Archive for the ‘Diaries’ Category

James gets his first taste of camp, and briefly discusses the rifles and flag which was handed out to the 52nd Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers.

The day is 23 Nov. 1862. James and Edward (Ed.) Hosmer head off to war as part of the 52nd Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers.

This is a continuation of Samuel K. Ellis Diary. It takes place in 1863, and covers the 25th Regiment immediately after the Battle of Irish Bend up until Samuel arrived back at Hartford, Connecticut on 17th of August, 1863.

In opening the subject of my experiences as a private in the War of the Rebellion, I hardly know how to begin as this is the first time I have attempted to write at length upon this subject. I earnestly hope that all those who read this little book will excuse all grammatical errors.

Fifty years have come and gone and as my life has been spared to see the fiftieth anniversary of my army life, and as I kept a diary during my term of service in the War of the Rebellion, I thought it no more than right and just to myself and descendants that I leave in book form some of the many experiences I saw and passed through during that time. It seemed to me that it was a grand opportunity on this the fiftieth anniversary to do it, if I ever did. Hoping that this account of my army life may be highly appreciated and prized by my children and grandchildren and any others that may be interested, I will endeavor to give a complete account as I saw and recorded events.