Diary kept by Oliver A. Parsons, a lieutenant in Company D of the 61st Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, 3.75 x 6, with entries for nearly every day throughout 1863. The diary abounds with excellent content, including his experiences during and after the Battle of Gettysburg on July 1 through 3, and later the Second Battle of Rappahannock Station, which took place on November 7. In very good condition, with front cover mostly detached and some writing light but legible. A few of the more interesting entries include (spelling and grammar retained):
January 7: “A great many of the company could not drill to on account of drinking to much poor rum last night.”
January 20: “Received orders this morning to be ready to move at noon, by 12 oclock we were in line, and soon on the road up the Rapahanock river.”
January 26: “Their is a rumor that Gen Burnside has resigned and that Gen Hooker is in command the army of the Potomac, & that Gens Sumner & Franklin has been relieved of their commands.”
April 9: "Reviewed to day by President Lincoln, he looks as if he was nearly worn out."
April 29: "The 119th Regt. O. V. and some other Regts. went over the river in them, and drove the rebel pickets back, they lost about six men."
May 2: "Was relieved, this morning, we had quite skirmish this afternoon, drove the rebels back about a mile. Did not get much sleep last night."
May 3: "At noon, we charged the Rebel rifel pits, lost our Col. in the charge, Capt. Ellis was wounded in the leg."
May 5: "Crossed the river this morning about 9 o'clock, the rebs shelled us all the time, we now lay about half of a mile from the river."
June 30: "Left camp this morning, about noon passed through Westminster, it is a large place, the people all turned out to see us, the rebs had been in the place the day before, they were all glad to see us, saw plenty of handsome ladies, the people were very good to us."
July 1: "Having layer in camp all day we received orders to march at 9 in the evening, we are all night in going four miles, our Division had the rear of the Corps."
July 2: "Marched all day, halted about two miles from Gettiesburg, a hard fight was going on when the Regt. came up. I was sick all day got a pass from the Dr fell to the rear when the regt. moved to the front I did not go with them."
July 3: "I have been with the Dr all day. Our Regt. has not been engaged, it is now on the extreme right, they have a good position, I joined the regt. about dark. There has been a hard battle to day, the Rebs were repulsed at every point, I never saw so many prisoners in my life.”
July 4: "Still on the right, every thing has been quiet to day, we advanced our picket line about half of a mile this morning, Co. P captured about 20 prisoners, I think that they will leave to night."
July 5: "Received orders to march this morning, as the Rebels were retreating, we went out on the battle ground, it was an awful sight, we began out advance about 2 P.M. We were thrown out as flankers, we overtook the rear ground of the rebs about six, they threw three shells at us, no one hurt."
September 5: "Two years ago to day I left home, for three years, two thirds of that time has passed, and I am still among the living, althow I have been in many dangerous places, and have come out each time."
September 12: "One year ago to day I was paroled by the Rebels at Belle Isle Va.”
November 7: “Left Camp at daylight, went in the direction of Rappahanock St after going about 8 miles we came up with the Reb pickets, we drove them in, and had some sharp fighting.”
December 27: “I have at last concluded to be mustered for three years more.”
December 31: “To day is the last of 1863. I hope next year on this day, this war will have been finished, and all of this Army, returned to there homes.” RR Auction COA.
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