52nd Massachusetts Port Hudson Campaign Diary.

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/27/2015

A great war-date Union soldier's 1863 diary owned by Sgt. Charles R. White of Shelburne, Massachusetts. In Sept. 1862 White enlisted in Co. E, 52nd Mass. Vols. and his service in in southern Louisiana and primarily the operations to capture Port Hudson are included here in his 1863 diary. White signs this book, in pencil, on the back inside page: "C. R. White, Comp. E, 52 Reg.", housed in a 12mo. (pocket size) ledger book, approx. 70 pages, chronicling important military events including the battle of Irish Bend, Banks' opening operations and attack on and also the siege of Port Hudson from January 1, 1863 through the regiment's end of service on August 2, 1863. His diary reads, in small part: "…[Jan. 3]…fore of the Comp. went down the river…[Jan. 12]…in front of the fortifications expecting an attack called in a dark…[Jan. 21]…came back from Plaquemine on gun boat…moved one mile out of village…[Jan. 24]…Culiver died and was berid…[Mar. 11]…L. Williams got shot today with a revolver by Dean…Williams was shot in the lower left horses [?]…[Mar. 12]…had review by Gen. Banks…[Mar. 13]…we had orders to be ready in a moments notice…[Mar. 14]…started for Port Hudson…about 11 oc our brigade went on a reconnaissance in the afternoon. Went in site of fortifications. Marched back about 2 miles and was thrown out as guard…3 horses shot and one colonel wounded. Bombardment of the fort commenced about 11. Two pieces of Nimer [nims] Battery went by us and fired into the camp. No sleep through the night. No blankets. Went into line of battle at 1/2 past 8. The 25 Conet [25th Connecticut] fell back of the 52. Thare was a good many wounded carried back of us. It is reported not [how] many died…one badly wounded in the mouth…[Mar. 15]…started back to Baton Rouge…[Mar. 27]…had orders to move. Struck tente. Started at 7 oc went aboard steamer…[Mar. 28]…landed at Donaldsonville…[Apr. 12]…board ship at Bashear City. 3 regiments and a battery on board…[Apr. 13]…20 miles above Brashear City called Indian Bend. Left the boat at 2 oc…drawer 2 days rations…quite a cermish [skirmish]. The first Lou. with the reb. The gunboats shelled the woods. We left the boat at 10 oc. Heavy firing in front…marched 2 miles went into camp…camped on a plantation owned by a wild lady and 400 slaves. Didn't put up tents. Took a number of prisoners, part wounded soldiers. Sweet hit with a spent ball…[Apr. 14]…got under arms at 4…heavy firing in front, passed to or three dead horses. The 159 N. Y. and 25 Conn. were under fire. Good many wounded. Badly cut up. 150 Rebels prisoners taken. Drawed up in line of battle at 10. Stayed there till 6…[Apr. 17]…our Comp was detailed as guard over prisoners…[May 13]…left New Store at 3 oc…got into the sugar house. Had two or three hundred slaves with us. Sum that went down on the fleet boat got captured and the boat burnt…[May 14]…at Franklin…camped in the Cort House…[May 15]…staid at Franklin…the jail is write beside the court house. Thare was 5 Nigs in jail that that had been in 3 days and nights without anything to eat or drink…[May 16]…thare was a large train of Nigs to numerous to mention. Two children died last night…slept at a plantation…splendid place, nice flower garden picked a bouquet for the Capt. The plantation is confiscated for the use of the government port…went into camp at 6 oc in a deserted house large enough for…three Comps…[May 28]…had orders to start at 1/2 7. Started from Brashear City at 12…[May 29]…went on board ship with the 90 N. Y. and 114 N. Y. The 90th was the drunkenness lot of fellows I ever saw…thare was some 20 fites on board ship besides what there was on land…[May 31]…firing by cannon and small arms…the Capt. herd that W. Baker was mort dead [mortally wounded]. He sent me to find him and take care of him…[June 1]…stayed wit Baker threw the night. He is better this morning…the left wing went out to support a battery…a shell burst…over the Reg and broke 4 guns of Comp. A. The colonel lent me 500 dollars…[June 2]…Baker is better this morning. He got on ambulance and went to B. Rouge…[June 4]…had orders to report to Gen. Payne…the Rebs shelled us the fore part of the night…[June 10]…got on a wagon and rode up to the front…the Rebs tride to get out. Tremendous firing on our side, drove back…[June 13]…the Rebs wont surrender with no bombardment, but will have to charge the place with infantry…[June 14]…in the morning…go into the fight…all I think of is you and the children…was deployed as skirmishers in front of the breastworks. Nor Baker was shot in the bowels lived but a few minutes. We was then ordered to advance to the front. I went as far as I could…Capt. Bliss was shot threw the arm. The ball went into his side and lodged in his lung…[June 15]…Bramen was wounded in the legs…Davis was wounded in the foot. Brot up in the night…[June 20]…the regiment had [?] to report at General Banks head quarters…went out after corn under command of Col. Greond was attacked by Rebs. Had some taken prisoners, lost seven wounded…[June 24]…Everet was shot this morning at 7 1/2. He had git his breakfast and was coming back after sum more coffee. He was shot threw the neck. He died [??]…never spoke…[July 5]…E. B. Houre was wounded in the arm…[July 8]…flag of truce up this morning…[July 9]…marched into P. Hudson today…[July 16]…moved camp down to the fortifications…". In pencil with expected soiling and wear, else VG.

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