American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography

"THE REBELS MADE A DESPERATE CHARGE ON OUR CENTER BUT WERE REPULSED WITH HEAVY LOSS."

Leatherette 1863 pocket diary with entries spanning from 1 January - 31 December, 122pp (not including front and back matter, uninscribed), approx. 3 1/2 x 6 in. (surface wear to covers, few losses to spine, some loosening/separation of pages from binding). Daily entries. Inscribed on front free endpaper: "Thomas Hyland, Co. I 8th O.V.I., In the field of Virginia."

Thomas Hyland enlisted at the age of 19 as a private on 10 August 1861, and mustered into Company I of the 8th Ohio Infantry Regiment that same day. The regiment was heavily engaged during the war, including at Winchester, Front Royal, Antietam, and Fredericksburg, all before the start of 1863, when Hyland's diary begins.

One of the opening events in Hyland's diary is visiting Captain Richard Allen in a Washington hospital. Allen had been wounded at the Battle of Fredericksburg and was not doing well. In an entry dated 15 January 1863, the date Allen would actually pass away, Hyland writes: "Went down to Washington and visited Capt Allen found him very low. think he cannot live long. Visited the capitol and was in the gallery of Senate chambers at the opening of the afternoon Session."
A few days later, on 18 January, Hyland learned the sad news: "Heard of the death of Capt Allen on 15th."

The remainder of the winter passes without too much excitement. In April, a few of the regiment's men who had been taken prisoner at the Battles of Romney were exchanged, including Archibald Kelly and Rufuc C. Marsh.

Along the Rappahannock, Hyland records some interesting interactions with Confederate soldiers. On 14 April, he writes:
"Had a long talk with some of the rebel pickets on the other side of the river. Several rebel officers came down to the river and talked with us a while but would not tell us any news. Asked us what we had the eight days rations for. Relieved from picket and ordered to hold ourselves in readiness to move at short notice."

The Battle of Chancellorsville got underway on 30 April, and the 8th regiment took an active part in actions there. Hyland reports artillery fire and musketry skirmishing on the afternoon of the 1st of May, with heavy fighting that evening and the following day, with skirmishing at night. On 3 May, Hyland reports: "Fighting commenced very early this morning. at 8o' A.M. the 8th Ohio ordered to support a battery, shelling kept up constantly from both sides at 10o' the 8th ordered to a piece of woods. Lost a few wounded here. At 12 o' ordered on the skirmish line but soon ordered back, fell back to another piece of wood where the enemy shelled us severely but we held our ground without much loss."

As the war was waging well into its third year, some of the earlier battlefields provided macabre reminders of the ravages of war. On 20 June, Hyland's regiment marched over the Bull Run battlefield, finding there a grisly sight: "Horrible to see the bones of our dead scattered over the ground as we passed along in a heap of bones fifteen sculls [sic] lay having never been buried.

The 8th regiment played an important part in the Battle of Gettysburg that July, helping to repulse what would become known as Pickett's Charge. Hyland's record of the event including his regiment's position on the skirmish line. On 2 July, he writes: "Moved up at daylight near the town of Gettysberg & formed in line of battle where we lay till 2o' P.M. when the 8th Ohio was sent on the skirmish line very heavy canonading commenced about 4o'P.M. heavy canonading together with heavy musketry continued till dark."

On the 3rd, the pivotal moment arrived. Hyland writes: "Firing commenced this morning at daylight Canonading very heavy the heaviest I ever heard. The rebels made a desperate charge on our center but were repulsed with heavy loss. 8th Ohio relieved from the skirmish line."

Later that month, Hyland notes seeing a known spy by the name of Richardson hanging from a tree "near Fredericks City."

As the war waged into the fall of 1863, the 8th Ohio Volunteers recrossed the Rappahannock River on 13 October, marching to what Hyland calls "Bealton Station," and stopping for breakfast. On the 14th he reports that skirmishing broke out as they were eating. "A portion of the 8[?] immediately sent on the skirmish line. The rebs are trying to capture our train. Moved 1/2 mile formed in line on Aubern hill heavy canonading A portion of a N.Y. Regt. captured. Fell back as far as Bristow Station, Sharp fight got surrounded & cut our way out." On the 15th, he reports more fighting: "Had one hard tack for supper last night. Moved out on picket at 8 had a brisk skirmish. The Rebels undertook to cross Bull Run but we would not let them." The result of the battle was a Union victory.

The Mine Run Campaign got underway in November, with the 8th regiment marching through Warrenton Junction and bivouacking near Kelly's Ford in the early part of the month. They crossed the Rappahannock again on the 8th, and faced some smaller skirmishes that evening and on the 9th. Eventually, the regiment caught up with the enemy in front of Robinson's Tavern on the 27th. Hyland writes: "Found the enemy at Robison's Crossroads. Skirmishing commenced about half pass [sic] ten. 8th Ohio sent on the skirmish line on the first appearance of the enemy. Relieved some time after dark. Lost twelve men. Lot. Col Sawyers had his horse shot from under him." Hyland is likely referring to Lieutenant Colonel Franklin Sawyer, who would later be brevetted a brigadier general.

On the 28th, the regiment formed in the line of battle, and there was ongoing skirmishing. Hyland reports that they "found the enemy occupying a strong position on a hill," and halted for the night. On the 29th, the regiment marched to the left flank of the army and found the enemy before dark, with Hyland's company being sent to the skirmish line. He reports: "the enemy threw a few shells over our heads."

The 8th Ohio Volunteers would go on to participate in the Battle of the Wilderness, where Hyland was wounded and captured as a prisoner of war. The remainder of his regiment mustered out on 25 June, and Hyland was transferred to the 4th Ohio Battalion some time in August. Though it is unclear how or exactly when, Hyland was taken prisoner and died in confinement at Florence, South Carolina.