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 November 6, 1864
Beautiful day. Wrote to my Wife, to my sister Malvina, To my Cousin Mary and to Miss Jennie S. White by Garrettsville Portage Co. Ohio. Recieved two papers from my Wife.
Monday November 7, 1864
Rainy all day. Wrote to the Express Co’s (Editor: unclear) at Washington. Built a Chimney in our Hut. Resolved to do better + return to my allegiance to God.
Tuesday November 8, 1864
Pleasent Day. Wrote to Shillington. The whole Company out on a Detail in the afternoon.
Wednesday November 9, 1864
Pleasent + Windy. In charge of a Detail digging a well. Recieved a letter from my wife, with 25 stamps + Henry’s Picture.
Thursday November 10, 1864
Beautiful Day. Wrote to my Wife. Company drill in the morning + Battallion in the afternoon.
Friday November 11, 1864
Beautiful day. Battallion (sic: battalion) detail (Editor: or “picture”) in the forenoon + drill in the afternoon. Dress Parade. Recieved a letter from my Wife.
Saturday November 12, 1864
Beautiful Day. Wrote to my Wife. The Batt’l on Police duty all day. Excused did not feel well.
Source:
- “1864 Diary of Private Octave Bruso, 50th NY Engineers, Company E” edited by Tom Bauerle, Buffalo, NY, 2010. ↩