Fine Books & Manuscripts

Civil War Diary of William Stewart, Pennsylvania 83rd Regiment, Union Army. Bulk 1864/65. Small leatherbound pocket diary with rear documents folder. 16mo (5 ½ x 3”). The diarist, William Stewart, records on the first page of entries his location as College Green Barracks, Annapolis, Md. and his enlistment in the 83rd Pennsylvania infantry, from Waterford in Erie Co., Penn. Approximately 100 pages with entries, most dated 1865, some later. Primarily in ink, some in graphite. The rear folder contains an 1880s sheet of stationery from Putnam & Dewey, furniture makers, with “particular attention paid to undertaking,” and an 1874 receipt signed by a D.A. Davis. Most entries begin by recording the weather, and include other details such as washing clothes, sending and receiving money and letters, and other tasks. While the writing is somewhat cramped and difficult to read, there are repeated mentions of “cooking” and “prisoners.” Later entries would suggest Stewart was imprisoned, as on Dec. 29, 1864: “This day I received twenty six dollars…for the time I was prisoner in Richmond By Order of the secretary of war department.” Several entries mention “cooking for” prisoners. Pages at the rear record money sent to his wife and relatives, addresses, and an account of letters received and sent. An interesting diary, well worthy of further research and study.