Administrative Information

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Preferred Citation

Diary of an Unknown Union Soldier, Accession #5535, Special Collections Dept., University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.

Acquisition Information

This item was purchased by the University of Virginia Library from Robert Klotts on February 7, 1957.

Scope and Content Information

This collection consists of several loose leaves from the diary of an unknown Union soldier, March-May 1864, "picked up during the war." He is believed to be a memeber of the 34th Massachusetts Infantry, with the diary primarily having been written near Martinsburg, Virginia (now West Virginia).

(Undated) mentions that Col. Wells has arrived in Martinsburg, taking command of a brigade--reflects on a religious book he has read by Arthur [Vandeteur] and how it has made him a better Christian..

Mar 9--dwells a bit more on the necessity of being a good Christian and writes that teams begin to come in about 8'o'clock bringing "knapsacks and other things of importance."

Mar 10--continues to implore the Lord for guidance and protection--mentions he has received a letter from "Father and Adelia, and also one from Edward." Edward's regiment had previously been in battle and lost a great many in killed and wounded.

Mar 11--fifteen recruits join the regiment

Mar 12--read a good book--The Little Captain--A Temperance Tale.

Mar 13--read contents of a little book called The 10 Premium Tracts--thinks them the best tract reading he has ever seen.

Mar 18--Rev. M.M. Longley returned to the 34th and pitched a tent furnished by Christian Commission to hold services--visited him for a long talk.

Mar 18--no prayer meeting at night because tent blew down.

Mar 19--saw Brig. Gen. Averell (William Woods) in camp.

Mar 20--Gen Averell taken ill suddenly and fears were for his life--dress parade at night and court martials of three men for drinking too much liquor. Rev. Longley preached sermon at evening prayer concerning debts sinners owe the Lord.

Mar 21--went on picket duty to relieve Ohio men so they could escort their Colonel to the depot--reports a man in Martinsburg murdered his wife with an ax.

Mar 22--off picket duty, but suffered during the night from cold--attended services at Chappell (sic) tent and later writes long plea to the Lord for guidance.

Mar 23--writes that stockading of tents has begun and has consumed the day--attended prayer meeting.

Mar 24 (written in Martinsburg where he is on provost guard)--visits room where Joseph M. [Lenciana], accused wife murderer is confined--said man thinks he will be hanged and is worried about his four chiildren--man says wife "had a secret in her heart" and wanted medicine to kill an as yet unborn child--prayed with the man.

Mar 25--describes an incident concerning a controversy over benches he had built for Chappell tent.

Mar 29--(on or about)--writes about the evil spirit that dwells within him and says he intended to read his message to his companions at Chappell tent, but did not.

Apr 1--reports that 150 Testaments from Christian Commission have arrived and been distributed at 34th infantry camp--unit has received marching orders.

May 8--Camp near Winchester--reflects that in reading his journal thinks he is apt to take too much part in what is going on in camp "which tends to keep me from enjoying a Christian life as I should"-- implores the Lord for strength.

May 9--regiment ordered out in the A.M. and marched to an orchard near Kernstown, where the men stacked arms and waited for a cavalry unit to pass before continuing.