Chelmsford Historical Society
Daniel P. Byam, September 1864

Thursday, September 1st, 1864

Went down town; had a gay dinner at the St. Charles. Saw Hunter; he is going home on furlough. Was put on guard tonight; cool.

Friday, September 2nd, 1864

Received letter from Lysander. Have written to him. Very hot.

Saturday, September 3rd, 1864

Still comfortable–kind of hot; nothing new, only 9 men had to go on guard; 18 used to.

Sunday, September 4th, 1864

Inspection in the morning; on guard; went down town; bought some bread and butter–it was a gay dinner; got back to camp all right.

Monday, September 5th, 1864

On guard; quite cool; received a letter from Maynard.

Tuesday, September 6th, 1864

Dull tonight; very cool.

Wednesday, September 7th, 1864

Meserve and I had a pass; went down town; saw the Rebel ram Tennessee, an ugly looking monster; went on board; the strongest craft that floats; she is lying opposite the city with a Yankee crew aboard. We had a gay time.

Thursday, September 8th, 1864

On stable duty; very cool, seems like fall at home. Flapjacks and Johnny cake for supper.

Friday, September 9th, 1864

The Emily B. Souter arrives from N. York with mail; had 2 letters from home, 1 from Newell; written home; steamer leaves the 13th written to Newell.

Saturday, September 10th, 1864

Received a letter from Lysander and 2 papers; have written to him; on guard; have bought a pair of pants of Meserve.

Sunday, September 11th, 1864

Inspection; very hot; paper from H.

Monday, September 12th, 1864

Have been detailed to go down to the Picayune Cotton Press with 25 others to clean it. We move tomorrow. A splendid place on the levee about 2 miles from Canal Street. All gay tonight.

Tuesday, September 13th, 1864

We struck tents at 7; left at 8. We had any quantity of Signal stores—lumber and all kinds of baggage–made quite a train. The Press was formerly occupied by a Reserve Corps–plenty of fleas and bedbugs.

Wednesday, September 14th, 1864

Have been arranging things; we have as good headquarters as they make; we are in larger ––

Thursday, September 15th, 1864

Flag drill in the forenoon; sabre drill in the evening. The steamer Yazoo arrives from N. York.

Friday, September 16th, 1864

Hildreth and I took a walk up on the levee. Aunt Lizzie came down; she gave me two pies; quite cool.

Saturday, September 17th, 1864

On guard; have an awful toothache; am not very well. Steamer arrives from N. Y.

Sunday, September 18th, 1864

Inspection: took a stroll up town; Barr and myself. The markets looked nice, everything that anyone wanted, but we had no money. The steamer Cassandra has been lying opposite the Barracks all day, waiting for Rebel prisoners to go aboard, 300 were put on board; they were taken at Fort Morgan; they are going to Elmira, N. York.

Monday, September 19th, 1864

10 men arrive from Mobile. 20 men leave tomorrow for White River Ark, an expedition is fitting out; am not very well; have written home.

Tuesday, September 20th, 1864

The men leave today; they go mounted. Harry Waitt comes back from Mobile, my old chum; part of my bunk was saved for him. Was very glad to see him and that he went through the battle safe. It is quite cool, now, not many mosquitoes.

Wednesday, September 21st, 1864

Very rainy; nothing to do; saw a Boston vessel unloading ice. A report that 150 men leave soon up river.

Wednesday, September 21st, 1864

Went up town. Saw Gage's vessel of Charlestown unloading ice at the levee. Report is that 50 men are going up the river. Very rainy.

Thursday, September 22nd, 1864

Still raining. Nothing to do. Steamer North America, N. York, came up today. Expect some mail.

Friday, September 23rd, 1864

Slight showers all day. Waitt got his Georgetown money and we went on a time. Received letter from home and 1 from Hattie; written to Everett.

Saturday, September 24th, 1864

Received a letter from Aunt Ann; written to Sumner. The Swonada left this morning for N. York, carrying Gen. Banks & staff. He has been relieved. 21 guns were fired as the steamer left the levee. The Cromwell left also.

Sunday, September 25th, 1864

On guard today. It is very cool nights now. The Evening Star arrives from N. York.

Monday, September 26th, 1864

Not anything to do. Have written home. A beautiful day.

Tuesday, September 27th, 1864

Have been oiling saddles. Steamer Yazoo arrives from N. York.

Wednesday, September 28th, 1864

Mail today. None for me. Steamer leaves for New York with Rebel prisoners. Women rushed to the levee to give them things. Hear of a great battler in Virginia.

Thursday, September 29th, 1864

Went up town. Saw the Ariel of New York. Had a letter from Mother, 1 from Lysander. Very hot.

Friday, September 30th, 1864

Written home to Lysander. A steamer leaves with rebel prisoners for New York. Hear of great victory in Virginie.

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