157 years ago, a Hoosier from Monroe County wrote about fighting for the Union in the Civil War in a diary he kept almost daily. Peter Thomas Matthews was 20 years old when he enlisted in the army and served as a drummer in the 19th Indiana Regimental Band.
Follow along as we publish his diary entries in real-time on the day they were written.
Read the first entry here. Learn more about Matthews and read all former and future entries here.
Editor's note: We have left Matthews' words as he recorded them, which means spelling and punctuation may not conform to modern standards.
December 11, 1861
Cloudy About 9 AM the wind arrived continuing all Day
Reports reached the Camp that the Rebels were moveing [illegible]—and had taken possession of Fair Fax CH but this needs confirmation
The wind lulled about dusk played by moon light to night
Check back for the next entry on December 12.
Diary entries provided by the Monroe County History Center.
