Thomas, Benjamin F. (1831-1918) [Diary of Benjamin F. Thomas]
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01016.01 Author/Creator: Thomas, Benjamin F. (1831-1918) Place Written: Various Type: Autograph manuscript signed Date: 9 October 1864 - 21 May 1865 Pagination: 73 p. ; 15 x 9 cm. Order a Copy
Book intended for use as diary for 1864. Earliest entry near back of book for November 1864, then returns to front of book for start of 1865. Last entry is two weeks before Thomas is mustered out. No entries from 27 March 1865 through 9 April 1865. Entries detail troop movement, battles, observations, as well as personal affairs. Discusses Sherman in Carolina and Georgia, Joseph Johnston's surrender, Lincoln's assassination, and operations after Appomattox. Written in pencil. Book was printed by "A. Liebenroth & Von Auw." Black binding. End of diary contains Thomas' financial accounts.
Benjamin F. Thomas served as a captain in the ninety-ninth Indiana Volunteers.
Bought this book in Atlanta, men still at work destroying railroads and buildings, marched 9 miles east of Macon, 83 killed, heavy cannonading, country is full of refugees fleeing before us, our men do not burn their homes or destroy what's in them if they are living in them, we burn all cotton and cotton buildings by order and the men will fire empty buildings. The country is bare, captured a dispactch from Longstreet to Wheeler sending troops from Lee's army. Citizens say Lincoln is elected by large majority and much disgust at Hood for going North and leaving this country unprotected, getting many negroes, run onto Wheeler's Cavalry 10,000 mounted infantry, they attacked, the 10th and 15th Corps are now together for the first time since Atlanta, destroyed railroad, shelled city, 3000 refugees, captured Camden, S.C., Wade Hampton's cavalry captured our foragers, 12 miles from Cheraw rebs run at first fire, 17th Corps captures 300, Gen. Lee surrenders his army, Johnston falls back to Greensboro, Sherman reviews the troops, Johnston's surrender seems to be certain, negotiations are in progress. Pres. Lincoln has been assassinated, state officials came in today, Hampton is holding back from surrendering, Gen'l Johnston surrendered his army today!
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.