Note: This is one week’s worth of diary entries of Octave Bruso, who participated in the Siege of Petersburg as a member of the 50th New York Engineers.1
Sunday September 4, 1864
Beautiful Day. Was ordered out with a load of Tools. Heavy firing commenced about 11 P.M. The Company shelled on (Editor: “on” or “in”). Returned with my Tools the same night.
Monday September 5, 1864
Beautiful day. Wrote to my wife. Ordered out with Tools again at the same place. Came in early as the Infantry detail did not come.
Tuesday September 6, 1864
Cloudy + Sprinkling. Ordered with tools again. Came back at 6 P.M. Recieved paper and envelopes from Shellington!
Wednesday September 7, 1864
Beautiful day. Wrote to my wife. Went out a walking after supper with Lt. Pollard. Recieved a letter from my wife.
Thursday September 8, 1864
Beautiful + cool day. Wrote to my wife. Went ariding towards our left with Lt. Pollard. Met Geo. Montieth + Gen’l Crawford. Bought me a hat.
Friday September 9, 1864
Cloudy + pleasent. Felt lonesome all day. Walked to the Gen’l HdQrs in the evening and got my hair cut (Editor: unclear).
Saturday September 10, 1864
Beautiful day. In camp all day. Recieved a letter from my wife.
Source:
- “1864 Diary of Private Octave Bruso, 50th NY Engineers, Company E” edited by Tom Bauerle, Buffalo, NY, 2010. ↩