Biographical/historical information

Sergeant Charles D. Bacon was in the 1st Massachusetts Cavalry, 3rd Battalion, Company K (1862-1864) and 4th Massachusetts Cavalry, 1st Battalion, Company B (1864-1865). He was mustered into the service on December 4, 1861 and his expiration of service was December 3, 1864. Sergeant Bacon 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.

Scope and arrangement

The Charles D. Bacon Papers consist of two diaries written by Sergeant Charles D. Bacon about his daily activities. 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.

Metadata Rights Declaration

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

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