American Historical Ephemera and Photography

Leatherette 1863 pocket diary with entries spanning from 1 January 1863 - 12 February 1864 (not inclusive). Approx. 4 x 2 5/8 in. (light wear to covers, pages intact). Inscribed on front free endpaper: "Lewis W. Jacks Co. D. 112th Ills Vol Inft."

Lewis W. Jacks enlisted as a private on 9 August 1862, and was mustered into Company D, 112th Illinois Infantry Regiment, a little over a month later. He records the movements of his regiment, including a long spring spent in Kentucky, where the regiment came under fire for the first time near Danville. In an entry dated 24 March 1863, he writes: "This morning arrived at Dix River at day light. They are fighting at Danville this afternoon fell back 9 miles to the Kentucky river. 23 taken prisoner". And the following day: "This morning artillery and cavalry ordered back to scout. Skirmished all day three miles from the river, the rebels retreated."

In another interesting entry, dated 14 April, he writes: "Today we passed 215 dead mules & horses, & two hogs. Passed about $30,000 worth Government property. Marched 15 mi." And the following day: "Passed 130 mules 12 wagons & 4 hogs. marched 17 miles, stopped at half past two." It is not clear exactly where he is marching as these entries come between long lapses in entries.

When he finally returns to writing, the date is 21 August, and he writes: "We started for Crab Orchard, arrived at Mt. Vernon same evening. 12 miles distance covered over night." Written in the space for 29 August is: "got these flowers on the 26 of April" next to stains from flowers he must have pressed between the pages.

In a slew of entries he writes in the spaces for 5-11 September 1863, he corrects the date in pencil to 6-12 February (presumably 1864), and there records marching in Tennessee, first toward Big Creek Gap, then crossing the Clinch River (where, though Jacks does not report it, apparently 5 of his regiment drowned), camping on Holmes Creek, going over Stone Mountain, camping with what he calls a "drunk" 8th Michigan regiment, passing through Muddy Gap, having dinner at Chitwood, camping on Beaver Creek, and arriving at Burnside's Point. Entries end at this point.

The 112th would later participate in many operations and engage in many skirmishes and battles in East Tennessee, and go on to participate in the Atlanta Campaign. It was actively engaged at Resaca, where Jacks would be wounded in action.

Accompanying the diary is a partly printed postwar "Casualty Sheet," accomplished in manuscript, identifying Jacks as having been wounded in action on 14 May 1864.

Also accompanying the lot is a set of photocopied rolls and records related to Jacks, ordered from the National Archives.