Manuscript Diary of Pv. Edwin A. Brown of the 36th Ohio Volunteers covering the period August 21, 1863, to January 8, 1864, 4.25 x 6.5, approximately 80 pages, kept in pencil. A fine content diary chronicling Brown’s service in Tennessee including action at Brown’s Ferry as well as the Battles of Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain.
The diary, reads in part [with some spelling corrected for readability]: “[Sept. 3] got to McMinneville…Poor camp & poor grub and little of it. I don’t like the place… [Sept. 5, 1863]… listened to speeches… to Mr. Herman Maynard Father of Edward, Lieut Co and Provost Marshall a member of Congress, a smart man… [Sept. 7]…got news that Burnsides Headquarters was at Landing good for the East Tennessee Stocks men came in and brung 7 prisoners with them one bad man he had killed 10 Union men…[Sept. 14]… there was about 60 of Old Braggs men came in and gave themselves they report Braggs army in bad condition. [Sept. 15]…27 Regular Rebel soldiers came in and gave themselves up. Inspection, I was consigned to the 2nd floor as head nurse… [Sept. 16]…I was ordered to my Regt We left at 3 ock to to Trollabalma at 5 oak We stayed a few moments at Manchester 12 miles from Tullamoma Tenn we stayed at Tullahoma over night …[ Sept. 29] We took up in line of march at 5 ock went over the largest mountain I ever saw. saw a lot of wagons and ambulances turned over the cliffs and mashed into atoms… Hear cannonading…[Oct. 4] We left camp at 6 ock came along well… 11 ock came to where the wagons was burned Rebels burned 350 wagons lots of ammunition shells We went on to the battlefield and camp. There was 200 mules killed we got 200 that our Boys had recovered…[Oct. 18]…We met a large train of ambulances 100 they was loaded with wounded… [ Oct. 23]…Major Genl Grant came to Chattanooga…[Oct. 29]… 3 ock…head the rattling of muskets. Soon after breakfast we started and went to the river then we heard good many guns our men had crossed the river. We was the 3rd Reg crossed even we got across the Rebels had left that point crossed 2 Pontoons 25 men to the boat got across and went up a rocky bluff. The Rebels threw a few shells down no harm got to the top of this ridge and our Comp was deployed as skirmishers… got dinner and joined the rest of the boys throwing up Breastworks… we made a complete surprise on the Rebels in the morning. 3 oak the pontoon bridge was closed. We got artillery on the mountain at 11 oak our loss killed 6 wounded 20 one Lieut Rebels killed 8 wounded not known…. the Rebels had a Brigade of them commanded by Brigadier Genl. Wood. We understand the Rebels loss 2 killed and wounded 60…In the morning we landed 125 men before Mr. Reb was looking for it we revealed their Pickett Post. It was the best arranged thing I ever saw. Before Mr. Reb. knew it we had possession of both ridges. General Smith I understand planned the attack this battle was called Browns Ferry… [Oct. 29]…detailed to got on Pickett. Heavy cannonading in the direction of Look Out Mountain… [Nov. 4]…waked up to 2 ock to go across the river we did not get across till about morning there was a building burned up in town when we came threw I was very sick very sick laid in my tent all day…[Nov. 17,1863] Mission Ridge Battle…Heavy cannoning up the river Supposed to be Gen’s Shermans force it lasted about half hour… [Nov. 20]…orders… to cook 2 days rations and take 100 rounds of cartridge…Great preparations was going on all threw camp for a large fight…I gave Sam Williams all my things to keep till I returned. Also a letter to my parents to send if I should fall [Nov.21]…The orders for us moving was countermanded in the night… [Nov. 22]…throwing a few shells from Fort Wood at a Rebel Wagon train…[Nov. 23] We was waked up at 2 ock and was to march at 3-15 Was to act as independent reserve and the Right.…Stacked arms and 3-15 the Ball commenced in . by Gen’l Howard 11th Corps . [Nov. 24]…heard skirmishing on Lookout 12 ock it came a skirmish engagement and 2 ock we saw our men come around the point of the mountain… 12 ock there was heavy firing of musketry and loud cheering. Sgt. Hookes took 3000 prisoners…[Nov. 25]…Stopped in front of Fort Wood laid there half an hour then marched in to a wood and laid there about 1 hour… skirmishing commenced and we was ordered into rank formed the line of battle went through the woods, fixed bayonets ordered double quick we double quick one mile up the mouton and took their works and 10 pieces artillery and a great lot of prisoners. Fighting lasted 2 hours. Gen. Granger captured 32 artillery he was on our right. Our Regt lost killed 7 wounded 70.”
In very good condition, with toned and worn covers, some page sections loose, and foxing. Accompanied by several post-war miscellaneous receipts and a typewritten transcript of the diary. Further entries are available for download or viewing by clicking here. RRAuction COA.
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