Thompson, W. S. (fl. 1862-1865) [Civil War pocket diary of W.S. Thompson]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01838.03 Author/Creator: Thompson, W. S. (fl. 1862-1865) Place Written: various places Type: Autograph manuscript signed Date: 1864 Pagination: 1 v. ; 160 p. ; 16.2 x 10.7 cm. Order a Copy
Signed "W.S. Thompson / 1st Asst Engineer / U.S. Navy." Entries for 1864 are much more extensive than for 1862 and 1863. Includes detailed weather and accounts of his "usual duties." Reports his leave of absence and returning to duty on the U.S. ironclad "Atlanta" as first assistant engineer. Memoranda and summary of accounts at back. Wrap-around black leather cover.
Selected excerpts:
14 February: "Having a gale from the N.W. Anchored off Fort Monroe…"
22 February: "Salute of 31 guns from flagship Minnesota…"
14 March: "This morning at 3 oclock a sailor fell overboard…1/2 hour before the boat picked him up…"
1 May: "No inspection took in 51 tons of coal…"
26 May: "Some firing below two pilots killed…"
16 June: "Went ashore Gen Meade visited the ship this am…"
17 June: "1st Anniversary of the capture of the Atlanta. A photograph of the vessel taken to day by Brady." [The Confederate ironclad "Atlanta" had been captured by the "Weehauken" on 17 June 1863.]
2 July: "Thermometer in Engine Room 130°"
Thompson appears to have been mustered into service on May 29, 1861 from his hometown of Bristol, Pennsylvania. He joined the 3rd Pennsylvania Regiment at Camp Washington. He seems to have left the army to join the United States Navy in 1862, serving as an engineer first on the "Sussana," and then the "Atlanta" in 1864-1865.
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