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Wednesday January 8.
There is a square rigged brig lying out near us, which was captured on New Year's day endeavouring to run the blockade off the mouth of James River. I just learned the distinciton in ships. A schooner is a boat with 2 masts without yards. A square rigged brig has two masts and yards. A hermaphrodite brig has two masts, one with yards. A ship has three masts witih yards. A bark three masts, two with yards. We learn this morning that the men in the boat last night, run over by the wheel[?] steamer, were all saved & doing well. They were of the 27th Mass. Those supposed to be lost were on shore & returned to the boat this morning. First serj [very?] hunt, on recommendation of the surgeon, need a furlough for sixty days, and has resigned his serjantry. This vessel is the former Eastern duty, now named the Cossack. She is 237 feet long and 30 feet [beam?].
It is really a beautiful sight on deck. There are some forty ships and steamers. The day is bright - the wind blowing brisk, waters sparkling in the sunlight. The Scout is just now 3 o'clock P.M. towed up - containing the balance of our Regiment. It is said we will start at four o'clock. The steamers have [their?] steam up. The first brigade is distinguished by a red flag. The second by a blue flag. The latter is ours with no. 2 on it. The Scout is numbered [8?]. Everything looks brisk and lively. We have been hourly in expectation of moving. As it was growing dark, a boat came around our bow - I was walking on deck - Lt Morris voice sung out - "Cossack" "Aye Aye" I yelled. "Col Hartranft on board" "Yes sir" "Call him out". And the message was that the Captain should keep a good look out for three rockets - Then the first gun would be a signal for the first brigade to move: Two guns for the second. We have drill in the [manual?] on deck during the day. I received a letter from Annie and one from John. George rec'd his pistol and shoes from Philadelphia. He told me that there was a large crowd around the Express office, & happening to catch the Agents eye, he gave him the Freemason sign, and was waited on immediately. Otherwise he might have waited all the day. We spent most of the afternoon on deck, looking at the gay scene. My marine glass is a very useful auxilliary in our pleasures, and we are as much pleased with it as any children with their toys. One of the notable characters among our Officers is Lt Blair. He is the man that things dress parade a humbug, and his own careless unofficer appearance indicates his tastes - the size of his shirt collar is a wonderful and sticks straight out - pointed - like his black eyes - like his nose, like his disposition - sharp, pointed, cutting. He is extreme in all his views - expresses everything in a sharp way. He always turns up in any discussion; he dislikes adjutant, and hammers him unmercifully. The Adjt is slow at repartee. Blair has been Lt of the Guard today and his oddities and eccentricities have appeared in a very prominent manner. He has demonstrated on Lloyds map that our ship the Cossack is to land at [Apalachicola?] and go up and take possession of the Railroad at [Talahasse?] - Lt Col Bell is to [stand?] at Cedar Keys - Florida - [with?] the "Scout" and hold the road there - & then the United States holding [Formadina?] - then we had possession of Florida. Our steam is up & we will probably be off tonight.