 22
Diarrhea worse
Lying on the bed all the time but I am not on the travel
Gen. Huntzelman inspected the troops in camp
Wrote to Nat Thomas

Tuesday 23
Sick all day
The boys took an inventory of the ordinance on hand
I wrote to Susan

Wednesday 24
Some better but not well enough to do anything
Got a letter from Annie and wrote to her

Thursday 25
Made out my report of Ordinance and sent it Col. Baker
Moved my bed into the little tent
Got a letter from Annie with a present and from Malve

Friday 26
Sent all my Ordinance to Co. Baker and made out returns
Got a letter from wrote to Annie

Saturday 27
Writing and making out returns for the Ordinance Department
Mr. Young and his family left here

Sunday 28
Diarrhea again
Ruling returns for the Treasury Dept.
Got a letter from Annie and wrote to her
I went out and got a bouquet
There was great excitement in the camp for fear that the Rebs were coming
Did not go to bed till one o'clock

Monday 29
Feeling very miserable but am just as full of business as I can be
Receiving and issuing arms and equipment
Rebs all round us so say report but I don't see them
No mail from the east or north on account of rebs at Relay House

Tuesday 30
At the Ordinance office
The mail came through from Phila
Five hundred of the men were armed and went out to Fort Corcoran
I wrote to Malve and Annie

Wednesday, July 1, 1863
Feeling much better then I have for a long time
300 more of the men were armed and equipped today
It is a very pleasant day

Thursday 2
At work arming the men and making out returns
Got a letter from Annie

Friday 3
At work giving out arms and making out returns
A very hot day and I got very tired indeed

Saturday 4
Went down to see the review and parade of the convalescents
Got a letter form Annie and wrote to her
Went over and saw John Willey

Sunday 5
Went out and got a few flowers
Wrote to Lt. Jackman
Called to see Miss Bradley

Monday 6
Writing and pushing the Col to build me an Armory. Warren Keniston called to see me in the evening.
Wrote to Capt Ela

Tuesday 7
Went to Washington with Billy Burch in the forenoon
Walked back
Did not get any satisfaction for my pains
Wrote to Annie
Cap. Marstons children arrived here

Wednesday 8
Rainy day
Lt. Hopkins got his orders to goCincinnati
Mr. Young came here on a visit
I got a letter from Annie

Thursday 9
Very pleasant morning
Finishing up my returns
Hopkins and --- left
I moved their furniture in here
Jimmy Goodyear came here to stay with me
Got a letter from Sue and one from Annie

Friday 10
Warm day, shower in the afternoon
Jimmy went out and picked a lot of berries and I had some berries and cream,
Wrote to Sue and Annie

Saturday 11
Writing most of the day
A very warm day
Great shower in the afternoon

Sunday 12
Went out in the swamp after some flowers and got caught in the rain
Went into Sergt Bradleys tent for shelter and had a great time keeping the tent from blowing over
It was one of the hardest showers I ever saw
Sergt B. & wife staid in my tent all night

Monday 13
Very rainy day
Made me a pen rack and ruled returns in the forenoon
Got a letter from Annie and wrote to her in the afternoon

Tuesday 14
At work in the office
Had a shower in the afternoon
Called on Sergt Rainey
Got a letter from Annie

Wednesday 15
Went to Washington and found the rolls had not got in
Made out a requisition for Armorers tools

Thursday 16
Writing and looking after the work on the Armory
Wrote to Annie
Played whist in the evening with Bradley, Steel and Fits

Friday 17
Put a window in the rear of my tent
It is a rainy, uncomfortable day
Got my god pen from Norton

Saturday 18
Gave out arms to Lt. Espy
Put a door in the rear of my tent
Began a letter to Annie
Capt. Marstons family went to Fort Richardson

Sunday 19
Hot day
Got two letters from Annie and wrote to her

Monday 20
Looking after the building of the office and writing
Sent to Washington and learned that the pay rolls are at Louisville Ky.
Received a box of tolls from the Arsenal

Tuesday 21
Walked to Washington for nothing

Wednesday 22
Went to Washington again and waited all day but was no nearer getting my pay then I was in the morning
Got a letter from Sue, wrote to A.B. Cote

Thursday 23
Looking after the building of the office
Got a letter from Ed Sanborn and one from Annie
Wrote to Col Hopkins

Friday 24
Moved into my new office and set up the guns
A very hot day

Saturday 25
Was so tired that I could hardly get round
Wrote to Sue
Another hotter day
Had big shower in the night

Sunday 26
Hot day
Got a letter from Annie and wrote to her
Went out to see the Reserves dress parade at night

Monday 27
Went to Washington and got 8 months pay
Sent 300 dollars to Annie and 75 to Edmunds & Co.
Wrote to each of them in the evening
The P.P's tried to make a raid on the Sulter

Tuesday 28
At the office all day
Very hot day
I wrote to Archie Nimmo
Some disturbance with the P.P's

Wednesday 29
Sick all day
Kept on the bed most of the time
Sent 15 dollars to Hopkins

Thursday 30
Went to Alexandria with Lt. Westbrook
Got me a pair of pants and some dishes
I got a letter from Annie and wrote to her
I got a letter from Edmunds & Co and wrote to them

Friday 31
Got a letter from Cad Hopkins and wrote to here
Cate called to see me and went to the Hospital
I set up my desk

Saturday, August 1, 1863
At the office
It is a very hot day indeed
I got a letter from Annie and wrote to her

Sunday 2
Called to see Cate at the Hospital and Miss Bradley
Went up to Camp Bernard
Got a letter from Edmunds & Co.

Monday 3
Writing in the office
Cate was here in the afternoon
I spent the evening at Paxtons

Tuesday 4
Writing at the office
Had a picture of my tent taken
Cap Marston had a picture of his tent taken
I called at Sergt Bradleys in the evening

Wednesday 5
At work taking in arms all day
Sent Lieut F.T. Stewart twenty five dollars
I received two letters from Annie

Thursday 6
Went to Washington after Annie
She arrived at eleven and we got here between one and two

Friday 7
At work in the office and fixing up for house keeping
Wrote to Father, Mother, Chapman and Abby. Dr, Lyman cand wife left camp
Sent F.T. Stewart 30 dollars

Saturday 8
Loafing round from my tent to the office
Rather a warm day
Got a letter from Gen Ripley
Annie and I called at Sergt Bradleys in the evening

Sunday 9
Very warm
At home all day
I wrote to Sue

Monday 10
At work in the office
Annie and I called at Mrs

Tuesday 11
Making out a new Quarterly return for Gen. Ripley

Wednesday 12
Not doing much
Wrote to Ed Sanborn

Thursday
Went to Washington and carried my report for the2d Quarter 1863
Annie and I went out to the grove yard to a walk

Friday 14
At the office most of the day
Called at Sergt Bradleys in the afternoon

Saturday 15
Went to Washington to see about transferring the Ordinance

Sunday 16
Annie and I went up to Fort Barnard in company with Sergt Bradley and wife
I got a letter from Ann Cass and wrote to her
Annie and I called at the Ord Office in the afternoon

Monday 17
At work all day packing Ordinance Stores to go to Washington
Got a letter from Lt. Jackman
Sent Capt Marston forty dollars

Tuesday 18
Taking account of the Ordinance to carry to Washington
Annie and went to a walk in the evening
We went over on the hill beyond the Alexandria Pike

Wednesday 19
Went to Washington with the arms, turned them over to Col Ramsay
Got a letter form Abby Weeks

Thursday 20
Writing and witnessing pay rolls
Got a letter from Sue, wrote to her, Lt. Jackman and Capt Ela

Friday 21
At the office and witnessing pay rolls

Saturday 22
At the office
Joe went to Washington

Sunday 23
Got a letter from Cap Ela
Annie and I went over on the hill beyond the railroad in the evening

Monday 24
Got a letter from Ann Cass
My throat began to be sore

Tuesday 25
In my tent most of the day
Have a bad cold and sore throat
Had a sleight touch of the shakes in the night
A cool night and rainy

Wednesday 26
A very cool morning
Got a letter from Major Wells
Wrote to Cap Ela, Archie Nimmo, Major Wells. Ann Cass and Susan

Thursday 27
At work in the office

Friday 28
Went to Washington with Annie --- the Capitol
Came home in a hack
Got a letter from Ed Sanborn, Paxton and Westbrook
Came in and played Eucher in the evening

Saturday 29
At home and at the office
Do not feel very well
Got a letter from Cad Hopkins
Wrote to Father, sent the letter that I wrote to Sue Wednesday this morning with 20 dollars enclosed

Sunday 30
Wrote to Abby. Annie and I went out and got a few flowers. Called at Capt. Marstons in the evening with Annie

Monday 31
Made my requisition for stationary
A very cool day
Charlie Evans called
Jimmy was examined by Dr. Heighold for his discharge

Tuesday, September 1, 1863
Entering invoices and receipts
Lt. Westbrook spent the evening here

Wednesday 2
Entering Invoices and receipts
Wrote to Ed Sanborn in the evening

Thursday 3
At home most of the day
Day got a letter from Dr. Peabody, wrote a certificate to send to him.
Lt. Stewart took command of Camp of (Brown?) day
Wrote to Ed Sanborn
Charlie Hunter and his wife called in the evening

Friday 4
At home most of the day
Got a letter from Dr. Peabody and wrote a certificate to send him.
Lt Stewart took command of Camp Distribution

Saturday 5
At the office and at home
Westbrook spent the evening here
Got a letter from Cate

Sunday 6
Wrote to Charlie

Monday 7
At the office getting ready to move arms to Washington
Got a letter from Archie
Went to the dress parade of the Conn Art
Lt. Westbrook spent the evening here

Tuesday 8
At work packing arms for Washington
Got a letter from Charlie and wrote to him

Wednesday 9
Went to Washington with the arms
Sergt Bradley's wife went home
I wrote to Ben Robinson

Thursday 10
At the office most of the day

Friday 11
Received a letter from Abby Weeks

Saturday 12
Beginning to make out my Ordinance return
Jimmy started for home
I received a letter from Ben Robinson
Westbrook spent the evening here

Sunday 13
At home all day
Wrote to Cad Hopkins and Archie Nimmos

Monday 14
At work in the office
Westbrook spent the evening here

Tuesday 15
At work in the office
Got a letter from Sue
Called at Miss Bradley's in the afternoon

Wednesday 16
At home most of the day
Got a letter from Ben Robinson
Lt. Stewart paid me 55 dollars that he borrowed

Thursday 17
Went to Washington
Annie went with me
Ben Robinson came over with Annie
I went to the Arsenal and drew 1500 stand of Arms and came home
With Capt Ellison in the Eve, I got a letter from Charlie

Friday 18
Unloading the arms & equipments in the rain
Got a letter from Lt Jackman
Wrote to Cap Ela and Charlie Brown

Saturday 19
At the office
A rather cool day
I got a letter from Dr. Peabody

Sunday 20
Cool and windy
I wrote to Lt.Jackman
Westbrook and myself went over to see the Negro Regt in the evening

Monday 21
At work at the office
Another cool day

Tuesday 22
At the office
Cool and windy
General inspection of the Camp
Westbrook spent the evening with us playing Eucher

Wednesday 23
Pleasant day
I was at the office sorting the equipment

Thursday 24
At work at the office
I got a new stove for the office but did not set it up

Friday 25
At work at the office most of the day
I got a stove and set it up in my tent
I got a letter from Cad Hopkins and her Photograph by Stewart
Stewart took supper here

Saturday 26
Issued arms and equipments to 300 of the paroled prisoners

Sunday 27
Issued arms to 200 of the paroled prisoners
Went over to hart Barry in the afternoon with Annie, in the evening I wrote to Father

Monday 28
Armed 168 Paroled Prisoners
Got a letter and certificate from Capt. Ela

Tuesday 29
Armed 260 Paroled Prisoners
Got a letter from Charlie Brown
Wrote to Susan

Wednesday 30
Went to Washington with arms
Got paid for four months
Sent Sue 530 dollars

Thursday, October 1, 1863
At the office making out my returns
Received a letter from James Brown Philadelphia

Friday 2
Armed 47 of the paroled men
It was a very rainy day
Lt Westbrook spent the evening here
I wrote to Susan

Saturday 3
At work at the office
Wrote to Charlie and sent home a picture of the camp

Sunday 4
Went out to a walk with Annie in the afternoon
Visited Fort Richardson and went round the hill by the reserve camp
Wrote to James Brown in the eve

Monday 5
Getting ready to carry the arms to Washington

Tuesday 6
Went to Washington with the arms
Annie went with me and called at the Smithsonian Institute
Mrs. Hunter went home

Wednesday 7
At work all day making out abstracts of receipts of Ordinance
Got a letter from Abby Weeks

Thursday 8
At work making out abstracts of issues of Ordinacne
Got a letter from Ann Cass
Lt Westbrook spent the evening playing Eucre with Annie

Friday 9
At work on the return

Saturday 10
At work on the return, finished it up and got it ready to send off
Paxton went home on a leave of absence

Sunday 11
At home all day
Wrote to Charlie. Cad Hopkins and Archie Nimmo

Monday 12
At the office squaring up the Ordinance accounts

Tuesday 13
At the office and putting in a linen to Bens tent
Archie is off on a bender

Wednesday 14
At the office
Archie got home
I sent my return to the Ordinance office
Lt. Westbrook spent the evening here

Thursday 15
At the office, and lining my tent
Got a letter from Jimmy

Friday 16
Very rainy day
At home most of the day
Worked a little on the lining of my tent

Saturday 17
Sitting in the house most of the day
Got a letter from Mr. Zanes of Suncook
Wrote to him and to Mr. Farland & Jenks

Sunday 18
Got a letter from Sue and wrote to her and to Lucy
Sent 10 dollars to each
In the afternoon I went with Paxton & Westbrook to see the Negro Regt.

Monday 19
At the office and putting the lining into my tent
Lt. Westbrook spent the evening here

Tuesday 20
At home most of the day
Got a letter from Cad Hopkins
Mrs. Westbrook came to camp

Wednesday 21
At the office most of the cat
Called at Lt Westbrooks in the afternoon with Annie
I called to see Barton (?)
Paxton in the evening

Thursday 22
At the office in the forenoon, in the afternoon I called to se Zanes at Capt. Paxton's office and to see Barton Paxton
In the evening I wrote to Jimmy

Friday 23
At home most of the day

Saturday 24
Rainy day
I received N.H. Statesmen from Mr Farlon & Jenks
In the afternoon I went to Alexandria with Lt. Westbrook
Got me a pair of boots

Sunday 25
Did not go out anywhere
Annie is sick with a cold
Paxton called

Monday 26
At the office
Annie's cold is no better
We cot a letter from Charlie

Tuesday 27
At the office and lining the bedroom
Paxton and Westbrook spent the evening here playing Eucher

Wednesday 28
Very pleasant day
Annie's cold worse
I got letters from James Brown & Ed Sanborn. I wrote to Charlie and Mrs. Hopkins

Thursday 29
Packing arms all day and getting ready to go to Washington

Friday 30
Went to Washington with the arms
Got me a pair of gloves

Saturday 31
Rainy in the forenoon, very pleasant in the afternoon
I got a letter from Lucy

Sunday, November 1, 1863
Very pleasant day
Annie and I went over to the Negro Regt with Lt. Westbrook and wife and Lt. Noble and wife

Monday 2
Finished lining my tent and put a door into the cook tent
I got a letter from Charlie

Tuesday 3
Annie went to Washington with Lt. Westbrook and wife
I got letters from Archie and Jimmy Goodyear and a box from Epsom
I wrote to Ann Cass

Wednesday 4
Ben went to Washington
I was round home most of the time
I wrote to Charlie Brown

Thursday 5
Round home not doing much
Wrote to Ed Sanborn and Jimmy Goodyear

Friday 6
At home and at the office
Nothing new in camp

Saturday 7
At home most of the day

Sunday 8
Annie and I went through the barracks with Lt. Westbrook
Ben went over to see the Negro Regt.

Monday 9
At the office most of the day
We had the first snow squall for the season
Annie and I went to hear Skiffs Minstrels in the evening

Tuesday 10
At the office
Had rather a busy day
Paxton & Westbrook spent the evening here

Wednesday 11
At the office making out my Quartermaster returns
I got a letter from Charlie

Thursday 12
Put up a sign on the office in the forenoon
Went to Fairfax Seminary and Alexandria with Lt. Westbrook and Wife in the afternoon
I spent the evening at Paxtons

Friday 13
At the office
I got a letter from Lt. Jackman
Paxton & Westbrook spent the evening here
Dr. Boothly and wife called to see us in the afternoon

Saturday 14
At the office
Annie and I spent the evening at Lieut Westbrooks
It was a very rainy night

Sunday 15
At home all day
I wrote to Charley, Lt. Jackman & Archie

Monday 16
At the office
Annie washed

Tuesday 17
At the office
Annie went over to Reserve Salters with Mrs. Westbrook

Wednesday 18
At the office
I got a letter from Charlie Brown
The Camp was inspected by Gen. Auger & Staff
Annie and I went out to see the review

Thursday 19
At the office
I got a letter from Abby Weeks
Annie and I called at Miss Bradleys and Lt. Westbrooks in the eve
Wrote to Sue by LaForge

Friday 20
At the office and --- Grs. Wrote to Charlie
The paymaster was here

Saturday 21
At the office
A rainy day
The Segrt went to Washington in the afternoon
I wrote to James Brown

Sunday 22
A very pleasant day
I got a letter from Charlie
Col. McKelvy was relieved from duty and left camp.

Monday 23
At the office
General Abercrombie came to camp and took command

Tuesday 24
Rainy day
I got my pay for Sept & Oct of Major Reynolds

Wednesday 25
Annie and I went to Washington
Lt. Westbrook went with us
I sent 60 dollars to Sue

Thursday 26
Took dinner at Lt. Westbrooks
Paxton & Westbrook spent the evening here
Charlie Evans called

Friday 27
Annie went to Washington with Mrs. Westbrook
I wrote to Charlie Brown
Lt. Westbrook got his muster out papers

Saturday 28
At the office
It is a rainy day
I got a letter from Lt. Jackman and wrote to him

Sunday 29
At home all day
It is rather a cold day

Monday 30
At home and at the office all day

Tuesday, December 1, 1863
Went to Alexandria and called to see Lt. Hays formerly of Co. D 6th NHV
Genl Abercrombie was relieved from duty here

Wednesday 2
At home and at the office all day
Gen. Aebercrombie was put in command of the camp again
I went to Washington in the evening with Capt. Chamberlain

Thursday 3
At the office
I received a letter from Susan Charlie Brown
Most of the officers of camp went over to the inauguration of the Contraband Camp

Friday 4
A very pleasant day
Lt. Westbrook and wife left camp for home

Saturday 5
At the office most of the day
I put the fly on to my small tent
Wrote to Capt. Ela

Sunday 6
At home all day
Paxton spent the afternoon and took supper here
Wrote to Abby Weeks

Monday 7
At the office
Got a letter from Charlie, I wrote to him and to Susan
Sent some papers to Capt. Ella
Lent Eu Richmond ten dollars

Tuesday 8
At the office packing equipments
I wrote to Lucy Cass and Jimmy Goodyear
Gen. Abercrombie was relieved from the command of this camp
(Good)

Wednesday 9
At the office
Paxton spent a part of the evening here
Col. McKelvy came back to camp
The officers of camp presented him a set of equipments

Thursday 10
At the office
I got a letter from Archie Nimmo
The officers of camp presented Col. McKelvy with a set of equipments

Friday 11
At the office in the forenoon
I set out some trees in the afternoon
Called at Paxtons office in the evening

Saturday 12
Rainy day
I got a letter from Emma and Charlie Chapman

Sunday 13
At home all day
Paxton and his brother called
It is a very pleasant day
Annie is not very well

Monday 14
At the office most of the day
Capt. Paxton spent the evening here
Mrs. Sailor went home
Annie is not so well

Tuesday 15
At home most of the with Annie who is not so well as she was yesterday
Annie got a letter from Mrs. Westbrook
The Russians visited the Camp
Barton, Paxton & Frank Barton spent the evening here

Wednesday 16
At the office in the forenoon
Annie is better
I went to Washington in the afternoon
I got a line from Capt. Ela

Thursday 17
At home most of the day
Annie is not so well
I got letters for Ed and James Brown
I wrote to Capt. Ela, Charlie Brown & Emma Marden & got a letter from Lucy Cass
I wrote to Mrs. Westbrook in the eve

Friday 18
At home all day
Began making out the abstracts for my return
Annie is about the same
Barton, Paxton spent the evening here playing Chess

Saturday 19
At home all day
Got a letter and package from Susan
Annie is better
I wrote to James Brown, Archie Nimmo and Susan

Sunday 20
At home all day

Monday 21
At home all day
Annie is about the same

Tuesday 22
At the office packing Guns and equipments to send to Washington
Wrote to McFarland & Jenks

Wednesday 23
Sent my extra arms to Washington
Annie is better

Thursday 24
At home all day making out Quartermasters returns
Got a letter from Abby Weeks
I wrote to Lucy in the evening
The Sergt went to Washington to stop all night

Friday 25
The men had a dinner of roast Turkey and pudding at the dining rooms
I went up to the Pa Division to see them with dinner
I got a letter from Malve

Saturday 26
At home most of the day
Annie and I walked out after dinner
Went down the office the commissarys and the kitchens
Paxton and I played chess in the eve
I won 4 of 7 games

Sunday 27
At home all day
It is a rainy day

Monday 28
Rainy day at home most of the day
I wrote to Malve

Tuesday 29
At the office most of the day packing equipments to go to Washington
I went to a presentation to Capt. Crawford in the evening

Wednesday 30
At the office packing guns
A very pleasant day

Thursday 31
Rainy all day
I went to Washington with arms
I got a letter from James Brown