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 day. 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 [Advocate] 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 [Wellsboro] 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 [Illustrated].

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 Andrews 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 [Advocate] 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 [Wellsboro] 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 Kempsville 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 Kempsville 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 Kempsville.

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 Kempsville.

Tuesday, 31—Nothing of importance.

April 1863

Wednesday, 1—Did not get fooled today. Middling cold day. Have a very bad cold. Nothing new.

Thursday, 2—Went to the city with Captain. Very nice day.

Friday, 3—Wrote to Al. No news. Cold and rainy.

Saturday, 4—Went to the city and got my horse shod. Cold and windy today. Lay in the house all the rest of the day. Received a letter from Em.

Sunday, 5—Cold, snowy and wet this morning. Wrote to Jennie.

Monday, 6—Went on a scout to Blackwater. Marched over 50 miles.

Tuesday, 7—Wrote to Sate. Went to town and to the Express Office. News of the capture of Charleston, S. C.

Wednesday, 8—Detailed on fatigue. Building bake oven. Pay rolls came tonight. Went to the city with the team.

Thursday, 9—On fatigue. Got pay today. Lieuts. [David] Tears & [Philip] Palmer were here.

Friday, 10—Went to town. Bought a new neck tie and a pair of suspenders and 50 cents worth of stamps. Wrote to Em. Sent Ma $5. Went on a scout to Hodge’s Ferry.

Saturday, 11—Received a letter from Ma. Went on picket 10 miles from the city.

Sunday, 12—Still on picket. Got my meals to a neighbor’s house.

Monday, 13—Went to Sleepy Hole on a scout. Came into Norfolk with a dispatch. Staid in and Lyman Cole went out in my place.

Tuesday, 14—Went to the city and got my horse shod. Nothing new.

Wednesday, 15—Nothing new.

Thursday, 16—Went to Deep Creek with the Captain. Got wet. Sent Ma $45 by Express.

Friday, 17—Went up to Great Bridge with John. Put under arrest. Staid all night.

Saturday, 18—Came from Great Bridge with Irvine Arnot [Irwin Arnet].

Sunday, 19—Received a letter from Ma.

Monday, 20—Went out to David’s Mills on picket.

Tuesday, 21—Went out to the neighbors to see the girls.

Wednesday, 22—Nothing new.

Thursday, 23—The same. Received a letter from Juke.

Friday, 24—Went over to Mr. Peak’s and saw Martha Jane Brown. She is same.

Saturday, 25—Wrote to Juke adn staid around the church the rest of the day.

Sunday, 26—Went on a scout in the country to the Nansamond [river], breaking up boats.

Monday, 27—Went out riding with Miss Emily Howell. Had a very pleasant ride. Received a letter from Alice & Ma.

Tuesday, 28—Went up to Mr. Taylor’s and got acquainted wit htwo very nice young ladies.

Wednesday, 29—Came to camp with morning report. Baily went out in my place. Received a letter from Em & Alice. Wrote to Alice. Thunderstorm in the evening.

Thursday, 30—Went on a scout to northwestern branch, distance of 25 miles from camp. Captured a horse.

May 1863

Friday, 1—-Went to the [blacksmith’s] shop. Got my secesh horse shod. Before wrote to Em. In the evening, Sergt. [George W.] Tooker returned to the company. Today Charley Clark and Turner went to jail.

Saturday, 2—Went to Kempsville on picket with Corporal [N. M.] Davenport.

Sunday, 3—Came in from picket by way of the plank road.

Monday, 4—Stayed in camp all day. News of Gen. Hooker’s advance.

Tuesday, 5—Received a letter from Dora Howcell. Got me a Waverly [Advocate]. Went to the city on a pass. Went a fishing and did not get a fish.

Wednesday, 6—Wrote to W. E. Calkins. Rainy today.

Thursday, 7—Went to the city at night.

Friday, 8—Went to the city & got my bit fixed. Received a letter from Al.

Saturday, 9—Captain went to Old Point. Went to the city.

Sunday, 10—Drove the team up to Great Bridge for Ben received a letter from Alice. Very warm and pleasant.

Monday, 11—Picnic party went up the river from Portsmouth. Wrote to Al. Started on a two day’s scout. Went to Great Bridge and staid all night.

Tuesday, 12—Scouted about 30 miles out. Got some corn and ham. Returned to Great Bridge. Staid all night there.

Wednesday, 13—Returned to camp today. Very warm.

Thursday, 14—Received a letter from Em. Wrote to Ma. Thunderstorm in the afternoon. Moved stables &c.

Friday, 15—Went to the city.

Saturday, 16—Received a letter from Eugene Herring [Co. H, 45th Pennsylvania] . He is at Acqua Creek.

Sunday, 17—Went to the city and visited the burying ground. Called on Miss Nickels in the evening.

Monday, 18—Went on a scout to Blackwater. Fine day. Rode about 50 miles.

Tuesday, 19—Went to the city and got my horse shod. The Reverend Mr. Whittaker called on us in the afternoon. Played a game of ball with us.

Wednesday, 20—Nothing new. Went out calling in the evening.

Thursday, 21—Wrote to Em and Eugene Herring.

Friday, 22—Stayed around camp all day. Went in Mr. Ive’s field and got all the strawberries I could eat.

Saturday, 23—Went over to Portsmouth to attend a picnic but there was none there. Very warm day.

Sunday, 24—Inspection in the morning. Went out to see the gals in the afternoon.

Monday, 25—Went into the country after some men. Did not get them. Wrote to Alice.

Tuesday, 26—Wrote to Juke. Very nice day. Received a paper from Jennie.

Wednesday, 27—Received letters from Al, Alice, and Juke.

Thursday, 28—Stayed around camp all day. Very warm day.

Friday, 29—Went to the city in the daytime. Went and saw the girls at night.

Saturday, 30—Cleaned the yard up and went to the city.

Sunday, 31—Went out in the country 4 miles to church. Had a good sermon. Very warm day. Went out in the evening to see the girls.

June 1863

Monday, 1—Wrote to Al. Nothing new.

Tuesday, 2—Went to the city with A[delbert] D. Keeney. Received a letter from Eugene Herring.

Wednesday, 3—Received a letter from Em. Large fire in Norfolk in the evening. Went down to Mr. Nichol’s. In the evening, mounted drill.

Thursday, 4—Went to the city with the team. Stayed around camp the rest of the day. Mounted drill in the afternoon.

Friday, 5—Bishop Borden came to see us today. Stayed all night. I went to the city in the evening.

Saturday, 6—Bishop went to Suffolk today. Very nice day. Pay rolls came today. Signed the pay roll. Went on a scout.

Sunday, 7—Stayed at Great Bridge last night. Went out in the country about 20 miles. Returned to camp.

Monday, 8—Wrote to Em & Jennie.

Tuesday, 9—Some of the Boys went to Great Bridge and stayed all night.

Wednesday, 10—Went on a scout by way of Great Bridge. Stayed all night at the bridge.

Thursday, 11—Started for camp. Received orders to return on a scout. Did so. Went to Shingle Landing.

Friday, 12—Marched all night. Arrived at Blackwater at daylight. 77 officers got away from one of our boats and we are trying to cut them off.

Saturday, 13—Corporal July [?], H. C. Palmer, and myself went to arrest Mr. Baum. He ran into the woods. Received a letter from Ma and Al.

Sunday, 14—Went with Lieut. [Philip A.] Palmer after Baum. He was away but the ladies said he would be in in the morning.

Monday, 15—Mr. Baum gave himself up. Went up after him. One of the young ladies played on the piano for us. Mr. Baum came to the city.

Tuesday, 16—Went into the country with Lyman & Wilson Cole. Sergt. Ward came out with orders to gather up horses. Received a paper from Jennie.

Wednesday, 17—Marched through the country picking up horses. Came to Great Bridge at night.

Thursday, 18—Returned to camp today. Brought 81 horses in and turned them over to the quartermaster. Very warm and dusty.

Friday, 19—Went to town and got my horse shod. Received a letter from Alice. Wrote to Ma.

Saturday, 20—Received marching orders to join the regiment.

Sunday, 21—Co. K, 1st New York Rifles came to relieve us. Wrote to Ma, Juke, Alice and Al. Went to the city with the captain.

Monday, 22—Packed up . Went to the city. Joined the regiment at Portsmouth. Saw Emily Howell. Staid all night in Portsmouth.

Tuesday, 23—Took the boat for Yorktown. Arrived in the afternoon. Encamped for the night.

Wednesday, 24—Took the boat for White House [Landing]. Moved as far as West Point [on the York River] and anchored for the night.

Thursday, 25—Landed at the White House and started on the road for Hanover Court House. Captured some rebel pickets. Staid in the country.

Friday, 26—Moved on to the Court House. Captured a wagon train and 75 prisoners. Had a small fight.

Saturday, 27—Returned to the White House on the opposite [side] of the river safe and sound. Co. B’s 1st Sergeant [Richard McFarlan] was killed [at South Anna River, Va. on 26 June 1863].

Sunday, 28—Moved across the river and encamped on the bank of the [Pamunky] river.

Monday, 29—Wrote to Mam Al, and Juke and Emily Howell.

Tuesday, 30—Lay around camp all day. Received a letter from Ma.

July 1863