This diary was found in an old chest with an armed service uniform that had dematerialized into dust. The chest was located in the attic of the childhood home of my Grandmother, Mary Helen Hall, in the old historic district of Fernandina Beach, Florida.

In the transcription of this diary I have added very few grammatical changes (i.e. commas, periods, quotation marks) to make for an easier read. The rest is written verbatim.

I have also added links to some of the places and persons and events mentioned throughout the course of these writings. At the end of this diary I will add corroborating historical facts and links to augment the documentation of the events herein recorded.

What follows the first few pages, on the flip side, are JJ Magee’s notes about various aspects of his time in service, hence the random nature of the following:

These memoranda are taken at all times, standing, sitting, lying, walking, etc.

The pages that are numbered were written in order. the intermediate pages filled in afterwards.

Hay sticking to a fellows back is called soldier’s feathers.

No sheets in our bunks but we never know the difference when asleep.

Each man furnished by the state with 1 pair blankets, 1 tin cup, 1 tin plate, a knife & fork, 1 tin canteen, 1 blue flannel shirt, 1 pair satinett pants blue, tin pans, pots, kettles etc for each mess, 1 pair blankets.

Old “Lun” is an old black man about sixty years old and looking twenty years younger. He is drummer for the Greensboro Artillery and drummed through the Creek and Mexican wars, and Seminole.

Old Grimes, given out in couplets and sung by all hands to a Methodist tune.

Appetite more used so that I have to put my teeth on double duty.

Dr McCord, our surgeon, received news that since leaving Selma he became the happy father of a little gal. He proposes to call her “Fort Morgan”.

Found a fisherman on Dolphin Island with barnacles on his hat.

January 11th 1861 – Friday

Independant Blues & Governor’s Guards left Selma on Steamer “Senator” for Fort Morgan Mobile Bay. 

Flag presented to us by ladies of Selma.

Dinner at hotels, by invitation of citizens.

Shook hands three times with a young lady I never saw before.

January 12th 1861

On Steamer “Senator”

I, finding at bed time the floor covered two deep with soldiers, spread a mattress upright against State Room door and pretended to sleep standing against it. Result: great merriment. One full grown man was daft enough to ask me if the Zouaves, who he was told I had served with, actually slept in that way.

John Crysons of the guards and myself got off a pretty good sell on all hands, he pretending to mesmorize me and I doing whatever he willed: a tap on one shoulder and my mouth would fly open, a tap on the left and it would as suddenly close, now he would hold me off at right angles as stiff as a post and then set me up like a statue amid roars of laughter. Many persons enquired of my sensations and of course I satisfied them.

January 13th 1861 – Sunday

Arrived Mobile. Remained only long enough to take breakfast at The Battle House. Commenced at the top of Bill of Fare and went clear through nearly committing suicide thereby. Sailed on Steamer “Dick Keyes” for Fort Morgan. 30 miles down the bay of Mobile on the boat. Meeting was organized and several speeches made. Col. Wetmore and myself represented the Blues.

Col. Wetmore is a lawyer, fine looking and portly and take him altogether, a regular brick. He holds his title through courtesy having joined as a private with me.

On our arrival we were sumptuously dined by a company from Mobile:  The Cadets.

After Ten PM quiet is the order. It was observed by the cadets the other night as follows: A rooster crowed in a top bunk and was answered from below. The Sargeant, in trying to find the offender, woke up a crying baby and started a number of cats to meowing and dogs to barking.

Upon his threatening to report the whole company an owl sung out: “To Who To Whoo?”

“To Col Todd, you damn swell head!” was the answer.

January 14th 1861

Spent the day putting bunk room in order and fixing up generally at night.

Serenaded the company that feted us.

January 15th 1861

Cleaning arms, receiving and returning visits. Serenading, drinking whiskey, smoking, gambling, etc. myself not included in the latter.

January 16th 1861

I was put on sentry duty at 8 AM for 24 hours, 2 hours on and 4 hours off duty during the 24.

Morning watch – Capt Kent, the officer of the day, succeeded in getting my gun from me and then lectured me for letting him have it. No one will ever handle it again.

Evening watch – I arrested two of the Tuscaloosa Company for promendading on the ramparts. Two of their officers, hearing me challenge them, came up and told me to let them pass, as they were unaware of the rules: the officers being ignorant of the countersign shared the fate of their men. I placed the four under the charge of the corporal of the guard. A little later arrested two more as above and later still 2 more, making 8 in all. Still later reported a suspicous light in the woods. Still later notified the corporal of the guard that there were three suspicious characters prowling about in the enclosure and called for their arrest. Waited half an hour and no notice being taken by the Seargeant I challenged thus “halt who goes there” – no answer – “advance and give the countersign” – no answer – “halt halt” – no attention being paid – I fired…

and killed a hog.

January 17th 1861 – Thursday

eat & slept and visited and serenaded all around.

January 18th 1861
Uncle Samuel attempted to remove stores from Fort Gaines about 3 miles opposite us accross the bay – his nephew sent a delegation from here who seized fort stores and all, with little ceremony. There were three men detailed from each company. Captain Kent, Horace Nottier, and Tom Morris from the Independant Blues. Seargeant Anderson  received a severe fall while on duty.
January 19th 1861 
Fine large pound cake, nuts, pickles, cakes ad infinitum, etc etc. arrived placing Cressons, Burr, McAnley & Magee under special obligations to their lady friends in Selma.
January 20th 1861 – Sunday 
Two steam boats arrived with a number of visitors.
Went on sentry duty at 8 AM for 24 hours.
Arrested one of the guard and a labour for being out after drum beat.
Lynch by D McAnley.
January 21st 1861 
Off duty at 9 AM
Slept until 4 o’clock.
weather drizzly and disagreeable.
in our own quarters tonight.
violin playing, dancing, reading, writing, singing, card playing and a barrel of lager beer all at one time.
January 22nd 1861 
Very much of a sameness.
I am getting tired of the monotany.
Want to fight mighty bad.
Will go to Pensacola first chance.
January 23rd 1861 
Took a walk to the cove four miles off before dinner. Quite a small village inhabited by pilots.
Mr. Devotie, a young Baptist preacher, supped with us.
Grace said for the first time and cussing suspended temporarily.
Great laughter caused by Privett, remarking that he got along very well without it.
January 21st 1861 
Monday Morning
Squad sent to fire the morning gun. We stole a march by loading from top of embankment thereby saving the trouble of hauling the gun in and out.
Lots of Sheephead may be caught at the wharf.
January 24th 1861 
Bill of Fare
Roast Beef
chicken pie – with chicken left out
Pork & beans
Pork & rice
Pork & crackers
Pork & molasses
Pork & pickles
Hog & Cheese
Beans & mustard
Tomatoe Sauce & corn bread
water straight
water & molasses
pickled cucumbers
Shouse a la Morgan
Without Col Wetmore he being in Mobile
Our bunk room is the best in Fort Morgan: A large room about 25 ft high to ceiling and plastered, the bunks occupy one side of the room and are arranged five, one over the other, two men in each. I have one to myself. We are furnished bale hay to spread in place of a matress, as there is only a pair of blankets to spread it does not take long to make up a bed. A fire place in each end of the room makes it quite comfortable.
Col. Wetmore beat Huggins in a foot race.
January 25th 1861 
Rain, rain… Self on Police, excused on account of weather.
Two ladies from Selma, Miss Sallie & Miss Todd visited our quarters.
Worth $1,50 a sight. Still another lady, Mrs White Privett creates a sensation coming in with cook’s apron on before them, the ladies partake of wine.
After a short stay the Blues & Guards escort them to the boat. Mrs White and Miss Todd are sisters of Mrs Abe Lincoln. To sum up: the visit done us all good. Ladies looked charming: Neat petticoats and clean stockings.
The day has proved remarkable for the number of cakes and good things arrived. A very considerate lady sent a box bountifully stored for those of the Blues that had no relatives in Selma (many swore they never had a mother).
Mr Magee received a choice bouquet from a young lady of Selma it was as fragrant and choice as it was acceptable. Good looks will tell. Spent the afternoon ogling the ladies, cleaning my gun, smelling the bouquet and eating cake.
January 26th 1861 
I went as relief guard to Fort Gaines leaving Fort Morgan at 2 PM.
About 5 o’clock
JJ Magee esq (here the laugh comes in) Might be seen O ye Gods –
washing dishes, setting table & cooking…
Somebody write my obituary! Quick!
Result – a good Supper, I receive a vote of thanks.
January 27th 1861
An opportunity offering I send to Col. Wetmore at Morgan the following communication:
Fort Gaines
January 27th Year 1
My Dear Col.
Terrible Encounter
Glorious Victory, etc. our entire force engaged. not a man lost. we were drawn into line at 7 1/2 o’clock and attacked. Simultaneously, a huge fish of oysters routing them completely. Not one of them left to tell the tale. All the men distinguished themselves. The Lieutenant of the Warrior Guards is deserving of particular mention. Also “Myself” ask Col Todd to fire a salute for us. I send this day by a special messenger, in haste.
JJ Magee
January 28th 1861
Sanders and Setlemeyer having absented themselves from the Fort on their return at my suggestion a posse of us were detailed by the Lieutenant to arrest them, a court martial was held and after many excuses and apologies for not being aware of the rules, etc. they were ordered to be calaboosed. After a short imprisonment they were brought back and Lieut. Comegys handed them a piece of paper having on it in large letters:
“SULA”
amid great merriment, they owned the corn and pledged champagne at the first opportunity.
A couple of hours after they had the satisfaction of helping to put Franklin of the Guards through the same course of sprouts for the same imaginary offense. The charge of the Lieutenant was admirably given, he not cracking a smile, and poor Franklin swallowing every word in dead earnest. After being locked up as he had missed his dinner I took him a cup of water and a cracker by order of the Lieutenant and a large mince pie that I pretended to smuggle in on my own account for him. He thanked me heartily and promised me faithfully, while he demolished the entire pie, that he would not say anything about it lest I might be punished for it.
When he was brought back and shown the same ominous word “SULA” the scene may be better imagined than described and when I sung in out through the hall of the open door before the whole crowd, “Franklin, for the Lord’s sake don’t say anything about that pie,” he fairly wilted.
January 29th 1861
Returned from Fort Gaines to Morgan after dinner on Steamer Dick Keyes. Had some trouble getting a mule on board, as often as its up, he would back off from the boat. At my suggestion he was finally shipped by an attempt being made to lead him off. He of course backed on the boat.
January 30th 1861
Heavy infantry drilling in company, also artillery.
January 31st 1861
Our company expecting to be ordered to Mount Vernon arsenal; calculations knocked in the head by Gov Moore ordering us to be kept here until 15th of March.
February 1st 1861
The Independant Blues on Guard for 24 hours, a whole company goes on guard at once instead of a detail from each company as formerly. I arrested 2 men for getting over ____ [?].
February 2nd 1861
3 PM: Reported a vessel off the bar. She passed the Fort at daylight (Merchantinian).
Afternoon: A ship came in without showing colors and failing to hoist them. She had a shot fired across her forward bow. She _____ ______ [?] and dropped anchor. She hailed from ________ [?] and did not know that Alabama had gone out. [Note: Diary is illegible, indicated by blank spaces, due to fading].
Spent the afternoon cleaning my gun which is a great nuisance and impossible to keep clean, the salt air acting on it.
Wetmore plays the fiddle: Tremendous applause.
I received three pocket handkerchiefs from my lady friends in Selma with my name marked on them – bless their little souls.
February 3rd
Very much of a muchness
February 4th
Dull of the Company in Hardee’s tacktrick
Col Wetmore turns a summersault
Sailor crackers-
“Mon oun” and water proof, fire proof and bomb proof.
weather ver fine
Sham “court martial” Johnston and McRay presiding
J.N. Dougherty on trial for sleeping on his watch.
Magee counsel for the defendant – so embarrassed the court with points of law that in order to secure his client’s conviction they ruled that the prisoner was not entitled to counsel whereupon I informed my client that the next best thing was for him to make himself scarce, which he did, in consequence of which I was hunted up in one of the top bunks and put upon my trial for tampering with a prisoner and for contempt of court.
Brown for prosecution-
Whetmore and self for defence, terrible entertainment!
February 5th
Fine concert in our quarters by members of the Continentals, Montgomery Rifles, Guards, Blues
– fife, flute, violins, banjo
A speech from Grant
My knapsack is the only pillow I have had since I came here.
Although the Company agreed on making a butt of no one, John Philpot is one naturally and is, in consequence, worried nearly to death.
Our company has now 52 members. One of the odd things in our company is a long legged “Drake” and another is that although opposed to Monarchys we have a “King” and have no fear of running out of provisions while we have plenty of “Bacon” -turn to next “Page”
A hoop skirt was hung up in the Guard’s quarters for the boys to look at. Citizens of Selma sent to the Guards and Blues $1000
A Virginia gentleman sent to the troops here 30 boxes of tobacco.
When at Fort Gaines we put on a small pot full of rice and as soon as it got hot it began crawling over. Had the mischief to pay take out a lot of it and more would crawl up.
February 6th
Our Company has a general holiday and are leaving in every direction.
February 7th
Continentals woke up with a smutted of a as…
Quite a number of ladies visited the fort, among them was Selma Ladies: Miss Tax and Miss Porter and Miss Whatley.
McCord left for Selma to see the little McCord.
February 8th
Nothing of Interest
February 9th
The Blues on guard for 24 hours
Steamer arrives – more ladies
Think I saw Miss Lesisne among them but being on sentry duty at the time could not speak to her although she twice passed by close to me.
Turned out not to be her.
Ben Whitfield – Mrs McRory’s uncle visited the fort a few days ago.
February 10th
I wrote an answer to an article signed Wanger in the Selma Reporter and signed it Blue.
Gulf City Guards on sentry duty.
Cussons won a bit by passing in and o ____________
[that damn fool Hanck Faxon shoved my elbow and made me make the above scratch!]
…out of the fort after night without being detected. He left one of his shoes in the citadel and the other at the hospital several hundred yards off.
February 11th
Nothing of Importance
February 12th
About 3 AM the long roll was beaten. All the Company turned out of their quarters in a remarkably short time. The Blues were the first reported at headquarters all ready. The larm was caused by a sentry firing his piece at what he supposed to be a man, but it proved a mistake.
Another alarm at 12 AM. The Blues again first reported (a false alarm)
More Ladies arrived. I made the aquaintance of Miss Ellen Brown and played the agreeable.
When the steamer was about to leave just after night set in the Reverend Noble Devotie, chaplain to Fort Morgan fell off the wharf and was drowned. Mr Devotie was a Baptist Minister, a fighting member of the Governors Guards from Selma and a very fine young man. His body has not been found.
February 13th
Drilling etc.
February 14th
Col Seibels armies here.
I sent a valentine to Miss Kate Anderson in Mobile. Never saw the lady. Seibels says our Companies will be relieved in a few days.
February 15th
Nothing of Importance
February 16th
The body of Mr Devotie was found on the beach a few hundred yards from where he was drowned. The Blues & Guards had a joint meeting and passed resolution concerning him.
The forks for some days being very scarce at table I got tired of using my fingers to eat with so Bacon and myself turned in and hid all the knives and forks thereby forcing a new supply.
Sovereign State of Alabama to JJ Magee –
Due to extra work in masse eating
hard buscuit 15 cts
digesting do 25 cts
                     ——-
                     40 cts
Boat arrived with lots of cake, turkey, etc.
An old beaver hat in our quarters is worn by nearly every man in the Company and few can resist the temptation to give it a slap whenever the opportunity offers.
John McGuire arrived here as a “regular” enlisted for three years. Always thought him a fool and now I know it. Had lots of fun at his expense in Selma. Made him advertise for a wife. Cussons wrote and published a humorous answer. Self ditto. And likewise several others. Got up a correspondence. Dressed a young man up in woman’s fixins and made him call several time to see (him) her.
February 17th
It is at last settled that the Guards & Blues leave for Selma on Wednesday next.
Our Company on guard today for 24 hours.
About 10 PM several bomb shells were exploded a short distance from the fort. The long roll was immediately beaten. In less than no time, Capt Kent, being the officer of the day, had the outer and inner gates closed and barred and the sentry doubled at every post. The several Companies occupied their posts on the ramparts while the Warrior Guards divided into three directions and acted as scouts. They found the place where the shells exploded behind the sand hills and brought fragments of the shells. There is no clue as to how the shells came there but hte surmisal is that either it ws done by officers of the fort to try the boys or else some of the boys done it to alarm and play off a practical joke on the garrison. Capt Kent denies any knowledge of it.
I think the former. The Blues were on guard. I assisted in closing the gates and instructing the sentinals how to operate them. It was astounding to see with what rapidity and precision everything was done and that too by brand new soldiers.
February 18th
Steamer Dick Keys arrived today from Pensacola with her smoke stacks blown off and loaded with soldiers who have been relieved. One Company stopped here and have in their possession a little black puppy stolen from Fort Pickens. They call him “Sumner” after the Lieutenant in command there.
At night Jake Main put on an old white beaver hat, all squashed up, and an old torn coat, and got one of the Gulf City Guards to arrest him and take him to the Guard Room and report him for fighting. Jake passed off for an Irishman and so well did he take one off, and kept up such a fuss, swearing be dad that he didn’t start the mess, that he had a dozen bayonets drawn on him to compell silence but all in vain. One of the guards at last taking a close look at him recognized him and sung out, “Lord, this time it’s one of the Blues!”
Capt Kent was sent for to identify him. When Jake identified the Captain as “the man wot kept de coal yard” the Captain left saying that he didn’t know him.
After 10 PM the Blues fairly outdone themselves and everybody else in making noise. They for two long hours out-barked the dogs, out-squealed the pigs, out-meowed the cats, out-crowed the cocks and out-snored the devil. Whenever one excelled in imitation he was greeted with a shower of applause. The officers on guard thought discretion the better part of valor and did not attempt to stop us.
The Montgomery Rifles stuffed a figure of a man and laid it in the Captain’s bed. He is a quick tempered man and raised a perfect storm. Ordered his Sargeant to get a posse of men and take the drunken rascal to the Guard Room. When he saw into the joke however he enjoyed it as much as anyone!
February 19th
We gave a salute(?) to the Mobile Cadets, singing “Danny” etc. Dave Cavalier, top bunk, caused considerable sport, knocking off caps with a fishing pole, the boys accusing each other of doing it and never thinking of looking overhead.
After taps our boys terribly noisy about 12 o’clock. I caused a great sensation by pretending to be very sick. A number of the boys promptly came to my assistance and when they found that the heaving was artificial and the discharge from cistern water poured at proper intervals from a tin cup the sell was acknowledged and duly applauded.
February 20th
All the Selma boys packing up to go home. Both Companies discharged honorably at dress parade. Our bunk room presented in the evening a lively scene. Visitors from all the different Companies. Cake, champagne and lots of fun. I was taken forcibly out of bed and made a short speech after ten o’clock. Several loud reports were heard in the adjoining room. Capt Kent summonsed us to fall in without arms as there was good chance for a hand to mouth conflict. The result was that a splendid colation quickly disappeared with a champagne accompaniment. The officer of the day came around to stop the noise and we captured him and made him join us.
February 21st
We left Fort Morgan escorted by the Mobile Cadets and Gulf City Guards. We parted amid prolonged cheers. Arrived in Mobile. Marched to the Armory and stacked arms.
Companies dismissed until 3 o’clock.
At three o’clock we were marched to a saloon and champagned by the “Continentals” and then escorted by them to the boat.
Our Companies attracted considerable attention.
February 22nd
Washington’s Day on the Alabama River. We fired three rounds in honor of George.
February 23rd
Arrived in Selma amid the firing of cannons and the greeting of the multitude.
———————————————————————————
I arrived in Pensacola March the 21st – 1861 at my own expence and on my own hook.
Looking for a fight.
One of the best stories told here by the volunteers is on some of the Pensacola boys that divided intotwo parties and while one serenaded may chase the other stole his turkeys, one of the turkeys, moving very poor, was returned two days after to the yard having a label on its neck marked “won’t do”.
The above was added almost as an after thought in the final pages of the diary. There is no record of what took place with JJ Magee between February 23rd in Selma and March 21st in Pensacola. However in the back pages of this diary were many notes, quotes from books, etc. no doubt recorded at random, along with diagrams and addresses and I’ve included some of the written notes below, as some of this may be of interest to someone out there. I will also include some additional “liner notes” in the initial face pages of this diary.
M. Estelle D Paisley
Mrs M E Paisley, Benton AL
A ship on a storm from which there is no retreating, P.36
P.37 Let millions invade us we’ll meet them undaunted and conquer or die.
P.48 The soldiers whose deeds live immortal in story.
P.123 The dogs sniff up the gall.
P.132 If the pulse of the Patriot Soldier or Lover have throbbed at our lay.
Our foes prepare for us a bitter cup we’ll make them drink to the dregs.
————————————————————————————–
One of the soldiers in seeing the Light House observed that it was the biggest chimney for a small house that ever he saw.
————————————————————————————–
Capt Crump
Col Clark of GA
regiment
Lt Tresvant LA
————————————————————————————–
Pensacola Graveyard – one stone to Mrs Dorothy Walton, a matron of the Revolution consort of a signer of the Declaration.
——————————————-
One man from the state of M-A-I-N
——————————————-
Fairwell to all – My days are oer
With you on earth I’ll spend no more
Cease to weep or shed a tear
Lamented wife and widowed dear.
——————————————-
——————————————-
Related Links