Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Booth, Thomas R., fl. 1861-1908 1863 Diary of Thomas Rogers Booth

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03347.03 Author/Creator: Booth, Thomas R., fl. 1861-1908 Place Written: Various Places Type: Diary Date: 1863 Pagination: 1 v. : approx. 161 p. : Height: 17.3 cm, Width: 8.2 cm Order a Copy

Autograph manuscript; no signature. Written partially in pencil. Mostly written in Georgetown, in Washington, D.C. Comments on the weather and his work as a clerk in the Adjutant General's office. Also keeps financial ledger pages at the back of the book. Frequently mentions news he has heard of battles and troop movement; for example, in his entry on 1 July, he writes, "No news of importance. Confederates show some signs of falling back in Penna. towards the Maryland Line. No special news from Vicksburg and Port Hudson. There are indications however, that both Gen'ls Grant and Banks will not only fail in their present undertakings, but will also be compelled to make a disastrous retreat."

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources