The Ludolph Longhenry Diary, 1861-1864

Access and use

Location of collection:
Fairfax County Public Library
Fairfax County Public Library
City of Fairfax Regional Library
Virginia Room
10360 North Street
Fairfax, VA 22030-2514
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Chris Barbuschak
Phone: (703) 293-2142
Phone: (703) 293-6227 ext. 6 (Virginia Room)
Fax: (703) 293-2155

Summary

Extent:
.25 linear feet
Creator:
Longhenry, Ludolph (1821-1899)
Abstract:
The Ludolph Longhenry Diary is a 1967 translated transcription of a three-notebook diary chronicling the life of a Civil War soldier spanning the years 1861-1863.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The Ludolph Longhenry Diary is a 1967 translated transcription of a three-notebook diary chronicling the life of a Civil War soldier spanning the years 1861-1863. Longhenry served in the Seventh Wisconsin Regiment, part of the famous “Iron Brigade of the West”. The diary was translated from German by the late Alois Wolf, Alexandria, VA, and C.J.S. Durham, Great Falls, VA. It contains descriptions of areas of Fairfax County during the Civil War. Fairfax County locations mentioned include Fairfax Court House, Falls Church, Centreville, Munson's Hill, and Chain Bridge. The current whereabouts of the original diary is unknown.

Biographical / historical:

Ludolph Longhenry came to the USA in 1857 at the age of 36 and settled in Platteville, WI. He was born in Odesheisen, Hanover, Germany. His two brothers, Gerhard and Joachim, remained in Germany. In 1861, he enlisted and was assigned to Company C of the Platteville Guard. Company C arrived at Camp Randall in Madison, WI and joined the 7th Regiment of Wisconsin, part of "The Iron Brigade" of the Civil War. At the end of his enlistment, he returned to Platteville where he met and married Wilhelmine (Minnie) H. (Ratje--the German spelling of the Roger name) Roger, who came to the USA in 1855 at the age of 3. She was born in Dugon, Hanover, Germany, the oldest of 8 children (2 girls and 6 boys) of William (Ratje) Roger and Patricia Jane Millwright Roger. Ludolph and Minnie were married on April 27, 1866, and raised a family of 1 daughter and 7 sons in Platteville. He died on August 26, 1899, and is buried in Hillside Cemetery in Platteville, Grant County, Wisconsin.

Acquisition information:
Gift of C.J.S. Durham, Great Falls, VA, February 1977.