Saturday, July 5th, 1862

To day I remained at the river, and went to see Mr. John Brodhead dive in his diving suit in order to try and raise the Steamer Alice, which has been sunk in the river over one year. Bill is still busy in making an axle tree for my little wagon. The other boys are engaged in resetting potatoe slips. Charley Lund still at work on the books, and Sam engaged in assessing & collecting. weather changeable with hard showers of rain throughout the entire day. Ther. 94°.

Tuesday, July 23rd, 1861

To day James Wrigley with the hands went to the pinery to get timber to raise the Str. Alice now sunk in the river. He returned with a hard chill & fever & remained in bed all day. Charlie Lund is also confined to his bed with sickness. I am engaged in the store with but little doing. weather clear with strong wind from the North. The Str. Ruthven arrived from Galveston with but little freight. Ther. 86°

Monday, July 8th, 1861

To day we left Grand Cane and drove 23 miles, and arrived in Liberty, where we found all well. Capt. Wrigley with his company the "Liberty Guards" started out on a camp drill. We found the Steamer "Alice" sunk in the river with slight prospects of her ever being raised. weather cloudy with occasional showers of rain. Expenses $3.

Monday, June 10th, 1861

To day Mrs. Gayle left on the Steamer Ruthven for Galveston. Frank Stewart commenced as watchman on the Steamers Swan & Alice. Edward L. Jones arrived from up the Country with pretty fair success. weather changeable & warm & showery at night.

Saturday, December 29th, 1860

This morning I got out of my bunk nearly frozen after passing as I said in yesterday's notes a very disagreeable night. about 10 o'clk. a.m. I saw a steamer coming out of the mouth of the river. it turned out to be the Ruthven. she came along side and the passengers were immediately transfered from the Alice to the Ruthven. my feelings can better be imagined than described it was like passing from a dark and miserable prison to a luxuriant palace. after the transfer was complete the Ruthven weighed anchor and started for Galveston where we arrived about 5 p.m. The wind still blowing from the north like the devil which made it difficult to land. we succeeded however and I took up quarters at the Tremont. weather cloudy & very cold and at night it snowed to the depth of about 3 inches. so much for the sunny South.

Friday, December 28th, 1860

To day I left Liberty on the steamer Alice in company with James Wrigley. when we got to the mouth of the river, and fairly in the bay, the steamer Alice was compelled to drop her anchor in consequence of a severe Norther blowing. the bay being too rough for her to proceed. it was very cold and no stove on board and thus I was compelled to pass a very disagreeable & unpleasant night. To day be it remembered that I have made a pledge not to drink any spiritous liquors for one year should life last so long. weather cloudy very cold, and a perfect hurricane blowing.