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

March 17, 18 to go to (Tennessee?) March 17 About now we got a word to get ready to start for (?) in boats. If a (detachment?) to with the way and over land - (Hawkinsville?) is about 25 miles (distant?) from (?) up the St. Johns River. We arrived there the next morning March 18 having landed on the banks of the Johns before Daybreak & rested a little while Here we intend to stay & make (to?) stand against the enemy who is thought to be coming up the river but in my opinion they will not, the river is very (narrow?) out more than (?)

March 17, 18 11

& to go to Tennessee.

March 17 about noon we got orders to get ready to start for Hawkinsville in boats & a detachment to with the wagons over land. Hawkinsville is about 25 miles distant from Volusia up the St. Johns River. We arived there the next morning March 18 having landed on the banks of the Johns before daybreak & rested a little while.

Here we intend to stay & make & stand against the enemy who is thought to be coming up the River but in my opinion they will not, the River is very narrow not more than [two yards ?] wide

12 March 19

& thickly wooded on both sides of the banks.

19. Our men were busy to day fixing up camps & making messes. Having brought our own cooking utensils the Captain permitted us to mess alone Mr. Sam Cook & myself Thursday, March 20 Was detailes with 6 others arriving whom one Sergent & our Second Lieutenant to coats[?] board the Steamer Gov. Milton formerly the George M. Bird to Enterprize to load her with arms & ammunition. Arived there about 4 oclock p.m. it rained nearly all day. Were quartered in a ten pin alley.

March 20, 21

13

But no guns nor ammunition was there. We were informed that one of men of Capt. Bird’s Companie formerly stationed at St. Augustine had died the previous night. & we were requested to wake with him for the night which we did by turns. This is the sadest thing in a poor soldiers life to get sick & die away from home & friends without attention or medicine.

Friday 21. The coffin for the dead soldier having arived I helped putting him in. After we went on board the steamer again & returned to Hakinsville.

14 March 22, 23, 24

Saturday 22. In camp at Hawkinsville.

Sunday 23. Was detailed to go with a party about three miles down the river & fell trees to obstruct the river. About 2 o clock returned & had dress parade & inspection of arms in the afternoon.

Monday 24. To day there there is great excitement in camp. The first report was that one boat with about 16 men from the federal gunboat at Symrna atempted to go the river we ambuscaded & all killed. “not one left to tell the tale” –