| Summary: | This is the 33-page diary of Isaac B. Brown who served with the 211th Pennsylvania Infantry. The diary contains entries, January-October 1864, covering the time that Brown was involved in espionage and his discovery.
(Diary is missing covers, looks like pages could be missing—first page is smudged from rubbing and is very difficult to read –the first part seems to take place in 1864 since it talks about Jerusalem Plank Road battle which was during June, 1864)
[page 1]
(Diary is missing covers, looks like pages could be missing—first page is smudged from rubbing and is very difficult to read –the first part seems to take place in 1864 since it talks about Jerusalem Plank Road battle which was during June, 1864)
Hale and snow the wind blew cold as ice it was about ½ mile to go to get wood and any one was in danger of freezing before they could get back _____________________
________________________________(several lines are not legible)____________
made a little coffee and got ready to start but we received orders before we got______
to remain here we______untill further orders
[page 2]
day during the day I experienced the most solemn sight I ever saw two deserters from a New York regiment were hung they hardly seemed to notice death at all untill a few moments before they were hung. One of them smoked a cigar untill the bandage was put around their heads. Nothing else than the hanging of the deserters transpired during the day but at dark we were ordered to march we we were then fallen in line and the Conoel inspect the ranks. then started for the Jerusalem Plank road which we struck about 1 mile from our picket line. It was aful hard marching and there was not a man that felt as though he could march 5 miles at least I did not but I had just received a letter from York State which cheered me up a considerable we marched through our breastworks and were soon in the enemies lines There
[page 3]
was none of the enemies force to opose our advance but Guerilas. there was a considerable many of those but they kept shy for it was useless to attack us we marched about 4 miles before resting which nearly tired me out but I kept up good spirits for I new it was dangerous to stragle as the Guerilas would be apt to over______ we marched to the black river a distance of 25 miles that night then halted in a large corn field the enemy had harvested the corn but had not drawn it from the field. my tent mates and I gathered togather a lot of corn stalks and layed down on them. we had not been there long before we were all snoring well that was the last we new untill 11 oclock the next day the 5th corps by this time had began to return and I thought I would get up and go to see if my Brother was
[page 4]
along with his regt I did not get a chance to see him as he was detailed to go with the head quarters of the Brigade. After most of the 5th corps had mostly all passed us we were ordered to get ready to start back at 4 oclock we started and marched aboat 10 miles before resting the next time we stoped it was aboat 12 oclock we stoped long enoug to cook a little coffee we were then _____
ten miles from lines as soon as we got our coffee cooked we again started Oh I was so stiff that I could hardly ______my sholders were so lam that I could not raise a cup of coffee to drink. the coffee warmed us up a considerable and we got along by a mile or two pretty well As soon as we got inside of our lines Corporal Harvey and myself stoped
[page 5]
got a little rest when we got a good rest we started for camp which was about two miles_______ we cum within ½ mile of camp and the thought struck us that it would be best to stop and stay where we were as there would be no wood to camp so we ____ up a good big fir stand then the rest of the nights as soon as it was daylight we started for camp got there just in time to fall into line with the regiment where they were going we did not know but we got into ranks with the rest of them and to our suffrin marched back to where Corp. Harvey and myself stayed
[page 6]
Today all has been quiet with a few exceptions we have had three drills several of the boys in the regiment were put on battery drill for missing drill_______ One of my tent mates were punished for going to his quarters before drill was dismissed I received no letters this morning but hope to get some in the morn
Jan 21
We have had a pretty dismal day today it commenced raining this morn at 2 oclock and it is still raining I presum it will rain all night I have been quite unwell all day have a very bad cold the ground is covered with water the water is aboat 2 inches deep in our tent which makes it very uncomfortable no letter today
[page 7]
Jan 22
I am no better today then I was yesterday but little sleep visited me last night it stoped raining about 12 oclock the _____ of Co.C came today I am going to send one to home in a few days
Up in the 6th and 5th corps saw Wormer and several other friends in 6th corps Then I went down in the 5th C to see Bro Jeff and _______found them well Our box has just arrived we divided the things and I brought my share with me.
Jan 24
Received two letters one from Amanda Brown one from sister Eunice I am fairing quite well today
[page 8]
Jan 28
Received two letters to day one from Miss Maria and one from Sherman Cranbaul I wrote one home to the loved ones there
Jan 29
Today_______was on guard the weather is quite cold and it is bridge guarding Received one letter from ________and two from home from Eunice and Olivia
Jan 30
Well I am quite sleepy today as I was up all night I made a warm _______bedding for myself Received no letters
Jan 31
What a pleasant morning this is although it is pretty cold Received a letter from Brother George so after we drill today nothing Received one letter from little Nellie it was a good letter two.
[page 9]
Feb. 1, 1865
Received two letters today one from Mr. Walrath and one from Andrew W. this has been a very pleasant day _______division drill near corps head quarters
Feb 2
We are under marching orders but I think we well not leave here very quick Received one letter from W. E.
[page 10]
Feb. 5
Well this morning we received marching orders and packed up as soon as possible at 7 oclock I was detailed to go on guard at the N & P RR pretty cold weather but we found lots of wood
Feb 6
Last night at 8 oclock we were ordered to report to camp we were marched to camp as soon as possible found that the reg had left and gone up to the left where they were fighting we went to our quarters left every thing but our blankets then marched about three miles in the direction the regiment had gone then halted stayed there untill morning then marched back to camp where we remained all day
Feb 7
Last night at 9 oclock we were ordered to report to the regiment Capt. Harvey was on
[page 11]
command of our squad, we were marched to the regiment arrived at the regiment at about 12 oclock we found them in time in breast works they had dug up with their bayonets plates and cups I found my tent mates well raped up in their blankets asleep. I layed down and slept untill daylight though I was quite cold as soon as it was daylight we were blessed with an aful storm of hale & rain during the day we had a considerable choping to do considerable fighting had been going on farther to the left nothing else has transpired during the day
Feb. 8
I put in a pretty hard night
[page 12]
Duane,
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[page 13]
[message in Morse code]
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I wus discovered to be a spy on the 2nd day of April 1864[5?] by Maj. Wm. Coulter who centenced me to death, I yet live and am [in?] the union_______to be there.
[page 14]
I. Brown
Mer Isaac
Capt. Warren
Oswego NY
We are still living in ______ and are well I.B. Brown
[page 15]
Oscar Arnett
Dago
[page 16]
Going Home Irene
My unacquainted yet not not unseen Friend
Please remember as a soldier from one of the Glorious permier regts.
If it is your wishes to correspond with a person who will ever return to you please write to me. Address
I.B. Brown
Williamsville, Elk Co. PA
Atheo
Williamsville Penn
[page 17]
Delfaigo
Fayette
[page 18]
This morn finds me all right but
Tescarorio
[page 19]
Duane
Collyer
[page 20]
Leut. A. Sparks
Pelton, J.M.
[page 21]
Leut. J. Letton
Capt. W. Coulter
[page 22]
Frederick Sand
Augustus Walters
Co. C 211th Regt
[page 23]
John Smith
Sparks, A.J.
[page 24]
Peter Struble
Mark Sheldon
[page 25]
I.B. Brown
F. Verbeck
Enos _____
M.J. Koons
Alexander Stockdill
This is to be paid Pay day for valor received
Petersburg
[page 26]
Etheria
Thaago
[page 27]
Duane
Duane
Dear Father pain well and hopes
Collyer
________ ___________ (code)
[page 28]
Negoshah
On the morning of the 25th of April was summons for camp guard with heavy marching orders
Duane
[page 29]
H. Largey
A. Brown, Esq
[page 30]
Ellafayette
With pleasure I will endeavor to write a few lines to you in return to your endeavors
Isaac Brown
A. Barnyby
[page 31]
Arrgo
Anthes
[page 32]
Argnios
Naarragonist
[page 33]
Araga
[page 34]
Isaac Brown
Capt. Coulter
Augustus C.
On that golden day when all was bright and fair Oh how _____this life_______ him brave _______warm with ______and valor yet report this _____we fought to ___
Oh that I could _______________________
_________________________________ (code)
more Isaac B.
[page 35]
Augustus
Oswego Co. Pa
[page 36]
Isaac Brown Geo----
Eunice
[page 37]
R.W. Brown
Mary Brown
[page 38]
.L. Brown
W. Brown
[page 39]
Olivia Brown
Mary Brown
[page 40]
Sept. 1864 at Bermuda Hundred in the union tannery
Transcribed by: Joyce Hicks
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