1862 January 1

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

A beautiful day warm and
spring like. Went on deck this
morning and enjoyed the air. Have
been reading Combes "Constitution of Man"
which I borrowed of the head waiter.
Went ashore and saw Brown a little
while. Steered the boat going. Wrote
a letter to the folks after supper and
then read. In commencing the new year
I have commenced reading the Bible through
in course again during the year, and I
hope I may be led to do better this year
than I have done, but I feel that in
whatever I do it must be with a
humble reliance on the Divine Providence
and Trusting in Christ alone to save me
and to direct me by His Holy Spirit.
May He ever watch over me and keep me from
evil of every sort.

MSS 11293