Vincent DeLong's Diary of 1864

Monday, August 1, 1864

took the 7 Oclock train for
Binginghamton got there at 11
took the train for Syracuse
at 3 go to roam about
11pm lounged about
til 3-30 thirty and
I begin to feal sleepy
but the cars is not very conveniant
plase for repose so I dont get but
6 minutes of sleep in 3 nights ----

Tuesday, August 2, 1864

arived at Sandy Creek
this morning at half past
six and soon after went down
to the Vilage and Mr Howe
make out my papers for my
Bounty of first enlistment
took diner to Salsburys hotel rode up
with Mr Mead found Phy there he
got a hos and brought me home got home
at dark

Wednesday, August 3, 1864

slept late found it raining as it
did all day yesterday Phy and
I took a walk round the goll (? I'm unsure of the first two letters)
rather a larger on than than
I had taken in some time

Mrs Brown and Mrs McDougall
were up to our house to day

Thursday, August 4, 1864

(No entry.  This is Vincent and his wife Elizabeth.  The picture is undated.)

Friday, August 5, 1864

Went down to the school
house in the forenoon
and inspected Althas school
Think that it is very noisy
and not equal to Marys
school at all

(I don't know who Altha or Mary are.)

Saturday, August 6, 1864

fixed at Janes clock did
not get the striking part
right. Old Paddock
came and I had to answer
2000 questions, or less
whilst talking some ___ (can't make out word) came
sudenly upon me and choked my speach

(there are three more lines but they have been vigorously overwritten)

Sunday, August 7, 1864

(entry starts above the date)

got tired out last night
by taking a short walk with
a cain

(then below the date is:)

Very plesant day and I Venture
down to my sister and
intend to stay all night
met mr cains got a ride

Monday, August 8, 1864

Have been to Mrs Mc
had a large time with
Julia (?) and then made
her mad talking to
Altha and also Mrs Mc
began to get ___ (word is smudged from pencil marks on facing page)
stayed to Mr Porters on my way
home and also the abbove ____ (word smudged)
did not get home til 10 Oclock

(Vincent married Elizabeth McDougall later in the year. I don't know if Mrs. Mc refers to Elizabeth's mother but it seems like a good guess.)

Tuesday, August 9, 1864

(entry is very, very faint as if he was using a much harder pencil)

Altha is learning the
school plase and ____
____ the very ____ ___ and
so I went down to help
____ a good life
Get a good wife
And be a good husband (? I may be reading more into it than justified)
From Your everlasting
Friend AJW

Oops!

(Sorry, I thought I had put a few more days of the diary in the queue to be published.  I'll update it when I get home this evening.)