Personal pocket diary for 1862 of "T. S. Peabody, Co. I, 5th Reg. Me. V. M.," stamped with his name on the title page, 3.25 x 5, filled with daily entries (in ink and pencil) for the entire year, chronicling his service. On New Year's Day, he notes: "The parting of the old year & the welcomming of the new year was celebrated by firing guns beating drums playing on bugles bands &c, we have our dress parade at 4 o'clock." He records observations of camp life, guard and picket duties, drills, and dress parades.
The most significant entries come in mid September, during which he observes the aftermath of the Battle of Crampton's Gap. On September 14-15, he writes: "We come in from picket & march to Burkittsville where our Div have a hard battle." He notes the names of some men killed, including "Bryant," continuing: "We move a short distance on the hill at Crampton Gap. I remain during the day in our march. We pass over the battle field the dead lay thick…I write to Bryant's wife about her husband." On September 16-17, he writes: "There is rumors of victory and defeat…We leave & march about 10 miles where a battle is raging fearfully and we get there about 2 o'clock & go into the field we lay behind bateries untill after dark & lay on our arms all night." On September 19-20: "We find in the morning that the rebels have all left but their pickets which we capture…We stay here near Sharpsville all day there is some firing in front & some prisoners are brought in." In very good to fine condition, with the first several pages written in pencil and traced over in ink, and a few sections of pages loose from the binding.
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