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 18, 1861
The Regt went to Division Drill or Review at Baleys Cross Roads we Band got excused by Gen McDowell who wished us to Play at the Arlington House in the evening I took a fine Bath in the Branch this morning after supper we went to head Quarters—Many visitors were Present among whom were Brancroft the Historyan and his Daughter we Played while them were at supper
Afterwards we were invited in to a nice set supper [illegible] Bread Cheese Butter raisins almonds whiskey brandy liquer Beer we made an impression notwithstanding we had our supper previously—on Our Return we Played at Gen Kings & at our Col quarters
Check back for the next entry on December 19.
Diary entries provided by the Monroe County History Center.
