Archive comprises:
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6 handwritten diaries, various sizes and bindings, comprising in total approximately neatly penned 785 pages and including approximately 35 sketches and hand-drawn maps.
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Album of 73 tin-type photographs, 69 of which are identified with the names of members of the Company (including 2 of J.C. Woodworth), 4 are unidentified, there are spaces for 2 additional soldiers photographs, the names listed but without images (perhaps 2 of the unidentified images belong in these spaces). The period full gilt decorated red morocco album measures approximately 3½x3¼".
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Various pieces of paperwork and ephemera including a Confederate $10.00 bill and a Louisiana $5.00 bill (both split), J.C. Woodworth's commission, discharge papers, leave pass, Muster-In Roll, Annual Reunion ribbon of the 25th Mass of Worcester, Massachusetts (dated Oct. 17, 1899), manuscript Memorial of James C. Woodworth of Fort Wayne, Ind., Woodworth's uniform buttons, 25th Regiment patch, 3 pairs of shoulder bars, Grand Army of the Republic officers medal, several carte de visite photographs of Lieut. Woodworth, Maj. General Burnside, Major General Banks, etc.
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A period small footlocker with Woodworth's name stenciled on the end.
A remarkable archive of diaries and identified portrait photographs of nearly the entire company. The diaries are numbered 1 through 6 by Lt. Woodworth; No. 1 begins on Sept. 25, 1861 at Camp Lincoln in Worcester, No. 2 begins on May 22, 1862 at Camp Bullock, 11 miles from Newburn, NC. No. 3 begins on Nov. 23, 1862 at Camp Harkness. No. 4 begins on March 30, 1863 at Camp Flusser, near Plymouth, NC, No. 5 begins on August 10, 1863 at Worcester while on leave, returns to camp near Deep Gully, No. 6 begins on April 15, at Camp Wellington, near Portsmouth, VA and ends with Lieut. Woodworth arriving in Fort Wayne, Indiana in May, 1865. The diaries are legibly written and rife with graphic detail of the movements and engagements of the Company, a number of the entries are illustrated by Woodworth with sketches and maps. Excerpts from the diaries include:
Saturday, Feb. 8, 1862. ”...Crossing a muddy brook up to our knees a little further on and going a few rods still farther, without scarcely halting we turned off to the left into a thick underbrush, per order of Col. This was about 1 mile from our place of starting, the brush was so thick that we could proceed only in single file and very slowly at that. Firing of small arms then began to reach our ears and pretty soon, cannon. After passing the 21st on the road we had overtaken 2 or 3 small brass howitzers drawn by ropes by sailors and soldiers. Whether this firing came from them or the enemy I know not, but supposed it to be from the latter. For one half an hour we traversed this thicket, with water up to our knees at nearly every step, of course without firing a gun...the firing was now very rapid, and we rambled about in the woods for a long time before any of us fired a gun. …we did deploy for some time longer. There was no regularity in marching, nor could there be any, and in the course of this movement I lost the main body of the Company, who had (I afterwards found out) kept on to the left in the direction of the cannonade. …they found themselves before what proved to be a rebel battery of 3 Guns and 200 yards from it, they remained here for near an hour. Meanwhile I had been directed to a spot where lay a mortally wounded man of Co. I, 25th...He was shot in the forehead and the blood was streaming over his face, presenting the most dreadful sight I ever saw. He was the first wounded man I saw. I took hold of his legs, which were laying the the water, while Ed. Wellington and H. Furnald took hold of each arm. So deep was the water, that we made but little progress and we laid the poor fellow down at the foot of a tree. As he was not yet dead..."
Friday, March 14th 1862. “We had been traveling a few rods in the wood side of the road which skirted at this point the left side of the road, and the whole Regt. except our Co. had crossed over the road into a narrow Ravine which turned off to the right and which skirted a wood between us and the Battery; the head of our Co. was just crossing from our side to the other, when a cannon ball came whizzing just over our heads and not more than a few feet distance from where I was. I run over to the other side pretty quick instantly expecting another shot, as Gen. Foster and some of his staff stood at this point when we turned off, and probably it was meant for them. This shot was the first one of the battle – the firing of musketry early in the morning being a general discharging of their wet cartridges by the enemy as we afterwards found out. The General soon retired farther back into the wood After filing into this lane we formed into line to the right of the Mass. 24th, which already was there. [With the sketch of their position].
Saturday, September 27th 1862. “I hear to day that the President has issued a proclamation, giving the rebellion states till Jan. 1st, ’63 to lay down their arms, or else all their slaves will be emancipated ---or something of that nature; haven’t seen it yet. Good! It will unite the North to a positive idea and purpose, upon which all can rally and fight for! What I have prayed for for 3 months.”
“Camp Oliver” Feb. 14th, 1863. “There was a match game of Base Ball between the 46th and our Regt. this P.M. which was witnessed by a large crowd from both Regts. The guards between the Camps were taken off for the time, and the thing took place on our ground; it began at 1 P.M. and ended at 4:00 and resulted in favor of 25th, 50 to 1!”
At The Breastworks – July 6th, 1863. “We have a story to-day that Gen. Meade (Commander of Potomac Army) has defeated the Rebs. in Penn. and has captured 5000 prisoners; also that Vicksburg is taken! I don’t know how true this is, but a salute was fired from “Ft. Totten” this noon for something; I hope it was for Vicksburg’s capture.”
Battle at Port Walthal Junction – May 6th and 7th, 1864.
“Our Brigade left camp at 10 A.M. reached the battle ground of yesterday at 11.30 – having marched “left in front” – 23 – 9th, 25th and 27th and formed in rear of where we did yesterday. Had hardly got 1 section of the 4th Art. In position when the Rebs. sent a shot at us which went far to our left. Our 2 guns soon replied and a sharp fight by the Artillery ensued, lasting from 12 no. to 12.20, when a shot from us blew up a Reb. caisson, and that silenced them. But one of their first shells exploded in the 27th column and it must have hurt many.” “There was a lull for some time, when at (I should think) 1:30 P.M. firing was heard on our right and we then learnt that Brooks was there making the principal fight. Artillery and musketry firing was going on then for over 2 hours.” “Meanwhile our 2 pieces kept firing most of the time ---getting responses only once in a while. Our Reg’t changed its position several times –most of the time behind our Art. Shells passed over us several times, one very near to our Co. Many of the men fell out by sun stroke and were taken to the rear. Some Half dozen fell out from Co. “H”. The heat was intense, but I kept my head cool with water and felt well.”
Worcester – Sunday November 13th, 1864.
“It was known quite certain that Wednesday morning that Lincoln was elected. Returns from N.E. states, from Penn., Md., and the West (although they were few) shewed Republican gains over the Fall elections. At night it was known for a certainty that “Abe” was elected. “Mac.” Has carried N.J., Ky, and (perhaps) Mo. and Delaware. New York is undoubtedly for L. The pacific states are not yet heard from.”
Saturday, April 15th, 1865. Fort Wayne
“And now for sad news. At 8 ½ A.M. Fowler came into the house and read a telegram just rec’d that press. Lincoln was shot last night at Ford’s Theater in Washington, and that Sec. Seward and his son had their throats cut! I went down to the Bank, and soon had confirmation of the horrid news. Heard at noon that both the Pres. And Sec. were dead. The stores and public buildings are draped in morning this P.M. Everybody that I have seen feels very sad; I haven’t felt like work at all to day.”
A prime example of Civil War diaries; a more substantial sampling of of excerpts is available upon request.