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sociable, and whom at the time I set down as mechanics or other well disposed persons [The following text has been crossed out but is still legible] Entering into conversation with them upon various topics and particularly of the war they very soon made themselves acquainted with the object I had in view. Quickening my apprehension with the information that as the draft was to take place the following day in New York, and that then all means of exit would be closed, [Cross out ends] they agreed that if possible it would be much better if I could get my ticket this evening, and get aboard the vessel the Christiana, then lying at a pier in the East river a service which they very kindly offered to do for me. Accompanying one of them he conducted me to an office in Albany St. where I purchased a ticket for $30 which included my bed and a few cooking utensils, I was then informed for some reason or other I would bot be able to get aboard that night, but that I should be placed aboard the first thing in the
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morning. Resting satisfied with this assurance I returned to my hotel, after taking a very short stroll through two or three of the neighboring streets, which seemed all alive with music, and pleasure. For this, as it afterward appeared to me as I inspected it by daylight, was the sailors quarter, and was principally occupied by their lodging houses, and places of resort. Returning to the tavern I sat down and wrote a short letter home delivering my experiences so far; and then feeling rather hungry and tired, I requested some supper and a bed. In the mean- time however I was accosted by one or tow others, who, taking me for a green- horn which I really was, endeavored to operate upon me, but being perfect- ly alive now as to the character of the company in which I found my- self I turned a deaf ear to their soft persuasions and thus escaped being robbed. Having eaten a supper
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which I did not enjoy. I was shown to my bed in a very small room which should more properly be called a closet, as it was of extremely small dimensions, and but a trifle larger than the single bed with which it was occupied and which seemed to me to be situated in a sort of outhouse at the back of the main premises as we were obliged to reach it by going through the kitchen and a sort of back yard. I at length got to bed, but it was a long time before I got to sleep; for now having an opportunity to collect my thoughts I began to be troubled with a horrible suspicion that the ticket I had bought and paid $30 for might be worthless. This thought kept me awake for a long time, but tired nature at length triumphed over horrid thoughts, bed- bugs with which the bed seemed to be swarming, and rats which kept running over the ceiling and under the floor and which at times I fancied
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ran across the bed upon which I was sleeping. Having passed a very wretched and disturbed night, I was not sorry when morning arrived; although bring fresh trials and trouble. I dressed myself and went down to the bar-room and then went out for a short stroll before breakfast during which I purchased a few things in which I stood in need. I break- fasted with rather a motley crowd, and after breakfast meeting in the bar-room the same person who so kindly procured me my ticket the night before I immediately insisted in being placed aboard the ship, as he agreed to do the evening before. This, he told me he intended to do, but that it was too early yet and that I must meet him at 1/2 past nine. I met him at the time appointed, and went with him to the office when I received the [pleasing?] information that the Christiana was
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full; but they exchanged my ticket for me ensuring my passage by the "American Union" advertised to sail about the same time. My kind assistant now informed me, that he could do nothing more for me towards putting me aboard, but that the best thing I could do, would be to hire a dray and get myself and baggage aboard as it was more than a mile to where the ship was lying. This I considered rather too bad and remonstrated with him accordingly, but as some little altercation ensued in which they threat- ened to kick me out of the place, I thought it best to comply with his recommendation. I could find no drayman who would undertake the job for less than $2.50; heavy as this was I could not help myself, and was obliged to pay it and so about twelve o'clock on Saturday I was safely placed aboard the "American Union" bound for Liverpool. A soon as I had an opportunity to look around