Horace Purdy Journal, July 1862 Entry
6pgs
7/1 - Tuesday - Stephen Holmes boy Charly died this morning with inflamation in the bowels. I went to the savings bank before going to the shop and paid $21 interest money. After work hoed the garden and helped Father Griswold set out some tomatoes and cabbage plants. Went to market in the evening and to the Hatters Meeting. I didn't get home til 10 o'clock. Father has been plowing out his potatoes. Mother and Bell called in the evening. 7/2 Wednesday -Worked till noon then came home to dinner. Went to the funeral of Charly Holmes. He was a member of our Sabbath School. The School assembled at 1 o'clock and the service was at 2 o'clock. It rained all afternoon. A large portion of the scholars were present and sang the hymns commencing with Our Sweet Flower Has Drooped and Faded. Father Griswold officiated. I went up to the cemetary. Burr Bradley walked under my umbrella and we walked home by his house to keep him dry. He gave me some cabbage plants. 7/3 Thursday. Worked in the shop. I sent a letter by Beatty's Stage to Abel Grey who makes and supplies us with butter. A telegraph this afternoon that there was a heavy battle on Tuesday near Richmond. Our loss was estimated at 15,000. Louisa took care of Eddie in the evening and Gussie and I went into the street. 7/4 Friday - I hoed in my garden and went to practice with my pistol at a target in the afternoon. In the PM Gussie and I took a walk with the baby in his carriage . Went up to Emily Anderson's and then down to the new fountain at the foot of Main Street and up home to Father Purdy's . Stayed a short time and came home. on our way back from Emily Anderson's we stopped at Mr. Rowan's and took some ice cream. The day has been very quiet for Independence Day. 7/5 Saturday - Worked as usual in the shop. Henry Benedict was buried this afternoon. It is reported that Robert Nostrand had his leg amputated this PM. I later learned that this was false . The Doctor only took out some pieces of bone. I went to market in the evening. Bought a paper (the Post) to get news from McClellan's army near Richmond. He has been fighting for eight days and our losses are near 20,000 as far as can be made out. Rebel losses are much heavier. No fighting since Tuesday as far as we are informed. We had a dispatch today that Vicksburg on the Mississippi is taken. I believe this is the last rebel stronghold on the river. I came back at 9 o'clock and went up home for my clothes that mother washed. I brought home a pail of milk. When I returned I got some water from the brook and put it in a large tub and gave myself a good washing over my whole body. 7/6 Sunday - Had our first young men's prayer meeting at 9 o'clock. Brother Crawford preached. George was in Stamford today so I was Librarian and Secretary. I stayed for afternoon service. Brother Crawford preached from the same text as I heard from Dr. Ryan in Washington DC on May 19th of 1861 previouse to our crossing the Potomac. Congregation and school was small today on account of the excesive heat. Gussie went to prayer meeting in the evening. 7/7 Monday - I worked hard in the shop. After tea I wnet to the post office where I met Uncle Edwin. I had a long talk about his family, the loss of Mary and her two children. Cousin Edwin and the boy living with him now have the same complaint, the diptheria. 7/8 Tuesday -Picked cherries from Father Griswold's tree before breakfast so Gussie could make some pies. Geroge came home on the train today. He came from Stamford to Ridgefield last night, stopped there and came today walking as far as Bethel. Stopped at Aunt Harriet's in Bethel then took the train home. Worked late at the shop to finish a dozen hats. Took care of Eddie in the evening so Gussie could go to the milliner. 7/9 Wednesday - Have all the work I can do in the shop today. Gussie went over to Mrs. Cyrus White's in the PM to the Sewing Society and took Eddy with her. I got my own supper and put up a shelf in the sink room. I went into the street about 9 o'clock for a loaf of bread.7/10 Thursday - It has been very smoky today. The sun looked like a ball of fire and the moon looked the same. Worked hard in the shop. After supper I helped Father Griswold set out some celery plants. I then went to market and brought home a loaf of bread and a peck of round clams. Lieutenant Andrew Knox of the 1st Connecticut Artillery came home on the train this evening. He was in the battle near Richmond. Eddie has broken out with measles and has the whooping cough. 7/11 Friday - Mother was with us to tea. George came down and returned my carpet bag that he used to go to Bridgeport on the 4th, and to Stamford and Ridgefield. We are in doubt whether Eddy has whooping cough or the measles although he coughs considerably. Mother Griswold and Louisa took care of him in the evening to let us go into the street. 7/12 Saturday - I worked until a short time after dinner and came home as I was very tired, having worked hard all week. Mr. Ball, one of Father Griswold's masons put the finishing coat over the plastering on my chimney in the sink room just before 6 o'clock. Gussie went up home so I got my tea upstairs with Mother Griswold. Gussie went to the milliners in the evening and I took care of Eddie 7/13 Sunday - Went to men's prayer meeting at 9 o'clock and Brother Crawford preached. Came home after Sunday School prayer meeting and Gussie went in the PM. I stayed home in the evening and let Gussie go to hear our Presiding Elder Mr. C. Hoyt preach. Sacrament in the PM. John Carpenter Jr. and Henry Heinman were baptized. 7/14 Monday - I worked in the shop. It was our usual payday and I drew $21.00 for 2 weeks work. I attended Sunday School Teachers business meeting and copied the minutes before I retired to rest. Father Griswold and Fanny came home from New York on the evening train. 7/15 Tuesday - Spent the day at home white washing, moving the stove into the sink room, [bolting] down oil cloth, buying zinc and making 2 frames upon which to nail it to protect the wood work behind the stove from the heat, filing my saw and mowing my door yard and it was dark when I finished. 7/16 Wednesday - I came home to dinner. Mother went to the funeral of the child of Robert Sayres. Isabella came down in the PM and stayed to tea. I sent a bottle of cider by her to Father. A thunder shower came in the PM so I did not go to class in the evening. Father Griswold's sofa, parlor table, oil cloth and carpet came from New York today. They were taken into our house to await the finishing of their new one. I received a letter from Cousin Charles Mills in McClellan's army near Richmond. 7/17 Thursday - Worked all day in the shop. Robert Fry came for my door yard grass after tea. A special Hatters Meeting in the evening to give a card to [Saul] Sniffens. He was [rejected]. After the meeting I saw Lieut. Knox at Bennett's store. He is home on furlough. 7/18 Friday - Gov. Buckingham came on a special train at 12 o'clock to hold a meeting in the evening to get volunteers for the war. We had a cannon at the ship and all hands turned ourt to salute the Gov. The train stopped and he presented himself at the door, head uncovered to acknowledge the compliment. A large enthusiastic meeting was held at concert hall in the evening. Lieut Gov. Averill presided and spoke, the Gov. , Mr. Gilbert, a Mr. Hoyt who is preaching at the Baptist Church during Mr. Stone's absence in Europe, Mr. Crawford, Mr. Clark, the Presbyterian minister from New Fairfield, and Thomas St. John who was drunk and made a failure. Capt Moore was there and quite a few came forward after the meeting and enlisted in his new company. 7/19 Saturday - I came home to dinner instead of carrying it. I worked late in the shop in order to finish up the work I had. Cousin George Hall from Sodom called as I came from work. He went over to stay with Cousin Harriet. I went into the street in the evening. 7/20 Sunday - I went to 9 o'clock prayer meeting and George handed me a letter from Cousin David Mills, 5th Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, Gen. Banks division dated 3 miles from Warrington VA. George took it out of the post office last evening, M.r Crawford preached in the AM. We had a short Sunday School shool session and an intermission before going up to the First Congregational Church to a gathering of Sunday Schools for School concert to take the place of regular afternoon services. I came home at intermission to let Gussie go to the concert. I took care of Eddy and wrote to Cousin David Mills. Gussie came home and reported an interesting meeting. After tea Mary Purdy came over with George Hall. It being rainy we did not attend church in the evening. They stayed until after 9 o'clock. 7/21 Monday - Anniversary of the battle of Bull Run. I worked in the shop until 7 o'clock. After tea I went down town and mailed my letter to Cousin David Mills. 7/22 Tuesday - George had some diffuculty with Father about leaving home and came to the shop to see me. He called at the house when I was at tea and I wrote a letter for him to [Binghamton] to E. A. Sanford to see about a situation for him to make firearms. We went into the street and he went to class and I mailed the letter. I then went to Military Hall to see how Capt. Moore was doing in getting volunteers. He is doing well with about 50 men already. I bought some groceries and came home. 7/23 Wednesday - In the forenoon I came very near enlisting with 5 of my shopmates, John Brush, Charles Small, Hiram Crofut, Flagler and John Rooney. We were all ready to go to the Recruiting Office except John Rooney who first took off his apron but put it on again immediately. I went to market in the evening. 7/24 Thursday - A special town meeting this afternoon to vote a bounty to the volunteers enlisting for the war under the President's call for 300,000 more men. I stopped work to go but heard that the business was done and the meeting adjourned. $125.00 bounty was voted to all who enlisted under this call previous and until August 20th. I went home and worked in my garden. Also went over to Mr. Hurd's and got some strawberrry plants and set them out. They are Hooker and what he called the None Such, and I got some of both. In the evening I called at Thomas Barnum's to see if he wanted a shop at the Pahquioque. I then went down town and walked up with Mr. Swift to the new dealer who bought out Smith. I had conversation with him about renting my upper rooms. George today has procured a stituation at Sturdevant's Factory at hardening [reals] 7/25 Friday - Just a year ago this afternoon the 1st Connecticut Regiment marched from camp to Meridian HIll Washington D.C. to the arsenal to deposit our arms and from there to the depot to return home after 3 months, including the Battle of Bull Run. The cars did not start until midnight, having to wait for a train arriving with troops. I was told they were a portion of Sickle's brigade. I worked all day in the shop and was very tired when I came home. After tea I propped up my pea vines and went to market. 7/26 Saturday - I brought some turnip plants home from the shop which Daniel Manley gave me and planted them before tea. I went into the street in the evening and paid for a lobster whieich Avery Raymond brought up according to order. 7/27 Sunday - I went to the Young Mens prayer meeting in the morning and came home after Sunday School. Mary Purdy offer to take care of Eddy so I went back to church with Gussie. Brother Crawford preached. A horse ran away as people were going to church in the morning. He came on the sidewalk and ran over several women and badly injured Mrs. Richards, Widow Eli Rockwell, Mrs Nathan Bennnett, John Stone's wife and her sister. I have been told others were hurt but have not yet learned their names. George came home with us to tea. After tea Gussie and I took Eddy in his carriage and called at Mrs. Richards' and at Mrs. Rockwell's. From there we went over to Burr Bradley's and then over to Town Hill to John Pollitt's . We did not got to meeting in the evening. 7/28 Monday - Worked hard all day at the shop. Pay day and I drew $18 for the last 2 weeks. After tea we left the baby with Mother Griswold and went into the street to do some trading. Capt. Moore's company of volunteers were out in the street in the eveninig parading with music. They leave for Hartford on the train tomorrow morning. 7/29 Tuesday - I have been toubled with a pain in my breast and side today. Came home earlier on that account. I came by Mr. Wright's paint shop and paid him 12 cents which I owed him. Bell came down and stayed for tea. Anna Purdy is worse. She had a spell of bleeding last night and another today. I brought home a pound of shellac for Father Griswold. 7/30 Wednesday - I have not felt very well today. William Judson from a Pennsylvania regiment under McClellan was at the shop. He was wounded, having lost a finger and a portion of another in the battle for Richmond. I tried to take up a collection for him to enable hime to get to New York, he being a pretty hard case. I did not succeed as the men feared he would spend it on liquor as I also feared. 7/31 Thursday - I felt better today but still not very strong. I worked until 5 o'clock and went down to the railroad bridge with E. Stevens, George Fenner, and Joseph Young to bathe and wash. Mrs. Russell Wildman and Lucy called after tea. Our folks went with them up to the new house. I went into the street in the evening. Stirring news in the papers. It is reported that 10 iron clad gun boats have come over from England and have broken the blockade at Mobile. I went to prayer meeting late. This morning I took 1 dozen rolls of Griswold Family Salve down to Mr. Swift to let him sell for us on commission.
1862-07
Horace Purdy Journal, May 1861 Entry
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MAY 01 – WEDNESDAY – Rather cool for the season. Three sergeants and one corporal of the regiment were reduced in rank and two privates were dismissed from the service and their uniforms taken from them for bad and unsoldierly conduct.
From May 2nd until the 8th, I wrote nothing in my diary. As it is now (the time of copying this) August 19th, my memory does not serve me and therefore, I am compelled to leave the intervening time a blank, though it was filled up with the usual camp duties.
MAY 09 – THURSDAY – The day has been pretty warm and very dusty. William Wheeler, from Bethel, one of my old shop mates, was to the camp and stayed until we struck our tents and marched off from the ground to go to Long Wharf to take the steamer “Bienville” en route to Washington, which was about 4 1/4. PM. We arrived at the wharf and went on board about 6 o’clock. The other steamer to take the 2nd Regiment came in while we lay at the dock. We left the dock about 10 ½ o’clock, rounded the east end of Long Island during the night. MAY 10 – FRIDAY – I awoke about 4 o’clock this morning and went on deck just in time to see Long Island as we were leaving it and to see the sun rise. 8 o’clock – out of sight of land. Clear and pleasant, the weather fine. The sea is calm, just enough swell to give an easy motion to the steamer. At 10 ¾ o’clock, we passed a Danish barque and signaled her. We gave her three hearty cheers. Hazy in the PM. “Baltimore” – so-called (a comical fellow, a member of the Waterbury Company), is cutting up his friend and raising heck generally. All the men are in good spirits, except the few who are beginning to feel “sea-sick”. MAY 11 – SATURDAY – Smith’s Island, Cape Charles and the sand banks of Cape Henry hove into view about 6 o’clock this morning. We are now in Chesapeake Bay. Seven o’clock passed and we signaled a Swedish vessel. About 3 PM, we met two steamers, one of them, a U. S. Mail. About 3 ½ o’clock, we entered the mouth of the Potomac River. Hazy and scarcely any wind at all. On account of the removal of the lights and buoys by the rebels, we anchored at dark at a bend of the river. After pacing a guard fore and aft and at the side of a steamer to keep a look out (for we were very near the Virginia shore), we retired for the night. MAY 12 – SUNDAY – The crew began to weigh anchor about 4 o’clock and we immediately started on our way up the river again. At 5 o’clock, we met a war steamer, the “Mohawk”. She rounded up to us and her captain inquired where we were from and where bound, how many men on board, etc. He told us to go on up the river, while he would go down and meet the other steamer carrying the 2nd Regiment. Virginia and Maryland are on each side of us. At times, we are almost within hailing distance of either shore. About 8 o’clock, while a part of the regiment were eating breakfast, we passed Mount Vernon, the home and tomb of Washington. In passing, our band played a dirge and a national air. We passed Fort Washington soon after. We passed Alexandria about 9 o’clock. A war steamer lay off there to keep the rebels quiet. A little later, we cast anchor in the river near Washington, about halfway between the Arsenal Yard and the Navy Yard. While we lay there, a steamer came from the dock passing very near us having on board President Lincoln with a military escort. It was nearly noon when we were landed at the Arsenal Yard where we spent the remainder of the day very pleasantly. I spread my blanket upon the grass and wrote a letter home to Gussie. We staked out arms in the Armory and went on board the boat to quarter for the night. MAY 13 – MONDAY – We had our breakfast on board the boat this morning. A detachment was sent ahead early to clear up the ground and pitch our tents near Glenwood Cemetery, north of the city. In the afternoon, the regiment was marched to our encampment. The day was very warm and a number of our men gave out before we arrived there.
Five more days were omitted because I do not remember what occurred, there being no writing done in my diary. The time was occupied thought with the usual duties of camp and drilling.
MAY 19 – SUNDAY – I got a pass this morning and went to the city and attended Dr. Ryan’s church (Methodist). He preached an excellent sermon in which he alluded to the present condition of our country in a very feeling manner. Text, Daniel 6:10. One of the members, a good brother, took me home with him to dinner, after which I went to the camp where there was a preaching at 4 PM. Text, Proverbs 31:5. I went to the city again in the evening and attended church. Wellington Gibbs and Edgar Wildman were with me. It began to rain after we got started and rained hard all evening. Dr. Ryan preached from Ephesians 5:16. MAY 20 - MONDAY – Wrote a letter home. Received one from Harriet in New York, commenced writing one to her. The day has been stormy. MAY 21 – TUESDAY – Pleasant. I went over to the Brooklyn 14th Regiment in the evening to see their chaplain, Brother Inskip (?), but did not as there was only a detachment there to pitch their tents. The remainder of the regiment and Brother Inskip are to come into their camp tomorrow.
Wednesday and Thursday are blank in my diary.
MAY 24 – FRIDAY – Sick with diarrhea. I got some medicine from our surgeon, Dr. Stearns. I have done no duty except dress parade at 6 PM. The 3rd Regiment came and encamped near us today. MAY 25 – SATURDAY – I was up a good deal of last night. I had a touch of Cholera Morbus (Note: gastrointestinal illness characterized by cramps, diarrhea, and sometimes vomiting). A shower after breakfast. At 1 ¼ o’clock, we were called away as we supposed at the time to battle. We marched as far as a long bridge, but did not cross over as far as Virginia. The alarm was a false one, or at least a small affair caused it. We were forthwith marched back to camp. Not feeling well, it was too much for me. I was obliged to give up my knapsack both ways, going and returning. MAY 26 – SUNDAY – I was detailed for guard duty this morning, but I was relieved just in time to attend preaching in the PM under a large oak tree on our parade ground. Text, 1st John 1:8, 9. We have no regular chaplain for our regiment. This man has come here from the city once before and kindly volunteered to preach for us. I do not remember his name.
Monday through Friday, inclusively are left blank again in my diary. I did not have time, I suppose, or some other cause. I do not now remember. The time was filled up with the usual duties of the soldier, I presume.
1861-05-01