2024-07 Raynors Historical Collectible Auctions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/13/2024
1863 Pocket diary written by W(illiam) S. Babbitt who on 9/19/1862 mustered into "B" Co. MA 49th Infantry. He was Mustered Out on 9/1/1863 at Pittsfield, MA. The hand writing is legible, mostly ink although there are pencil entries as well. The diary covers January through December, but the last third is non-military as Babbitt mustered out September 1, 1863. Additionally, the pagination is inconsistent. Under "Memoranda" at the back of the diary, there are ten pages, January 24, 1863 through February 24, 1863 although in the daily diary pages, there are also entries for those dates. Under "Memoranda" , 1/24; We sailed from New York in the Steam Ship Illinois. .. At 4pm we rounded the cape Charles into Chesapeake Bay ... 1/26 We got to Fortress Monroe at 9 ... when of Cape Hatteras it did blow a gale ... 1/28 We are crossing the Gulf Stream. Most of the boys are sick. 2/1. We do not have enough to eat on board the ship. Its a shame. 2/7 At noon a steamer came down from New Orleans and took all of the men and most of the freight. 2/17 We sailed for Baton Rouge at 6am ... got to Baton Rouge, at 10. Left the boat and went to camp. 3/14 Left Baton Rouge for Port Hudson. Marched 10 miles and camped for the night. 3/20 We came double quick to Baton Rouge. 5/8 Today they attacked Port Hudson. We could hear the firing. 5/28 We are all in awful suspence concerning Port Hudson. The fighting raged 5 days and we haven't got it yet. I have some fear we have a great many wounded. 5/30 The fight still goes on at PH, the wounded arrive here fast. Our Srgt is badly used up. I thank God for sending me to the hospital and escape the carnage of the battlefield. 6/3 Still fighting at PH. 6/8 I left the Hospital this morning and came to camp. Our boys are all gone to PH. 6/9 Been heavy firing all day at PH. I pray God that the place may be taken soon. 6/25 This morn I was ordered with others to Port Hudson ... we expected a fight with guerrillas but we only saw 8 of them & they did not molest us. 6/26 This morning we were ordered into the rifle pit within 1000 feet of the earth works. The bullets fly over our heads and whistle awfully .. There is a great deal of cannonading all the time. 7/8 Glory to God in the highest. Port Hudson has surrendered. We are about to march into the fort. Now we will go home soon. Oh God, thank thee for hearing my prayers. 7/9 last night I went on picket close to the fort to prevent the rebs from getting away. 7/10 Last night at 6 we went onboard the Gen. Banks and and started for Donaldson with a fleet of 7 steamers all full of troops. 7/14 I am sick. The doctor sent me to the hospital. I saw 40 dead men being buried. 7/27 Arad died last night and we buried him today. 8/8 This morn early we got ready to start. we struck our tents. At 12 we stared for the boat. We got boarded and started for N.O. at 4pm. 8/12 Got to Vicksburg at at dusk last night. Vicksburg is the prettiest place I've seen. 8/13 We stopped and buried one of CoI's men on the bank of the river. 8/14 We cast anchor at 12 last night and lay till morning. Levi Pruett died in the night. Tis very close & crowded on the boat. 8/15 Got to Memphis at day light. Fruit is very plenty. Got some apples. 8/17 We got to Cairo 12 this morn. 8/19 200 miles from Cairo changed cars and left at 7. 8/22Got to Albany at 1AM. Started for Pittsfield at 7 and arrived at 10 and were greated with a great crowd of people. 9/1 Went to Pittsfield and was mustered out of the U.S. Service. The diary continues with daily entries through the end of September.
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