The July 28, 1861 edition of the New Orleans Daily True Blue published a story of how a local soldier took a diary off a dead Massachusetts recruit and sent it home. Neither soldier, North or South are named. The Southerner is referred to as "H" and belonging to the LA 7th.
The diary entrees are from Camp Ellsworth on Fresh Pond in Cambridge. This could only be the MA First.
Here are the entrees.
May 16 - Enlisted in the Fusiliers. (Independent Fusiliers, CO "G", of Boston)
May 23 - Sworn into United States service by Lieut Amory.
May 24 - Alexandria taken - Col. Ellsworth shot by the secessionists.
June 1 - Marched to Camp Ellsworth, fresh pond in Cambridge - very long march.
June 2 - Firtst day in camp; a very noisy and busy day; at a dress parade morning and afternoon.
June 11 - Ran the guard; went to the city to class-meeting - very good time. (another recruit at Ellsworth mentioned how the officers would dress as enlisted men and try to run the guard. A Camp Cameron soldiers also talked about "French Leaves."
June 14 - In the city and at the rehearsal.
June 15 - Started for the seat of war, five miles march to Boston.
June 16 - Arrived at Jersey City; met father, mother, uncle and cousin Alice; had a collation in the depot.
Bull's Rub, July 18 - This diary was suddenly brought to a close this day, by a musket ball from the Louisiana Seventh regiment.
DAN SULLIVAN
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