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 26, 1861
After guard mount we saddled up to commence to build a log Hut for Earl Reive we pitched in & layed it up in the woods working till dark
Earl Excused us from Dress Parade we can put it up tomorrow if we can get it Hauled
Check back for the next entry on December 27.
Diary entries provided by the Monroe County History Center.
