Thompson, W. S., fl. 1862-1865 [Civil War pocket diary of W.S. Thompson]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01838.03 Author/Creator: Thompson, W. S., fl. 1862-1865 Place Written: Various Places Type: Diary Date: 1864 Pagination: 1 v. : 160 p. : Height: 16.2 cm, Width: 10.7 cm Order a Copy
Signed "W.S. Thompson / 1st Asst Engineer / U.S. Navy." Entries for 1864 are much more extensive than for 1862 and 1863. Includes detailed weather and accounts of his "usual duties." Reports his leave of absence and returning to duty on the U.S. ironclad "Atlanta" as first assistant engineer. Memoranda and summary of accounts at back. Wrap-around black leather cover.
Selected excerpts:
14 February: "Having a gale from the N.W. Anchored off Fort Monroe…"
22 February: "Salute of 31 guns from flagship Minnesota…"
14 March: "This morning at 3 oclock a sailor fell overboard…1/2 hour before the boat picked him up…"
1 May: "No inspection took in 51 tons of coal…"
26 May: "Some firing below two pilots killed…"
16 June: "Went ashore Gen Meade visited the ship this am…"
17 June: "1st Anniversary of the capture of the Atlanta. A photograph of the vessel taken to day by Brady." [The Confederate ironclad "Atlanta" had been captured by the "Weehauken" on 17 June 1863.]
2 July: "Thermometer in Engine Room 130°"
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