Sam Clemens on the Mississippi: Day By Day

November 21 Wednesday – Sam wrote from St. Louis to his brother Orion and family about running the Alonzo Child aground, about prices of poultry, eggs, and apples in New Orleans. Sam, ever the speculator, wrote:

My Dear Brother:

November 23 Wednesday – A.B. Chambers left for New Orleans.

November 23 Friday – The Alonzo Child left for New Orlean

November 24 Tuesday – Pennsylvania arrived in New Orleans.

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 26 Friday – New Falls City arrived in New Orleans.

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 29 Monday – New Falls City left for St. Louis.

November 30 Monday – Sam’s 22 nd birthday.

November 30 Tuesday – Sam’s 23 rd birthday.

November 30 Wednesday – Sam’s 24 th birthday.

November 30 Friday – Sam’s 25 th birthday.

November 5 Monday – Samuel Erasmus Moffett was born to Pamela and William Moffett. Sam was an uncle for the third time [MTL 1: 383].

November 7 Monday – A.B. Chambers arrived in New Orleans.

November 8 Sunday – Pennsylvania arrived in New Orleans.

November 8 Monday – New Falls City arrived in New Orleans.

November 9 Wednesday – A.B. Chambers left for St. Louis.

November 9 Friday – The Alonzo Child arrived in New Orleans

October 1 Saturday – The Edward J. Gray arrived St. Louis.

October 13 Wednesday – The John H. Dickey left St. Louis.

October 13? Thursday – Sam wrote to Elizabeth W. Smith (Aunt Betsy b.1794 or 5) from St. Louis. Smith was not really Sam’s aunt, but a friend of his mother. As he explained it in his Autobiography,

October 16 Friday – William M. Morrison arrived New Orleans.

October 16 Saturday – The John H. Dickey left Memphis.

October 19 Monday – William M. Morrison left for St. Louis.

October 2 Saturday – The John H. Dickey left Memphis.