George W. Bonsall Diaries
Scope and Content
The collection consists of two volumes of a manuscript diary, copied in 1865 of entries that George W. Bonsall wrote between May 23, 1861 (his 16th birthday) and 1865, during the American Civil War. He continues the diary sporatically after the war, with entries indicating his marriage in 1876 and the birth of his daughter in 1877. Bonsall writes in detail about his regiment's movements throughout Ohio, Kentucky, and Virginia during the war (particularly 1863 and 1864), but they never engaged in a battle with the Confederates. Bonsall also writes about working as a mason building dormitories for a new college in Berea, Kentucky, in 1869.
Dates
- 1861 - 1878
Creator
- Bonsall, George W. (Person)
Language of Materials
The materials in the collection are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to research.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.
Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
Biographical Note
George W. Bonsall was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1845. He served as a corporal in the 138th Regiment Ohio National Guard (originally formed as the 2nd Ohio Volunteer Reserve Militia) during the American Civil War. He returned to Cincinnati after the war and worked as a carpenter. He died in 1910 and is buried in the Wesleyan Cemetery in Cincinatti.
External Source: "Corp George W. Bonsall" entry, Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/17823824/george-w-bonsall, accessed Feb. 2, 2023.
Extent
0.2 Cubic Feet (1 box)
Abstract
From Cincinnati, Ohio, George W. Bonsall (1845-1910) was a corporal in the 138th Regiment Ohio National Guard (originally formed as the 2nd Ohio Volunteer Reserve Militia) during the American Civil War. The collection consists of two volumes of a manuscript diary, copied in 1865 of entries Bonsall wrote between May 23, 1861 (his 16th birthday) and 1865. The diaries also contain sporatic entries dating through 1878.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged chronologically.
Source of Acquisition
The George W. Bonsall Diaries were donated to Special Collections prior to 1998.
Existence and Location of Copies
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the George W. Bonsall Diaries by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the George W. Bonsall Diaries commenced and was completed in 1997. Additional description was completed prior to 2008 and in 2010.
- Title
- George W. Bonsall Diaries, 1861-1878
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Special Collections and University Archives Staff
- Date
- 2010 (CC0 1.0)
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu