Civil War Diary & Sketches

[kae006]

My Great Great Great (Great?) Uncle William Bocher kept a diary during part of his tour in the Civil War, beginning the day before Thanksgiving 1864. We donated the diary to a museum but had some of it transcribed prior to doing so. Here are a couple of the drawings his did in the diary. I'd also be happy to share some of his entries if anyone is interested.

[Yarbro55]

Dang that's very cool!

[Charrison]

That is beyond cool. I'd love to see some entries.
Which side was he on? Any prominent battles he fought in? I could not imagine standing in rows in fields and just firing away. The courage it must of taken...

[TXraiderTK]

amazing that was able to stay in the family that long and in great condition.
pretty impressive artwork too
thanks for sharing

[kae006]

Originally Posted by Charrison

That is beyond cool. I'd love to see some entries.
Which side was he on? Any prominent battles he fought in? I could not imagine standing in rows in fields and just firing away. The courage it must of taken...

He fought for the Union. I'll share a few entries at a time.

Wed. Nov 23rd, 1864
This, the opening of my Diary I have begun upon the eve of my departure to my regiment. I am extremely sorry that I have delayed this work so long. - of writing events worthy of notice while a soldier in the U.S. Army. Still, Hospital life may not be very attractive but when one is grown in age, he still loves to look back to his days of youth. Again I am sorry that space is small in this book. I intended to procure one large enough to bring in an occasional sketch but this could not be found. Maybe if necessary funds had been on hand but I expect Uncle Sam knows what is best for his children. The funds will be forthcoming sometime or other. Stern winter seems to be coming forth. We had signs of snow.

Thurs. Nov 24, 1864
This is Thanksgiving day. A great day for the soldier. To day he can indulge in delicacies such as turkeys, chicken, fowls, fruit. Yes, both in the front and sea & land in the hospitals and at home. Every soldier takes to—day a (colation ?) in honor of the nation & well they deserve it. We are, in our Hospital, to have a great time, & besides turkeys, chickens, fruit and other delicacies, the Ladies are to have a conspicuous part. I hope so. “At 3 o’clock.” Hasten the hour. To morrow I expect to leave for the Regiment. It is quite cold today and a stove in the Barracks is not any too comfort able.

Fri. Nov 25, 1864
Today the weather has been warmer than usual. Charley Bachman, Charley Knauss, Sergt. Myers and others enjoyed ourselves exceedingly among the boards opposite the Sutter’s cabin looking at the laundry maids who seemed to be more lively than usual. Bill Sponster went to the front this morning & though I applied 3 or 4 times to the Doctor to have me sent there he refuses — These, blast all I have upset my inkstand, won’t the nurse blow. Our victuals were not as good today as yesterday, but I hope they will be next time. Had a letter today
———All well.

[AntlerCollector]

Incredible piece of history! I’d love to read whatever you have. Keep posting

[hogslayer78]

This is so cool, and thanks for sharing it with us. I look foward to reading more.

[Chew]

In. Awesome stuff. Ol' boy got caught in a trap.

[Kmart49]

That is extremely cool! Thank you for sharing.

[Boone Dozer]

That is really cool. thank you for sharing!

[The Insurance Guy]

That is very cool!! Thank you for sharing

[BlackHogDown]

Super cool

[powderburner]

keep posting

[diamond10x]

This is too freakin cool! Awesome how y'all donated it to a museum to share with others.

I have my great great however many times grandfathers on both sides muster cards from the confederacy. This is diary is wayyyy cooler.

[Hogmauler]

Awesome! Yes I’m in for journal entries

[Dusty Britches]

So I guess he had been wounded and was in the hospital, waiting eagerly to be released so that he could rejoin his pardners on the front?

What a cool thing to have.

[Dusty Britches]

I recently found out that my kin served in the American Revolution and the Civil War from Maine. I know very little about them, other than they were on my mother's side of the family.

[Cull]

That is awesome.

[kae006]

Thanks all, we are definitely blessed to have some great treasures from family on my father's side from centuries past. Another uncle from the late 1800's served as a sharpshooter in the NJ State Militia and I have some incredible newspaper clippings and medals of his and my brother has his old trap door.

Sat. Nov 26, 1864
Went to the library to—day and got Lewis’ American Sportsman, a quite interesting book. — Equal or nearly equal to Wm. Henry Herbert’s volumes on the same subject. This book was edited by Dr. Lewis — physician. It’s his 3rd Advent and is for sale by J.B. Lipincott & Co., Philadelphia - A book that I think I’ll want after I get back.

Sun. Nov 27, 1864
Today we had inspection. Nothing unusual having transpired to keep me from my Books. Charley Bachman payed me a visit - who by the by is promoted to 2nd Lieutenant of his company B. 47th Regt P. Vols. I am very glad of his promotion and he has my heart’s wishes of health and good luck. He well deserves his situation.

Mon. Nov 28, 1364
Today we had another inspection of those unfit for duty - The
Inspector was the Chief Medical Director - from Washington I believe
- Busy as usual at Lewis’s American Sportsman. Quite interesting. Time passed quickly. Weather tolerable.

Tues. Nov 29, 1864
I have been busy all day at my books. The weather unusually fine. - Day passed quickly - no letters.

[Jon B]

That is really cool

[salth2o]

Those drawings are amazing.

Cant wait to read the stories.

[Trapper76]

Great post! Thanks for sharing

[Uncle_Milty]

This is too cool! Share all you have!

[TKRanch]

That is so very cool!!

[bowhuntertex]

I love old history like this. Pretty cool that your family owns a piece of it.

[youngbuck1]

Very cool

[Iansumrall]

This is beyond cool. It would be awesome to have that top left drawing engraved into the side of an over under.

[MUZZYSLINGR]

Very cool. Thanks for posting up those journal entries.


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[EarleyBird]

Super cool! And one hell of an artist!

[Killer]

Oh wow! He had talent. That is as cool as the other side of the pillow!

[7sdad]

That is very cool thanks for sharing.

[Landrover]

oh wow.........now this is AMAZING stuff. That man could sketch like none other. Obviously he was well educated as the penmanship is spectacular. In 1864 & 1865 both sides of my family were in chains below I-10 in St. James & St. John Parish where just touching a book was a crime!
Keep it coming sir........first hand real history is incredible!

[kae006]

Wed. Nov 30, 1864
Nothing of much importance transpired today save the non- arrival of letters which I so patiently have waited for. But there are two mails to—morrow, perhaps I may be lucky then. - I have been on Hospital Police today. Something unusual. Am excused until Saturday when I’ll have to take another turn, unless I go to the front which I hope will transpire soon.

Thurs. Dec 1, 1864
Today we enter upon a new month, a very fine day for a beginning - but who knows how it will end. - Allen Newland has gone to the front today - probably for overstaying his furlough. I am again disappointed, no letters A word which sounds worse to me, than “Scatter! Every man for himself.” --— Rally by the Baggage Train!” -—- I hope my hopes will not be dashed to naught again to—morrow.

Fri. Dec 2, 1864
This is the anniversary of the Hanging of John Brown at Charleston, La. What times have occurred and past since then. Me thinks I can recall the time and hour, when at school, years ago this memorable day. Little dreaming that, that little item was to assume such a dreadful magnitude. That peaceful school class now is broken up, Each and all of us have fought under the “Stary Banner,” and “alas many, too many — now sleep beneath the sod. Antietam & Gettysburg told the tale - still no letters! — I am in for examination by the next squad.

Sat. Dec 3, 1864
Received a letter from home today. Didn’t find them in good humor. Wish I had some of the sausages and Buckwheat cakes, that they are indulging in every morning. I think it would be a great deal better than the grub we get here, which by the way will starve a healthy man ( ? ) of these that are sickly.

Sun. Dec 4, 1864
Answered my letter. Wrote to sister Framces, gave a very graphic description of affairs during my absence from home — Neither tolerable.

[Hunteraudit]

How fortunate you have such a vivid account of an ancestor during such a time.

[Preacher Man]

Wow this is great! I’m in. Thanks for sharing!

[kae006]

Mon. Dec 5, 1864
Quite cool is the weather today. Went to town on a pass with Thos. Thomas, Co A. 7th (W?L) Infantry - quite a nice young man. The 14 & 15 Wards were examined today. Ed Gross and Sergt Myers of the 47th were also examined.

Tues. Dec 6, 1864
This is a very disagreeable and rainy day. Five of the boys were sent to the front today.

Wed. Dec 7, 1864
This is a very disagreeable day. Wind and rain. One of our men died today. - Wrote 3 letters, 1 to Allentown, 1 to Lehigh Co. the other to Lora Thomas. Wrote one yesterday to Jas. Wilt. No letter from E.K. today. Though I expect one from every mail.

Thurs. Dec 8, 1864
Very cold today. Was detailed for Police duty. Ed Gross went to the front this morning.

Fri. Dec 9, 1864
Very cold today. The coldest of this season. Received a letter from my Sister Fannie (on the 10th). Nothing unusual happened to disturb the monotony of Hospital life,

Sat. Dec 10, 1864
Snow fell last night and this morning to a depth of 1 foot.-Stern winter has arrived. I wish I had a pair of leggins. Next time I get a pass I must try in town for a pair. I wrote a letter today to my sister — I having received one this morning. Have to have inspections. We are all ready. Our lazy nurses let the fire go out. I wish they would be reprimanded for their laziness.

Tues. Dec 13, 1864

Only a soldier
Gone to his rest
With the dear banner
Wrapped around his breast
Only a private
Left the stern word
For a promotion
Ming the bright stars!

[kae006]

Wed. Dec 14, 1864

0’ my Love’s Lost
As I was walking down by the seashore
Where the breezes blew cold and the billens did roar
I heard a shrill voice make a sorrowful sound
It was the winds, and the waves, and the waters all around.
Chorus Oh! my love’s gone.
He’s the lad I adore,
He’s gone where I never,—no never, no never
Shall I see my love no more?
She appeared like some goddess or like some Queen.
She’s the fairest of lilies my eyes never seen
I told her I’d marry her myself if she please
But the answer she gave me — “My Love’s in the seas.”
Chorus -
The loss of my sailor I deeply deplore
He’s lost in the seas, I shall see him no more.
The shells of the oysters shall be my love’s bed.
And the shrimps of the seas shall swim o’er his head.

[RifleBowPistol]

That's some very interesting stuff. Looks like the guy was a quail hunter.

[Quackerbox]

Too freaking cool

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[Tbar]

Very nice.....!!!

[yaqui]

History! Love it.

[Slaunch]

This is phenomenal

[CabezaBlanca]

In for more! Thank you for sharing!

[AntlerCollector]

Is there any chance those pictures were already part of the diary and he didn’t actually draw them?

[TKC]

Incredible, thank you for sharing.

[1riot1ranger]

Originally Posted by AntlerCollector

Incredible piece of history! I’d love to read whatever you have. Keep posting

same!

[Gunnyart]

awesome

[DeerGeek]

Awesome!!! Reminds me of the diary Costner had in Dances with Wolves.

[dosrobles]

Very cool

[Uncle Saggy]

This is amazing


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