Beschreibung:

Lot of 2 diaries, 1861 and 1862, written by Major Charles P. Chandler, 1st Regimental Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. Both are daily diaries with entries on the majority of the days. Under the command of Colonel Robert Cowdin, the 1st Massachusetts Volunteers saw action at the First Battle of Bull Run, the Siege of Yorktown, Battle of Williamsburg, Battle of Fair Oaks, and Seven Pines. Major Chandler was killed in action at Glendale at the end of June 1862. Early in 1861, Chandler writes about the weather in Brookline, MA, and his day-to-day family affairs. Several news clippings are tipped in, which confirm Chandler's record of the harsh New England winter. On January 8, 1861, he writes, Col. Cowdin...called to present my commission as 3rd Lieutenant of Company "A." February and March details many meetings and social affairs. Chandler apparently was involved in the practice of law. He also notes reading quite often, including finishing the Bible. By April 14...everyone talking of War. The excitement is intense...the news of the surrender of Fort Sumter is stirring up the nation. Soon, Chandler is drilling Company A almost every day. On May 16, he meets with Governor Andrew and is offered a commission of major for the war; commission is voted by officers of the 1st Regiment with 31, or 33 affirmative votes out of 36, which is described as a compliment. The 1st MA mustered in on May 23, 1861, and the company boards a steamer on June 15 for Philadelphia, via railroad to Baltimore then Washington, DC. Chandler writes on June 19, The 1st Massachusetts Regiment marched out of Washington, paying a passing salute to the President. I walked four miles, having got no horse yet, and found it rough enough. Encamped at Camp Banks in Georgetown Heights for the next several weeks with much drilling and complaints about the heat. He notes on July 7, My disrespect for Colonel (left blank) as an officer and man is fast-becoming a disgust. By July 14, they have advanced to Great Falls of the Potomac where Chandler is often left in command. Interestingly on July 21, the Battle of Bull Run, Chandler talks about receiving a crowd of letters at mail call. The main battle is on our right, two miles off, we expect an attack each moment. I [sic] up in a tree see much of the fight: it is a terrible sight. He continues the following day, The flight of our army has been scandalous...cold and tired - fires and coffee and food do us good...had they followed us up on Sunday night, Washington would now be theirs (July 22). By August 22, the 1st MA encamps at Bladensburg, MD as part of Hooker's Brigade. On this day, Chandler writes verbatim his orders from Brigadier General Hooker making him Field Officer of the Day. Chandler is very proud of each advancement. A couple days later, Hooker's Brigade is reviewed on parade by the President of the United States. Things go downhill for Chandler as he is soon laid up with camp fever. He writes...am weak, and my mouth and throat are sore from canker so that I cannot eat (October 14). By October 30, Chandler is well enough to sit for a Brady portrait; however, curiously he is not back with his regiment but staying in Baltimore through mid-November. He sits on a court-martial case (his background was in law) and also makes note on December 7 that up in the balloon, first time in my life, held by ropes at some 700 feet. He suffers more illness into December. On the 12th, Chandler remarks...hospital still, tho I feel ready for duty, but the doctors and Lieut. Col. seems to hinder it. Chandler discusses his work as Judge Advocate, and a general order is written on January 16, 1862 (included in the appendix) in which he lists the 13 officers in a General Court Martial he is overseeing. He also serves at the General Court Martial for Hooker's Division at Posey's House into April 1862. By mid-April, Chandler is back with his regiment and moving towards Yorktown, VA, where he participates in the Siege of Yorktown. He writes