10th Regiment, New Jersey Infantry/Confederate Soldier 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:

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], 10th Regiment, New Jersey Infantry/Confederate Soldier Diary, 1864, Ms2022-036, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder.
Abstract:
This collection contains a diary used by a Union and Confederate soldier, both unnamed, through 1864. The Union soldier chronicles his combat experiences during Jubal Early's raid on Washington, D.C., and the opening of Philip Sheridan's Valley campaign in August. The Confederate soldier's entries details activity during Early's push to drive the Union army out of the Valley and concludes with the battle of Opequon or Third Winchester.
Language:
The materials in this collection are in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], 10th Regiment, New Jersey Infantry/Confederate Soldier Diary, 1864, Ms2022-036, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains a diary used by both a Union and Confederate soldier, both unnamed, who fought in the American Civil War in 1864.

The Union soldier chronicles his combat experiences at the Wilderness and Spotsylvania; his wounding and maneuvering outside of Washington, D.C., during Jubal Early's raid on Washington, including the hanging of a spy from the 65th New York until finally losing the diary during the opening of Philip Sheridan's Valley campaign in August.

The Union soldier was a private in the First New Jersey Brigade and was most likely a member of Co. D, 10th New Jersey Vols., better known as Olden's Legion named in honor of New Jersey Governor Charles Olden. His entries begin on February 21 and, as part of the Army of the Potomac's 6th Corps he chronicles the fighting that took place during the opening of Grant's Overland Campaign until he was "wounded by a slug" during the fighting at Spotsylvania Court House on May 8. After being wounded, he wrote about all his experiences including being removed from the front. He mentions that he was released from Jarvis Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, on June 17, and during Early's advance on Washington, he mentions marching throughout Maryland and writes on July 15 that a private of the 65th New York was hung for spying. Afterwards, he is present when Confederate General Early advanced on the Union army near Winchester, and he looses the diary.

The Confederate soldier's entries begin the day immediately following the last Union entry. His entries begin with Early driving the Union army before him on August 18. He details activity during Early's push to drive the Union army out of the Valley and concludes with the battle of Opequon or Third Winchester.

Biographical / historical:

The unnamed Union soldier was a private in the First New Jersey Brigade and was most likely a member of Co. D, 10th New Jersey Vols., better known as Olden's Legion named in honor of New Jersey Governor Charles Olden.

No information is known about the Confederate soldier.

Acquisition information:
This collection was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 2014.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the 10th Regiment, New Jersey Infantry/Confederate Soldier Diary was completed in August 2022.