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.
February 28, 1862
All the week “Still winds” Willis Reid and Billie Heineken goes to town Plenty of mud went over to head Quarters this morning and were mustered out for pay Expect marching orders soon we are to hold our selfs in readiness to march wen the weather permits Rehersal this evening and last Evening
Check back for the next entry on March 1.
Diary entries provided by the Monroe County History Center.
