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Auction archive: Lot number 98

Civil War Diary of James Nixon, USN

Estimate
US$300 - US$500
Price realised:
US$531
Auction archive: Lot number 98

Civil War Diary of James Nixon, USN

Estimate
US$300 - US$500
Price realised:
US$531
Beschreibung:

Leather diary contained in a notebook, 4 x 6 in., with flap closure, wallet pocket in rear, identified to James D. Nixon. Entries begin in December 1859, with the first 13pp from the early period. War-date entries begin in July 1861. James D. Nixon was a 25-year-old currier (leather industry) living in Roxbury, MA when he enlisted in the US Navy on June 12, 1861 at Boston. This was early in the war, and Nixon enlisted for a one-year term as Ordinary Seaman. He served on Receiving Ships Ohio and North Carolina, and USS Supply. He was discharged November 26, 1862 from the North Carolina. He does not appear in some of the Civil War databases, likely because Navy records are spotty. He is listed in Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in the Civil War, compiled and published by the Adjutant General. (Brookline (MA): Riverdale Press printers, 1935: Vol. 8, p. 492.) His earliest war-date note is as follows: Wednesday, July 3, 1861 "Days, weeks, months and I might almost say years have passed away since I have written anything in this neglected book." "Here I am still with those who are travelling the journey of life. By the grace of God I am still living and in health and today am aboard the US Ship of War the Ohio, having enlisted in the Navy the 28th of May for the term of one year." "I like the service so far, although I have [not?] seen anything but what is to be seen aboard a receiving ship. There are five hundred men aboard. The steamer Susquehanna sailed this morning. Today is visiting day and I expect friends from Chelsea." July 4: “…There was a fine salute fired by the sloops Preble and Vincennes and the battery on the dock this noon. There has a large fire broken out in East Boston which is burning shops, stores, dwelling houses and vessels at an alarming extent. The fire has already consumed a no. of acres and is still burning. The largest fire I ever saw and the largest one that has visited this section for many years.” July 5: “The fire is still burning. The papers estimate the loss @ from ½ to ¾ of a million dollars.” July 15: “This date finds me transferred from the ship Ohio to the ship North Carolina at the Brooklyn Navy yard.” August 15: “Was drafted for the store ship Nightingale this forenoon and came aboard in about two hours after. We were all mustered on the poop by the first Lieutenant of the N.C. when the ship was turned over to Capt. D.B. Home of Chelsea Mass by Commodore Foote of the N. Yard. In a few minutes after we hauled out into the stream and anchored abreast of the battery near the N. Caro. At the request of the 3rd officer went into the galley put tings in order built a fire and made tea for all hands fore and aft. The first officer told me to stay in the galley until he got some one to take it. At 9 o’clock set watches and turned in.” They spent a few days cleaning and re-rigging the ship to be ready to sail. Once they did sail, Nixon was seasick for several days. About the 22nd of August they made it to Hampton Roads about a mile from Fort Monroe. On the 24th they hoisted anchor and headed for Key West. They were temporarily grounded the next day, but apparently were freed on the tide. The pounding of the ship by waves against the bottom while they were grounded at least convinced many that their ship was a sturdy one. September 6: “Arrived in Key West after a pleasant passage. The vessels here are the Harrison and the Wanderer. The weather is extremely hot.” September 7: “Went ashore this forenoon…bought some coconuts which were good …The National Guard arrived here from N. York. She sailed four days before us. We have passed every vessel we have seen on our course. Our vessel sails finely.” September 8 – his seasickness has passed and he feels well again. They are not going to unload at Key West, but rather proceed to Pensacola. September 9 - Left for Pensacola about a half hour after the Harrison, which had main, main top and main top gallant sails on fore and main masts set. The Nighti

Auction archive: Lot number 98
Auction:
Datum:
21 Jun 2019
Auction house:
Cowan's Auctions, Inc.
Este Ave 6270
Cincinnati OH 45232
United States
info@cowans.com
+1 (0)513 8711670
+1 (0)513 8718670
Beschreibung:

Leather diary contained in a notebook, 4 x 6 in., with flap closure, wallet pocket in rear, identified to James D. Nixon. Entries begin in December 1859, with the first 13pp from the early period. War-date entries begin in July 1861. James D. Nixon was a 25-year-old currier (leather industry) living in Roxbury, MA when he enlisted in the US Navy on June 12, 1861 at Boston. This was early in the war, and Nixon enlisted for a one-year term as Ordinary Seaman. He served on Receiving Ships Ohio and North Carolina, and USS Supply. He was discharged November 26, 1862 from the North Carolina. He does not appear in some of the Civil War databases, likely because Navy records are spotty. He is listed in Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in the Civil War, compiled and published by the Adjutant General. (Brookline (MA): Riverdale Press printers, 1935: Vol. 8, p. 492.) His earliest war-date note is as follows: Wednesday, July 3, 1861 "Days, weeks, months and I might almost say years have passed away since I have written anything in this neglected book." "Here I am still with those who are travelling the journey of life. By the grace of God I am still living and in health and today am aboard the US Ship of War the Ohio, having enlisted in the Navy the 28th of May for the term of one year." "I like the service so far, although I have [not?] seen anything but what is to be seen aboard a receiving ship. There are five hundred men aboard. The steamer Susquehanna sailed this morning. Today is visiting day and I expect friends from Chelsea." July 4: “…There was a fine salute fired by the sloops Preble and Vincennes and the battery on the dock this noon. There has a large fire broken out in East Boston which is burning shops, stores, dwelling houses and vessels at an alarming extent. The fire has already consumed a no. of acres and is still burning. The largest fire I ever saw and the largest one that has visited this section for many years.” July 5: “The fire is still burning. The papers estimate the loss @ from ½ to ¾ of a million dollars.” July 15: “This date finds me transferred from the ship Ohio to the ship North Carolina at the Brooklyn Navy yard.” August 15: “Was drafted for the store ship Nightingale this forenoon and came aboard in about two hours after. We were all mustered on the poop by the first Lieutenant of the N.C. when the ship was turned over to Capt. D.B. Home of Chelsea Mass by Commodore Foote of the N. Yard. In a few minutes after we hauled out into the stream and anchored abreast of the battery near the N. Caro. At the request of the 3rd officer went into the galley put tings in order built a fire and made tea for all hands fore and aft. The first officer told me to stay in the galley until he got some one to take it. At 9 o’clock set watches and turned in.” They spent a few days cleaning and re-rigging the ship to be ready to sail. Once they did sail, Nixon was seasick for several days. About the 22nd of August they made it to Hampton Roads about a mile from Fort Monroe. On the 24th they hoisted anchor and headed for Key West. They were temporarily grounded the next day, but apparently were freed on the tide. The pounding of the ship by waves against the bottom while they were grounded at least convinced many that their ship was a sturdy one. September 6: “Arrived in Key West after a pleasant passage. The vessels here are the Harrison and the Wanderer. The weather is extremely hot.” September 7: “Went ashore this forenoon…bought some coconuts which were good …The National Guard arrived here from N. York. She sailed four days before us. We have passed every vessel we have seen on our course. Our vessel sails finely.” September 8 – his seasickness has passed and he feels well again. They are not going to unload at Key West, but rather proceed to Pensacola. September 9 - Left for Pensacola about a half hour after the Harrison, which had main, main top and main top gallant sails on fore and main masts set. The Nighti

Auction archive: Lot number 98
Auction:
Datum:
21 Jun 2019
Auction house:
Cowan's Auctions, Inc.
Este Ave 6270
Cincinnati OH 45232
United States
info@cowans.com
+1 (0)513 8711670
+1 (0)513 8718670
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