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Charles H. Bushee Diary

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-2009-055

Scope and Content

Charles H. Bushee's diary is an account of his duties and the movements of Company E, 112th Regiment, New York Infantry, from January to mid-November of 1863, during the American Civil War. Each entry begins with the phrase "1 day for Uncle Sam" and in the cash accounts in the back of the diary, Bushee refers to his pay as coming from "Uncle Sam." From September of 1862 to June of 1863, the 112th New York Infantry was stationed in central and eastern Virginia. Bushee writes frequently of picket duty and skirmishes around Franklin, Carville [sic] (likely Carrsville), and Norfolk, Virginia. He also provides some details of the siege at Suffolk in April 1863.

In July, the regiment began the trip to Charleston, South Carolina. Bushee reports on the shelling at Fort Sumter from his posts around Fort Wagner, Black Island, and Charleston in August. Although he seems he often notes being ordered to and going to the front, he does not detail his actions there. By September, Bushee's increasing illness begins to dominate his diary. The last eight weeks of entries, ending abruptly on November 18, consists of little more than "feel unwell." Bushee died three weeks later.

The latter pages of the diary contain detailed cash accounts of Bushee's purchases, as well as a list of dead and wounded from the company, and dates he served on guard and picket duty.

Dates

  • 1863

Creator

Language of Materials

The materials in the collection are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for 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

Charles Henry Bushee was born in Rupert, Bennington County, Vermont, in 1828 to Stephen and Lucy (Taylor) Bushee. Stephen Bushee's family moved to Rupert from Massachusetts about 1801. Stephen (a farmer) and Lucy were married in January of 1826. Charles was the second of their twelve children, nine born in Vermont and the last three in New York. Some time in 1837 or early 1838, the Bushee family moved to Mayville, Chautauqua County, New York.

During the American Civil War, Charles H. Bushee enlisted at Jamestown, New York, into Company E, 112th Regiment, New York Infantry, on August 19, 1862. His younger brother, Loyal, also enlisted (Company H, 112th Regiment, New York Infantry), but was discharged in December 1862 due to illness. At the time he mustered in, Charles H. Bushee was 33 years old and a carpenter. His former career continued to play a roll, as he cites instances of building or repairing items for himself or others, and at one point, "lay[ing] a floor for a tent for General Foster." His three year term of service, however, was cut short by his death from disease on December 8, 1863 at Folly Island, South Carolina. He is buried in the Bond-Bushee Cemetery, outside Mayville, New York.

Additional information from:

  1. Hyde, William L. History of the One Hundred and Twelfth Regiment, N.Y. Volunteers. Fredonia, N.Y.: McKinstry, 1866.
  2. Civil War Soldiers & Sailors System. http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)

Abstract

The collection includes the diary of Charles H. Bushee, Company E, 112the Regiment, New York Infantry, 1863, during the American Civil War. Includes entries on actions of the 112th Regiment in and around Norfolk and Suffolk, Virginia, and Charleston, South Carolina.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged chronologically.

Source of Acquisition

The Charles H. Bushee Diary was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in March 2009.

Existence and Location of Copies

This collection has been digitized and is available online. During 2013, Special Collections tweeted Charles Bushee's diary, which, while no longer active, can be viewed online here and the associated blog, "1 day for Uncle Sam," can also be be read online.

Related Material

For a history of the 112th Regiment, see History of the One Hundred and Twelfth Regiment, N.Y. Volunteers by William L. Hyde, Fredonia, N.Y.: McKinstry, 1866. Call number: E523.5 112th H934 1866 (Spec Civil War Collection).

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Charles H. Bushee Diary, 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 Charles H. Bushee Diary commenced in March 2009 and was completed in April 2009.

Title
Charles H. Bushee Diary, 1863
Status
Completed
Author
Kira A. Dietz, Archivist
Date
2009 (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

Contact:
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308