Thomas W. Manchester Diary

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish material from the Thomas W. Manchester Diary must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Thomas W. Manchester Diary, Ms2019-031, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder
Creator:
Manchester, Thomas Wilbur, 1841-1928
Abstract:
The Thomas W. Manchester Diary consists of a single Civil War diary kept by Manchester between March-December 1863. His entries detail weather and daily events, including picketing and marches.
Language:
The diary is in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Thomas W. Manchester Diary, Ms2019-031, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The Thomas W. Manchester Diary consists of a single Civil War diary kept by Thomas W. Manchester between March-December 1863. The diary starts after 14 months of service in the First Rhode Island Infantry. His entries include the topics of weather, daily events, including picketing and marches.

Biographical / historical:

Thomas Wilbur Manchester was born in Providence, Rhode Island in 1841. Thomas was married on September 1, 1861 to Martha Elizabeth Neth (1841-1921) of Glastonbury, Connecticut. They had one child, Charles Francis Manchester, who was born in 1864.

Manchester enlisted as a private on November 20, 1861 and joined Co. A of the First Rhode Island Infantry. The Infantry was attached to Burnside's Brigade in McDowell's Army of Northeastern Virginia. They fought in the Battle of First Bull Run on July 21, 1861. On December 4, 1861, Manchester mustered into Co. L of the First Rhode Island Infantry. While with Co. L, he served in the commissary. He was discharged on May 31, 1863 in Washington, D.C. He enlisted in the Third Rhode Island Cavalry on February 28, 1864 and stayed with that regiment until February 1866 when he resigned his commission. During this time with the Third Rhode Island Cavalry, he was promoted from First Sergeant to Captain of Co. B, 97th USCT.

Following the war, Manchester moved back to Providence, Rhode Island, where he worked as a jewelry salesman. He died on March 27, 1928.

Acquisition information:
The Thomas W. Manchester Diary was purchased by Special Collections in 2018.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Thomas W. Manchester Diary was completed in June 2019.