War Diaries (August 17) (nonfiction)

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War Diary entries for August 17.

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Diaries

Benjamin Gilbert: August 17, 1778

This morning one Smith formally belonging to Colo. Greatons Regt was shot to death for desertion and inlisting several times.

Benjamin Gilbert was a soldier in the American Revolutionary War whose kept a diary and wrote letters. The diary entries are terse and heavily abbreviated. They nearly always include a comment about the weather. There is very little information about actual fighting or battles, but they do frequently describe preparing to fight and moving from place to place. They contain information not usually found in descriptions of the typical activities of continental soldiers.

Creed T. Davis: May 6, 1864

—On the march again. We are within four miles of Winchester. Skirmishing in front of us. We have been pressing the enemy closely all day. Saw a good many of their dead lying on the roadside. We also passed many smoking ruins. The Yankees burn all barns, hay-stacks, etc., that happen in their way. Poor Valley ! ! Firing heard in the direction of Winchester. Gen. Early is in the neighborhood.

Diary of Creed T. Davis, Private Second Company Richmond Howitzers.

George Beck: August 17, 1941

Sunday Laid on the grass outside, weather lovely. Wrote a card to Alice. Roll on Sheffield. It’s a wonder a man doesn’t get barbed wire fever here, same routine, day in, day out. Wonder how much longer this prison life is going to last. Better get in bed, for one finds contentment there.

George Beck,1st Battalion The Duke of Wellington's Regiment, prisoner of war (diary)

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