Emerick, J. H. (fl. 1861-1865) Pocket diary
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06738.05 Author/Creator: Emerick, J. H. (fl. 1861-1865) Place Written: [s.l.] Type: Diary Date: 1865 Pagination: 12.4 x 8.2 cm Order a Copy
14 prefatory and almanac pages + 170 diary pages + 32 memoranda and account pages.
NB. Missing: pages for December 15 -31.
No entries: August 28 - September 1; September 3 - 17; September 24 - October 13; October 16 - November 11; November 15 - December 14, excepting a sum on November 21st and the word "very" on December 13.
Summary of selected entries
1. 01/05/65. Commander Melander and other officers of the Swedish navy arrive to visit the Army of the Potomac.
2. 01/27/65. General Grant goes south "to Savannah or Ft. Fisher or both." Also, message from Major E. re. O'Brien being sent to Newberne.
3. 01/29/65. "Applied for admission under flag into 9th a.c. line this PM as rebel Peace Commissioners to Washington."
4. 01/30/65. "…Secy. Stanton [illegible] to receive rebel commissioners but subsequent dispatch from President modifies order. Nothing definite yet." Also, "Mahone's division gone south."
5. 02/08/65. Emerick reports on the results of Meade's engagement at Hatcher's Run.
6. 02/09/65. "Quiet reigns in all parts of the country though Sherman may be operating against Charleston by this time."
7. 03/09/65. Rumors concerning Sheridan's movements in the Richmond papers. Also, report on battle at Waynesboro.
8. 03/10/65. "Report some of our cavalry, probably Sheridan's, have penetrated nearly to Richmond and have cut viaduct on canal. Exchange of prisoners going on very fast. …"
9. 03/20/65. "Rebel deserter told me this morning that Sherman is in Goldsboro. Probably true."
10. 04/09/65. Emerick notes Lee's surrender to Grant.
11. 04/10/65. "Fighting probably over. Legislature of VA to meet here [Richmond] on 25th to consider condition of affairs." Also, Emerick sees Macbeth "very poorly played … at Richmond theatre which is very pretty one."
12. 04/11/65. Excursion with Alexander Gardner in the morning, chess game in the evening.
13. 04/12/65. Telegraph line being extended from Petersburg to Lynchburg.
14. 05/06/65. Watches departure of Army of the Potomac. Writes, "probably last time we will ever see it."
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