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Diary of Wilson R. Bachelor (1870–1902) A VOYAGE MARCH 1, 1870 I moved my family aboard [a] flat Boat1 at Morris Landing2 with another f[amily] and about 4 P.M. I bid adieu to my friends and the pine clad Hills of the RomanticTen[nessee], unmoored and rowed out, and began to descend the stream; we stoped awhile in Bend Shoals to Receive[d] another family. [A]fter tarrying a sho[rt] time, and bidding adieu to some verry warm friends, we again Resumed our voy[age]. [A]fter Running about one hour, we again touched at Hamburg; to discharge some friends, again those painful farewells were Repeated, after which we committed ourselves, to the rather swollen waters [of] theTennessee River. [T]he night passed rather gloomily: neither I, nor my wife, being ve[ry] well. [T]he night was clear and serene and beautiful. [A]nd we progressed Sple[ndidly]. [T]he wind which had been pretty high all day, had Subsided Shortly after dark [and] there was not a Ripple to disturb the tran[quil] waters. [A]nd the River Seemed to Sparkle between its banks like a vast cosmic repose.3 MARCH 2ND [1870] Morning came, brightening as the Sun rose directly out of the east before the Bow of our boat.4 A pretty strong gale of wind came and continued to blow. [Several?] gentlemen took a canoe and out and went to the Chute, of Beach Creek5 [Is]land, Expecting to find some wild geese [and] ducks, but saw none. [A]bout 5 P.M. we [la]nded just above old Perryville, and procured some firewood. [D]uring the evening of this day, two of the young men, went in a canoe gunning, and killed one duck and one Squirrel, I ate the Squirrel for Sup[per].6 [I]t is now about 8 P.M.[,] the wind has nearly ceased, and we are being Rapidly bourn along on the buoyant bosom of old Tennessee. [A]bout 11th o’clock I was awoke by efforts being made to land, in which [page torn] Britts Landing,7 here we remained until [page torn: next?] morning. 39 MARCH 3RD [1870] This morning was quite gloomy, [a]nd drizzly. [H]owever we were Soon drifting downwards. Several little hunting [exp]editions along the Shore were indulged [page torn: in?], but were attended with no Success, [page torn: in?] one I participated, I visited the mouth [of] Duck River,8 and shot the fatest and [lar]gest Squirrel, I have [ever] seen.9 [We arrived in?] Johnsonville10 about 1 P.M. [page torn] went up intoTown, [page torn] for the purpose of buying [page torn] and also, to avail myself [of the services?] of a Barber. I found one but like Romeo’s [top right corner of page is missing] Shop was destitute of everything that [page torn] a Barber. I entered cold and wet; [there] was no place to hang my hat and Shall,11 [so?] I hung them on the door, which stood ajar. [T]he furniture of the Room, consisted in one half broken down chair, one disabled stool, two or three half grown negroes and white Boys came in a[nd] stood apparently amazed at the tragedy about to be enacted. My colored professional friend,12 Soon procured Some cold water, and commenced Operation;as soon as this unpleasant business was over,I Returned by the Depot back to the Boat. [T]his place was build up, during the war, and is a small dirty little place, with a few business houses and a depot. [I]t has a meagre and dilapidated appearance. [T]hough to resume my narrative; we ag[ain] took in our cable, and moved out. [A]f[ter] running about 5 miles, the rain begin[ning] to fall in torrents, and night comming on, we thought best to land, which we did and procured firewood ; the night, thus fare, has Rendered [us?] uncomfortable, for it has Rained [bottom right corner of page is torn: incessantly?], ever since before dark, and the boat, I find, leaks verry much. [It is] now midnight, I have taken a [page torn: short?] nap, but am now up now writing [page torn: as rain?] is Still falling; all besides me [page torn: sleeping?]. Some, are lying on Beadsteads [page torn: some on?] bunks, Some on pallets. [The?] fire on the hearth, is gradually dying [away?]. [A] couple of lazy pups, are lying before the...

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