Emerick, J. H., fl. 1861-1865 Pocket diary

14 prefatory and almanac pages + 121 diary pages + 37 memoranda and account pages. Entries throughout, plus notes.
Summary of selected entries
1. 01/04/64. Resignation of General Stoneman. Also, "Reconnaissance to Shenandoah Valley has returned not being able to ford the river."
2. 01/08/64. Emerick visited Gardner in his gallery in the morning.
3. 02/13/64. "Gen. Grant has determined not to attack Longstreet in East Tenssee immediately." Also, performance at Ford's theatre in the evening.
4. 02/14/64. "Several hundred prisoners have escaped from one of the Richmond prisons and a number have succeeded in entering our lines more coming into Gen. Butler's pickets constantly."
5. 03/29/64. "Forrest on the rampage in Tennessee. Also Morgan in East Tenn. Nothing from A. of P."
6. 03/30/64. No news from the west, as telegraph line is not working beyond Pittsburgh.
7. 04//02/64. General Sherman preparing for active operations in the West. General Grant at Ft. Monroe.
8. 05/05 - 07/64. Account of the Spotsylvania campaign. Fighting near Wilderness Tavern. General Wadsworth lost, General Getty and several other officers wounded.
9. 05/08/64. Emerick helps Beckwith [a fellow operator] with several long ciphers. He also records plans for attack in the morning.
10. 05/27/64. During a rebel attack, Emerick, with Doren and Caldwell [superintendent and fellow operator], stayed with battery wagon, which was fired upon. The wagon was saved, though badly damaged.
11. 05/29/64. Advance upon retreating enemy.
12. 06/01/64. Engagement of 6th, 5th and 2nd Corps. Also, difficulties in communications, caused by breaks in covered wire.
13. 08/01/64. Enemy grants four hour truce at the front to remove wounded from the battlefield. Also, disagreements between Burnside & Meade & Hambright & Flynn.
14. 08/31/64. News of McClellan's nomination excites much enthusiasm among troops.
15. 09/02/64. News from Marietta re. March of Union troops into Atlanta.
16. 09/05/64. "News of our occupation of Atlanta confirmed by report from Sherman. Grant ordered salute to be fired about 11 this evening in honor of the same. Guns bearing on enemy's works carried quite a fuzilade [sic] being replied to by enemy but otherwise all quiet."
17. 11/17/64. Sherman beginning eastward march "to Charleston or elsewhere." Also, General Grant traveling to New Jersey to see his family. Also, visited A. G. in the afternoon to get a large print.
18. 12/31/64. Emerick follows his entry for this day with a synopsis of his views on the past year. He writes:
…Still the rebellion goes on though all see (or think they see) the end near at hand. Sherman's recent bold & unprecedented march from Atlanta to Savannah & his occupation of the latter place has inspired all with new hope….McClellan has been politically defeated and although I think & have thought him … the best & most honorable man in the country still I believe Uncle Abe is doing well and will accomplish the great end in due time … It was the will of the people so let it be.
He hopes and expects that the war will be over within the next year.