 May 1-11 <no entries> Friday, May 12 I came in from picket this morning and signed the payrolls. In camp all day. Expecting pay. Saturday, May 13 In camp today and on duty. Paymaster is paying the Regiments. Co. B. got paid after dark. I got $73.41 cents. Payed sutler and other debts to the amount of $35. [$73.41 in 1865 dollars would be worth $1,079.56 in 2015. $35 of 1865 dollars would be worth $514.71 in 2015. Source: http://www.davemanuel.com/inflation-calculator.php] [Sutler - A common sight in the camps of Civil War soldiers was a string of huts or tents bulging with various items for sale. These business establishments belonged to sutlers, civilians officially appointed to supply soldiers with a long list of approved items. In both the Union and Confederate armies each regiment was allowed 1 sutler. From these camp vendors a soldier could purchase such items as food, newspapers, books, tobacco, razors, tin plates, cups, cutlery, and illegal alcohol. Source: http://www.civilwarhome.com/terms.html] Sunday, May 14 Peter, Joseph Parks, Lonnie Wood and myself on one Post. [Joseph G. Parks, age 21, enlisted at Dix, to serve one year, mustered in as private, Co. B, 6 Sep 1864; mustered out with company, 20 Sep 1865 at Fort Jefferson, FL Source: https://dmna.ny.gov/historic/reghist/civil/rosters/Infantry/161st_Infantry_CW_Roster.pdf]  May 15 I was duly relieved this morning & stayed in camp all day May 16 On camp guard to today. Farald [Edward Farrell] was released today after being under guard one week. Co. I. [Edward Farrell enlisted in 1862 at age 22 in NYC to serve 3 years, mustered in as private with Co. I, transferred to Co. B, September 1865, mustered out with Company on 12 November 1865 in Tallahassee, FL Source: https://dmna.ny.gov/historic/reghist/civil/rosters/Infantry/161st_Infantry_CW_Roster.pdf] May 17 Went down street this morning purchased writing materials and several other articles to the amount of about $15. We had general inspection at 4 this p.m. I sit up night with Hurd ill [There where two soldiers named Hurd in this company – Charles W. and John, both age 21 when they enlisted in Reading, NY, both mustered in with Co. B on 9 Sep 1862; Charles mustered out with company September 1865 at Fort Jefferson, FL & John mustered out with detachment 17 October 1865 at Elmira, NY. Source: https://dmna.ny.gov/historic/reghist/civil/rosters/Infantry/161st_Infantry_CW_Roster.pdf] May 18 On picket today on Dauphine St. Went to a citizen's house where they were dancing. The capture of Jef[ferson Davis] is confirmed in today’s papers. Mailed letter & $20 to wife.  May 19 In camp today. Peter was detailed to go on the Mobile and Ohio R. R. for guard. May 20 We received marching orders today [and] expect to go to Apalachicola. The non-commissioned officers met this evening and made an argument for presenting a sword to Adjt [Adjutant - a military officer who acts as an administrative assistant to a senior officer] Harrower [Colonel Gabriel T. Harrower]. I wrote mother Wadsworth [Philena, Harriett's mother] a letter. May 21 We had company inspection this morning. I wrote a letter to father. Sent a Mobile paper. Peter returned to the company again this evening May 22 We broke camp at half past 4 this morning & marched to the wharf. Embarked on the N. P. Banks. Started away from wharf at 9 am. Landed at Barrancas at dark. [Fort Barrancas was one of three forts guarding the port of Pensacola, FL. It was evacuated by the Confederates in May 1862 and remained in Union hands for the rest of the war. Source: http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/fortbarrancas1.html]  May 23 We are signing over the wharf at Barrancas today, awaiting for other troops to come. The weather is extremely warm. General Asboth is in command at the Post. [Brigadier General Alexander Asboth, born 1811 in Hungary, served in Hungarian Army, became naturalized US citizen, commanded the Army’s Department of West Florida, severely wounded in October 1864 at Battle of Mariana, retained his command until he was mustered out in August 1865. He died in 1868 while serving as ambassador to Argentina and Uruguay, and his remains were reburied at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors on October 23, 1990. Source: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=12843] May 24 Barrancas FLa I am on duty today. The Regiment is here under command of General Asboth. Awaiting for orders to move elsewhere. May 25 We left the wharf this morning & went in camp half mile from the Bay. May 26 In camp today. The fleas is our bitterest enemy. Newell [Charles B. Newell] & copur [Albert W. Cooper] is on a haise??. Our mail came this evening. I received a letter from Hattie [Charles' wife Harriett] dated May 3rd.  May 27 We are still in camp waiting orders to go to Apalachicola. It is reported that the arsenal in Mobile is blown up. May 28 We had our usual morning inspection after which I wrote wife a letter. May 29 Sgt. Smith, Peter & myself went down street this morning & purchased one razor & kit The Negro troops arrived here today on the steamer Peabody. [Negro troops = 82nd U.S. Colored Infantry. Source: The War of the Rebellion on Google Books.] May 30 In camp today wrote a letter to father. Mail arrived. I received one letter from father dated May 9th and Rockland Co[unty] paper.  Wednesday, May 31
Had reveille at 4 o'clock this morning & embarked on the Hussar. Crossed the Bay. Landed at Ft. Pickens & took on two pieces of artillery. I went in the Fort. Left Pickens at 11am and sailed all day. [Fort Pickens was the largest of four forts built to defend Pensacola Bay, FL and one of the only forts in the South that was never occupied by Confederate forces during the Civil War. Source: http://www.nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/fort-pickens.htm].
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