1861 December 24

[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding of Co. F, 25th Massachusetts]

Got a letter from home. Slept
down in the steerage last night
very well. After breakfast we were
all taken over to the Navy Yard where we
were instructed in making out the rations
Waters and myself were then permitted to go
to camp after our knapsacks &c We then
came back and started to go back to the
Admiral, but couldnt go over tonight.
We then came back to the building again
where we were furnished with coffee,
bread, butter and cheese. We are to stop
here to night.

MSS 11293