Finding aid for the Samuel J. Smith Civil War diary and snuffbox 6002

USC Libraries Special Collections
Doheny Memorial Library 206
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, California, 90089-0189
213-740-5900
specol@usc.edu
2011 November


Title: Samuel J. Smith Civil War diary and snuffbox
Collection number: 6002
Contributing Institution: USC Libraries Special Collections
Language of Material: English
Container: 1
Physical Description: 0.21 Linear feet 1 box, 2 items
Date: 1863
Abstract: From August 1863 to July 1864, Samuel J. Smith, a private in the Confederate Army, kept a pocket diary noting daily events, camp life, news of his family, and the weather. Notable entries include his wounding and the death of his brother near Brandy Station on September 13, 1863, recovery at Chimborazo Hospital in Richmond, the presence of African-American soldiers near his home while on leave, reunion with his regiment in April 1864, and the Battle of the Wilderness in May 1864.
creator: Smith, Samuel J., (Samuel Jarvis)

Conditions Governing Access

Advance notice required for access.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Preferred Citation

[Box/folder# or item name], Samuel J. Smith Civil War diary and snuffbox, Collection no. 6002, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California

Historical note

Private Samuel J. Smith was a 31-year-old farmer when he enlisted in the Confederate army near Moseley, Virginia, on July 18, 1861. He served in Mullins’ Fifth Cavalry Regiment, then joined the Fourteenth Battalion of Virginia Cavalry, which, in turn, consolidated with the Fifteenth Battalion to form the Fifteenth Regiment Virginia Cavalry. The Fifteenth Virginia Cavalry merged into the Fifth Virginia Cavalry Regiment Consolidated on November 8, 1864, but disbanded before the surrender at Appomattox Courthouse in 1865.

Scope and Content

From August 1863 to July 1864, Samuel J. Smith, a private in the Confederate Army, kept a pocket diary noting daily events, camp life, news of his family, and the weather. Notable entries include his wounding and the death of his brother near Brandy Station on September 13, 1863, recovery at Chimborazo Hospital in Richmond, the presence of African-American soldiers near his home while on leave, reunion with his regiment in April 1864, and the Battle of the Wilderness in May 1864.

Acquisition

Gift of William P. Tinkley, 2006.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Smith, Samuel J., (Samuel Jarvis) -- Archives
Diaries
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Archival resources