Collection: James H. McCleary Diary, Letter, and Photograph

Scope and Contents note

This Civil War diary by a Pennsylvania soldier begins on January 1, 1863, and includes daily entries until McCleary's death during the battle of Gettysburg. Entries remark upon day to day activities and duties, weather and housing conditions, movement orders, leadership changes, and rumors concerning the war. McCleary's unit was stationed at Belle Plain, Virginia, until late April, when it began moving to the Chancellorsville area on the Rappahannock River. In June, McCleary discussed the march that would lead him to Gettysburg. The last entry is on July 1,1863, the day before he was killed at Gettysburg. The collection also contains a photo of McCleary and a letter dated 25 February 1864, notifying John McCleary that his brother's tombstone will be placed once the ground thaws.

Dates

1862 - 1864

Biographical/Historical note

James McCleary entered the Pennsylvania Light Artillery Regiment, 1st Battery B (also known as Cooper's Battery), as a private on October 6, 1861. During his time in Battery "B", he participated in engagements on the James-York River peninsula (Mechanicsville, Beaver Dam Creek), Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, and Fredericksburg. He was killed at the battle of Gettysburg.