West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown,
WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / Fax: 304-293-3981 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/
Language
English
Abstract
Diary of John P. Carney of Moundsville and Benwood, West Virginia, from January to October 1864, chiefly documenting Carney's
daily activities, the weather, and movement on the Ohio River and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O). Carney initially
writes from Moundsville, where he appears to be a student, and then from Benwood, where he begins work at the B&O Railroad
depot in May 1864. Almost daily entries record the weather and its effects on the Ohio River, including the amount of ice
in the river and how it rises and falls. Comments about the Civil War are scattered throughout the diary and are mostly reports
of what Carney reads in the newspaper. Carney briefly mentions troop movements; Confederate prisoners and black Union soldiers
passing through the area; the death of Colonel James Mulligan; General George B. McClellan's presidential campaign; General
Jubal Early's raid on Washington, D.C., and the B&O Railroad in July and August. He appears mostly concerned with the status
of the railroad during Early's raid. Restoration of telegraph lines to Baltimore is indicated for September 13. Several pages
are faded and illegible, and there are no entries for the month of April.
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Conditions Governing Access
No special access restriction applies.
Preferred Citation
[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], J.P. Carney, Civil War Era Diary, A&M 3597, West Virginia and Regional
History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.
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