1863-1864 Daily Journal of Civil War Soldier Battle of Vicksburg
Item Details
A pair of Civil War Daily diaries 1863-1864, belonging to Sergeant David Baker of the 45th Infantry Pennsylvania. This is a thorough daily account of his time in the field and the hardships experienced by him and the other men. Of particular interest is his detail of the defeat and surrender at the battle of Vicksburg. He does not miss a day, even if it’s simply a commentary on the weather or of letters he has written and received from home. This is a rare legible first hand account of history. On Christmas day 1863 he simply comments that the men ‘Were quite drunk off of their Christmas whiskey’. His entry on New Years eve is longer and one that is particularly heart wrenching as he reflects on the hardships, and all he and his regiment have been through, as well as his wish for the next New Year that all will be home with their loved ones. The second diary of 1864 of course shows that this wish did not come true. Back to 1863 he gives us details on the many conditions and illnesses and the daily marches for miles and miles. To find such a detailed first hand daily account of Civil War History is very rare, making this account come alive and making it more real that any history book ever could. Sergeant Baker may also have been keeping accounts for his regiment as he details expenses by the men to the back of his journals. These journals are in exceptional condition for not just their age, but from being carried on the battlefield in the harsh elements. There is yellowing as expected with age, and one page in the 1863 that has been pulled out, some slight fading of the ink on some pages, but very readable. His hand writing does get worse as time goes on and later in to the winter of 1864, as he was no doubt worn out and had suffered from the ravages of the war.
Condition
For age and having been out in the battle field of the Civil War.
Dimensions
As a pair
Item #
15CIN406-128
