Biographie

1862 · 000794 — Piercton Warsaw Bone Prairie Indiana IN. Fair. 1862. On offer is a superb handwritten Civil War homefront diary of a young man who lives in Pierceton Indiana who heads to Warsaw and Bone Prairie to teach school. On the very first page we read "John Galbreath's Day Book Bought in Warsaw Indiana of Mr. Lemon. March 26th 1862." He ends a year later on April 1st 1863. Although he's not a soldier this is one of the most unique and well written 'homefront' diaries we have ever read. Mr. Galbreath provides an intimate and a detailed emotional picture about what life must have been like for this young man during this terrible time when so many families were torn apart. There are a full 90 pages of personal and heartfelt entries and daily accounts of what his life was like; plus many fascinating war entries and super commentary and opinion from this young man and especially riveting account of the Battle of Pittsburgh Landing. Here are snippets: "March 26th I came to Warsaw this morning upon the train. Mr. Fletcher State Superintendent of Public Instructions addressed a congregation of teachers and directors on the subject of education at the Union School House. This afternoon at one o'clock and tonight he is to lecture on the same at the Methodist Church." "March 27th I staid with Otis Pratt last night. He and wife are both sick with Typhoid Fever. I arose early this morning and walked to the river where we use to go swimming while attending school in Warsaw. I visited Mrs. Cowan's school this forenoon and had an interesting interview with the teachers. Found the school progressing finely. Got aboard the train at 11 o'clock and soon found myself in Pierceton." "May 15th Last evening Mrs. Loring gave a party in honor to Alfred before he returns to the army. He started on his return last night." "July 4th Friday morning fifteen minutes after four. I have shot the gun blowed the horn beat the old tin broke to sung songs and what to get at next. I know not. I will content myself listening at the cannon firing in Pierceton. Boom-boom-boom it goes. Hurrah hurrah hurrah. Five by the clock. I am preparing to start to Pierceton money on hand 9.04. Eleven o'clock. Three couples of us George Morse and Charlotte Galbreath Mike King and Annie Moore John Galbreath and Lizzie Pottenger got on the express bound for Ft. Wayne. Arrived at Wayne at one. Took the bus for main street exchange hotel where we staid over night." "August 8th Hot. I went today to Pierceton. Several young men volunteered during the day. Quite an excitement prevails about drafting." "September 1st Today the board of examiners meets to determine who is exempt from the draft." "September 29th Forenoon favors rain. Afternoon rained but little. This day will long be remembered in Pierceton as the day when the Sherburn recruits left for the 44 Reg. Ind. Vol. There was a large crowd in town. Addresses were made by Rev. Clark. Rev. Davis and Dr. Marshall. A dinner was prepared for the soldiers." "October 4th and 5th Last night J. P. Chaplin gave a war speech at the Baptist meeting house. Today has been fair….Last evening George Fraizer and Dr. Byerle addressed the citizens of Pierceton. Quite a political feeling was gotten up." "October 11th J. T. Doke and I moved to Warsaw today for the purpose of going to school. Heard Gov. Wright speak for three hours on the crisis. He goes in wholly and solely for putting down rebellion." "October 14th This is election day. The election passed off quietly. J.T. Doke Charlotte Galbreath and I moved to Warsaw today for the purpose of attending school. Turner and I spent the day in fixing up the bed and stove &c. Warsaw is full of soldiers. They expect to leave on the midnight train." "November 29th Snowed a little last night. We are on our road to our school in a sleigh but we find it poor sleighing indeed. Eat dinner at Mr. Gunter's where Martin is going to board. 4 by the watch. We are at Mr. Berst's the trustees waiting for him to come home from Warsaw. Mr. Berst arrived home about dark." "December 1st I commenced school this morning. I am unacquainted with my pupils their parents and even the school house. All things are strange to me here on Bone Prairie and I feel the need of some kind friend to take me by the hand and speak words of encouragement but I must rally my courage and cheer up with the idea that I am engaged in a noble work. My earnest desire is that I may do good and benefit the pupils under my care. May I ever for the end and may God help me in my humble endeavor." "December 17th A small skiff of snow fell last night. Several of us met last evening and organized a debating club in Oswego. Question for next evening resolved that Intemperance is a greater evil than slavery. Jos. v Cowan affirmative. M. v. Galbreath denies. 4 o'clock in the evening. I had a visitor today. Mr. Lieutenant Lew Rickeson called on me today and I was uncommonly glad to see him." 1863 "February 13th A fine day. Evening quite a company of young folks are at Mr. Beagles enjoying the unfair nicknaks. Playing and kissing the girls are the order of the evening until 3 o'clock." "March 19th Jas. K. Polk Phillips was buried today. Quite a large concourse of people were at the funeral. Polk was well respected and had a great number of friends in his native neighborhood. Yesterday I helped take up an infant corpse. It had been buried 15 years." Although the diary entries stop on April 1st 1863 there is a 7 page entry in the back having to do with a friend of his who died on July 30th. He titles it "Sanford is dying". I want to quote a bit of it here: "I and my friend H. had retired and after spending near half the night in conversation had exhausted nature and fell into a deep sound sleep. Presently I was awakened from my slumber by my father calling me by name. I arose instantly for a sad strange feeling came over me and I felt that something uncommon had happened. Whether or not this strange feeling was the result of my being awakened at that time of night I am not prepared to say. Certain it is I have been called up at all times of night and never before did my feelings so completely warn and impress me with the idea that bad news were in store. I instantly dressed and prepared to go to the sick chamber. My friend H concluded to go with me so accompanied with him and my father we repaired to the bedside of the dying boy. On our way we over took several of the neighbors going to see the dying Sanford. An inquiry here presented itself to my mind. Why all this stir.The sequel is the boy is dying and departed this life in about two hours after we entered the sick chamber. Not however until he had called his friends around him and talked of Heaven and his departure. After taking leave of his friends he composed himself quietly on his dying bed and in a few moments "Sanford is dead." He goes on with several pages more about Sanford and the entry takes on a religious tone. Then on the very back page is a fascinating account as it is taking place about the battle of Pittsburg landing: "April 1862 Great excitement prevails at present caused by the great battle of Pittsburg landing Tenn. This battle was fought April 6 1862. The Federal forces were commanded by Grant Wallace Buell and others. The rebels were commanded by Beauregard Johnson and Jackson. The slaughter on both sides was great. Among the killed is Wallace and Johnson. Later. Wallace is reported not dead yet. Island No. 10 was unconditionally surrendered to the Northern army on the 7th. 3000 prisoners taken and an amount of military stores. April 12 the public mind is trained to the last bent. Great events are just in advance and large armies are in sight of each other and evidently are on the eve of a great battle at Corinth. April 15th The news from Pittsburgh Landing is startling. ______battle was right there with heavy blows on both sides." Fair. ; Manuscript; 32mo - over 4" - 5" tall; KEYWORDS: HISTORY OF PIERCTON WARSAW BONE PRAIRIE INDIANA IN CIVIL WAR ERA WAR BETWEEN THE STATES INDIANA HOOSIER HANDWRITTEN MANUSCRIPT DOCUMENT LETTER AUTOGRAPH KEEPSAKE WRITER HAND WRITTEN DOCUMENTS SIGNED LETTERS MANUSCRIPTS HISTORICAL HOLOGRAPH WRITERS AUTOGRAPHS PERSONAL MEMOIR MEMORIAL PERSONAL HISTORY AMERICANA ALS ARCHIVE DIARY DIARIES ANTIQUITÉ CONTRAT VÉLIN MANUSCRIT PAPIER ANTIKE BRIEF PERGAMENT DOKUMENT EDUCATION TEACHING MID WEST WEST . unknown