American History: Premier Auction

Mid-century pocket diary, approx. 3 x 6 in., with brown leatherette cover, flap closure and wallet pocket in rear, identified to John Ripley, 8th Vermont Infantry. Printed for 1864, although Ripley completed a portion for 1863, with regular entries beginning in August 1863.

A 25-year-old native of St. Johnsbury, VT, John A. Ripley, enlisted in late 1861 when it became apparent that the war would not be over before Christmas. The 8th Vermont was mustered into Federal service in mid-February 1862. Ripley enlisted as a corporal and earned promotions to sergeant, 1st sergeant, and 2nd lieutenant. Ripley veteranized with some of the unit in January 1864. It was ordered to Washington on April 15 to try to prevent the escape of Lincoln's assassins. The 8th VT participated in the Grand Review in May and mustered out in Washington at the end of June in 1865.

The first few pages of the diary appear to be muster rolls, with lists of names by rank. A few have other notes such as "band," "clerk," etc. next to them. After the first week of February, Ripley notes things such as purchases ("Wm. H. Jones one Pr. Pants, ditto Blowst [sic - Blouse]" or "A.J. Reith - one Pr. Pants, one Pr. Shoes.") Early entires are sporadic but become more regular starting in late August of 1863. 

September 1 – "Left Thibadeaux for Algiers. We struck camp at 3 oclock & started for terebone [Thibodeaux?] station & arrived there at daylight. We got everything loaded on the cars when orders came from Headquarters for the 6th Massachusetts Battery to unload & return to Thibadeaux."

September 2 – "Arrived in Algiers this morning about 4 oclock pretty tired & sleepy we camp below the warehouses. To day is a lively day with us we have not been in Algiers so long that we all want to look around & see the folks the People are glad to see us & hope we will stay awhile here."

September 3 they go to the local market and get a good meal for the first time in months. September 4 – "Left this morning on the good boat Catawba for the mouth of the Mississippi River the 114th and the 160th New York volunteers was along with us we were clouded [crowded] very much but we got along very well by being noborly these three Regts are on good terms."

September 6 – "to day we started from the mouth of the river for sabine Pass. We begin to feel somewhat hungry. Thare is plenty of Provision on Board but cannot get at it so they say. It is in the lower Hold…"

September 8 – "This morning the gunboat Jackson started for the pass to feel of the Rrbs to see if they were strongly fortified we looked on with eager eyes to see how things progressed when about one half a mile from the light house the Rebells opened on the Jackson & while backing of got aground & was taken with all on board - 100 men & the crew."

September 9 – "This morning at about 3 oclock we started back for the mouth of the Mississippi again with the loss of 2 gun boats & 150 men & Batteries & some Provision this is the first engagement we have been defeated in since we came out here & we had nothing to do with this but look on gunboat fighting altogether."

September 10 – "Today we arrived at the mouth of the River again & cast anchor & are awaiting for orders we expect the expedition is given up this way as all of the light draft boats ordered to Berwicks City I expect we shall return to Algiers & go from thare to the Bay & from thare to Texas that way."

September 12 – "Today we piched tents in our old camp ground in Algiers & are at home again two thirds of the Regiment are off to the City of New Orleans we cannot put guard enough around the camp to keep them in the Boys will crawl through a [k]not hole when the guard is turned back."

September 16 – "arrived at the Bay at 2 oclock this morning & encamped thare is plenty of troops here we are going to do something with the rebells soon their Picketts are in sight of ours on the other side of the Bay about ½ mile from here."

September 20 – "We have received marching orders this morning to move up the Bay so as to let the western troops have a chance to pi[t]ch their tents & howl. You would think Hell had Broke loose if you could hear them howl once it is Teriffic awfull."

October 14 - "…Heavy Skirmishing in front the Rebells will not stand & fight us at all as soon as we advance on them they will skedaddle & get out of the way & as soon as we turn back they will follow."

Over the next few days, skirmishing continued and they took a day to rest before marching again. October 17 - "…The Cavalry went back to Breashear City all is still in camp no Drilling going on with our Regiment the 160th New York Regiment Drill Every day but we get rid of it on the account of officers being tired & played out."

They were on picket duty for a couple days, then were relieved. Two of Colonel Merritt’s aides were arrested for trying to sneak past the pickets. Orders were received to march next day. They went 22 miles, and camped in a cane field (“We always camp in a cane field if possible.”).

October 22 – “… Expect to stay in camp to day it is reported the Gen Marston is captured & Gen. Taylor is killed but I think it must be a mistake for He would not be likely to be for the enough in front to see or feel bulletts.”

October 25 – Eastern Theater meets Western Theater -- “…I have been out to a horse back ride with George we went out about 3 miles towards Borrea landing to whare the 13th Army corps were. They are composed of western troops.”

October 27 – “This morning we came of[f] pickett at 11 oclock & went to the Hospistal cart for Quinine Whiskey given us by General Weitzel. He celebrated the anniversary of his first battle last night. One year ago to day we went in to Bayou des Almonds [sic – Bayou des Allemands]."

November 4 – “…we started for Carrion Crow bayou at 2 oclock in the morning & arrived thare at 8 oclock traveling 14 miles in 4 hours went to reinforce Washburn & Burbridge but the Rebells had gone & we had no fight.”

November 5 – “This morning we started with the western troops from Carrier Crow Bayou for Vermillion Bayou & arrived at 1 oclock PM tired. All out not having any sleep for a week on Pickett & marching night & day.”

Entries continue on November 15, November 26 – December 2, and December 5 - 9.

December 2 – “…we started from here [Brashear City] at 2 oclock for Franklin & arrived thare in the evening safe & sound & tied up for the night because the bayou was so crocked [crooked?] that large boats cannot run in the night.”

Ripley mentions one of the captains (Carpenter) who went North for recruiting and returned with no “conscripts,” but he looked healthy. “The climate North agrees with Him Better than the South.” December 7 – “…I got detailed to go to Vermont Recruiting but refused to go but shall have to.”

The remaining pages have more mysterious pencil notes probably related to equipment or picket duty (similar to the first part of the diary). Memo pages in the back have autographs of two men who may have been Confederates, possibly POWs (one from “Yellow Jacket Battalion 7th La. Vols."; the other 18th Regt. La.).

A short diary, but action-packed.