American Historical Ephemera and Photography Featuring the Civil War and American Militaria Collection of Bruce B. Hermann

Approx. 3 1/4 x 5 in. leather pocket diary containing 59 pages featuring ink or pencil inscriptions, diagrams, or drawings, and 10 blank pages, including 14 leaves sewn into diary before and after original leaves in sequence. Front pasteboard features an affixed printed calendar for the year 1863.

Both new and original leaves begin with pages identifying the diary to Samuel W. Armington, Company D, 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. Written pages include a log of Armington's daily meals while imprisoned at Bell Island in Richmond, VA; a handwritten grid calendar for the year 1864; a hand-drawn map of Bell Island; lists of clothing items purchased in 1862 and 1863; a 14-page section of short dated entries regarding unit locations and activities, for example "May 31st / Crossed the Chickahominy Battle of Fair Oaks," and "Nov 27 / Marched to Locust Grove Was captured on the Skirmish Line by Johnson's Brigade;" a 5-page section of more detailed entries including "Left Bell Island Tuesday March 15th 1864. Marched over to Richmond stopped in the Pemberton Prison till the next morning then took cars for Georgia. Reached Gaston NC Wednesday night;" a drawing of the "Rebel Flag;" additional lists of items purchased; and other contents. 

Samuel Wallace Armington (1837-1913) enlisted on 3 January 1862 and mustered into Company D of the 15th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment the same day. He was recorded as a POW on 27 November 1863 at Mine Run, VA, and "released" on 14 December 1864. He was promoted to corporal on an unspecified date.