Charles D. Bacon Papers

1862-1865
Manuscript Collection #163
Creator(s)
Bacon, Charles D.
Physical description
0.25 Cubic Feet, 2 items
Preferred Citation
Charles D. Bacon Papers (#163), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
Repository
ECU Manuscript Collection
Access
No restrictions

Papers (1862-1865) consisting of diaries of activities of camping, horses, etc.


Scope and arrangement

The Charles D. Bacon Papers consist of two diaries written by Sergeant Charles D. Bacon, 1st Massachusetts Cavalry, 3rd Battalion, Company K (1862-1864) and 4th Massachusetts Cavalry, 1st Battalion, Company B (1864-1865). The diaries record the daily activities of Charles Bacon; first as he was mustered into the service (December 4, 1861); then as he was stationed with the Federal Occupation Forces at Hilton Head, South Carolina; and finally as he served in General Grant's forces pursuing General Lee.

Daily activities included drilling with the horses, policing of the camp, guard duty, and care and feeding of the horses. The entry for May 12, 1862, records that Bacon was detailed to go "scouting" for black men to fill up a regiment. Entries during the period in which Bacon was stationed in South Carolina describe his frequent arrest and imprisonment in the guardhouse for various offences. Other entries include descriptions of the sinking of the Federal gunboat WASHINGTON (April 8, 9, 10, 1863) and of skirmishes which took place in February and March, 1863.

Entries after April 30, 1864, describe the transfer of Bacon's unit to the peninsula area of southern Virginia and record daily activities while serving behind the front lines. The diary also describes some of the fighting around Petersburg between the Federal forces of General Grant and General Lee's Confederate troops. The diary continues through December 3, 1864, when Bacon was discharged from the service, to January 18, 1865, when he returned to his Massachusetts home.


Administrative information
Custodial History

April 4, 1971, Diaries (1861-1864). Purchased by J. Y. Joyner Library.

Source of acquisition

Purchased by J. Y. Joyner Library.

Processing information

Processed by D. Lennon

Encoded by Apex Data Services

Descriptions updated by Ashlyn Racine, May 2023

Copyright notice

Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.


Key terms
Personal Names
Bacon, Charles D.
Corporate Names
United States. Army--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
United States. Army--Military life
Washington (Gunboat)
Topical
Soldiers--Diaries
Places
Hilton Head Island (S.C.)--History, Military--19th century
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--African Americans
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Campaigns
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Cavalry operations
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Personal narratives
Virginia--History--Civil War, 1861-1865

Container list
Box 1 Folder a Diary, 1862-1863
Box 1 Folder b Diary, 1864