Civil War Diaries
various, ca. 1862 to 1865
4 Civil War Diaries by Elias Smith Recording the Full Service of the 14th NJ Infantry, Including Monocacy, Petersburg, & Lee's Surrender at Appomattox - 1862-1865
Diary/Journal

Civil War diaries of Elias D. Smith of the New Jersey 14th Infantry. Four leather-bound pocket diaries for the years 1862 to 1865. Each diary measures 3.75" x 5.875", formatted to fit three days of entries per page. Smith writes his name and hometown on the front endpaper of the 1862 diary in ink: "Elias D. Smith / Elizabethport / New Jersey." His captain's name, company and regiment are added below in pencil: "Capt. Harris Co. C / 14th Regt/New Jersey Volt." Smith mustered into the army, along with the rest of the 14th NJ, on August 26, 1862. He remained with the regiment until June 19, 1865, having served nearly three years and participating in the major campaigns that decided the war's outcome. Smith is an educated man, and his entries are neatly scripted and well versed. In addition to recording the action at the battles the regiment fought in, he makes many observations of what is occurring around him, including a visit by President Lincoln at the beginning of the Siege of Peterburg. Overall, very good condition, with wear to the covers. 1863 diary has moderate dampstaining which does not affect legibility.

Although Smith's service in the army is largely administrative, his literacy and careful script make for compelling reading and includes battle content, troop movements, and the daily tasks involved with keeping his troops well supplied. At first, he is his company's commissary (recorded on September 20, 1862), but he is later transferred to Field & Staff in February 1863 when he is promoted to Quarter Master Sergeant. He is a meticulous diarist, and his entries make for a sound and complete history of the Regiment's full service.

The 14th New Jersey Infantry remained inactive at Monocacy Junction, Maryland for nine months before joining the main army in July 1863. Their first combat was at Locust Grove in late November 1863. Smith's entries recording the events read: "[November 27, 1863] Moderately pleasant but damp & smoky at night. Hooked out early and moved within ½ mile of the river where the train was ordered to stay till further orders. Laid all day unharnessing at dark. Heavy firing artillery & musketry heard all day just across the river. Harder where the boys are now… [Nov 28] Cloudy & damp with occasional showers in a.m. Harry started to reg't with beef & I rigged my desk in Peytons wagon…No firing today. The 14th in the fight yesterday – lost 17 killed 47 wounded & 5 missing. Co C lost 3 killed & 4 sounded – Harry Wilson one of the killed. Just before night was ordered to the regt. with rations. Crossed the Rapidan & found a very bad road. Teams stuck several time & had awful pulling. Shortly after daybreak was stopped within 3 miles of the regt. – teams not allowed to go up to the front. Waited till P.M. & were ordered back – met corps train which had come over and all packed. Packed rations in mules & when just ready to start the whole train was ordered back across the river. Left one train to pack rations & started in charge of train." The entry for November 29 is written in cross-hatch across the previous day's entry.

In the Spring of 1864, the 14th NJ engaged the enemy at the Battle of the Wilderness, Hanover Court House, and suffered their worst losses at Cold Harbor. Smith's entries describing Cold Harbor and the ensuing days read: "[June 3, 1864] Showery all day today and I laid still no pack… A large train of 6th Corps wounded passed on their way to Wh House. Saw several of our boys – among them Lt. Jno. G. Fisher who got a ball right in the mouth and was so disfigured that I did not know him at first. It was awful & made me feel bad."

On June 5, 1864, he reports: "Saw Col Treux & Capt Harris today – both wounded slightly." He continues the next day: "[June 6] Day very warm. Laid asleep in A.M. very tired and counting on a day's rest – but at noon was ordered to send in clothing requisitions. Went to regt. & collected estimates. Saw the boys- - issued grain & returned to pack at 9 p.m. Boys right in front and sharpshooters at work. Bullets singing now and then and ‘ye uncle' lying low in the breast works. A truce for an hour this p.m. & our boys talking with rebs."

Finally, on June 7, 1864: "Pleasant day. Went to regt. to issue grain & rations. Just as were ready to return another train came up. Finished them & got ready to pack when I met the baggage wagons going up again… Everything very quiet along the lines – hardly a shot fired."

The 14th takes part in the Petersburg Campaign, and Smith records daily, paying particular attention to the railroads, as they are key to providing supplies to his troops. He comically records a visit from President Lincoln and General Grant in the early days of the Siege. "[June 20, 1864] Day very warm and sultry though a little breeze towards night. Harry went up with rations. Regt back across the Appomattox and in front of Petersburg… [June 21] Very hot day and flies troublesome thought no yellow jackets bother us yet as they did last summer at Bealton. In a.m. I wrote a letter to Kiz mailing with it a Chronicle. In P.M. made up Q.M. Returns for March and commenced April's. Genl Grant & Prest Lincoln passed tent today to & from the front. How are you Abe. [June 22]…found my mare gone. Stolen by some wanderer. Sent Jake to regt… Heavy cannonading & musketry at front. Harry not back tonight…"

The 14th NJ Infantry played a pivotal role in the Battle of Monocacy on July 9, 1864, a key Union defensive action that helped protect Washington, D.C. from a Confederate advance under General Jubal A. Early. Smith's entries offer a compelling narration of events: "[July 8, 1864] At day break I found myself opposite Baltimore and after lying in the stream till 10 a.m. We landed & unloaded baggage – then reloaded in cars and about sunset started for Monocacy Bridge, our old camp ground. Went to sleep in the cars, in a camp chair to dream of old friends in Frederick. What of the morrow? [July 9] Early this a.m. issued rations to the regt. Boys in bully spirits at being so near home again. Monocacy Br. quite fixed up but functions. Enemy in force at Frederick & at 8 were ordered back. Our battery commenced striking the Johnnies just as we left the fight impending. Cars were left at Relay Ho. Elysville Gvt dining & went to take a wash while thus engaged a train came & took pir cars to Balt.o Took next train and found them at Camden Station City very excited. A big fight up at the bridge today and our boys badly whipped. Our regiment very much cut up. [July 10] A day of great excitement. Citizens called out, horses impressed & everything in end. Laid at Camden Sta. all day. Wounded from the battle coming in. Capts Conover, Str?, C & St. Craig killed a lot wounded among them Col Hall & Capts. Harris, Janeway, Hawk. Saw Col Hall & Capt Janeway. 1st Brig all cut up and 14th nearly gone. Ira Hand missing. What a wonderful working of Providence that sent our boys back to fight over their old camp ground. Rebels advancing on Baltimore & much alarms occasioned…"

The 14th NJ suffered tremendous losses at Monocacy, but their stand delayed Early's advance and allowed Union forces to reinforce defenses. They participated in later battles of the Shenandoah Valley Campaign, and again suffered major losses at Cedar Creek (October 19, 1865).

Smith's 1865 diary includes his entries describing the final campaigns at Petersburg and Sailor's Creek. "[April 1, 1865] …Took my desks over from the wagon to the [?] and spent the day in writing to Walker & on reading. In evening Hartshorne & I went to regt. near Ft. Fisher. Found the boys in the [?] over a charge that was ordered for the early morning work. Returned and about 10 o'clock Ft. Wadsworth opened on the rebels & soon the cannonading was general along the line – the Johnnies making no reply except down in front of the Hill. Watched the guns for an hour or two and then laid down to sleep to the infernal music. Woke up many times during the night to find the concert still kept. [April 2] Pleasant up, with a little musketry added at times. Just before daylight the charge came off & was perfectly successful – our division taking 22 guns in four forts. The Johns made a feeble resistance. About 8 o'clk train hooked up & pulled out towards Hatchers Run but soon returned and went into pack again for the night. The troops well advanced on Petersburg through the lines of the rebs…Everything very quiet along the lines tonight. Regt. lying in front of a large fort with they are to charge in the a.m. [April 3] This A.M. the troops throwing out a skirmish line found the fort evacuated with the guns in it – The Johns had left Petersburg & early in the A.M. it was surrendered to the 6th Corps. Meantime I went at 7 A.M. to City Pt. on biz – got a lot of tobacco & returned to Warren Sta. found every thing gone. Heard that Richmond also was surrendered this A.M. Sent my tobacco back to City Point & struck out for the train. Followed the Weldon R.R. into Peterburg & through it on track of the train which I finally caught up with after Pa very long walk near Sutherlands. The Johns in full retreat and our boys close on to them. Petersburg is a very pretty place & looks pretty well considering its long siege. Didn't have much time to look around."

Of the last days of the regiment's active fighting and Lee's surrender, he writes: "[April 6, 1865] Showers all day & cool clearing off at night. Started at noon – the look of the whole army train will soon… flanked Black & Whites Sta – crossed the R.R. three times and brought up jus before sunset at Nottoway C.H. Heavy firing all day at intervals at the front. Lee reported to have made a stand at Amtia C.H. [Appomattox Court House] & lost 1000 men 7 guns & 200 wagons…it looked so much like Jersey, both in color & quality of [?]. ‘I want to go home.' The R.R. so far in very poor order – track badly hammered…" On April 9, he writes: "Report at the regt. yesterday that Lee had asked for terms of capitulation. Heavy cannonading this A.M. far off."

He records learning of Abraham Lincoln's death on April 16: "The assassination of Prest. Lincoln officially announced to a mournful feeling very marked…"

The memorandum pages at the back of the diaries are used to record his expenses as well as sales made to his fellow soldiers. He writes almost daily, with only occasional days missed. He notes the exact weather conditions, location of the regiments, and any noteworthy news heard. Much more excellent content.

Other notable entries include:

September 17, 1862: "After dinner went out and saw a lot of 1500 rebels – prisoners pass on their way to Washn. also thousands of paroled Union prisoners captured by Jackson at Harper's Ferry."

September 19, 1862: "Lot of reb. prisoners & union wounded just outside our lines. Looking at them was rather interesting but sad…Two companies are off as guard to a lot of rebels on their way to Baltimore…"

October 12, 1862: "Ordered to prepare for inspection at 8 o'clk, but before we were ready 8 Cos of the Regt were ordered out and marched to Urbana, 4 miles to try & cut off a body of Stewart's [J.E.B. Stuart] who made a dash in Pa. & were returning…"

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: 5.875" x 3.75 x 2.125" (diaries stacked)
  • Medium: Diary/Journal

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

by University Archives
July 28, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
88 Danbury Road
Suite 2A
Wilton, CT, US 06897

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000