Civil War Soldiers' Diaries, 10th MA, 40th PA and 7th PRVC

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Treasures of the Civil War: Premier Auction

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Oct 31, 2018

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• Lot Description
  Civil War Soldiers' Diaries, 10th MA, 40th PA and 7th PRVC
  
  

  Lot of 3 diaries written by Union soldiers.
  
  Pocket diary identified to George Hagar, dating from April 27, 1862 to December 16, 1862, on the way to Fredericksburg. Hagar was a 20-year-old paper maker from Pittsfield, MA, who enlisted on the first call, June 14, 1861. He was commissioned as 2nd lieutenant in Co. D of the 10th MA Infantry. HDS shows him as dismissed for disability on November 25, but this diary goes straight through this time without any indication of injury, etc. He was then apparently cleared from disability, and mustered into the 1st MA Cavalry a year later (12/29/63). He was captured in April 1864, and escaped about 11 months later, just a week before Appomattox.
  
  On the first page, Hagar has noted: " Battle of Williamsburg, May 5th/62, Fair Oaks May 31st; Battle of Fair Oaks June 25; Malvern Hill July 1; Antietam Sept 17th ." Within the first days of the diary there is fighting: [May 5] " Woke up this Morn. and found myself afloat in the water, raining hard...start about 9 A.M. still raining very hard March. keep going all day heavy firing in front of us at 5 P.M. each the front and fire of line of battle, and entrench to the right to support Hancock. went about 3 miles and reach the filed at dark find out we took about 500 prisoners and killed a great many ... [May 8] Still in Camp here and still busy burying dead more prisoners brought in to day ."
  
  [June 1] " We still lay behind the [breast]works reinforcements came up in the night and in the Morn the Irish Brigade charged on them and drove them from the field before night - we had ocupied [sic] all the ground we lost the day before... Our Regt lost 28 killed 93 wounded & 14 missing.... [June 2] Not much excitement...it looks dredful the ground is strewn with the dead bodies of men & horses the stench is awful ... [June 11] This Morn got the Official report of the battle of F. Oaks 5739 killed wounded & missing ."
  
  July 1 found them at Malvern Hill. This battle warrants 4.5 pages in the diary. " We get up this morn must forage about 8 AM all file in...to the front and found him in the woods. Co. K went out in front as skirmishers, we lay here until 2 1/2 PM the Artillery had been firing most all day...we moved out of the woods and formed line on the brow of the hill in an oat field, the 36th in front we lay here a few minutes when the Rebs [came] out of the woods and charged on us the 36th fell back & formed on our left- when we opened on them the Rebs fell thick I felt the came within a ?? of us when they turned and run what there was left of them. Griffin and Callis of our Co. were killed & 3 was wounded we lay here a little while bringing the rest of the Division up and firing on our left,... Battling in the rear of us shelling Wheelers left...striking ??? in the head killing him instantly Wheeler jumped up and started to the rear I followed him some distance but seeing that he was going off on right I returned to the Co. I kept firing until I could no longer hold my gun & threw it away.. ." Much of the summer was spent fighting. Shortly after this part of the Peninsular Campaign, Lincoln recalled McClellan to the Washington area. He had been replaced as general-in-chief of the army and was now only in command of Washington defenses.
  
  [Sept. 13] "... we are again in the wood we can hear heavy firing in the direction of Harpers Ferry to day nr junct. of Monacy River and camped in one of the most beautiful places I ever saw ...[Sept 17] We started this Morn at 6 AM in the direction of Harpers... we think we are going to attack Harpers Ferry, we went within 2 miles of the place when we received orders to turn about and [find?] McClelan as soon as possible. it seems the Rebs had left the ferry and gone to reinforce the troops who were fighting against Mc near Sharpsburg so we turned about & marched until about 12 PM . [18th] This Morn we are about 2 miles from the filed & about 9AM we started and went to the front they had a terrible fight the day before and were busy bringing in the wounded... the Pickets in front of us were firing all this time... we expected to be engaged every minute but lay quiet until about 3 PM when they sent out a flag of truce to get permission to bury the dead which was granted... we lay on our arms through the night." Failing to pursue Lee after what would turn out to be the bloodiest single day of the war (Antietam/Sharpsburg) seems to have been the final straw for Lincoln. The President even came to the battlefield to meet with his general. By November, McClellan would have no command at all.
  
  [Sept 27] " Today Officers have sent in their resignations good many of them don't know how we shall come out. ... [Sat. 26] It has been raining all night and still continues ....all we could do to keep ourselves warm got orders to march to morrow morn. [Mon. 27] It has stopped raining but the wind blows and it is very cold. we started about 9 AM for Williamsport, reached there about 4 PM."
  
  [Mon {Nov} 10th] " McClelan [sic] passed through the camps this morn to bid farewell to the troops. He was received with hearty cheers the men all hate to part with him ." Hagar's diary would run out a bit over a month later. His ultimate fate is still uncertain.
  
  The second pocket diary is unidentified. (Title page references " M.C. Meigs " but this is not the general's diary. This may have been the writer's contact, since he seems to have been associated with the QM Department in some capacity.) The writer does, however, have notes in the back of the diary of individual purchases. For ex: "Jos. Brantenberger Co. H, 5 stpd envelopes, 1 plug tobacco; Andw Lowery, 3 plus tobacco; Joseph Elder, 5 stpd envelopes;" etc. By searching on the more unusual names, and sometimes their company or rank, this unit was identified as the 40th PA Infantry (11th Res.), a 3-year unit from the western part of the state, including Pittsburgh. This unit also formed in June 1861, as did the 10th MA, and at the end of the month mustered into Federal service. We thought maybe the diarist could be identified, but he only notes that he wrote/received letters from " Mrs. Mc " (presumably his wife). While the writer remains anonymous, it is known that the unit served on the Peninsula with McClellan, in General Fitz John Porter's V Corps. The unit fought at Mechanicsville, but met with disaster at Gaines Mill. The men did not see their enemy surrounding them because of the density of the woods, and although they fought valiantly in an attempt to get back to Union lines, the entire unit was captured with the exception of Co. K which was on detached special duty. That Company then represented the regiment at Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg. It later fought at Gettysburg, Bristoe and Rappanhannock Stations, and Mine Run, among many other engagements.
  
  This pocket diary includes three pre-printed days per page, with many filled out in a mix of pencil and ink, especially early, up until the end of April. After the end of July, the entries are not as consistent, with some pages completely blank. Content includes:
  
  [Jan. 1] " Camp Pierpont got up 3 1/2 o'clock Regiment got orders to be ready to march at 5 o Clock. Stacked arms but was not ordered to March. Spent the day in making out Requisitions getting wood hauled fixing Hospital. .. [Jan. 2] Spent the morning in getting forage transported got anew cook stove 12 c sold the old one $5.50 2 teams hauling wood got a letter from Mrs. MC Teamsters taken to Regimental for their extra pay did not get it. .. [Jan. 3] Morning Delightfull day spent in usual duties of comr. 4 Reg. returned from dificult creek saw no rebels paid Teamsters their extra pay. .."
  
  [Jan. 15] " Sleeted all last night. Morning slushey Recd & Ishued (issued) Shoes, Drawers, Shirts, Blankets & Stationary Raining all day hard. teams hauling wood. Mr. Alex B. Smith 9th Regt wounded at drainsville [sic] died last night started to Pittsbg with him to day. [Jan. 20] Still Raining Mud verry deep Teams hauling wood good news from Kentucky Union army victoryous Zolecauf {Felix Zollicoffer} killed and his forces compleatly routed still raining." This continues for months - still raining (and/or snowing, sleeting), orders to be ready to march, no orders come. Everyone cold, wet, miserable.
  
  [Apr. 30] " We are this morning encamped 2 miles from Falmouth on the Highths [sic]. We are in sight of Fredricksburg compleating the Bridge to day with canal boats for piers the rebals are in sight teams gone to agua for rations ..."
  
  By early June the men have been ordered out of the Peninsula. [June 12] " Finished loading the Columbia, Sacony, Ann Eliza, Rebeca Margaret & we all now in motion steaming down the Rappahannoch with all the means of Transportation on board. We worked all last night got diner on board the Ann Eliza Genl. Mead & staff on board the Columbia. [June 25] 3 O Clock ordered to get Teams out to go to White House Landing for Comisary Stores. Morning Pleasant Regt in line stacked arms considerable firing along the line 8 Co go on Picket at 8 O'Clock PM New Sutler arived this evening."
  
  [July 4] "All is quiet today but looks like as if thier might be something to do. The signals are in operation. Several Gun Boats have moved up the River. Drew five days Rations of flour the first soft bread I've left."
  
  At the end of this, and above "Saturday 5" is "Fredericksburg...We were roused, this morning between 1 & 2 O Clock by the roor of cannon and the busting of shells the Rebs opened a batery from the oposite side of the River our Gun Boats & Baterys soon Replyed their stay was short. Six to 8 of our Men Killed."
  
  [July 6] "Morning Verry Warm All quiet last night our troops apper all quiet in front to day One Division Gone over the James River Cutting down the Timber burnt Several Houses Which the Rebs used as screen to look from. [July 7] Day verry Warm. all quiet this Morning the Rebals threw some shells last night at on[e] of Gun Boats that Ran aground up at City Point but done no injury our Boats Maid no Reply. [July 8] Our Troops are Moving out to the front, the[y] have Maid an advance on, Malburn Hill heavy cononading herd from that Point they have drove the Rebs off the Hill have possession of it took some prisners and artilery our loss 400 ?? not less, their 600." Diary then blank until the 24th.
  
  The soldier's last "formal" entry in the journal notes: [July 29] " Some troops crosed the River last Night below this point the Baloon went down this morning Gun Boats Moving up. this evening it is Reported that our troops are crosing this evining above. the Baloon has returned Heavy cononading up the River ."
  
  The third journal, 6.25 x 7.5 in, with a leather spine over marbled paper boards and profiles on pastedown, free endpapers, is identified on first free page to " Sergt. Thomas A.B. Rusk, Co. I 7th Regt. P.R.V.C. " along with the information " Was Born in Phila. Pa. February the 9th, 1838. " In the back is the name Kate Rusk with a Philadelphia address and the date 1879. Her contribution seems to be several pages of verses composed for entries in autograph books. A page showing sketches of chins and their "meanings" drawn by Sergeant Rusk is included.
  
  The 7th PRVC was also known as the 36th PA Infantry. The only personnel listing in HDS is under the latter designation. "Rusk" does not show up there, but is listed as Thomas B. Rush. The original unit (36th) was mustered into Federal service near the end of July 1861. This journal begins on January 1, 1864, near the end of their three years of service and continues through April 17. Rusk/Rush enlisted in mid-June, 1861, and is listed as missing in action in the Wilderness on May 5, 1864, less than three weeks after the last entry. The unit mustered out on June 24, with very few of its original members remaining. This unit also has a hard "slog." They were not engaged until December, being initially assigned to Brigadier General George Meade's reserves. They first headed for action at Dranesville, but arrived too late. It participated at Mechanicsville, then Gaines Mill, Glendale, was in reserve at Malvern Hill, and suffered heavily at Antietam and Fredericksburg. It joined the "Mud March" before going to Washington for rest. The next season it joined the Army of the Potomac in the Wilderness. Approx. 272 men were cut off and taken prisoner in this battle, many of whom never left their southern prisons.
  
  Rusk seems to have been in demand as a musician and carpenter. On Jan. 2: " It was very cold. I Wroat a letter then I went to work on the offerce's barracks & it was so cold that we couldent stand it. So I knoced of at noon I cut Martins hair. Night Bartlet came over and me and him played togher. ... [Jan. 4] it comenced snowing about 9 o'clock I finished??? my reports then I read till noon then I Played the F. a while then I went up to Lites tent and me and him Went over to Bartlets to get him to go with us down to Eliots. then We came to camp then me and litey went in his tent and sung a while in the Evening. I took my fiddel and Went up to liteyes tent. We Played & Sung togher then We went to Lieut Fontains tent and he Played the Banjo With us then We had two Banjoes ." Throughout he mentions "novelettes" that he is reading. The titles sound like "dime novels" of the day.
  
  [Jan. 5] He drew some clothing, played with a couple of the guys. " We hird that the third and fourth had orders to march to night. With 5 days Rattions, to March to harppers ferry ." [Jan. 12] ... Crist[ian] Fagley got telling about a Rebel Lieutanent geting thru our lines and When he Was Caught he sent for his father. and his father a check for ten thousand dolars to let the son slide Crist said it was three thousand dolars, and John Henry laught at him and made fun and Crist got mad ..."
  
  The men heard about a party on the 14th and went to make arrangements to play for it, which they did, making $10 for the engagement. The next few days they were expecting an inspection, but it did not happen. [Jan. 18th] "... I went to daves tent to get Some Writing Paper. then I came down to my quarters. and Cotty Was in here Blowing about When he was Prisnor in Richmond. how he was taken, how he had to bury the ded and how he was used While he was thir... ." Inspection finally came on the 19th, with a few rough spots: "... We had inspection in quarters by Gallupe Major. We all stood by our Bunks and as the inspector came in I give the comand attion at this comand We all threw up our right hand and Sluted Wich Was Returned By him. he Said that Some of the guns Was dirty. Crosby Carlton got a talken to about haven a dirty gun. he Said that he had come of off guard. But that Was of no use the inspecter Said that was no Excuse. then he looked at the Knabsacks and he Said one half of them Wasent Packed Rite he talked to our Lieut Ziegler. then he left. the Boys Put all of the Boxes our Side till he got thru then thay Broat them in again it is against the orders to have a Box in the Barracks ..."
  
  [Jan. 23] "... I got a pass and me and Haintz Went to town on our Road is thir was a lot of Solders going the the Soldiers Retreat and We sent in to look at the Place it was all lit up and it was full of troops It was beautiful in another a partment thir was the Tables Lit for Supper five Big tables as long as the Room and two Big Stoves and n____r to wate on the tables and thir is a place with water and traughts to wash in guso(?) lights all thru it is beautiful ..."
  
  [Feb. 2] "... I was in my quarters very near all day in the Evening Mr. lewis sent for me and litey to come over thir with our musics and we went thir was to of the Seneters from Va. and thay was tight. I Played F. Litey teh Banjo and Frank Lewis Played the Pino. and the Seneters Said it was Some of the Best Music they ever hird. and he Said he would give all he had on eirth to Play lik I could he Said that he would give up his Position in the Senit if he could Play lik me ..."
  
  By the middle of the month he begins doing more carpentry. {Feb. 15]: "... I went and helped Patton to fix the Cook house up and then I fixed my fiddel....in the evning I went down and made a closet for the cook house and got two board for a compy tabel. [16th] it snowed some and the sun was out a while. I made a tabel and bench for the cook house. I worked all day. The boys eat their super in the cook house for the first in the evning....it was so cold I couldent sleep. it was the coldest day and night we had this winter." It would be cold for several more days. By Feb. 21, his reading was upgraded a bit. " after super I Read the american Phrenological Journal...I drawed some forms of off it in the back of this book ."
  
  [Feb.22] " Washingtons Birth day... helped to Put Bords in the Barracks and helped to lay floor . [Feb. 24] We went to Bed and thir was a fier I got up and put on my cloths and run it wa[s] a Sutler Shop the fort lions men set it on fier ."
  
  [April 1]: " Camp Sickels, Va. ...I packed a box to send home. it contained my over Coat and quilt three novelettes and a file and three littel camp chairs for Katy ." Eventually the unit would move. The last entry in this journal reads [Apr. 17]: " We are Packed up the sick was all sent away from the Hospital and the Rail Road Guards was Releved. and all the Rest at night thir was a drunken Party. We had a F. Playing till late ."

  Condition

  All with wear as expected from field diaries.
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