John A. Steinbeck's diary, primarily during the Civil War, handwritten mainly in pencil, leather-bound, over 200pp, [195] 1859-1862

Left St. Augustine on 21 of December 1861. Arrived at Tocoi at 2pm – started for Jacksonville at 5p m – arrived at Jacksonville at 9pm – slept on board the steamer & on the next day Sunday left there for Fernandina at 9pm – at Baldwin where we had to change cars we were delayed till 10 o clock pm. When we arrived at Fernandina at 1 o clock a m – slept on cars & on shamming whar quartered in a merchant’s store. The town of Fernandina is almost

entirely deserted - and in the afternoon had battalion drill – slept on the counter – Oh home sweet home –

The following is written for my dear wife – & if in the Providence of God I should not be permitted to return to her – I hereby ask & beseech anybody who may find this to send it to her – direct to Mrs. Almira A. Steinbeck to St. Augustine or to Mrs. A. A. Anderson St. Augustine who most likely will know her whereabouts. Hawkinsville Ga.

J. A. Steinbeck

1862

1

March 10 Sunday morning a blockading steamer was seen laying of St. Augustine bay & a boat was seen leaving her & appeared to be sounding. 10 oclock Captain Philips sent a detachment to the beach under Sergent Philips & myself was on of the number. We saw nothing on the beach except the steamer laying too. - & about two oclock we returned to town. Monday morning four men from a detachment of Artillerie stationed a New Symrna from this place arived here on a four lorys with a

March 10 2

from Major Samuel to Captain Philips ordering him to evactuate St. Augustine – burst the guns, dispose of the Confederat Property & C. & come imediatly with his company & also with the rest of the Artillerie to New Smyrna - immedeatly we got orders to march an embark at nine oclock p.m. – a detachment of of about thirty men were sent with the teams over land & the rest went with boats. Taking leave of a dear wife & two darting little boys one

March 11

3

nearly 5 years old & the other 2 1/2 is not a very easy task, but comanding the care of our all mercifull father I shoulder my bundle about 20 minutes to nine - & went the to the baracks – about 10 o clock p. m. we started in the boats & passed all night. About dawn arrived at Matanzas – There we landed built a fire warmed ourselves & started again inland passage & intended to go by water about 25 miles more – but the water being so very shallow we we obliged to land with a great deal of trouble at