The collection contains the Civil War diary of Alfred Mantor, a corporal (and later sergeant) with "C" Company of the 27th Massachusetts Infantry. Mantor's diary covers January through April of 1864, shortly before he was killed in action in May. Entries focus on his regiment's activities, as well as his personal experiences teaching Sunday school in the Norfolk, Virginia, area. Alfred L. Mantor, originally a farmer from Hawley, MA, enlisted when he was 25 years old as a Corporal to "C" Company of the 27th Massachusetts Infantry on September 25, 1861. Mantor was promoted to Sergeant on September 8, 1863. Mantor was killed in action on May 7, 1864 at Port Walthall Junction, VA.