July 28 Thursday – J.C. Swon arrived in St. Louis.
Sam Clemens on the Mississippi: Day By Day
August 1 Monday – Sam wrote a piece of fiction intended for newspaper publication titled “The Mysterious Murders in Risse.” It was never published [ET&S 1: 134].
August 2 Tuesday – Sam left St. Louis as pilot of the Edward J. Gray, (823 tons) Bart Bowen, Captain. Here was another majestic boat for Sam to pilot.
August 10 Wednesday – The Edward J. Gray arrived New Orleans.
August 12 Friday – The Edward J. Gray left for St. Louis.
August 19 Friday – The Edward J. Gray arrived St. Louis.
August 24 Wednesday – The Edward J. Gray left for New Orleans.
September 1 Thursday – The Edward J. Gray arrived New Orleans.
September 3 Saturday – The Edward J. Gray left for St. Louis.
September 9 Friday – The Edward J. Gray arrived St. Louis.
September 13 Tuesday – The Edward J. Gray left for New Orleans.
September 21 Wednesday – The Edward J. Gray arrived New Orleans.
September 23 Friday – The Edward J. Gray left for St. Louis.
October 1 Saturday – The Edward J. Gray arrived St. Louis.
October 2 to 25 Tuesday – Sam stayed “at home awhile” in St. Louis until he learned that he was to pilot the A.B. Chambers [MTL 1: 95n4].
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 26 Wednesday – Sam left for St. Louis as the pilot of the A.B. Chambers (410 tons), copilots James C. DeLancey and Will Bowen; Captain George W. Bowman.
November 7 Monday – A.B. Chambers arrived in New Orleans.
November 9 Wednesday – A.B. Chambers left for St. Louis.
November 20 Sunday – A.B. Chambers arrived in St. Louis.
November 23 Wednesday – A.B. Chambers left for New Orleans.
November 30 Wednesday – Sam’s 24 th birthday.
December 4 Sunday – A.B. Chambers arrived in New Orleans.
December 8 Thursday – A.B. Chambers left for St. Louis.
December 17 Saturday – A.B. Chambers arrived in St. Louis.