Fuller, Franklin W. (fl. 1861-1865) [Diary of Franklin W. Fuller]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.42.70 Author/Creator: Fuller, Franklin W. (fl. 1861-1865) Place Written: s.l. Type: Diary Date: 1 January 1864-31 December 1864 Pagination: 403 p. ; 10.3 x 7.3 cm. Order a Copy
January: Writes of the cold weather. Perry received his discharge papers. The weather ranges from pleasant to rainy and cold. Has played in parades.
February: Describes the weather and notes that they were ordered to be ready to march with eight days worth of rations. Gibbs has started for home and he has played in more parades. He has had a sore throat. Some of the men got drunk. Marched to Culpepper, Tennessee. Turns 23 on 29 February 1864.
March: The roads are becoming soft because of the rain. Two years ago they left Camp Griffin. Some of the men got drunk. They had a dance that ended at three in the morning. Marched out with three days worth of rations and have heard reports of rebels in the area.
April: They received a new commander and are currently near the railroad bridge. The troops were reviewed by General Ulysses S. Grant. The band played during the parade.
May: Marched two miles with rations for three days. There was skirmishing and firing. Stone was killed. In the dark the rebels charged and turned the Union right. The trains and hospitals left. Camped on the old battlefield of Chancellorsville, Virginia. There has been considerable firing. He helped to put up the hospital tents. The 5th Corps took 2000 prisoners. Reports the death of Union General John Sedgwick. Gives details on the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House.
June: Received orders to march to Coal Harbor. There has been a lot of fighting and artillery fire for several days. Some the skrimishing and artillery fire took place after dark or during the early morning hours. Took a train and moved to the bank of the James River. Writes out some of his supplies.
July: No entries.
August: Has received some money.
September: Recipes for food.
October: No entries.
November: No entries.
December: Notes the amount he has received for pay.
Cash Account/Memoranda: Keeps a tally of his pay.
Franklin W. Fuller from Howard, Illinois enlisted on 14 August 1862 as a Sergeant. He mustered into the I Company of the Illinois 74th Infantry on 4 September 1862. He was mustered out on 10 June 1865 in Nashville, Tennessee.
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