Conditions Governing Use

The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with the source.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Malcolm MacPherson Brownlee Civil War Diary and Transcription (WLU Coll. 0284), Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Malcolm Brownlee, great-great nephew, in 2025

Biographical Note

Malcolm MacPherson Brownlee was born in Pennsylvania in 1840. He served in the 15th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry during the American Civil War. He died of disease while in Murfreesboro, TN on April 16, 1863.

Content Description

The collection includes the Civil War diary of Malcolm MacPherson Brownlee written between August 1862 and his death in April 1863. Brownlee begins his diary on August 18, 1862 documenting that he was sworn in that day having enlisted the previous Saturday. The diary details his experience as a soldier, camp life, family, the Confederacy, and eventually his sickness.

The collection also includes a transcription of the diary done by M. F. Novak.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Brownlee, Malcolm
• United States. Army. Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment, 15th (1862-1865)