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 August 28, 1864
Pleasent Day. Wrote to my wife a letter + sent her a Leslie (Editor: Frank Leslie’s Magazines were popular sources of news.). Went out to work this night until 12 P.M.
Monday August 29, 1864
Beautiful day. Went out to make an abatis on our left close to the Rebel Picket line.
Tuesday August 30, 1864
Pleasent day. Recieved our commutation (Editor: unclear) money on our last _____ (Editor: unclear) furlough. Went out to work on making abates (sic: abatis).
Wednesday August 31, 1864
Beautiful day. In camp all day. Did not go out to work this night. Mustered for pay-6 months. Went to Gen’l Hdqrs for papers.
Thursday September 1, 1864
Beautiful day. Went out to work in the forenoon. Wrote to Sneider + Co (Editor: unclear) for boots for Lawrence. Wrote to Shellington for stationary 2.00. Recieved a letter from my Sister Malvina. Corpl of the Guard. 3d Relief.
Friday September 2, 1864
Beautiful Day. Wrote to my Sister Malvina. Wrote to my wife. Recieved a letter from my wife by eve mail.
Saturday September 3, 1864
Beautiful day, In camp all day.
Source:
- “1864 Diary of Private Octave Bruso, 50th NY Engineers, Company E” edited by Tom Bauerle, Buffalo, NY, 2010. ↩