Stanford Weston diary, 1862

Leather-bound holograph diary kept by a Union soldier from Middleboro, Mass., with entries for 9, 11, 31 December 1862, who served in the Civil War at Ship Island, Miss., New Orleans, La., Baton Rouge, La. and Carrolton, La. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on 15 November 1861, and was discharged on 15 October 1862, because of poor health. Diary relates his voyage to Hampton Roads, Va., and Ship Island in USS Constitution, with comments on the weather, illness, the crew, news of Union victories at Savannah, Ga., and New Orleans, La., descriptions of New Orleans and Baton Rouge, picket duty, guard duty, skirmishes with the Confederates near Baton Rouge, execution of a Confederate, the taking of prisoners, burning plantations, capturing supplies, his illness and subsequent discharge and return trip to NYC and home. Diary contains a family record, date of his marriage, list of household goods, list of dates in service and where spent, and Army items issued to him.