From the journal of Davy Meechan

Hall’s Hill, VA – Feb. 15, 1862 Saturday

“Very uncomfortable day, cold wind and light snow.  Had to turn out for squad drill.  Got a letter from Hon. G.B. Weston which I read to the company at night.  He says the case comes to court for a hearing in June next.  He expresses much pleasure in conducting our case.  Read my letter in Town Meeting, says he will surely win.”

(Meechan was referring to a dispute in which the Town of Duxbury refused to pay the bounties that were offered to the men in town if they signed up for the war. Gershom Weston worked on their behalf in securing the monies that were due them). From the journal of Edward Baker

Port Royal Sound, South Carolina, Feb.15, 1862 Saturday

“Rainy. Sent a letter to my dear Soph. Capt. Graham came on board, and dined with us, also the lieutenant, whose name I cannot remember. Connecticut came in, bound northward. We hear that an expedition, probably against Fernandina, will sail on Monday, of which fleet we shall probably form a part. The flag ship is to go. This kind of life is very irksome, more particularly so, as there is little regularity on board the ship, and I occupy an undefined position. I would very much like to be transferred to some ship which would probably go north soon but know of no chance for any such change. Officers of ships going north, have sense enough to remain where they are”

(Baker was born on July 24th, 1831 in Duxbury, Massachusetts, where he was often referred to as “Ned” as a young man. Although strictly not an abolitionist, Baker fought voluntarily as a Naval Lieutenant for the Union during the Civil War from 1861 to 1865.  These are the journal entries that he kept during the Civil War.)

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