11th Maine Civil War Diary- Great Content

11th Maine Civil War Diary- Great Content

Diary belonging to Corporal (later Sergeant) George Day of the 11th Maine Infantry. Day inscribed the front page of this diary with his name, regiment, and "Steal not this book for fear of shame, for here you will see the owner's name." Accompanying the lot is a transcribed list of soldiers executed for desertion, rape, and other crimes, that Day listed in the diary. The 11th Maine was a heavily-engaged unit primarily fighting in the eastern theatre of the war.

Day wrote frequently from January 1st of 1865 to June 23rd, 1865, some notable entries include:

February 21st, 1865
"Fall of Charleston, great cheering and much rejoicing."

March 12, 1865
"We were reviewed by General Grant today."

March 26th, 1865
"We passed in review of "Old Uncle" Abe [Abraham Lincoln] this morning. (Note: This occurred less than three weeks before President Lincoln's assasination!)

April 2nd, 1865
(Note: This entry followed three or four entries of battle content)
"This morning we charged the Rebs works and took them. We then moved towards Petersburg. We engaged the enemy again about noon near Petersburg. Charged a fort and took it but with great slaughter…we captured 11 thousand prisoners today."

April 9th, 1865
"Started for the Rebs. Marched a coupe of miles…arrived just in time to reinforce the cavalry. We advanced and drove the Rebs back but under the severest fire at Clover Hill. Old Lee surrendered the whole rebel army this afternoon.

Lots of content, diary itself is in superb condition.

[Civil War, Union, Confederate, Paper Ephemera, Robert E. Lee, Abraham Lincoln]