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- GLC#
- GLC01838.01-View header record
- Type
- Journals & Diaries
- Date
- 1862
- Author/Creator
- Thompson, W. S., fl. 1862-1865
- Title
- [Civil War pocket diary of W.S. Thompson]
- Place Written
- Various Places
- Pagination
- 1 v. : 176 p. : Height: 15.4 cm, Width: 9.6 cm
- Primary time period
- Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1877
- Sub-Era
- The American Civil War
Approximately 70 written pages of entries, followed by blank pages. Describes picket duty and the army's moves in the Peninsula campaign (May-July). Breaks off in mid-July, as Thompson notes joining the crew of the steamship "Suwanee" as chief engineer. Memoranda after 30 December summarizes his mustering and service. Wrap-around black leather cover.
Selected excerpts:
9 January: stationed at Camp Pierpont
3 January: left for Bristol on a 10-day furlough
mid-January: on picket and camp duties at Camp Pierpont
17 May: "Inspection & Review by Gen McClell[an]. Weather very warm"
23 May: "Grand Review & Inspection by President of U.S. & Secy of Navy compl[i]mented the Division by saying we were best looking set of men he had seen since the war"
4 June: "Rainy Day. Bridges across the Rappahannock all coming away. Capt Clark & Curtis detached to oversee the rebuilding of them"
8 June: "Marching Orders to join McClellans Corps near Richmond"
9 June: "Shipped from Fredericksburg…"
18 June: "Left camp near Fair Oaks at 6. am and arrived at camp near Richmond at 1 oclock PM. In sight of the enemy exchanged several shots with them during the am. Rain in the morning."
20-25 June: on court-martial duty, trial of Col. Hayes, who was acquitted.
27 June: "Gaines Mill on Chickahominy. Fighting commenced…." [Battle of Gaines' Mills (First Battle of Cold Harbor)]
13 July: "Left wharf Harrison Landing…"
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