(Photo of Peter T. Matthews courtesy Clay Stuckey)
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 entry here. 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.
September 29, 1861
Neglect and circumstances have deterred or prevented me from writing for nearly a mounth—War Bound come to the Regt on the 17th of Aug, where we stayed till about the 5th or 6th of Sep.
we are now Situated near Chain Bridge in the land of Secession where our troops have erected two Strong forts
Our Camp at present is Camp advance on the right is fort Smith (since fort Marcy) on the left. Fort Ethan Allen to the east is the romantic Potomac wich is most beautiful here.
Chain Bridge is well fortified with frowning dogs of war
It looks almost impossible for such places to be captured—go on top of one of the forts and look around and you see troops after troops scattered as far as the eye can range And troops still continue to pour in.
Our Regt has bin in a fight Gen Smith who is in command here desiring a Survey of the Country in advance moved his forces Secessionist the Survey being Completed then were Driven up in order for return.
Towards evening men on concealed batteries opend above them with Shell the Band were left behing as part of the Camp Carol
and through the Distance was about 5 miles we would Distinctly hear the report of the cannons and plainly see the struggling Shells explode above the trees
the Batteries wich was kept in readiness here men hurried out and the first shot that from the 32—pounder turned over there Big Gun and killed nine (so said a Prisoner) and Caused them to be Silenced.
There men no musketry fired of Any harm the Rebels Did not Dare to come out under Gunes of Our artillery
Our troops returned in grand order Some of there Cavalry who were kept behind for a Charge if Confusion should be created by there firing. their location was ascertained and horses were killed from that. barely when our cannons opend upon them
although having every advantage their loss is about one hundred while ours is not more than six killed and one or two severely wounded
Lint Hancock of Co I. is either killed or taken Prisoner he was scouting and is supposed to have been cut off and, Our Rgt suffered the most five men killed as one died
they were brought in the next Day and buried with the honors of war
one poor fellow who was on the field over night had his shoes taken off and all the Buttons on his hand coat but off this speeks well.
Our Regt is highly complimented. for its coolness during the fireing, by regular officers who witnessed their actions those of the our Band boys were present and one narrowly escaped a peace of Shell wich struck but in little Distance from him.
the Boys of the Regt seemed to enjoy the fun highly it gave them a good appetite wich nothing but a regular bottle would appease.
