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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC01838.01 |
| From Archive Folder | Four Civil War pocket diaries of W.S. Thompson |
| Title | Civil War pocket diary of W.S. Thompson |
| Date | 1862 |
| Author | Thompson, W. S. (fl. 1862-1865) |
| Document Type | Diary |
| Content Description | Approximately 70 written pages of entries, followed by blank pages. Describes picket duty and the army's moves in the Peninsula campaign (May-July). Breaks off in mid-July, as Thompson notes joining the crew of the steamship "Suwanee" as chief engineer. Memoranda after 30 December summarizes his mustering and service. Wrap-around black leather cover. Selected excerpts: 9 January: stationed at Camp Pierpont 3 January: left for Bristol on a 10-day furlough mid-January: on picket and camp duties at Camp Pierpont 17 May: "Inspection & Review by Gen McClell[an]. Weather very warm" 23 May: "Grand Review & Inspection by President of U.S. & Secy of Navy compl[I]mented the Division by saying we were best looking set of men he had seen since the war" 4 June: "Rainy Day. Bridges across the Rappahannock all coming away. Capt Clark & Curtis detached to oversee the rebuilding of them" 8 June: "Marching Orders to join McClellan's Corps near Richmond" 9 June: "Shipped from Fredericksburg…" 18 June: "Left camp near Fair Oaks at 6. am and arrived at camp near Richmond at 1 o'clock PM. In sight of the enemy exchanged several shots with them during the am. Rain in the morning." 20-25 June: on court-martial duty, trial of Col. Hayes, who was acquitted. 27 June: "Gaines Mill on Chickahominy. Fighting commenced…." [Battle of Gaines' Mills (First Battle of Cold Harbor)] 13 July: "Left wharf Harrison Landing…" |
| Subjects | Battle of Cold Harbor Battle of Fredericksburg Soldier's Diary Civil War Union Forces Steamboat Navy Military History Military Camp President Lincoln's Cabinet Union General Military Law Battle |
| People | Thompson, W. S. (fl. 1862-1865) |
| Theme | Naval & Maritime; The American Civil War |
| Sub-collection | Papers and Images of the American Civil War |
| Additional Information | Thompson appears to have been mustered into service on May 29, 1861 from his hometown of Bristol, Pennsylvania. He joined the 3rd Pennsylvania Regiment at Camp Washington. He seems to have left the army to join the United States Navy in 1862, serving as an engineer first on the "Sussana," and then the "Atlanta" in 1864-1865. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945 |
| Civil War: Unit | 3rd Pennsylvania Regiment |