Thompson, W. S., fl. 1862-1865 [Civil War pocket diary of W.S. Thompson]

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GLC#
GLC01838.03-View header record
Type
Journals & Diaries
Date
1864
Author/Creator
Thompson, W. S., fl. 1862-1865
Title
[Civil War pocket diary of W.S. Thompson]
Place Written
Various Places
Pagination
1 v. : 160 p. : Height: 16.2 cm, Width: 10.7 cm
Primary time period
Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1877
Sub-Era
The American Civil War

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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