157 years ago, a Hoosier from Monroe County wrote about fighting for the Union in the Civil War in a diary he kept almost daily. Peter Thomas Matthews was 20 years old when he enlisted in the army and served as a drummer in the 19th Indiana Regimental Band.
Follow along as we publish his diary entries in real-time on the day they were written.
Read the first entryhere. Learn more about Matthews and read all former and future entries here.
Editor's note: We have left Matthews' words as he recorded them, which means spelling and punctuation may not conform to modern standards.
November 26, 1861
At noon we were told to be ready to attend Brigade Drill to be rigged up to go with some of the officers to washington
Accordingly we smoothed up After Brigade Drill was over we all Jumped in into the wagon and rode to washington for the purpose of serenading Had a fine supper at the National Salon.
As half Past eleven was the time appointed for the serenade we were allowed the privilege of spending the time as we liked. So some of us went to Campbells some to the theatre and some to the Circus! I visited the latter--Tom Kings—tolerably like good—At half past eleven we all assembled at the national and then Started off—first to Dubonts the proprietor of the National were we were Invited in but found we had many places to go next to D.P. Halloways commissioner of Patents—from Indiana from there to the Secretary of the Interior C.B. Smith where we were cordially invited in were we found a nice Oister Supper awaiting us of this we partook freely and drunk his health with some old fine liquor he said that was very fine music and that soon probably we would be in the sound of Different kind of music on the Battle field.
The PostMaster from Indianapolis was present and some other Dignitaries. Caleb is fixed in fine Style he treated us Splendid
next we went over to the White House and serenaded the President of the United States—this was Cool but what of that—Then we went and played for Dr Mr Drums wife who Bords in the city from there we went Republican Office they was just working of the morning Edition they gave us each a number of there papers and thanked us very kindly
One of our number vol Irish come neare getting us in to a rumpus with a workleman on the street as we went up to Penn Ave he was in liquor wich no account for it
Our wagon we found waiting for us wen we got aboard and sailed towards Camp.
I was very cold and sleepy Ben Worth got Out to walk a Peace and found nice Navy Revolves we reached camp after 5 P.M. next morning built a fire and warmed and while making Down the Bed Reveille Sounded Of Course we Didnot get up them to roll Call but went to Bed
