This diary was kept by Averill Jacob Roundy (1835-1916), the son of Marvin Roundy (1808-1893) and Frienda Louisa Averill (1812-18xx) of Huron, Wayne county, New York. Averill enlisted on 22 April 1861 in Co. C, 70th New York Infantry. He was seriously wounded at the Battle of Williamsburg on 5 May 1862 (as stated in his diary) where 8 members of his company were killed and 22 others were wounded. On account of this wound, he was discharged from the hospital at Albany, New York, in October, where he was eventually sent. Later in the war, he sought permission to re-enter the service but was not permitted. Averill married Ellen Southwell (1841-1893) in 1865 and the couple had four children.

The leather pocket diary measures 3.25 x 5 inches and was most likely purchased at the sutler’s tent near Fortress Monroe on 12 May 1862—one week after Averill was wounded in the Battle of Williamsburg while serving in the ranks of the 70th New York Infantry. This regiment was recruited by Dan Sickles who served as its temporary colonel until promoted to Brigadier General of the “Sickles Brigade” of which the 70th New York was a part. At the Battle of Williamsburg—the first battle of consequence in which the 70th participated—the regiment lost 339 killed, wounded, or missing, of the 700 engaged. For Averill, it would be his first and last battle.

Averill’s handwriting is clear and easily read, even though the entries are in pencil. I have only transcribed that portion of the diary that pertains to his military service. The latter portion of the diary includes entries made in Effingham and Galesburg, Illinois, where Averill attempted to make a living as a teamster, I believe, though he did not appear to be much satisfied with the work or the location.

See also two letters written by Lt. Charles Trowbridge Dwight who served in Co. B, 70th New York Infantry.

[Note: This diary is from the personal collection of Greg Herr and was made available for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.]

Transcription

May 12th—Averill J. Roundy’s book. In Chesapeake General Hospital, Fortress Monroe

May 5th—Got wounded in a battle at Williamsburg

May 6th—Wound very sore. Had the ball cut out [of left shoulder].

May 8th—Got aboard the boat for Fort Monroe

May 11th—Landed at Ft. Monroe. Was taken to the Chesapeake General Hospital.

May 12th—Went to the sutlers and back. Got tired most out.

May 13th—Feel rather sore today but guess my wounds will come out all right. Hear all kinds of stories about the success of our troops. Hope they are true.

May 14th—Feel very well today. Guess I shall get so as to go home before long. Have not heard from the company since I left.

May 15th—Feel very well today. If I have no serious drawback, shall soon be well. Wrote a letter to E.

May 16th—It is pleasant today but cool. Wounds feel easy. Surgeon gives hopes of soon being able to go home. Hope to be able to go on the next boat.

May 17th—Is a lovely morning—cool and pleasant. Sun shines out clear. Am going to try and see Crow today. My wounds seem to be doing well. Went and saw Crow. Found him doing very well.

May 18th—[Sunday] It is a very pleasant day. Don’t feel quite as well today. Guess it was most too much for me going over to Crow’s yesterday. Have hopes of soon going home but don’t know how soon for we can’t go away from here just yet. Had a short but very pleasant sermon today. It was good to see.

May 19th—Is a very pleasant morning—cool and nice. Feel very well today.

May 20th—Nice morning—cool and pleasant. Feel very well but don’t hear any more about going home. Guess they mean to keep us here until we get well. Hope they won’t though.

May 21st—Passed the worst night I have seen since I came here. Could not sleep nor rest. Feel quite unwell today. Head aches some. Back aches some. Not a very pleasant morning. Cool but cloudy and misty.

May 22nd—Passed a very easy night. Rested well. Feel very well this morning. Nice and pleasant, dry, cool and comfortable. Report is that we are going to be sent to New York today. Hope it is so. Guess I can stand it. Have got on the boat at last to go home. Guess I shall make a go of it.

May 23rd—Have not started yet. Been kept on the boat all night. Got no supper last night. Don’t see as we are going to get any breakfast today. Have got started at last and are going at pretty good speed for New York.

May 24th—Are within about forty miles of Sandy Hook. Expect to see New York City this afternoon. Have heard that that the boat is to go to Albany to take some as far as there on the road to their homes. Hope it is so for there is where I want to go, you may be sure.

May 25th—This morning landed in New York City and was taken to the Park Barracks where we had our wounds dressed and taken care of for the first time since we left Fortress Monroe.

May 26th—Have concluded to go on home and have got on the boat for Albany and we have got started and are moving with good speed towards our destination.

May 27th—Landed in Albany this morning and took the cars for Clyde. Got there and from there home a little before sunset.

June 3rd—Went over to Uncle Daniel’s and had a good time. Got home about dark.

June 5th—Feel first rate today. Am getting along finely. Have been most all over the farm.

June 8th—Am at Uncle Botham’s today. Is a very pleasant day—cool and pleasant.

June 10th—Am at Uncle Daniel’s out in the logging field.

June 20th—Got a good long letter from [ ].

June 22nd—Got my coat on for the first time since I got hurt May 5th ’62.

July 11th—Got a certificate of disability for duty from Dr. Willson.

July 16th—Got a letter from Capt. Mooney.

July 17th—Went to Rochester and from there to Albany…

July 24th—Have been writing a little, reading a little, and doing a great deal of nothing. But it is dull work here. I must wait and watch for better times…

July 31st—Have been to the City [of Albany] to have my likeness taken.

August 1st—The most of the wounded have been sent from here [Albany] today.

August 2nd—Sent a letter home with a photograph in it. Also one to Henry Mayo and one to Ell. and have got four left. One to K___ and one to Justin leaving only two.

August 3rd—Gave a photograph to Miss Rawson and one to Miss Mary Carey.

August 8th—Am still in the hospital and likely to stay there for some time yet. Very lonesome and dull here. Almost dead with ennui.

August 11th—It is very warm this morning and I cannot find much to satisfy myself. Must go down to the City today and got my photographs.

August 13th—Got a letter from Almira this morning adn have written an answer to it. Gave a photograph to Dr. R. S. Havens.

August 17th—Gave a photograph to E. W. Merrill and down to the City this forenoon heard some splendid singing at the Cathedral.

August 18th—There went a regiment from here today, about twelve hundred strong.

August 23rd—Feel rather bad today. Curious I don’t receive any letters. Guess the folks have forgot me.

August 29th—It begins to look and feel like fall and I begin to think I shall have to spend another winter in the army.

September 7th—Sunday and a cool and pleasant day. Have been over to an orchard and got all the apples I could eat.

September 27th—Received my Descriptive List today from Capt. [William H.] Hugo.

October 6th—Have got my discharge and am at home once more—a free man.

October 27th—The snow is about three inches deep and it is snowing like fun….

December 18th 1862—Effingham, Illinois. Commenced work for Samuel Fleming at $12/month.

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