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.
March 1, 1862
Windy but pleasant played Post all afternoon: In the Evening Gen King Requested us through the Col to serenade the Ladys at his Quarters: we went and Done some good Playing and had a treat from Cap ts Hathaway and Chandler. Got Back just at Taps
Check back for the next entry on March 2.
Diary entries provided by the Monroe County History Center.
