Wednesday, Nov. 2, 1864
Cool and pleasant this morning. Dr. Jones has gone to Tunbridge; have spent the day with Dr. Bagley's family; shall remain here over night; called on Mrs. Hayward and her daughter, Susan, this evening.
Thursday, Nov. 3, 1864
It's a lovely morning; went to Tunbridge with Dr. Jones; fine evening; am to stay at Mr. Isaac Merrill's tonight.
Friday, Nov. 4, 1864
Has rained hard all day. Ike's a little off on the war; went to the village about 4 o'clock p. m.; called on Mrs. Lyman Hinkley, am at Mrs. Hayward's tonight.
Saturday, Nov. 5, 1864
Have been to see Jo Watson to-day; weather cold and blustering all day; am with Dr. J. H. Jones tonight; he's visiting a patient; am alone.
Sunday, Nov. 6, 1864
Left Chelsea at 10 o'clock a. m. for Barre; Jo Watson brought me over; attended church this afternoon, heard an excellent sermon by Rev. F. S. Bliss; called on Mrs. Oromal Dodge this evening.
Monday, Nov. 7, 1864
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Took the 7 o'clock a. m. stage for Montpelier, and thence by 11 o'clock a. m. train to Vergennes to see Levi Meader, my old roommate at Barre Academy, Mr. F. E. Woodbridge's law partner; am not impressed with the cordiality of Mr. Woodbridge; met him on the train en route.
Tuesday, Nov. 8, 1864
It has rained all day. Well, this is a great day in the States! Probably more depends on what it brings forth than any since Washington's time. As for myself, though, I have no fear but what all will come out right; am still in Vergennes, and have voted for Abraham Lincoln -- my first vote. The city's vote is as follows:
Good! This is as it should be.
Wednesday, Nov. 9, 1864
Was shown the city by Meader today. Hon. F. E. Woodbridge, who is a representative in Congress, returned home from Washington last night. He is Meader's law partner; was introduced this morning; took the train for Williston, Vt. at 11 o'clock a. m. but being express didn't stop; arrived in Montpelier at 4 o'clock p. m.; shall stay here tonight; went to the theatre this evening.
Thursday, Nov. 10, 1864
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A gloomy, lonely day; visited the State House this afternoon; if in condition would like to return to the front; am at Burnham's Hotel; have been to the theatre; fine evening.
Friday, Nov. 11, 1864
Fair day; arrived in Barre by 7 o'clock p. m. stage; took my first degree in masonry to-night. Webber Tilden did the work.
Saturday, Nov. 12, 1864
A cold bleak day; went up to James Burnham's with Fanny West this forenoon; took her and Cousin Pert and called on the Calefs and Alma Watson at Washington; returned to and stayed at James'; Ryle Seaver was there; had company in the evening.
Sunday, Nov. 13, 1864
Snowed this morning; there's about three inches of snow on the ground tonight; left James Burnham's at 9 o'clock a. m. in a snowstorm; arrived at Barre just in season for William Old's funeral; have attended the funeral this afternoon at the Universalist Church of Lester Tilden. Captain Albert Dodge called this afternoon; has stopped snowing.
Monday, Nov. 14, 1864
The Academy examinations commenced today; attended morning prayers. Mr. J. S. Spaulding looks and is the same as ever; nice old gentleman; called at the Curriers this evening; were glad to see me;
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clever old people; attended the examination of a class of youngsters in geography at the Academy.
Tuesday, Nov. 15, 1864
Attended the examination at the Academy of classes in mathematics to include geometry; nothing very exciting going on.
Wednesday, Nov. 16, 1864
Have passed a pleasant day; met James Abbott of Williamstown, Vt., this afternoon at the Academy; fine looking and a fine fellow, too; closing exercises come off at the Academy this evening. Carl Wilson and Frank French called tonight.
Thursday, Nov. 17, 1864
Am in Montpelier tonight. Mr. and Mrs. David Mower and Cousin Pert are here, too; have been to the dentist's to have an impression taken for my new teeth; am to have them in the morning; went to the theatre tonight with George and Mrs. Watson; saw the good play of East Lynne; shall stay with them tonight; very cold and much snow; am getting wornout with so much visiting.
Friday, Nov. 18, 1864
Have had some photographs taken; went up to the State House this forenoon, and afternoon; had a torchlight parade this evening; village illuminated; speeches by Governors Holbrook, Dillingham, etc. General Stannard present; didn't get my teeth.
Saturday, Nov. 19, 1864
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Cold with chilly north wind; stayed at Burnham's Hotel last night; hotel overcrowded; had to room with Mr. Orcutt of Roxbury; Captain Albert Dodge and wife and Louise Dodge in town; went to the depot with Mr. Orcutt; expect a visit from him in camp this winter; went up to the hospital with some ladies; arrived in Barre at 7 o'clock p. m.; took two degrees in masonry; am a Master Mason.
Sunday, Nov. 20, 1864
Went to church this forenoon. Lester Hanson read a sermon, Mr. Bliss being in Woodstock, Vt.; went to Henry Burnham's funeral, a victim of the Civil War, in the afternoon at Williamstown; am at Uncle Howe's tonight; have called on Aunt Sarah Simons; weather threatening.
Monday, Nov. 21, 1864
Not very cold; about two inches of snow on the ground this morning; went with Cousin Pert to Cousin David Smith's this forenoon, and then to Barre, arriving at Mr. David Mower's at 4 o'clock p. m.; raining hard to-night; have been to a Masonic meeting; saw Mr. Jones initiated.
Tuesday, Nov. 22, 1864
Northwest wind, cold and cloudy, with snow to-night; went up to the old homestead this afternoon; called at Mr. Elijah Wheeler's, also at his sister Susan's; am at Jim Burnham's to-night with Ryle
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Seaver; shall both stay here. Aunt Thompson has gone over to Cousin David Smith's.
Wednesday, Nov. 23, 1864
Pleasant and not very cold; started for Cousin David's at 9 o'clock a. m.; called at Mr. Flint's, at Rodney Seaver's and on Cousin Aurora Benedict; found Cousin Abby Howe at Ro's, too; took Thanks-giving dinner with Cousin Lois and David Smith's family, and went to Barre. Hattie Burnham is ill with diphtheria.
Thursday, Nov. 24, 1864
Started for the front this morning at 6 o'clock, or rather for Annapolis, Md. Cousin Pert went as far as Bellows Falls with me; arrived at Springfield, Mass. at 8 o'clock, p. m., at N. Y. City about midnight, and daylight found me between Philadelphia and Baltimore.
Friday, Nov. 25, 1864
Arrived at Baltimore about 9 o'clock a. m.; remained at the Eutaw House until 4.40 o'clock p. m.; arrived at Annapolis at about 8 o'clock p. m.; reported to the surgeon in charge at once who ordered me to report to the Board of Examiners tomorrow morning; am in a room with two other officers.
Saturday, Nov. 26, 1864
Reported at the Examiners' room at 9.30 o'clock a. m.; was ordered to report at 9.30 o'clock a. m. Monday; have been up town today; very dilapidated looking
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place and dull; hardly know what to do with myself. Three more officers have been assigned to my room tonight. There are quite a number of officers here from my Division.
Sunday, Nov. 27, 1864
Warm and pleasant; nothing doing; have been lounging about and resting up; saw guard mounting this morning at the Marine Barracks and also at the post; hope I shan't have to remain here long, it's so dull; shall go to the front in the morning if they will let me.
Monday, Nov. 28, 1864
Well, this has been an interesting day, a great surprise; have been treated with great consideration -- like a prince -- by the board, and I never saw one of them before, nor had they ever heard of me that I know of. They made my mouth wound of so much interest it embarrassed me; I felt as though I was being lionized. The board is composed of a General and several other elderly medical officers of rank and age, and they have the consideration and tact -- unlike Dr. Thayer -- to treat any wounded officer and especially one who fought with Sheridan at Winchester, with distinguished respect. The first one who looked at my wound expressed great surprise at my "unusually interesting mouth wound," as he termed it, and called for the doctors in the adjoining rooms to come and see one of the most interesting of the
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many wounds that had come before the board. [*] They all came, each in turn examining it, expressing great wonder, and asked many questions, indignantly inquiring why the Vermont doctors had sent me back to the front with jaws in a condition such as to render it impossible for me to chew solid food when it was known that hard bread and meats were the principal articles of food for troops in the field and with the stitches still in my lip and it not solidly healed. In reply I gave them my experience with Dr. Thayer of Burlington, Vt., and said I had not gone to the hospital several times during the war because of my pride and fear of inconsiderate treatment, although I had ought to have gone twice before when wounded, but feared I might be criticised if I did. They continued to examine the wound for some time expressing astonishment that it should have healed as much as it had so soon and would leave so little trace or scar externally in the end as it would, and highly complimented Dr. Rutherford who attended me. They finally drew aside for consultation, and when the examiner who had charge of the case returned and said that I could have my choice, take my discharge or return to the front, I was delighted, and chose the
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latter. He seemed surprised, and after hesitating a little looking steadily at me, said I had better consider the matter well; but I told him I had, that I could soak my hard bread in water, fry it with salt pork which would make it both soft and nutritious, and that I could get along. Seeing that I really wanted to return, he let me go. I received my discharge from the hospital this afternoon, have got my transportation, and shall leave to-morrow at 2 o'clock p. m. Captain Mattison, a fine little fellow, left this afternoon. We are all in good spirits to-night. But the Annapolis board of surgeons were clever gentlemen. Their sympathy and consideration was unusual.
Tuesday, Nov. 29, 1864
Left Annapolis for Baltimore on the 1 o'clock p. m. train; waited at Annapolis Junction an hour and arrived in Baltimore about dark; am at the Eutaw House to-night; no one here I know; very dull; shall start for the front to-morrow.
Wednesday, Nov. 30, 1864
Took the 9 o'clock a. m. train for the west; lots of passengers going to the front; found a freight train off the track at Ellicott Mills, Md.; was about two hours late at Harper's Ferry where I stop over night; shall take the first train to the front in the morning; no news; very dull here.
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