Pocket Diary

This diary was kept by a member of the 56th Regiment Massachusetts Infantry, possibly named James E. Smith, from January 1 to May 5, 1864, during the U.S. Civil War.

The author begins the diary by describing his enlistment in Provincetown, Massachusetts, during which spirits were high and after which the new recruits were paraded through town "bunting flying". He continues by describing the process of drilling and mustering in Provincetown. The author notes that he is photographer musician in civilian life, and a bugler in the army. By April, his unit had left Massachusetts and marched to Camp Holmes in Annapolis, Maryland. They then marched south into Virginia. He describes life in the army as harsh and unpleasant with rations being scarce. The entries end abruptly after May 5, in which he states that he had endured a hard, thirty mile march to a point near the Rapidan River in Virginia. This date and location coincides with the Battle of the Wilderness (May 5-6, 1864) in which the 56th Massachusetts participated.