John William Sterling Journal: July-December 1863

Continued from:

John William Sterling Journal: January-June 1863

July 24, 1863 I have no time to go into particulars now about the Exhibition. We were through earlier than any other committee had succeeded in closing, 10:30 PM I think, the last song was sung. I then went down and saw Mother and sisters and Sheltons (Minnie[?] and Emie[?]) and Mr. Sedgwick. It is sufficient for me to say that I was initiated into the so-called Skull and Bones immediately afterward and procured no sleep during the night. The next day the 24th was Presentation Day. Clint took the windows[?] out of the room and we had the pleasure of Jewett and his sisters as well as that of Kate and Cordelia and Isie Gould, Kittie Holden and Kit Winter[?]. Dave and Dan were the [illegible] of the time. I immediately after dinner I went into Lewis’ room and took a snooze until 4 PM when I awoke, surprised to find it so late. I repaired to our room however and afterward went among the crowd assembled in front of S.M. who were listening to the class histories. I heard but little of them, but soon being invited up into Strong’s room I was introduced to a number of young ladies with whom I spent a most agreeable time. There was an entertainment provided of some [illegible] and milk &c of which I freely partook. [illegible] and I and Dan walked down with Isie, Kate and Cordelia.

July 4, 1863 Dan went on a sailing party and thus was prevented from going home with Clint and myself, who arrived there at 5:30 PM on Friday (the 30th). We spent a most splendid time there. On the 4th there was a Fair at the green just above the railroad, under the care of the Methodist Church, who were desirous to raise money enough for a bell and steeple. I learn they took in about 800 which was a sum by far exceeding their expectations. The Fair was a very inferior one. There were no substantial nor even fancy articles for sale, nothing in fact but ice cream and such things. It was very easy to see that the Church or Fair Committee had not expected such success. There were a great many rows outside of the tent, composed principally by men who were by far too full of liquor. Several men were injured. One man was run over by the cars and his leg was amputated at Bridgeport. Clint and I returned Saturday night as [we] were obliged to be back by this time. Lewis and a crowd (Wescott, Griffin, Dibble, Lapham, F. and T. Hooker, &c) went over to Bridgeport in a sail boat, but owing to a calm they spent most of Sunday in Stratford and did not reach New Haven until Monday noon. They expected the usual number of warnings and marks for absence on Sunday and a flunk for Monday morning, but they were kindly excused by the Faculty.

July 6, 1863 I went down to ΑΔΦ tonight. Dan and I take walks everyday night nearly. We are very intimate and have been so for a great length of time. [Transcriber Note: It is not known what Sterling meant by "intimate" as it could simply mean a close relationship.] I am very strongly thinking of writing for the Yale Lit Prize, which will be awarded next term. Whittelsey is going to try. I get up every morning at 5 AM, except Sunday. I retire pretty late and am a great deal leaner at the present time than I ever was before.

July 11, 1863 Clint and I have got hold of a pretty good idea in the way of pictures and to consummate the idea we packed up into my valise a great number of books, pipes, pamphlets, 2 pipes, slippers and gowns and proceeded to Bundy and Williams and had our picture taken in a style which, since I shall always in all probability have in my possession, it will be unnecessary to describe. I shall get it framed, unbeknownst to those at home and thus surprise them.

July 20, 1863 I went into examination today to Prof Loomis and got along very well. I crammed pretty hard, getting but about 1 hour and 3/4 sleep.

July 22, 1863 I passed my examination in Logic Philosophy and Chemistry at 11 AM today. In the first I did very finely and in the last pretty well, though not extra. At 2 PM I went into French and made a better Recitation than at any time this term. I only crammed it for half an hour.

July 24, 1863 I went into Logic today and did pretty well. I have received 7 hours sleep in 72 hours. I have worked pretty hard and feel well paid too. I should have stated that we drew for rooms about a week ago. We drew the 18th choice and afterward bought up the 11th choice of Loomis for $10. By this means we get a front room in No South College and we have made choice of [name illegible] old room. North entry, 4th story, front, middle of South College, No. 30. We have a splendid crowd in the entry, the finest of any in college. I think even those in South Entry are obliged to acknowledge that we have by far (no, not by far) the better fellows. We anticipate a pleasant time Senior year.

July 30, 1863 It is hardly necessary to describe Commencement Day. I heard a few of the 63 men speak, but for the most part did not hear them for the reason I was too tired to sit still when I needed as much sleep as I did, for I had done nothing but electioneer ever since I came from examination, which was last Friday. I am the principal [illegible] in the Brothers in Unity. Last Monday night I made a speech in the Society and did myself credit, I guess. It is very difficult for me to be myself on the floor. I act perfectly naturally when one or two are conversing or debating with me and at such times can gesticulate in an easy manner and appear to a good advantage, I hope--I think I can say believe--but when I recite even my ideas are not clear. I tremble and can not help myself and so appear not as well as I hope to in time. This feeling I think is gradually leaving me. [Transcriber Note: Even as a powerful lawyer, perhaps one of the most powerful in the country, Sterling never would feel entirely comfortable vocally. As a result, he, for the most part, worked behind the scenes in cases -- of course, brilliantly.] Well, I was going on to say that I have worked myself very thin -- thin for me -- and I shall be glad to retreat to a more quiet place. Lyman councils with me continually, even more than with the Vice President, Tom Boltwood. It is unnecessary for me to say how long I slept this Thursday night or what splendid old graduates I met or what Prof Dwight did &c. 6 PM J.B.T. will suggest everything. [Transcriber Note: James Brainerd Tyler was a classmate.]

July 31, 1863 I went down to Miss Bull’s this afternoon to go on a picnic. I had promised Jack [Butler?] [Transcriber Note: Not a classmate of Sterling.] I would go yesterday as Miss Fairchild, Miss Benjamin (both of Mrs Robert’s as well as Miss Butler), Miss ____ & Miss _____ besides York, a towny, I forget his name too. (today is the 25th of September). I returned late completely exhausted, glad to reach my mattress, which I had tied up Thursday morning. I was glad to pay my Two Dollars (although I thought it was a pretty good sum for my share of an old omnibus[?] for 5 hours) and get home.

August 1, 1863 It is unnecessary for me to say in this connection that I availed myself of an early train this morning to get home where I arrived highly welcomed and very much rejoiced to think that my labors for a short time are ended.

Sept 14, 1863 I returned from Stratford this morning, having spent a most splendid time. I have not written anything in my journal as can be seen and indeed have done nothing at all except amuse myself as I could. Riding, sleeping, eating and drinking have characterized me during my long absence from college duties. We commute with the Bridgeport toll man and during the month of August the horse went to Bridgeport 20 times and I generally went. Every other day I would take Father over for the purpose of carrying him to the barber shop. When he is unable to come to b.[arber], Mother shaved him and pretty well too. I have been up to Aunt Cornelia’s quite often and have enjoyed her company very much. Kit and Julia have been away spending the summer. I spent from Friday to Tuesday night (21st to 25th of August) at the Shelton’s in Birmingham where I spent a most agreeable time. When I returned I found the water closet almost completed, at least the mason work was all done. I am very glad Father has had this made. It will save him some slippery steps in winter. The great business of the vacation had been to make a shed at the back door. Chester (our real old Yankee man, only about 19 years old and one of the greatest workers) and I went to Bridgeport and bought and brought some boards home out of which I constructed this shed. I think it will be found to be a great convenience. I have been acting as clerk for Aunt Lizzie, who has been with her husband at Falls Village. She left me stamps, paper, envelopes and wished me to keep her informed about matters relating to the house building across the way. I flatter myself that I have carried it on in a satisfactory manner. Mother and I had a pleasant ride one day over to Fairfield and also to the nursery where we picked out trees suitable for a hedge at Miss Bowden’s. Last Friday Chester and I came over to New Haven in the lumber wagon with the desk at which I am now writing. Clint owned the other and he sold it when I promised him the top of this and assured him it would be a much handsomer piece of furniture. Uncle David gave it to me. It belonged to him when in college. I find it very handy. I have had the pleasure of taking Sarah a riding several times this summer and have enjoyed her company exceedingly. She seems, as far as I can gather, [illegible] with her [illegible] which prevents her walking of a step even. Sidney is still a little lame and probably always will be. He is quite a handsome boy. I had thought of writing for the Yale Lit medal and consulted with the Bridgeport Library for that purpose, but finding nothing on “Scholarship” or “Individuality”, I relinquished the idea. I think it is better for I have not had much enthusiasm. I have read Fanny Kemball’s (perhaps spelt wrong) work and Titus Andronicus. This has constituted all my literary work. I of course have read up the newspaper pretty thoroughly. Every morning for 4 weeks I guess I have spent in a little work. Chester and I put in a [?]stable floor, also repaired a horse stable floor. Robert and I have been swimming several times. I have enjoyed it very much. I never missed Jim Mitchell more in my life. I have not been into his house--although his father and mother have been away about 4 weeks--once since I came home. I am sorry, but I never summoned resolution enough. Jim is in Nova Scotia now. He left Stratford the day I returned from New Haven about 1/2 an hour before I arrived. He sailed from New York in a packet vessel. I have not heard from him directly, only through the family. He was drafted in Stratford. His father did not wish to send for him, 1st because he might(?) probably pass muster and 2nd because if he did, he would be unable to return within the 10 days and thus would be prohibited from procuring a substitute. And again his time would be taken away, which is so important to him at present, as it is the most desirable part of the year for improvement. I believe this will conclude my vacation experiences. I don’t know as I have said that I acted as clerk for Aunt Lizzie while she was in Falls Village with her husband. I would go across the street and give her orders to the workmen and write back the progress they had made &c.

Sept 14, 1863 Yesterday Mother was taken quite sick with what she called a sick headache, but as it affected in a little while her whole body so as to put her in acute pain, she tried to think what could be the matter with her. She finally concluded she had been poisoned by [illegible] water, which had fallen into a little milk she had later. We then found that the antidote was soda, which I gave her and she very soon recovered. Today I left Stratford for New Haven at 2:10 PM for the purpose of electioneering. I had promised Lyman I would last term. I was very reluctant to do it of course as every moment at the end of my vacation seems so important.

Sept 16. 1863 I have never worked so hard before in my life. Electioneering is certainly very severe discipline. It demands all the powers of the mind. I think that I have obtained about as much good from this one work as from anything I ever did in college. It requires first a mathematical mind to arrange the arguments and mark them accurately out, 2ndly, a logical mind to frame the arguments necessary, 3dly a rhetorical mind to make use of fine language, and 4thly an oratorical mind, to present what is to be said in a forcible yet cunning way. There may be other requisites which I have not mentioned. I know at any rate that is necessary to employ every faculty which has been given me. I think my success shows that I have done this. I have pledged more men than any other person, Lyman excepted. He has spent more time. During the time both of us have been working, I am not afraid to say I have pledged more men than he has. Buck himself said that I had pledged more men and worked harder than the President of the Brothers (Lyman) even.

Sept 30, 1863 I have pledged Lyman I would attend 10 meetings of the Brothers in Unity. Therefore I went up this evening. There seemed no one to commence the debate, so Lyman appointed Battershall on the affirmative and myself on the negative. The question was, whether the writ of habeas corpus ought to be suspended. I told the Society I should be obliged to speak contrary to my own feelings. Whatever I should say, I would imagine a hearty supporter of this side of the question would urge. I much exceeded my own expectations. If I can only obtain confidence I believe I might make a good speaker. I shall try. I went down to ΓΝ the other night. Perhaps I have already mentioned the fact and being called up for a speech, spoke as well as I knew how, which was much better than I expected.

Oct 3, 1863 I had the pleasure of going home today. I arrived at Stratford at 10:30 AM much to the surprise of all interested parties. At 5:30 PM Isie Gould arrived also to spend Sunday. Her mother, Kate and Mother had expected also, but she was obliged to go immediately to New York to attend to some business. Isie’s short visit was wholly unexpected and quite pleasant to me. I was very glad to find Father improving so rapidly. His handily turning the apple cutting machine has improved to a great extent. He appeared very cheerful and apparently takes more interest in things than he did.

Oct 4, 1863 Sunday. While Isie played on the melodeon, she, Cordelia and I enjoyed a splendid time in singing.

Oct 5, 1863 I arose at 5:30 AM to go to the depot with Isie. She had her breakfast and was obliged to go early so as to do some shopping with her mother in New York. I returned at 10:30 AM, having spent a splendid time. I made two little shelves for my room early in the morning.

November Death of Uncle Ogden

November has again returned but with less severity than usual. This has been the most delightful Fall I can remember. Only two or three cold days have we as yet experienced. But the damp weather has at last set in with its attendant gloomies. Since I last wrote I have been made Vice President of the Brothers in Unity. I was a little frightened the 24th preceeding because I could not superintend things myself, as I have been accustomed to do. I understood that Wurts was to run. He was proposed by Battershall. You see, he had been the preceeding Vice President, but leaving out the war and unexpectedly, to others at least, without saying a word about the Society and having already lost 3 men for the Brothers and secured none, he lost his situation and Tom Boltwood was nominated in his stead. Battershall nominated him as I said and expected he would go in all straight (you see that the “Sav”[?] want to get everything). He only pulled 14 votes and I carried 84! The little speech I made is as follows:

Mr. President and Gentlemen,

I heartily thank you for the honor you have just conferred upon me and I pledge to you that such energy and faithfulness shall be displayed by me while I remain officially in your service as is

               one

worthy of ^a son [someone?] devoted to the interests of this noble institution!!

I have copied this down as it will be pleasant for me to look back upon the little incident and see how little I knew and could do in the past in comparison with what I can do at the point of time when I shall reread this passage. Thomas took me down to call upon Miss Sarah Trowbridge, about 3 weeks ago. I was very much pleased with her. Her funeral took place this afternoon. She died of typhoid fever away at school. Uncle Ogden has also died of the same disease as the doctor [illegible], but everyone else believes it was from paralysis. His death took place Oct 31st. He was buried Nov 3rd. Mother, Kate, Aunt Lizzie and Mrs. Russell came from Stratford. Father wrote a very appropriate and consolatory note to Aunt Amanda. Julia and Abbey were at Whitesboro Friday. I telegraphed them and they returned Saturday. Dan was very attentive to them during the sickness.

Continued at:

John William Sterling Journal: January-June 1864

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