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 October 2, 1864
Beautiful day. Relieved from Picket in the morning. Got marching orders + left camp. Wrote to my wife. Arrived at Mr. People’s Farm at 11 o’clock P.M. Very march. (Editor: unclear, could this have been the Peeble Farm, where Col. Norval Welch died on September 30th while his 16th Michigan swarmed Confederate works?)
Monday October 3, 1864
Some rain Towards evening. Went to the Yellow House with orders. Recieved a letter from my wife. Wrote to my wife. Worked until 1 A.M.
Tuesday October 4, 1864
Hot day. Recieved a paper from my wife. Recieved ¼ Ream paper from Shellington. Worked from 1 to 6 P.M.
Wednesday October 5, 1864
Hot Day. Wrote to Geo W. Cochran for pouches $2.00. Recieved my paper + envelopes from Shellington. Wrote to Shellington. Wrote to Platner + Smith. Worked on the Fort all day.
Thursday October 6, 1864
Beautiful day. Worked all day on the fort. Recieved a paper from my wife.
Friday October 7, 1864
Beautiful day. Worked all day getting out Abatis Stuff for the Fort.
Saturday October 8, 1864
Cool day. Very windy. Recieved a letter from my wife. Wrote to my wife + sent $10.00 for a watch. Worked all day on the Fort.
Source:
- “1864 Diary of Private Octave Bruso, 50th NY Engineers, Company E” edited by Tom Bauerle, Buffalo, NY, 2010. ↩