47075: Chaplain William L. Hyde 1863 Diary. Measures 3"

Chaplain William L. Hyde 1863 Diary. Measures 3" x 4.75", entries from January 1 to December 31, 1863, with some blank entries throughout. The inner front cover is signed by William Pelton, Company D of the 3rd Tennessee, but the contents and handwriting matches that of Hyde, which was matched to other papers of Hyde's with which the diary was found. On October 10, 1862, William L. Hyde enlisted at the age of 42 as a Chaplain. The following year he was commissioned into the Field & Staff of the 112th New York Infantry. Much of Hyde's time was spent visiting hospitals and providing sermons to the troops. On January 18 he wrote: "Many in Hospitals. Visited all but the stockade. Afternoon preached my ‘Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap.'..." The regiment would be struck with many cases of sickness, and lost a great number to disease rather than fighting. Hyde was also present when the 112th New York took part in the Siege of Suffolk, Virginia, near Hill's Point and Fort Huger. The siege lasted from April 11 to May 4, with Union forces battering General Longstreet's men in and around Suffolk in order to control the Nansemond River. Hyde records the events in the days leading up to and during the attack. On April 10 he wrote: "Trip made with me to Bro. Marshall's. Great excitement in view of probably attack. Draw bridge over Deep Creek broken through. Capt. Bowdish killed." The next day, on the 11th, he continued: " All ladies advised to leave camp. Wife packed her trunks. At night rails torn up by our folks on Portsmouth road and this disabled." The fighting continued on April 12 and 13, with Hyde writing: "Some skirmishing. Great excitement. Wife and children went after dinner on cars" and " Skirmishes on Summerton road." From June 13-17, the 112th NY made various movements towards Suffolk, navigating the countryside through South Quay and Franklin. Hyde's record of the advances over the four days reads thusly: "Breakfasted and pushed on toward South Quay. The county exceedingly beautiful. About 8 halted & deployed column. House women & 5 little ones. About 10 advanced. Shelled the words at South Quay from this side the river. After vigorously shelling of half an hour. Column moved towd Franklin. One man in our regt wounded by explosion of shell. We spent the night at Carrsville...About 10 put in line of battle a mile fr Franklin Bridge. The 112th in rifle pits in rear of open field. Shelled Franklin 1/2 an hour and then moved on towd Winsor. The conduct of many in the command both Sat & Sunday bad, stealing robbing burning & insulting women & children. We stopped for the night soon after sun down – near Winsor...Head Quarters at house of an old farmer after shelling, returned to supper...Went to a creek in the swamp. Bathed, was much refreshed. After supper marched on to Carrsville. Reached camping ground after tedious delays about 2 o'clock AM..." Towards the end of the month, the Union had secured Suffolk and were now set to assist in the campaign up the Peninsula. Hyde writes on June 24: "Rumors of immediate charge began to be rife. We are expecting marching orders before many days. Suffolk seems like a city deserted. Our brigade & Corcorans the only left with one regt of cavalry & 4 batteries." The following day, an under the weather Hyde wrote: "Rode about the lines. Felt very unwell. Canker & piles. Orders came this PM to get ready to move leaving tents & private property." An August 29 entry describes more of Hyde's duties as chaplain, in which he details about some of his hospital visits: " Wrote for Capt Stevens, who is somewhat sick. Visited the hospital found Corpl Neil very sick talked & prayed with him. He was fully conscious till near the close of life. Corpl Neil died 1/2 past 5. I was asked by Capt Frazier 169 to attend funeral of man who was shot in the trenches. Did so." He attended another further in November, which he wrote about on November 12: " Funeral of Barber who died at Port Hospital of Paralysis after Dysentery." In his final entry of the year, Hyde ponders his accomplishments over the course of the year, writing: " This is the closing day of the year. I have not done much. This ever we were to have a watch meeting but after the service the storm was so violent we adjourned. The year has been an eventful one to me. Would to God it could carry into Eternity a better report." At the back of the diary are additional memoranda notes and account records. In the rear accordion pocket is one blue 1 cent Benjamin Franklin stamp, along with a 2.5" x 4" carte de visite of an unidentified toddler girl. William L. Hyde served through to the end of the war and was mustered out in June of 1865 at Raleigh, North Carolina. Condition: Worn corners and spine. Light edge toning and minor dampstaining. There is light foxing and soiling at some of the front and back pages. Bumping to the spine. HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved