Samuel J. Smith Civil War diary and snuffbox

Collection no.:
6002

Description:
Private Samuel J. Smith was a 31-year-old farmer when he enlisted in the Confederate army near Moseley, Virginia, on July 18, 1861. He served in Mullins’ Fifth Cavalry Regiment, then joined the Fourteenth Battalion of Virginia Cavalry, which, in turn, consolidated with the Fifteenth Battalion to form the Fifteenth Regiment Virginia Cavalry. The Fifteenth Virginia Cavalry merged into the Fifth Virginia Cavalry Regiment Consolidated on November 8, 1864, but disbanded before the surrender at Appomattox Courthouse in 1865. From August 1863 to July 1864, Smith kept a pocket diary noting daily events and other accounts including camp life, news of his family, and the weather. Notable entries include his wounding and the death of his brother near Brandy Station on September 13, 1863, recovery at Chimborazo Hospital in Richmond, the presence of African-American soldiers near his home while on leave, reunion with his regiment in April 1864, and the Battle of the Wilderness in May 1864.

Dates:
1863

Extent:
0.21 Linear feet
1 box, 2 items

Language(s):
English

Genre(s):
Diaries

Personal Name(s):
Smith, Samuel J., (Samuel Jarvis) -- Archives

Geographic Name(s):
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Archival resources

Conditions governing access:
Advance notice required for access.

Preferred citation:
[Box/folder# or item name], Samuel J. Smith Civil War diary and snuffbox, Collection no. 6002, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California

Record date:
2011 November

Contact Information:
USC Libraries Special Collections
Doheny Memorial Library 206
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, California, 90089-0189
213-740-5900
specol@usc.edu