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 11, 1864
Beautiful day a shower in the afternoon. Mailed a letter to my Wife. The 1861 men left for home. Attended preaching.
Monday September 12, 1864
Beautiful cool day. Wrote to the Soldier’s Agent 519 12th St Washington. Wrote to Col. North NYS agent.
Tuesday September 13, 1864
Beautiful Day. Today we put up a log house worked all day. Got it partly done.
Wednesday September 14, 1864
Cloudy but pleasent. Went after a load of load of boards to finish our house. Recieved a letter from my wife.
Thursday September 15, 1864
Beautiful day. Wrote to my wife. Orderly to Colonel Spaulding ____ (Editor: unclear) night. (Editor: page ripped)
Friday September 16, 1864
Beautiful Day. Relieved from being orderly in account of our Company’s leaving (Editor: page ripped)
Saturday September 17, 1864
Warm Day. All at work on fort No. 1 after night. Wrote to my wife.
Source:
- “1864 Diary of Private Octave Bruso, 50th NY Engineers, Company E” edited by Tom Bauerle, Buffalo, NY, 2010. ↩