George L. Childress Diaries, 1862-1865 | Illinois History and Lincoln Collections

Scope and Contents:

This collection contains duplicate 163-page typescripts of George L. Childress' diaries from Jan. 1, 1862 through July 10, 1865. Childress, who served in Co. I, 66th Ill. Vol. Inf., recorded his daily life in the army. He described battles and skirmishes as well as camp life and marching. His unit fought at Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Iuka, and in the Atlanta campaign. Childress also recorded a list of items that he purchased while on duty.

Acquisition Source: In 1913-14, the diarist's son, E. H. Childress, loaned the diaries to the Illinois Historical Survey for copying. Another set of copies is in the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.