James Louis Matthews

Full Citation: James Louis Matthews, "The Civil War Diary of James Louis Matthews," ed. Roger C. Hackett, Indiana Magazine of History 24, no. 4 (December 1928): 306-316.
Home: Warrick County (Newburgh)
Years: 1864-1865
Regiment: 59th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Co. E
Engagements: Burning of Columbia, Battle of Bentonville
Abstract: Matthews's (1839-1924) diary covers December 8, 1864-July 23, 1865. After travelling from Evansville to Beaufort, S.C., Matthews was involved in the shelling of the city of Columbia. He also took part in the Battle of Bentonville on March 22. Between April and May of 1865, his regiment marched to Raleigh, N.C., then to Richmond, Va., then to Washington D.C., where he took a rail trip to Louisville, finally returning home on July 23.
Sample Text:
1. "Charged the rebs out of their works...Saw 2 rebels that had been burned by fire till cooked, horrible sight. There were six dead rebs to one union man. This is what I saw." [At Bentonville, March 22, 1865, p. 311]
2. "No marching today. Sad news that President Lincoln is killed." [Raleigh, April 18, 1865, p. 312]
3. "At night glorious news. Gen. Jo. Johnson surrendered his entire force to Gen. Sherman and there is great rejoicing here." [Raleigh, April 27, 1865, p. 312]
LC Subject Headings:
1. United States. Army. Indiana Infantry Regiment, 59th (1862-1865)
2. Columbia, S.C., Burning of, 1865
3. Bentonville (N.C.), Battle of, 1865