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 25, 1862
At two oclock the Several Brigades composing Genl. McDowell Corps De Armen assembled at fort ward near Fairfax Seminary for a review there were about 70,000 or 80,000 troops in this Corps The Appearance was very fine and Imposing the Gen accompanied by many officers and noted Civilians rode the Inspection after which them all moved by: Our Band played for the whole Brigade all afternoon was spent ther had all passed we reached camp at Dusk with good Appetites and tired
Check back for the next entry on March 27.
Diary entries provided by the Monroe County History Center.
