Butler, George H. (fl. 1865) [George H. Butler's Diary for 1865]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00794 Author/Creator: Butler, George H. (fl. 1865) Place Written: [various places] Type: Diary Date: 1 January 1865-24 July 1865 Pagination: 1 vol. ; 18 x 9 cm. Order a Copy
Autograph manuscript signed of George H. Butler, who served in G Company, 12th Wisconsin Infantry, 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 17th Army Corps. Signed and dated 28 January 1865 on free front endpaper. Discusses the march through the Carolinas and the destruction it caused. Describes Negroes helping Union POWs (February 8); innocent Rebel prisoner shot in retaliation for Union death (March 2); mention of enemy in Union uniform (March 5); 300-500 "hombly" women in a cotton factory (March 11); Battle of Bentonville (March 20); rumors of Johnston's surrender (April 12, 15, 16); news of Lincoln's assassination along with Seward and son (April 17); Grant, Sherman, Mead, Stanton go to accept Johnston's surrender (April 26); news that Booth has been shot (May 5); Sherman "breaks down" when mentioning McPherson during speech (July 4).
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