February 17 Wednesday – Pennsylvania left for New Orleans. The Mississippi was choked with ice, but Captain Klinefelter thought the boat could handle it. They went aground several times.
February 14 Sunday – Pennsylvania arrived in St. Louis.
December, late – Sam no doubt spent the holidays with his family before returning to New Orleans [MTL 1: 75].
November 30 Monday – Sam’s 22 nd birthday.
November 27 to December 12 Saturday – Sam worked as a night watchman on the freight docks from seven in the evening until seven in the morning. He earned three dollars a night [Neider 100].
November 26 Thursday – Pennsylvania left for St. Louis. About thirty miles above New Orleans it was struck by the Vicksburg and lost its wheelhouse. The boat was laid up for repairs near New Orleans for eleven weeks. Some accounts say the two boats were racing, an illegal but common activity for steamboats. On Mar. 19, 1858, Sam would give testimony for a lawsuit in the matter. His remarks include observations of the boat:
November 24 Tuesday – Pennsylvania arrived in New Orleans.
November 18 Wednesday – Pennsylvania left for New Orleans.
November 16 Monday – Pennsylvania arrived in St. Louis.
November 10 Tuesday – Pennsylvania left for St. Louis. With Brown gone, George Ealer was most likely the pilot.