Civil War Quest - Viewing American History Through a Local Lens

Journal Entries As A Primary Source

Students can use journal entries as primary sources to learn more about the daily life of soldiers, and to make the reality of war more clear. Journal entries can be found online, in local libraries, historical societies and in book compilations. Here is a worksheet that helps students analyze and keep track of the primary sources they are using. For more information take a look at Primary Sources:Letters, Journals and More.

This journal entry references Blaisdell's time in the war and also includes some interesting stories. It can be found on Vermont in the Civil War.

Sept 1, 1864: Hurrah boys Hurrah only one year more to serve in the army and if God spares my life I will then be at home with my friends. We came in from picket last night. We were mustered for two months pay by Colonel Warner. Today we drew 2 days rations and have orders to get ready for inspection at 6. The SUTTLER has come and the boys are trying to buy him out. We had the inspection and Major Walker thought our guns did not look very well. Sergeant Blaisdell came back to Co. Yesterday received a letter from my sister Lydia and from Corp. Pierce. During the day I wrote a letter to cousin Fedelia.
Sept 2: This morning we got up & ate our breakfast as usual. We have orders to clean up our guns …
Sept 16: We did not do much until afternoon, then we moved camp a little (??) and we have got it fixed up so that it looks quite neat and tidy. We had seven new recruits come to us last night and Frank Orman came with them
Sept 17: Nothing happened worthy of mentioning until near noon. Then the train came up with 4 days rations and some clothing. At half past 3 we had ordered to pack up and be ready to move at a moments notice. We did so and had just got ready to fall in when the order was countermanded and we pitched our tents again. There was a meeting in this Regiment tonight. I received a letter from Lydia today. The drums are beating for roll call. So ends this day, Sunday.
Sept 19: Today there was one of the largest battles fought and (??) in the valley the largest that ever was fought in the valley. We were up at 2 in the morning and ready to move. We did so and came up to where the Rebs were at 6 o'clock. (The Cavalry surprised them in the morning and took 100 prisoners) We formed a line and was moving on them when Norris was wounded by a shell. I did not have any gun so the (??) sent me to the rear with him. I did so and we were half way back when our boys made a charge. Then I thought it was not best to go up so I stayed in the rear. Our boys above them but had to fall back. Then at the second time had to give up part of the ground they gained. The third time they charged it was most night and they drove them beyond Winchester . It is reported that we took over 7 thousand prisoners. It was a hard battle for the Rebs. There was 95 officers and men wounded in this regiment. The following named ones were wounded in this Co (H) Cat James Eldridge; Sargt I.R. Clark; M.T. Russell; C.E.Hubbard. All of them but Norris was wounded very bad. I arrived to the regiment about 9 in the evening. I picked me up a gun on the way. (??) Lincoln was wounded and very bad.
Sept 20: We were up, ate our breakfast and started after the retreating Rebs at 6 0'clock. We marched until noon when we halted near New Town and got dinner. Then we moved on and came to a halt in the woods 1 mile from Strasbourg about 2 o'clock and remained there that night. We had a pretty hard march this day. In about 7 hours we moved near 18 miles and our loads were very large.
Sept 21: About noon we moved off to the right and formed a line of battle. Remained there until near dark. Then we moved a little (??) farther and after dark we built rifle pits in front of our Brigade.
Sept 22: This morning we got up before light and drank a little coffee and remained in the pits until about 2 o'clock. Then we formed in line of battle in front of the brest ranks. Moved to the left into some woods. Then we marched to the front to the edge of the woods and at 5 o'clock we charged on the Rebs. Ranks carried them (??) about 16 pieces of artillery and 1000 prisoners. We followed the retreating Rebs all night. There was not many killed on the other side. I had a ball shot through my hat rim.