2026-05-10T19:18:11Z

Lewis Schaeffer, Soldier, Civil War Diaries

Creator

Schaeffer, Lewis

Abstract Or Scope

Civil War diaries of Lewis Schaeffer (b. July 4, 1833), of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who served in Company A of the 68th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers (Scott Legion of Philadelphia) from September 1862 to June 1865. Collection consists of three pocket diaries on microfilm. They cover the periods from September-December 1862; 1863, and January-June 1865. There is no diary for 1864. Schaeffer provides only brief descriptions of his combat service, but offers a detailed record of army life in between battles. He carefully traces his movements and marches and comments frequently on the weather, surrounding landscape, and conditions in quarters, including his food, daily activities in camp, letters sent and received, inspection, drill, dress parade, and desertion and discipline. He also describes his picket and guard duty as well as cattle guard duty. Schaeffer did not see a lot combat, but he does describe his service during the Mud March, the battle of Second Fredericksburg, and the battle of Gettysburg, where he was wounded. Schaeffer also records his activities transporting Confederate prisoners from Virginia to Union prisoners at Point Lookout and Hart's Island in the spring of 1865.
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Collection Context

1. West Virginia and Regional History Center