The Civil War Diary of Berea M. Willsey

Civil War scholars and genealogists alike will be interested in Massachusetts Volunteer Private Berea M. Willsey's three-year account of his Civil War experiences and his comrades in arms. Private Willsey, who was present at many of the significant military engagements of the Civil War, kept a faithful daily record noting the weather, troop movements, food, marches, battles, his impressions of his commanding officers, visiting clergy, and "the use of spirits" by the troops. Serving as a nurse during part of his tour of duty, he also described particulars of the field hospitals. Private Willsey identified soldiers specifically by their full names and company numbers wherever possible. The appendix gives an account of every soldier mentioned in the diary who was the 10th Massachusetts Volunteers.

 

Jessica H. DeMay