Reid, James Henry (1845-1921) [Virginia Confederate soldier's diary recording events of the Seige of Petersburg]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02260 Author/Creator: Reid, James Henry (1845-1921) Place Written: Virginia Type: Manuscript signed Date: 1864 Pagination: 1 v. : 90 p. ; 15 x 8 cm. Order a Copy
Possibly the diary of James Henry Reid. Signed on cover by J. Henry Reid. In January and February, records social activities. Reports for duty in the army 1 March 1864. Marches to various destinations, and leaves Lynchburg again for Richmond in May. On Thursday, 16 June 1864, marches across the James River to Petersburg. Records Union attacks on Petersburg through the month of June. Spends most of July in the trenches. Refers to the Battle of the Crater 30 July 1864, declaring "whipped the Yanks soundly." Records August as a fairly quiet month, though on 30 August, writes "Last day of summer and Grant has fulfilled his promise of fighting it out on this line..." On 4 September, records hearing news of the fall of Atlanta. Through the fall of 1864, records skirmishes around Petersburg. On 31 December, writes "Wrote home. Last day of 1864. I wonder if I will have to go through such another year." Records the deaths and injuries of his fellow soldiers meticulously. Mentions mail sent and received. Almanac portion includes 23 printed pages; Reid's notes begin on page 25, and are written in pencil. Almanac titled "Almanac and Annual Diary and Memoranda for 1864. Printed in Lynchburg, Virginia, by Johnson & Schafter. Written in pencil.
According to the Civil War database, a James Henry Reid enlisted 1 March 1864 in the 13th Battalion Light Artillery. The database notes Reid's place of residence, however, as Richmond, while the diary's author "left Lynchburg for the army." The following information is taken from the Civil War database, regarding Reid: enlisted on 1 March 1864 at Richmond, Virginia as a Private; on 1 March 1864 he mustered into "A" Co. Virginia 13th Battalion Light Artillery; date and method of discharge not given; was listed as detached 15 November 1864 With Mortar Battalion, AWOL 15 January 1865 (place not stated), and paroled 13 April 1865 Lynchburg, Virginia; son of James H. and Amy Ann Reid; married Bulah Starr Reese 10 December 1868; had 5 children.
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