Tthe Civil War diary of James Miles, an enlisted soldier in the 185th Regiment of the New York Infantry. The diary describes soldier life and spans from January to March 1865 until the author was killed in action. Entries include descriptions of battles and the deaths of soldiers by snipers. Miles' short entries relate the physical and emotional difficulties of being a soldier as evidenced by an entry about a fellow soldier who had deserted, 'supposed to shoot him but didn't have it in me'. The last entry is on the day before Miles was killed in action which was ten days before the end of the war. James Miles enlisted with Company K of the 185th Regiment, New York Infantry at Syracuse, New York on September 3, 1864. The 185th regiment was organized at Syracuse, New York and Company K was mustered in September 21, 1864. The regiment left for Petersburg, Virginia on September 27, 1864 and was attached to the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Army corps of the Army of the Potomac until May of 1865. During the term of service, the regiment lost 59 soldiers by death from wounds and 39 enlisted men by death from diseases. Miles was killed in action on March 29, 1865. Much of this information was found at http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/index.html. Additional information on the 185th Regiment of the New York Infantry can be found at http://www.dmna.state.ny.us/historic/reghist/civil/infantry/185thInf/185thInfMain.htm

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