Steamboat Racing

[Peace Society]

Steamboat Racing on the Mississippi was not a rarity.

120th OVI mustered out Oct 14, 1865 at Houston, TX

Oct 21" Arrived at New Orleans at 12.30 A.M. disembarked and took deck passage on river Steamboat Mary Forsythe which is to leave this evening. We pay eight dollars each to Cairo, Ill, distance 1050 miles. This Seems very cheap but there are 150 of us which after all counts up to a nice little Sum. We make no bother. We Simply walk on at New Orleans and walk off at Cairo. 150 men may Seem a Small remnant of a regiment Starting out 1000 Strong three years ago, But you must remember that our prisoners did not return to the regiment, when released, but were Sent directly home. …
Oct 23 Ran all day. Stopped at midnight on account of a dense fog
Oct 24 Started at dawn. The Steamboat Miss. caught up and tried to pass. We raced all day at the risk of blowing up and finaly got beat within one fourth mile of Vicksburg Miss. at 5 P.M. Stopped three hours to take on coal

Oct 27" Arrived at Memphis at 4 P.M. Stopped five hours and then ran all night
Oct 28 Ran all day. Weather fine. We are having a very nice trip. Boys all talking about home.
Oct 29" Caught up with the Steamer Greyhound at Hickman [KY] and ran race until to Columbus Miss. [~10 mi.] and beat her two length of the boat arrived Cairo, Ill, 6 P.M

Grandpa's Gone: The Adventures of Daniel Buchwalter in the Western Army 1862-1865
Jerry Frey, 1998, Burd Street Press, Shippensburg, PA

 

[milhistbuff1]

Steamboat Racing on the Mississippi was not a rarity.

120th OVI mustered out Oct 14, 1865 at Houston, TX

Oct 21" Arrived at New Orleans at 12.30 A.M. disembarked and took deck passage on river Steamboat Mary Forsythe which is to leave this evening. We pay eight dollars each to Cairo, Ill, distance 1050 miles. This Seems very cheap but there are 150 of us which after all counts up to a nice little Sum. We make no bother. We Simply walk on at New Orleans and walk off at Cairo. 150 men may Seem a Small remnant of a regiment Starting out 1000 Strong three years ago, But you must remember that our prisoners did not return to the regiment, when released, but were Sent directly home. …
Oct 23 Ran all day. Stopped at midnight on account of a dense fog
Oct 24 Started at dawn. The Steamboat Miss. caught up and tried to pass. We raced all day at the risk of blowing up and finaly got beat within one fourth mile of Vicksburg Miss. at 5 P.M. Stopped three hours to take on coal

Oct 27" Arrived at Memphis at 4 P.M. Stopped five hours and then ran all night
Oct 28 Ran all day. Weather fine. We are having a very nice trip. Boys all talking about home.
Oct 29" Caught up with the Steamer Greyhound at Hickman [KY] and ran race until to Columbus Miss. [~10 mi.] and beat her two length of the boat arrived Cairo, Ill, 6 P.M

Grandpa's Gone: The Adventures of Daniel Buchwalter in the Western Army 1862-1865
Jerry Frey, 1998, Burd Street Press, Shippensburg, PA

Neat! I'll have to give Grandpa's Gone a read.

 

[Peace Society]

give Grandpa's Gone a read.

I enjoyed his diary. Mr Frey has put things together a little awkwardly in my mind. He tells what happened in the time period, then gives the diary - which starts over the time period covered. I managed to get a little confused at times. But Mr Buchwalter is an interesting person to travel with.