Eli H. Bailey Logbook, 1863 May 1-Nov. 8
Item — Box: 1
Scope and Content
From the Collection:
Sergeant Eli H. Bailey's logbook chronicles this young man's participation in the American Civil War as a Union Soldier from May 1, 1863 to November 8, 1863. He fought in the famous battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Daily military camp life fills his logbook. He writes mainly about the men in his regiment, the weather, road conditions, and the food rations. He repeatedly notes the numerous fatalities and injuries among the soldiers, especially the high rate of amputations. Sergeant Bailey faithfully made daily entries in his logbook.
May 1 - 3, 1863 records his participation in the bloody battle of Chancellorsville. The battle was fought in Northern Virginia, near Fredericksburg. On May 3 he wrote, "...my brother got killed about eight o'clock, he was struck in the breast and died a few minutes afterwords[sic]..."
After marching north through the town of Frederick City, Maryland, Eli's regiment reached Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on July 2nd. On arrival he noted, "... we were soon after fired apon[sic] by two of the rebel batterys then we fell back under cover...". The fighting at Gettysburg raged on from July 1st to the 3rd. After the bloody ordeal had ended, 23,049 Union soldiers were dead and 28,000 Confederates had lost their lives. Sergeant Bailey suffered a minor injury at Gettysburg, "... I received one shot in my thigh...". He immediately left the scene and received medical treatment at the corps hospital. The Battle of Gettysburg ended General Robert E. Lee's offensive operation in the North. Gettysburg marked a turning point in the war in favor of the Union effort.
In August, Sergeant Bailey went on furlough to Philadelphia to be with his family. On August 2, he "...went to [a] meeting in the city with Mother and cousin Rachel Hill [where] we took dinner...". Again on August 17th, he noted, "... went to the city with Mother and Father...". His weeks on furlough were filled with these family meetings, meals, and attending church services on Sundays. Bailey was still on furlough when his logbook ends abruptly in mid sentence on November 8, 1863.
May 1 - 3, 1863 records his participation in the bloody battle of Chancellorsville. The battle was fought in Northern Virginia, near Fredericksburg. On May 3 he wrote, "...my brother got killed about eight o'clock, he was struck in the breast and died a few minutes afterwords[sic]..."
After marching north through the town of Frederick City, Maryland, Eli's regiment reached Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on July 2nd. On arrival he noted, "... we were soon after fired apon[sic] by two of the rebel batterys then we fell back under cover...". The fighting at Gettysburg raged on from July 1st to the 3rd. After the bloody ordeal had ended, 23,049 Union soldiers were dead and 28,000 Confederates had lost their lives. Sergeant Bailey suffered a minor injury at Gettysburg, "... I received one shot in my thigh...". He immediately left the scene and received medical treatment at the corps hospital. The Battle of Gettysburg ended General Robert E. Lee's offensive operation in the North. Gettysburg marked a turning point in the war in favor of the Union effort.
In August, Sergeant Bailey went on furlough to Philadelphia to be with his family. On August 2, he "...went to [a] meeting in the city with Mother and cousin Rachel Hill [where] we took dinner...". Again on August 17th, he noted, "... went to the city with Mother and Father...". His weeks on furlough were filled with these family meetings, meals, and attending church services on Sundays. Bailey was still on furlough when his logbook ends abruptly in mid sentence on November 8, 1863.
Dates
- 1863 May 1-Nov. 8
Language of Materials
From the Collection:
English
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Extent
From the Collection: 1 box ( .35 cu. ft.)
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu