The following pocket diaries were kept by Charles N. Walker (1842-1913) while serving in Co. F, 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry. He served three years, from August 1861 to August 1864. He was the son of Delanis Walker and Catherine Keeney of Towanda county, Pennsylvania.

The 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry was organized at Philadelphia as an independent regiment, “Harlan’s Light Cavalry” originally. Most of the men serving in Co. F were recruited from Tioga county, Pennsylvania, or across the state border in upstate New York.

See also the 1863 Diary kept by Jared Fuller of Co. A, 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry. It was transcribed and published on Spared & Shared in May 2023.

Walker’s diaries are from the collection of Don Andrew and were made available for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.

Transcription

January 1863

Tuesday, 1—Staid in camp all say. Was quite unwell.

Monday, 5—Went to the hospital sick.

Tuesday, 20—Drew five dollars sutler tickets. Bought this book, a portfolio cost one dollar. Am still in the hospital but able to go to town. Wrote to G. F. Ellison.

Wednesday, 21—Stayed around the hospital all day. Wrote to H. A. Guernsey. News of the capture of Arkansas Post and 3,000 prisoners. Wrote to Lydia Giles.

Thursday, 22–Rained nearly all day. Received a letter from Al and Annie Thompson. Wrote to Al. Phil Andrews came to the hospital today sick. No mail tonight.

Friday, 23—Bought a Waverly and read it all day, Nothing else to do. Am still in hospital. Eat 6 eggs for my supper and so did Paul Rimple and Bis[hop] Borden.

Saturday, 24—Received a letter from Em. Answered it and wrote Ike Townsbery. Went up to camp. Received an Agitator from Sate.

Sunday, 25—Received a letter from Juke. Answered it and wrote to W. E. Calkins. Stayed to the hospital all day. Very nice day. Enos Ackerly Co. He got a furlough for 20 days.

Monday, 26—Returned to camp today. Green, Co. D, 7th Confederate Cavalry was paroled and went away from the hospital.

Tuesday, 27—Signed the pay roll for four months pay. Rained nearly all day. Very muddy.

Wednesday, 28—Still rains. The paymaster did not come today but is expected tomorrow. It is raining very hard tonight. Coffee, rice, and bread and molasses for supper.

Thursday, 29—Went out on a scout at midnight and returned in the morning. Received pay at night. the whole regiment went out to fight the rebs.

Friday, 30—In camp all day. Fight going on at the Deserted House. Our troops come off victorious. All in camp.

Saturday, 31—Got my likeness taken. Very busy times about town. Greenbacks are plenty. Am on light duty yet. Received a letter from Em & Mother.

February 1863

Sunday, 1—Wrote a letter to Em. Went on company inspection. Got my likeness taken and sent it to Juke. Sent $5 to Ma.

Monday, 2—Went and saw J. Brady. he is well. Had an oyster supper. No news of importance.

Tuesday, 3—Snowed all night. Very cold. Went out on a scout to Holland Corners. Snow about 8 inches deep. No mail today. Rather tough scouting.

Wednesday, 4—Still very cold. Have sat by the fire all day. The snow has not yet gone off. Capt. gets leave of absence for 7 days. get me a pair of boots.

Thursday, 5—Capt. went home today. Still cold. No news of importance.

Friday, 6—Received a letter from Juke. Rained all day. Very muddy going. News of the blockade at Charleston being raised.

Saturday, 7—Received a letter from Em. Lieut. Palmer is officer of the day. Still muddy. Had the toothache all day.

Sunday, 8—Dress parade at ten a.m. Went to town. Wrote a letter to Em. Very nice day. Everything quiet.

Monday, 9—Detailed for police duty today. Very nice day. the Boys played ball nearly all day. received a letter from Sarahan. Bought a Frank Leslie.

Tuesday, 10—Dress Parade at 8 a.m. without arms. Went on a scout to Holland Corners. Did not get back until 10 o’clock at night.

Wednesday, 11—Wrote to Sarahan & Juke and sent a paper to Jane. Very nice day.

Thursday, 12—Detailed for regiment guard and picked out for orderly for Lt. Col. [George] Stetzel for one day. No mail today. Very nice day. Phil Andres was put in the guard house today.

Friday, 13—Stayed around camp all day. received a letter from Al.

Saturday, 14—-Went on a scout to Carrsville. Had a good time.

Sunday, 15—Had a tooth pulled. Went to church. Received a letter from home. Wrote to Al and Ma. Sent a Waverly to Em.

Monday, 16—Stayed in camp all day. No news of importance.

Tuesday, 17—Rained all day. Stayed in camp. Capt. [Benjamin B.] Mitchell returned on the evening train.

Wednesday, 18—Detailed for fatigue. Rained all day. No news tonight.

Thursday, 19—No news of importance. Rained nearly all day.

Friday, 20—Doct. Borden & Mr. Far came down to see us. Got my horse shod.

Saturday, 21—Went out on a scout to Carrsville. Was on stable guard. Doctor and Mr. Far went on a scout with us. Received a letter from Lydia and a likeness from Juke.

Sunday, 22—Snowed some last night. Rained all day. Wrote to Ma. No news of importance.

Monday, 23—Doctor Borden goes away today. Sent a letter to Ma by him. Middling cold.

Tuesday, 24—Still cold. No news of importance today. Received three Agitators from Sate.

Wednesday, 25—Started on a three days scout this day at 3 p.m. Co. F, H, & D under command of Lt. Col. Stetzel. Marched 12 miles to Big Fox Church.

Thursday, 26—Marched to Gatesville and from there to Sunbury, distance of 30 miles. Stayed all night at Sunbury. Am orderly for Lt. Col.

Friday, 27—Received letter from Em and Jennie. Started for camp at sunrise. Went in advance to buy chickens for the Lt. Col. Arrived at Suffolk at 4 p.m. Was alarmed at 9 o’clock. Went out to the pickets but there was no show.

Saturday, 28—Mustered this morn at 9 a.m. by Col. Dodge, Am on stable guard today. Somewhat rainy. received a letter from Juke. Wrote to Jennie.

March 1863

Sunday, 1—Wrote to Juke. Rained nearly all day. No news of importance.

Monday, 2—Rained today. received a letter from Ma and Al. No news today. The ram Indianola captured by the rebs at Vicksburg by the Queen of the West.

Tuesday, 3—Co. F went on a scout to Carrsville. I was in the advance guard. the whole regiment went out to Franklin at midnight.

Wednesday, 4—Wrote to Al. Was on regiment fatigue chopping wood. the regiment came back tonight. they captured three prisoners.

Thursday, 5—Very nice day. No news of importance.

Friday, 6—Co. F went on a scout to Carrsville. Had a good time.

Saturday, 7—Received a letter from C. N. E. Calkins and H. A. Guernsy.

Sunday, 8—Wrote to Alice Bishop. Borden returned today from home. Thomas Depu came with him. Received a letter from Em & Olive. Received a kerchief from Ma.

Monday, 9—Went and saw Jerome today. Marched through town on review by Gen. Peck. No news. Tonight 4 companies on a scout.

Tuesday, 10—Rained all day. No news of importance.

Wednesday, 11—Was on regimental guard. Middling cold day. Co. H was on a scout to Carrsville. Corporal Smith, Co. K, was shot through the head by a guerrilla near Deserted House.

Thursday, 12—Nothing new today. Went on drill. Made two charges. Very nice day.

Friday, 13—Co. F & D went on a scout to South Quay. Drove in the pickets and returned safe and sound.

Saturday, 14—The 9th Army Corps has arrived at this place. No other news. Very fair day.

Sunday, 15—Wrote o Ma. Went to town. Inspection at 9 a.m. Dress Parade at sundown.

Monday, 16—Co. F received orders to get to Norfolk to relieve Co. M. Started at 2 and arrived at 12 o’clock.

Tuesday, 17—Stayed all night near Norfolk. Today the various details were made. I came to the city as orderly. Am orderly for the Provost Judge. Wrote to Warren.

Wednesday, 18—Went up to camp today and served two summons. one on James Street. The other on East Wide Water Street, No. 147. Went to the theater at night.

Thursday, 19—Went to the jail three ties with orders. received orders to return to camp. Snowed some.

Friday, 20—Snowed last night and all day. Went to the city on detail with three days rations. The weather being bad, we were sent back. Corporal D[avenport] and 5 men.

Saturday, 21—It has cleared up some today. the snow is going off. It was about 8 inches deep.

Sunday, 22—Went and took a ride with William Tompkins. Went to church in the evening.

Monday, 23—Went out to Hempsville on picket. Went to Prince Ann Court House on a scout. Bought two dozen eggs. Wrote to Ma.

Tuesday 24—Returned to camp. Received a letter from Jennie & Ma. Very nice day. Went to the city.

Wednesday, 25—Received a letter from Juke. Answered it same day.

Thursday, 26—Went to the city with the captain. Received orders for a scout. Went as far as Hempsville and stayed all night.

Friday, 27—Marched through the county of Prince Ann and picked up all the arms we could find. Saw some very nice young ladies. Stayed at Hempsville.

Saturday, 28—Marched through the county of Norfolk picking up arms. returned to camp in a drenching rain.

Sunday, 29—Received a letter from Al & Alice. Have a very bad cold. Fixed up my stable. Rather a cold day. There is two men here from Bradford visiting the Boys.

Monday, 30—Detailed with 4 of the Boys and Corporal Davenport to report to the Lt. Col. of 173rd Pennsylvania. Went to Prince Ann Court House. Stayed at Hempville.

Tuesday, 31—Nothing of importance.

April 1863