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.
July 8, 1862
Our Reid & willis copying music from the 14 Brooklin Band—we ave the National Overture & sheeps meat to good for Niggers a splendid peace Played for Being Gard mount
Check back for the next entry on July 9
Diary entries provided by the Monroe County History Center.
